Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Technician

ARA is seeking a motivated and detail-oriented geographic information systems (GIS) technician to join our team. Positions are available in Camp Hill, PA and Austin, TX.

Our GIS technicians are part of a dynamic team providing pavement engineering and asset management services to customers including airports, departments of transportation, cities, intermodal facilities, ports, railroads, and other transportation-related organizations across the United States.

Applicants should possess good communication and decision-making skills, attention to detail, organization, flexibility, and a willingness to learn and be challenged. Limited travel may be required.

What you will do as a GIS technician:

• Data management: Collecting, analyzing, and interpreting data; maintaining GIS metadata
• Mapping: Creating and maintaining maps, including operational, policy, and public-facing maps, as well as digital mapping applications
• Visualization: Using cartographic principles to communicate information in reports, dashboards, and other graphic visualizations
• Automation: Creating and maintaining automation routines to increase efficiency
• Asset management: Supporting asset management planning by acquiring and analyzing infrastructure asset data
• Services: Maintaining and distributing services to support mobile and web-based GIS applications
• Quality assurance: Performing QA tasks on data collection such as imagery, global positioning system (GPS) data, and instrument readings and measurements
• Route planning: Using your understanding of GIS to facilitate efficient field data collection practices

GIS technician requirements:

• Associate's degree in related field (e.g., Environmental Science, Engineering Technology, Surveying, Geography, Urban Planning, Computer Science, Remote Sensing) or 2+ years of relevant work experience
• Proficiency with the latest versions of the ESRI software suite, including a demonstrated ability to publish and manage map, feature, and geoprocessing services using ESRI products and ArcGIS Online
• Understanding of geodatabases, geoprocessing tools and scripts, and topology rules
• Basic computer skills (Windows, Excel, Word, Teams) and mathematical skills
• Basic knowledge of database systems and queries using SQL
• Ability to communicate ideas and technical information in a clear and concise manner via oral and written communications

Preferred skills:

• Experience with Python scripting and/or artificial intelligence for data processing
• Interest in solving spatial problems using scripts, models, etc.
• Experience with open-source GIS software such as QGIS
• Understanding of LiDAR point clouds and data
• Management of ESRI user licenses and ArcGIS Online accounts
• Data management skills
• Exceptional leadership and problem-solving skills
• Proven resourcefulness

About ARA:

ARA is an employee-owned international research and engineering company recognized for providing technically superior solutions to complex and challenging problems in the physical sciences. The company, founded in Albuquerque, NM, in 1979, currently employs more than 2,100 professionals and continues to grow. ARA offices throughout the United States and Canada provide a broad range of technical expertise in civil technologies, computer software and simulation, defense technologies, systems analysis, environmental technologies, and testing and measurement. The corporation also provides sophisticated technical products for pavement analysis, environmental site characterization, and robotics.

At ARA, employees are our greatest assets. The corporation realizes that employee ownership spawn’s greater creativity and initiative along with higher performance and customer satisfaction levels. ARA gives its employees the tools, training, and opportunities to take more active roles as owners. The culture is challenging; innovation and experimentation are the norm. Employees are eligible for contributions which not only add to the company’s success, but also their own through the Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP). The motto, “Engineering and Science for Fun and Profit” sums up the ARA experience.