Senior GIS Planner

This Opportunity

WSP is currently initiating a search for a part-time Senior GIS Planner for our Lansing, MI office. Provides technical assistance and guidance for capturing, modeling, and analyzing geographical and tabular data to illustrate and determine spatial relationships as it pertains to client projects.  Provides support and guidance to technical staff and project managers by assisting with spatial mapping, discovering patterns and trends, and developing mapping applications and tools at the intersection of data analysis, programming, and cartography.  Generates accurate and concise documentation assessing and advising on project areas, and with applying and integrating GIS data and perspective to solve environmental challenges across a variety of science and planning disciplines.  Ensures that responsibilities are delivered and adhered to with a level of quality that meets or exceeds acceptable industry standards.

Your Impact

• Conduct GIS surveys and reports from field sites for project research and investigation.  
• Maintain quality control standards and procedures for accurate and precise measurements, compiling documentation, and analysis of incoming and existent data.
• Model and prepare topographic maps, graphs, and tabular data using GPS, aerial photographs, and other tools and data to determine exact locations of project areas, site impact, and associated physical and geographic sensitivities.
• Perform professional GIS work and assist with conducting investigations, inspections, studies, and surveys to gain further information relating to digital mapping, merging topographical data with external data, verifying site conditions and characteristics, and determining the authenticity of spatial data. 
• Prepare data and visualizations such as maps, tables, charts, accurate reports, and illustrations for the interpretation or presentation of data, findings, or analyses.
• Write technical reports summarizing research with findings and conclusions, generating complete, accurate, and concise documentation using electronic systems, field/work site notes, and software.
• Comply with guidelines and project-specific procedures which include but are not limited to, the maintenance of any data collection, database, documentation, logbooks, and the management of a digital library of geographic maps in various file types.
• Assist planners, scientists, and engineers in the analysis, evaluation, interpretation, and display of spatial and geographic data obtained during research and site investigations, offering input with identifying patterns and trends to inform action plans for low to mid-level threat mitigation, master planning, and permitting activities.
• Work with cross-functional teams in executing project work and coordinating with CADD and other technicians on project documents.
• Exercise responsible and ethical decision-making regarding company funds, resources and conduct, and adhere to WSP’s Code of Conduct and related policies and procedures.
• Perform additional responsibilities as required by business needs.

Who You Are

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in GIS, Environmental Science, Planning, or a related field.
• 3 to 5 years of relevant post-education experience in discipline with prior GIS experience. 
• Significant experience with ESRI’s Arc GIS platform. 
• Basic understanding of AutoCAD, Python, Visual Basic, Arcade, or SQL programming.
• Capable analytical skills and prior experience with research techniques, modeling data, scanning and digitizing files, and experience maintaining records and databases with assigned projects required.
• Proficient with GIS field equipment, plotting coordinates, and data collection.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills when interacting with others, expressing ideas effectively and professionally to a scientific and non-scientific audience.
• Proficient self-leadership with attention to detail, results orientation, and managing multiple priorities in a dynamic work environment.
• Ability to learn new techniques, perform multiple tasks simultaneously, follow instruction, work independently, and comply with company policies.
• Moderate proficiency with business writing, office automation and communication software, web mapping applications and tools.
• Critical thinking and problem-solving skills required to reach conclusions from research, testing results, data collation, and identifying the most effective manner to accomplish objectives of assigned projects.
• Proven track record of upholding workplace safety and ability to abide by WSP’s health, safety and drug/alcohol and harassment policies.
• Ability to work schedu