Geographic Information System Specialist - City of Birmingham

TARGET CLOSE DATE:

09/14/2026

PAY GRADE:

Grade 25

TYPE:

Full time

JOB SUMMARY:

The City of Birmingham is seeking a well-qualified Geographic Information System (GIS) Specialist to analyze and monitor system applications, programs, and/or databases. Specialists create test data and evaluate test results to determine system/application performance and identify potential errors. They also design, develop, and modify system applications, programs, and/or databases. GIS Specialists analyze GIS data for use in various settings (e.g., urban planning, infrastructure development) using ArcGIS applications, maps, graphs, and/or tabular data in order to identify spatial relationships. Specialists design or coordinate the development of integrated GIS spatial or non-spatial databases using multiuser relational database management systems (e.g., AcrGIS, Oracle, Microsoft SQL) in order to develop and map thematic layers of GIS data (e.g., administrative areas, site addresses, ownership and tax parcels, health trends, Orthophotos, etc.). Incumbents create and modify system documentation and user guides and train others in order to provide knowledge and understanding of work processes to ensure compliance with procedures and standards. They provide assistance to programmers/analysts or other personnel while serving as on-site administrators for various applications by providing user support, installing system/application updates, and managing user access rights for user systems.

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS:

The City of Birmingham provides competitive pay and comprehensive benefits packages to include medical and dental insurance, employer-sponsored retirement plan (pension), generous paid holidays, sick and vacation leave, and more. The pay range for this job is presented below:

$57,595 - $89,356

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

The following are job-related qualifications that are required for employment consideration for this position:
 

Option A:

• Work experience as a GIS Tech II in the Merit System

Option B:

• Work experience maintaining a GIS database to include spatial analysis (e.g., modeling problems geographically), data extraction (e.g., creating scripts to efficiently isolate data), map creation (e.g., web services, creating layers).

• Work experience reading and interpreting legal descriptions (e.g., deeds, annexations, land surveys, etc.).

• Work experience creating GIS relational databases (e.g., ArcGIS, MapInfo, MapOracle, Access, SQL, etc.).

• Work experience with database reporting software (e.g. Crystal Reports, Arc GIS data reporting, etc.).

Option C:

• Work experience reading and interpreting legal descriptions (e.g., deeds, annexations, land surveys, etc.).

• At least an Associate’s Degree in Geographic Information Systems or related IT field.

Option D:

• Work experience reading and interpreting legal descriptions (e.g., deeds, annexations, land surveys, etc.).

• Geographic Information Systems Certificate or Certification from an accredited organization (e.g., Alabama Certified Mapper Designation, US Armed Forces, GISCI, GISP, etc.).

TYPICAL JOB DUTIES:

• Provides service to internal and/or external customers.

• Analyzes Geographic Information Systems (GIS) data for use in various settings (e.g., urban planning, infrastructure development, public health, election coordination) using ArcGIS applications, maps, graphs, and/or tabular data in order to identify spatial relationships.

• Verifies the accuracy and completeness of geospatial and tabular data records by reviewing spreadsheets, legal descriptions, aerial maps, paper or digital drawings or ArcGIS/ESRI data in order to identify data errors and ensure all Geographic Information System (GIS) database information is correct and up-to-date.

• Creates, maintains, and updates a Geographic Information System (GIS) database by updating or entering tabular or geospatial data using specialized GIS software (e.g., Esri, ArcInfo, ArcGIS) to ensure GIS data is up-to-date.

• Produces, maintains, and distributes data layers, maps, tables, or reports by performing data extraction and various spatial analysis techniques using GIS database and various reporting software in order to provide requested information and meet user needs.

• Engages in activities designed to ensure professional development, awareness of developments in the field, and knowledge of relevant practices, rules, laws, policies, and/or guidelines.

• Engages on cross-department/municipality projects by working with others to establish goal and deadlines for projects, performing duties within scope of the project, and communicating throughout projects (e.g., attending meetings, producing reports) to stay informed or communicate progress towards goals.

• Conducts training by creating training materials and facilitating training sessions in order to provide knowledge and understanding of work processes and ensure compliance with procedures and standards.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

Job is primarily sedentary involving sitting for long periods of time, but may involve occasional walking or standing for brief periods. May involve occasional light lifting of items or objects weighing up to 50 lbs.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

Work is conducted almost exclusively indoors in an office setting. Work involves use of standard office equipment, such as computer, phone, copier, etc.

EEO STATEMENT:

The Personnel Board of Jefferson County 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. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment with the Personnel Board of Jefferson County, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.  Each Merit System member city/agency operates its own equal employment opportunity policies available on the individual city/agency website.

ACCOMMODATION:

NOTE:

This job posting may close before, or be extended beyond, the listed Target Close Date based on the employment needs of the Merit System. More detail regarding this job is available by clicking Apply.

DISCLAIMER:

This job posting is not meant to be an all-inclusive list of the job duties, responsibilities, or skills and abilities required for this position and may be changed at the discretion of the Personnel Board at any time.