GIS Specialist

GIS Specialist
Starting pay range: $23.7738 - $26.1532
Position status: Full Time
Location: Bloomington, IL

Help Make Every 911 Call Count
Accurate maps and location data can make a critical difference when someone calls 911. As a GIS Specialist with the Emergency Telephone System Board (ETSB), you’ll play an important role in maintaining the geographic data that helps emergency communications and response systems work accurately and efficiently.
This is an opportunity to combine your GIS expertise with meaningful public service. You’ll work with local municipalities, county and regional GIS professionals, and emergency communications partners to maintain accurate addressing, street, boundary, and other critical GIS data supporting Next Generation 911 (NG911).

What You'll Do
As a GIS Specialist, you will:

• Create, maintain, validate, and update GIS layers critical to 911 operations, including emergency response boundaries, PSAP boundaries, unincorporated addresses, street centerlines, ZIP codes, and other required data.
• Ensure GIS data complies with NENA NG911 standards, Illinois NG911 GIS policies, and applicable NG911 data standards and requirements.
• Manage the Master Street Address Guide (MSAG) in coordination with federal, county, and local agencies.
• Serve as a Local Data Maintainer as defined by the Illinois NG911 Geographic Information System Governance Policy.
• Conduct topology checks and spatial quality-control processes to ensure data is accurate and ready for Computer-Aided Dispatch (CAD).
• Work closely with municipal staff responsible for GIS information to ensure accuracy, consistency, and compliance with Illinois NG911 standards.
• Collaborate with surrounding counties and regional emergency communications systems to support cross-boundary GIS data interoperability.
• Coordinate with the McLean County GIS Consortium (McGIS), including attending monthly technical meetings and assisting with major data updates, schema changes, and data migrations.
• Ensure addresses in unincorporated areas of McLean County comply with local rural addressing requirements and NG911 address-point placement standards.
• Research and resolve addressing questions and concerns from residents and other stakeholders.
• Respond to public and departmental requests for maps and property-related GIS information.
  Analyze, research, and troubleshoot GIS and public-safety data issues.
• Stay current on GIS technology, NG911 requirements, industry trends, and best practices related to emergency communications.

What We're Looking For
We're looking for someone who is analytical, detail-oriented, and comfortable working with both technology and people. The ideal candidate will have:

• Proficiency with ArcGIS Pro and ArcGIS Online.
• Strong analytical, research, and problem-solving skills, particularly related to spatial data.
• Knowledge of database management, data entry, and geospatial data formats.
• The ability to read and interpret plats.
• Strong attention to detail and a commitment to data accuracy and integrity.
• Effective communication skills and the ability to work with government agencies, internal staff, municipalities, and members of the public.
• The ability to work independently while also collaborating effectively on regional GIS projects.
• An interest in applying GIS technology to support public safety and emergency response.

Pre-employment drug testing, background check, and fingerprinting are required for this position.

Education & Experience
Education – one of the following:

• Bachelor's degree in GIS, Geography, or a closely related field; or
• Bachelor's degree in another field with at least two GIS courses; or
• No degree required with four years of full-time GIS experience or equivalent experience totaling four years.

Preferred Experience:

• 2+ years of full-time GIS experience for candidates with a qualifying degree.
• 4+ years of full-time GIS experience or equivalent GIS-heavy experience for candidates without a degree.
• Experience with Python scripting.

Licenses & Certifications
Required: Valid Illinois Driver's License.
Preferred: GIS-related certification, such as GISP.

Why This Role Matters
The GIS data you maintain isn't just information on a map. It helps support the systems used to locate 911 callers, determine emergency response areas, and provide accurate information to emergency communications professionals.
Your work will help connect people in need with the right emergency resources - making accuracy, reliability, and attention to detail especially important.
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position.

Benefits
McLean County offers a comprehensive benefits package including:

• Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance
• Health Savings Account (HSA)
• Flexible Spending Accounts (Medical and Dependent Care)
• Medical Member Rewards Program
• County-paid Life Insurance
• Optional Life, Critical Illness, and Accident Insurance
• Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund (IMRF) Pension
• Paid Vacation, Sick Leave, Personal Days, and Holidays
• Employee Assistance Program
• Identity Protection
• Full Salary Range: $23.7738 - $36.4643 per hour (upper range reflects long-term career with McLean County).

Apply Today
Job Board located at https://www.mcleancountyil.gov/2068/Jobs  

Confidentiality of applications is maintained upon request.

McLean County participates in the E-Verify, a federal system that confirms employment eligibility by comparing information from your Form I-9 to records with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and the Social Security Administration. As required by law, all new employees must be verified through this system.

McLean County Government is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer.