Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Manager

Job Posting Title

Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Manager

Agency

309 DEPARTMENT OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT

Supervisory Organization

OEM

Job Posting End Date

Refer to the date listed at the top of this posting, if available. Continuous if date is blank.

Note: Applications will be accepted until 11:59 PM on the day prior to the posting end date above.

Estimated Appointment End Date (Continuous if Blank)

Full/Part-Time

Full time

Job Type

Regular

Compensation

Annual salary range for this position is $77,798.00 - $93,357.00, depending on qualifications and experience.

Job Description

Join the Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management (OEM)
Make a difference every day in Oklahoma’s safety and resilience.

About OEM

The Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management (OEM) is a dynamic state agency dedicated to preparing for, responding to, recovering from, and mitigating emergencies and disasters across the State of Oklahoma. OEM plays a key role in statewide public safety by coordinating emergency planning, community preparedness, response operations, disaster recovery, and long-term hazard mitigation with local, tribal, state, and federal partners. The agency also maintains the State Emergency Operations Center (SEOC), providing centralized coordination during critical events and serving more than 300 local emergency managers across the state.

Why Work at OEM?

At OEM, you’ll be part of a mission-driven team that strengthens communities before, during, and after disasters. Whether it’s coordinating response efforts during severe weather, assisting communities with hazard mitigation planning, or providing critical support during emergencies, OEM employees serve with purpose and impact.

Benefits & Perks

As a full-time state employee with OEM, you receive:

• Competitive state retirement benefits with employer matching
• 11 paid holidays each year
• A generous benefit allowance to offset the cost of health, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance premiums for employees and their eligible dependents
• Opportunities for professional growth and cross-agency collaboration
• Priority interview consideration for U.S. veterans with appropriate certification
  • Veterans with certification letters from the Office of Management and Enterprise Services’ Office of Veteran Placement are entitled to an interview for any position for which they meet minimum qualifications.

Who We’re Looking For

We seek motivated, adaptable professionals who:

• Are committed to public service and community preparedness
• Can work effectively in team environments and high-pressure situations
• Are resourceful in problem-solving and coordinating across diverse partners

About the Position

We are seeking a Geographic Information Systems Manager providing support to our Resilience Division area.  This position is located in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

This position is a regular, full-time position governed by the Oklahoma Civil Service system and subject to the Civil Service and Human Capital Modernization Act. Employment in this role is covered by applicable Civil Service Rules, policies, and procedures.

This position is subject to a required 12-month trial period, during which performance, conduct, and overall suitability for continued employment will be evaluated in accordance with Civil Service Rules.

Position Summary

Under the direction of the Resilience Division Director, this position is responsible for planning, managing, organizing, and supervising the agency’s Geographic Information Systems (GIS) program, as well as developing and sustaining enterprise geospatial capabilities that support statewide resilience, disaster operations, and data-driven decision making. The GIS Manager ensures that geospatial technologies, data, and resources are effectively deployed to support agency operations, including emergency preparedness, response, recovery, and mitigation. This role provides leadership over GIS staff and functions, integrates GIS capabilities across the agency, and serves as the subject matter expert on spatial technologies while supporting statewide data sharing and coordination efforts.

     

Core Work Responsibilities

GIS Program Management & Strategic Integration

Direct and coordinate agency-wide GIS functions and integrate geospatial technology into organizational operations.

• Plan, coordinate, and oversee GIS projects and program activities

• Integrate GIS capabilities across divisions to support operational needs

• Advise leadership on GIS program direction, priorities, and resource needs

• Ensure GIS readiness to support emergency operations, including SEOC activations

• Develop and maintain long-term GIS program goals, priorities, and implementation roadmaps aligned with agency resilience objectives

Measurement:

• Manager observation

• Completion of GIS initiatives aligned with agency priorities

• Effectiveness of GIS integration across divisions

Project Management & Operational Oversight

Manage multiple GIS projects and ensure timely execution of deliverables.

• Direct GIS project timelines, deliverables, and resource allocation

• Monitor progress toward deadlines and provide regular status updates to leadership

• Perform or oversee administrative and fiscal functions related to GIS initiatives

• Ensure continuity of GIS operations during high-demand periods

• Collaborate with the Mitigation and Recovery sections to provide geospatial modeling and Benefit-Cost Analysis (BCA) mapping support for federal grant applications, including Public Assistance (PA), Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC), and Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) initiatives

• Supervise the integration of GIS data into agency logistics and resource-tracking platforms, including WebEOC and IPAWS, to support real-time situational awareness during SEOC activations

Measurement:

• On-time project delivery

• Adherence to scope and resource expectations

• Quality and usability of GIS outputs

• Effectiveness of GIS support for grant development and emergency operations

Supervision & Workforce Development

Provide direct supervision to GIS staff and ensure effective team performance.

• Supervise GIS specialists, technical personnel, and/or support staff assigned to GIS operations

• Establish workload priorities and operational expectations to ensure timely delivery of GIS and technical support services

• Assign work, evaluate performance, and provide coaching and professional development

• Develop and implement training programs to enhance staff capability

• Build a high-performing team capable of supporting statewide GIS operations

• Responsible for the professional development and performance management of a multi-disciplinary team, including an IT/Logistics Specialist and a GIS Professional

• Align individual workflows with agency-wide resilience projects and ensure technical cross-training between IT infrastructure support and geospatial analysis functions for OEM personnel

Measurement:

• Employee performance outcomes

• Completion of training and development plans

• Team productivity and responsiveness

• Effectiveness of workforce cross-training and operational readiness

GIS Standards, Policy & Data Governance

Develop and maintain GIS standards, policies, and procedures to ensure program effectiveness.

• Create, adopt, and modify GIS standards and procedures

• Recommend policies and process improvements to increase program effectiveness

• Ensure consistency, accuracy, and usability of spatial data

• Support compliance with statewide data-sharing expectations

• Oversee the architecture and maintenance of the agency’s Enterprise GIS environment, ensuring seamless integration between IT hardware/logistics support and geospatial software deployment

• Establish governance practices for spatial data management, security, access, and lifecycle maintenance

Measurement:

• Adoption and adherence to GIS standards

• Reduction in data inconsistencies or errors

• Improved efficiency of GIS processes

• Reliability and effectiveness of Enterprise GIS integration and deployment

Stakeholder Support & Technical Consultation

Provide expert guidance on GIS technologies to internal and external stakeholders.

• Serve as the agency’s subject matter expert on GIS and spatial technology

• Provide consultation and technical assistance to agency staff, partners, and the public

• Translate complex geospatial information into actionable insights

• Represent the agency on committees, work groups, and interagency initiatives

Measurement:

• Stakeholder satisfaction

• Effectiveness of communication and technical guidance

• Participation and impact in external collaborations

Data Sharing, Innovation & Resource Development

Support statewide GIS collaboration and identify opportunities to enhance program capabilities.

• Contribute spatial data to statewide clearinghouses and data-sharing initiatives

• Identify and pursue funding sources and GIS development opportunities

• Evaluate and recommend new data sources and technologies

• Continuously improve GIS capabilities to enhance agency services and operations

• Integrate multi-source operational intelligence into BI tools (Tableau/Dataminer) to visualize geospatial trends and refine executive-level resilience reporting

Measurement:

• Successful data contributions and partnerships

• Identification and implementation of new tools or funding sources

• Measurable improvements in GIS capabilities

Other duties as assigned.

Education and Experience Requirements

Education and Experience requirements at this level consist of a bachelor’s degree in geographic information systems (GIS), geography, geology, cartography, archaeology, anthropology, natural resources, computer science, engineering, environmental science or a closely related field and three years of professional level experience in GIS systems work; or an equivalent combination of education and experience, substituting one year of technical experience in GIS work for each year of the required education; or a master’s degree in geographic information systems (GIS), geography, geology, cartography, archaeology, anthropology, natural resources, computer science, engineering, environmental science and two years of professional level experience in GIS work.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Knowledge of:

• Geographic Information Systems and their application in state government

• Current trends and emerging technologies in GIS

• GIS software platforms and capabilities (e.g., Esri ArcGIS)

• Project management principles and practices

• Leadership principles and practices

Skills in:

• Managing enterprise GIS environments and geospatial workflows

• Supervising and developing technical personnel

• Project planning and coordination

• Communicating technical information to diverse audiences

• Analyzing spatial and operational data to support decision-making

Ability to:

• Direct, train, and evaluate personnel

• Manage multiple projects and competing priorities

• Analyze complex technical and operational challenges

• Communicate effectively both verbally and in writing

• Establish and maintain effective working relationships

• Develop and implement training programs

Emergency Response Role

Provide critical geospatial support to emergency management operations, ensuring accurate, timely, and actionable spatial intelligence during incidents and activations.

• Support State Emergency Operations Center (SEOC) activations by developing and delivering real-time GIS products, including maps, dashboards, and spatial analyses

• Coordinate with internal divisions and external partners (local, state, tribal, and federal) to collect, validate, and disseminate geospatial data during incidents

• Establish and maintain GIS operational readiness, including pre-developed datasets, templates, and response workflows

• Prioritize and manage competing GIS requests during high-tempo operations to support decision-making at the executive and incident command levels

• Ensure continuity of GIS services during emergencies, including extended hours and rapid deployment of resources as needed

Measurement:

• Timeliness and accuracy of GIS products during activations

• Effectiveness of GIS support in incident response

• Feedback from SEOC leadership and operational stakeholders

Systems and Tools

GIS Platforms

• Esri ArcGIS Pro

• ArcGIS Enterprise

• ArcGIS Online

• Esri operational applications, including Field Maps, Survey123, Experience Builder, and Dashboards

Emergency Management Platforms

• WebEOC

• IPAWS

Data, Automation & Reporting

• Relational database management systems (RDBMS), including SQL Server and PostgreSQL

• Python scripting and workflow automation tools, including ArcPy and API integrations

• Dashboards, reporting platforms, and business intelligence tools such as Microsoft Power BI, Tableau, and Dataminer

Cloud & Hosting Environments

• Cloud infrastructure and geospatial hosting platforms, including Microsoft Azure and Amazon Web Services (AWS)

Collaboration & Operations

• Microsoft 365

  • Outlook

  • SharePoint

  • Teams

  • Power Automate

Requirements and Work Conditions

Travel: Approximately 10%, based on operational needs

Working Conditions:

• Standard office environment with frequent computer-based work

• Required participation in SEOC activations, which may include extended hours, evening/weekend work, and high-stress conditions

• Availability for on-call support during emergencies and disaster events

• Occasional travel for field coordination, training, or interagency collaboration

Certifications: Must complete and maintain required emergency management training and certifications applicable to agency operations.

Special Requirements

• Ability to obtain and maintain any required state or federal emergency management training and certifications (e.g., NIMS/ICS)

• Ability to work in a fast-paced, high-pressure environment requiring rapid decision-making and prioritization

• Ability to manage multiple concurrent projects and operational demands with minimal supervision

• Ability to communicate complex technical information to non-technical audiences, including executive leadership

• Must be able to maintain effective working relationships across a wide range of stakeholders, including government officials, partner agencies, and the public

Preferences

Preference may be given to candidates who possess:

• Advanced coursework or graduate-level education in Geographic Information Systems (GIS)

• Advanced GIS-related certifications such as:

  • Geographic Information Systems Professional (GISP)

  • Certified Floodplain Manager (CFM)

• Experience administering or supporting enterprise-level Esri ArcGIS environments, including ArcGIS Enterprise/Portal and ArcGIS Online (AGOL)

• Experience deploying operational GIS applications such as Field Maps, Survey123, and Dashboards to support situational awareness and field operations

• Experience supervising technical staff or coordinating hybrid GIS/technology support functions in an emergency management, public safety, resilience, or project development environment

• Experience with relational database management systems (RDBMS), including SQL Server or PostgreSQL

• Experience automating GIS workflows using Python scripting tools such as ArcPy or API-based integrations

• Experience supporting FEMA mitigation, recovery, or resilience initiatives, including GIS analysis, hazard modeling, or Benefit-Cost Analysis support

• Experience with FEMA’s HAZUS loss estimation software, cloud-hosted geospatial environments, or business intelligence and reporting platforms such as Dataminer, Tableau, or Power BI

• Experience working within or supporting state government, emergency management, public safety, or other high-reliability organizations

This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee.  Other duties, responsibilities, and activities may change or be assigned at any time with or without notice.
 

Other Relevant Information

OEM follows a monthly payroll schedule in accordance with the State of Oklahoma payroll system.  Employees of OEM are paid once per month.

Reasonable Accommodation

OEM is committed to ensuring that the application and hiring process is accessible to all qualified individuals.  If you require a reasonable accommodation to participate in any phase of the application process due to a disability or other protected need, please contact OEM’s Human Resources at HR@oem.ok.gov before the application deadline. Reasonable accommodations may include adjustments to application materials, interview settings, or other components of the process to ensure equitable access. This agency complies with applicable federal and state laws regarding reasonable accommodation. The decision to provide or modify an accommodation will be evaluated on an individualized basis.

Equal Employment Opportunity

The Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management is an Equal Opportunity Employer.  We are committed to fair employment practices without regard to any protected characteristic. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment in accordance with applicable equal employment opportunity laws.

Equal Opportunity Employment

The State of Oklahoma is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of genetic information, race, religion, color, sex, age, national origin, or disability.

Current active State of Oklahoma employees must apply for open positions internally through the Workday Jobs Hub.

If you are needing any extra assistance or have any questions relating to a job you have applied for, please click the link below and find the agency for which you applied for additional information:

Agency Contact