GIS SPECIALIST - DALLAS, TX

WESTWOOD PROFESSIONAL SERVICES, INC.

WESTWOOD PROFESSIONAL SERVICES, INC. is seeking a GIS Specialist to join our Environmental team in our Dallas, TX office. This position will provide project level GIS support to Westwood’s diverse land and energy clientele throughout the country as well as Westwood’s internal market sector groups of Energy and Land Development. Westwood has a highly experienced and dynamic team of individuals dedicated to providing high-level professional services to our clients. 

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

As part of Westwood’s Environmental Services team, this position will work within a skilled group of professionals implementing GIS-based solutions to create route maps and quantify environmental features and constructability issues.   Work tasks require excellent communication skills as well as the ability to effectively maintain data documentation.  Key attributes include the ability to work independently in a fast-paced setting creating and modifying GIS datasets; managing and maintaining legacy GIS datasets; developing and implementing GIS-based analyses supporting environmental, civil engineering, or survey projects; crafting technically skilled and detailed solutions; and preparing clear, complete, and accurate representations of spatial data using hardcopy and/or electronic media.  A significant responsibility of the position will be processing of data and graphics requests from project team members and anticipating information needs and presentation format as part of pipeline route studies or energy facility studies. Experience using Python, ModelBuilder or another common GIS scripting language is highly desirable, as job duties will include creating scripts to streamline frequently performed tasks. Additional scripting for complex tasks using both raster and vector data may also be required, to allow non-GIS users to complete needed analysis.

Cartography is the dominant portion of the job duties envisioned for this position, but will be balanced with a variety of spatial analysis. Your role will be to work with solar and wind renewable energy projects to compile available information for preliminary route assessments, assist with infrastructure planning to minimize environment issues, process field data and assemble as-built information.    

Required Skills Required Experience

• 1-3 years hands-on knowledge of ESRI ArcGIS software, including ArcGIS Pro and ArcGIS Desktop
• Familiarity with GPS data collection and data management
• Familiarity with standard cartographic methods, theories and principles
• Experienced using common GIS/CAD programming languages and environments such as VB, .NET, SQL, Python to streamline processes
• Understanding of relational databases and database applications
• Detail orientated and organized
• Ability to independently manage multiple assignments, determine and set job task priorities and work with limited direct supervision

 PREFERRED (BUT NOT REQUIRED):

• Previous work in/familiarity of consulting with environmental specialists and civil engineers
• Experience using ArcGIS Online or another web mapping system
• Familiarity with Collector, Field Maps, Survey123 and Dashboard applications
• File geodatabase and enterprise geodatabase experience
• Proficiency with Microsoft Excel as related to GIS applications

ABOUT WESTWOOD PROFESSIONAL SERVICES, INC. (WESTWOOD)

Westwood is a multi-disciplined national surveying and engineering services provider for commercial and residential development, public infrastructure, wind energy, solar energy, energy storage, and electric transmission projects. Westwood was established in 1972 in Minneapolis, Minnesota and has grown to serve clients across the nation from multiple U.S. offices. In 2020, Westwood ranked on the top 150 design firms on Engineering News Record (ENR), #4 on Zweig Group’s Hot Firm’s List, and #9 on Best Firms to Work For, all national industry lists and record-breaking rankings for the firm.

Westwood provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. We believe that diverse backgrounds strengthen our business. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.

• Ability to plan, direct and manage work of considerable difficulty. • Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others. • Ability to maintain the highest levels of student confidentiality. • Ability to express self clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing. • Ability to operate personal computer, other office equipment, and prepare audio-visual equipment for classroom use.