GIS Specialist

Job Description

We are seeking a GIS Specialist to join the Research & Analytics team, supporting quality management and geospatial strategy within the Iowa Department of Transportation (Use the "Apply for this Job" box below). This role ensures compliance with standards, governance, and strategic business planning while working collaboratively across DOT bureaus and GIS teams.

• Ensure compliance with DOT’s standards, guidelines, Strategic Business Plan, and Geospatial Strategy.
• Collaborate with the Research & Analytics Bureau, Iowa DOT bureaus, the GIS Program Manager, and the Warehouse Analyst to maintain high-quality geospatial resources.
• Facilitate AI‑driven preparation and refinement of geospatial resources.
• Lead GIS project development by identifying integration needs, collaborating with stakeholders, and documenting workflows, system structures, and requirements.
• Execute complex queries, generate reports, and manage ETL (Extract, Transform, Load) processes.
• Support enterprise GIS operations by collaborating with program managers and analysts to resolve issues, optimize workflows, and implement strategic geospatial initiatives.
• Utilize ESRI software, develop GIS applications, provide technical training, and create spatial visualizations to enhance decision‑making and efficiency.
• Enhance geospatial integration by developing, deploying, and maintaining FME Form and FME Flow work spaces, while troubleshooting and optimizing workflows.
• Provide technical support, manage relational systems, and execute SQL queries to ensure efficient GIS application performance.

Ames – 50010 – Story County, IA

Days, Monday‑Friday;
Flexible schedule available. Some travel may be required.

Iowa Department of Transportation’s Mission is Making Lives Better Through Transportation. To accomplish our Mission, the person selected for this position will demonstrate actions and behaviors guided by the Iowa Department of Transportation’s five CORE values:
Safety First, People Matter, Customer Focused, Servant Leadership, and Integrity Without Exception.

• Competitive pay and benefits package including health, dental, flexible spending, and life insurance.
• Insurance benefits start the first month following 30 days of employment, and costs can be reviewed here.
• Opportunities for professional growth and development.
• Paid time off effective immediately — biweekly vacation, separate sick leave, accruals rollover on a yearly basis, and 9 paid holidays per year.
• Iowa Public Employee Retirement System (IPERS) Retirement Package with employer match.
• Optional 401A plan with employer contributions.
• Employee Discount Programs from a variety of vendors (vision, cellular, fitness, recreation, season passes, travel, counseling; legal, financial).

You have the freedom to flourish in Iowa – Apply now!

The Iowa Department of Transportation is an equal‑opportunity employer. If you require a reasonable accommodation in completing any screening, interviewing, pre‑employment testing, or otherwise participating in the selection process, please direct your request to the Affidavit Action & Equal Employment Opportunity (AA/EEO) Officer at: aa‑eeo.

Reasonable accommodation, such as an interpreter, translator, written materials, modified equipment/devices, ADA access, etc. This does not include scheduling needs.

The State of Iowa participates in E‑Verify, a federal program that helps employers confirm the employment eligibility of all newly hired employees. Within the required timeframe, new hires will be verified through the E‑Verify system to ensure authorization to work in the United States. The State of Iowa also complies with the federal Right to Work laws, which protect employees’ rights to work without being required to join a labor organization.

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• Six years of full‑time work experience in business/data/statistical analytics, economic research, or data science.
• Graduation from an accredited four‑year college or university with a degree in business analytics, economics, data science,…