IT/GIS Manager

Compensation Range:

$73,261.50 - $109,882.50

Our full-time positions come with an array of excellent benefits including comprehensive healthcare coverage, a pension plan, flexible spending accounts and even a tuition reimbursement program.

At Lancaster County, we understand the importance of work-life balance. That's why we offer paid time off for sick, vacation and holidays, an employee assistance program, and family medical leave.

If you're passionate about making a difference, apply today to join us in serving the community!

Job Description:

JOB SUMMARY

• The GIS Manager provides senior level leadership and enterprise stewardship for Lancaster County’s geospatial program. This role drives the County’s multi-year GIS strategy, governance, architecture, and service delivery to enable data driven decision making across public safety, emergency management, property assessment, planning, elections, transportation, and other mission critical departmental functions.

• The GIS Manager leads countywide initiatives to modernize geospatial capabilities; establishes standards and policies for data management, security, and interoperability; and ensures integration of GIS with enterprise systems within County Government. The role actively represents Lancaster County in regional and statewide forums, advances intergovernmental data sharing, and maintains a customer focused approach to service excellence and innovation.

REPORTING RELATIONSHIPS

• This position reports to the Deputy Chief Information Officer (DCIO).

• This position supervises the GIS Analyst III, GIS Analyst II, and GIS Technician positions.

• The position provides leadership to all users inside and outside of County Government.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

• Lead the development, execution, and continuous improvement of the County’s multi-year GIS strategic plan, aligned with enterprise IT goals and countywide priorities. 

• Establish and promote GIS governance, policies, standards, and enterprise architecture covering data acquisition, quality, metadata, retention, sharing, licensing, and security for the entire user community.

• Ensure Lancaster County is represented in regional, statewide, and national GIS forums, advancing interoperability and shared data standards.

• Portfolio, Project, Fiscal & Procurement Management 

• Oversee program level planning, project management, resource allocation, risk management, and change management, reporting updates to all stakeholders. 

• Develop and manage the GIS program budget, including operating costs, capital planning, grants, and cost recovery/sharing relationships. 

• Maintain and evaluate data distribution policies, fee structures, and licensing terms for County GIS data, balancing availability with data security. 

• Evaluate, negotiate, and manage vendor contracts and procurements for enterprise GIS software, hardware, data, and professional services. 

• Data Governance, Compliance, Security & Operations 

• Lead GIS system and data governance; ensuring compliance with the County Information Security Policy, HIPAA, CJIS, and applicable privacy and regulatory requirements. 

• Implement role-based system access controls, data lifecycle management, and disaster recovery/continuity plans for systems supporting County users. 

• Lead cross department data integration so GIS layers and services support countywide use. 

• Ensure reliable, secure, and high-quality GIS operations, including system administration, performance monitoring, upgrades, and support. 

• Oversee production of maps, dashboards, analytical products, and reports that make the system and data widely available.

• Technology, Architecture & Innovation 

• Direct the design, administration, and modernization of the County’s GIS platforms spatial databases, services, and APIs. 

• Advance cloud-based GIS, and mobile data collection solutions, automation, and integration with enterprise applications, including tools to monitor performance and user engagement. 

• Lead a practical approach to the adoption of emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, deep learning models and system automation. 

• Team Leadership, Collaboration & Customer Engagement 

• Lead staff recruitment and workforce planning; foster a culture of collaboration, innovation, accountability, and continuous learning.

• Provide coaching, performance management, professional development planning, and succession planning for GIS personnel. 

• Foster an environment of inclusive decision making, which encourages teamwork, open communication, transparency, and shared learning for the entire GIS user community.

• Facilitate cross departmental working groups to ensure alignment between GIS initiatives and broader County operational needs. 

• Proactively engage County leaders, departments, municipalities, authorities, and educational partners to identify needs and co-develop solutions, programs and policies for County Government and external user communities.

OTHER SPECIFIC TASKS OR DUTIES

• Perform other duties as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree in Geography, GIS, Computer Science, Information Systems, or a closely related field; master’s degree preferred, e.g., GIS/Geography, Public Administration, Information Systems. 

• 5 to 7 years of progressively responsible experience in GIS/IT positions supervising staff, managing projects and developing relationships.​

• Experience managing budgets, contracts, and vendors; successful track record of delivering measurable outcomes and customer satisfaction.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Deep theoretical and practical knowledge of geospatial data types, enterprise GIS environments, and analytical methods.

• Proficiency with a wide range of GIS software, web-based, cloud platforms and commonly used scripting languages.

• Working knowledge of editing environments and how to use and apply topology rules.

• Strong background in geospatial analysis using vector, raster, imagery, and terrain data.

• Experience designing and developing GIS datasets using relational databases.

• ​Strong background in cartographic design.

• Ability to manage multiple projects and apply strong critical thinking and problem-solving skills.

• Strong verbal and literal communication skills and the ability to communicate complex topics to all levels of users and process development skills. 

• Ability to lead multiple projects and manage competing priorities in a complex organizational environment.

REQUIRED LICENSES/CERTIFICATIONS/CLEARANCES

• Candidate must pass a criminal background check.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS/WORK ENVIRONMENT

• Work is primarily sedentary in nature; no special demands are required.

The County of Lancaster offers comprehensive benefits to our employees.  Read more about our benefits here.

Lancaster County Government provides Equal Employment Opportunity for all persons regardless of race, religion, age, sex, national origin, genetic information or disability. The County also observes all applicable laws regarding Veterans status. The County reflects this action in all areas of employment and compensation practices and policies. Employment with the County is based upon the ability to perform the job as well as dependability and reliability once an individual is hired.