GIS Specialist

Position Overview: The Harris County Fire Marshal's Office (HCFMO) is seeking a skilled and motivated Geographic Information System (GIS) Specialist to join the Operations Support Bureau. This role supports fire investigation, hazmat operations, emergency management, and multi-agency coordination through the development and maintenance of geospatial tools, data systems, internal GIS web applications, and analytical products.

The GIS Specialist will design, maintain, and analyze spatial datasets; produce maps, dashboards, and reports; and serve as the HCFMO's primary geospatial resource in support of operational, investigative, and strategic decision-making. The position interfaces regularly with fire, EMS, and law enforcement agency partners across Harris County, and may support Emergency Operations Center (EOC) events.

The ideal candidate is technically proficient in ESRI products, comfortable with data integration and automation, able to support configuration-level maintenance of internal mapping applications (e.g., layer setup, symbology, access/permissions settings), and capable of translating complex geospatial information into clear, actionable products for command staff, public officials, and partner agencies.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Geospatial Analysis & Decision Support

• Perform spatial analysis to support fire investigation, hazmat incident response, deployment planning, prevention, and risk reduction activities.

• Develop and maintain data layers and geodatabases integrating internal records (incident, investigation, inspection) with external datasets (county parcels, Census, CAD feeds, utility infrastructure).

• Analyze incident patterns, coverage gaps, response time performance, and risk density to support strategic and operational planning by command staff.

• Produce recommendations and briefings derived from geospatial analysis for use by the Fire Marshal, division leadership, and partner agencies.

• Evaluate data and access requirements for internal geospatial applications and recommend configuration changes to layers, symbology, or user permissions to better support analytical and operational needs.

• Data Management & Quality Assurance

• Design, build, and maintain geodatabases from multiple internal and external data sources in various formats.

• Ensure spatial data accuracy, integrity, and consistency through systematic quality control and error-checking procedures.

• Maintain geospatial data feeds required by Computer-Aided Dispatch (CAD) systems used by the HCFMO and regional dispatch partners.

• Develop and document data standards, coding structures, and metadata to support business continuity and interoperability.

• Apply change-control practices (e.g., testing and validating configuration or data changes before deployment to production systems) to minimize disruption to operational users.

• Support maintenance of user and facility access permissions within internal geospatial applications, ensuring data governance and access-control settings remain accurate and current.

• Cartography & Application Management

• Produce and maintain print and digital maps for fire investigation, hazmat operations, fire prevention, special events, and administrative use.

• Create and maintain ArcGIS Online web maps, dashboards, Survey123 forms, and mobile mapping applications used by field personnel.

• Provide geospatial products and field support during large-scale incidents.

• Maintain and update the mobile mapping environment for fire investigators and inspectors.

• Configure and maintain layer settings, symbology, and feature-service connections within HCFMO's internal geospatial application(s), coordinating with technical/IT staff as needed for deeper platform-level changes.

• Reporting & Data Visualization

• Design and maintain operational and strategic reports and dashboards tailored to varied audiences, from field supervisors to elected officials.

• Translate complex spatial data into clear visualizations (maps, charts, heat maps, infographics) that support retention and informed decision-making.

• Integrate GIS products with other software platforms to support enterprise data workflows.

• Coordination & Consultation

• Serve as the HCFMO's GIS representative in regional geospatial working groups and inter-agency coordination bodies.

• Collaborate with HCFMO divisions (investigations, hazmat, fire prevention, operations) and partner agencies to identify GIS needs and solutions.

• Provide technical consultation and training to HCFMO personnel on GIS tools, data applications, and spatial query methods.

• Support integration of GIS capabilities with UAS (drone) operations for incident mapping, post-fire documentation, and aerial data collection.

• Automation & Workflow Development

• Develop Python scripts, Model Builder workflows, and other automation tools to streamline routine data processing and reporting.

• Evaluate and recommend new geospatial technologies, extensions, and integrations to improve HCFMO workflows.

• Document all procedures, scripts, and automated workflows to ensure knowledge continuity.

Harris County is an Equal Opportunity Employer https://hrrm.harriscountytx.gov/Pages/EqualEmploymentOpportunityPlan.aspx If you need special services or accommodations, please call (713) 274-5445 or [email protected].

This position is subject to a criminal history check. Only relevant convictions will be considered and, even when considered, may not automatically disqualify the candidate. Education and Experience:

• Bachelor's degree in Geographic Information Systems/Science, Geography, Computer Science, Emergency Management, or a closely related field

OR

• An Associates degree plus

• Three (3) years of directly relevant full-time experience may be substituted for the bachelor's degree requirement

WITH

• Minimum three (3) years of full-time experience in GIS analysis, data management, and cartography.

• Demonstrated experience using ESRI ArcGIS Pro, ArcGIS Online, and related extensions (Spatial Analyst, Network Analyst).

• Experience creating and maintaining geodatabases and ensuring geospatial data quality and integrity.

• Experience producing maps, dashboards, and analytical reports for operational or decision-making purposes.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• GIS concepts, analytical techniques, and digital mapping principles.

• ESRI product suite: ArcGIS Pro, ArcGIS Online/Enterprise, and extensions.

• Geodatabase design, maintenance, and spatial data quality assurance methods.

• Statistical and analytical methods applicable to spatial data (clustering, network analysis, proximity, density).

• CAD system geospatial data requirements and integration methods.

• Emergency management frameworks including ICS/NIMS; EOC operations and GISS function.

• GPS concepts and field data collection procedures.

• Data governance and access-control principles as applied to enterprise GIS applications.

• Perform complex spatial analysis to support tactical, operational, and strategic decision-making in a public safety environment.

• Produce clear, accurate, and audience-appropriate maps, reports, and visualizations under time pressure.

• Manage multiple concurrent projects and prioritize effectively in a dynamic, operational environment.

• Explain technical geospatial concepts clearly to non-technical users, including command staff, investigators, and partner agency personnel.

• Work independently with minimal supervision while maintaining alignment with organizational priorities.

• Establish effective working relationships with internal divisions and external partner agencies.

• Respond and deploy for large-scale incidents, EOC activations, or other deployments as directed.

NOTICE: Applicants for this position will be subject to a criminal background check that includes being fingerprinted. This applies to any position with network access to Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS) or access to an area where CJIS is received, maintained, or stored either manually or electronically (i.e. custodian, maintenance).

Automatic Disqualification:• Convictions, probation, or deferred adjudication for any Felony, and any Class A Misdemeanor.

• Convictions, probation, or deferred adjudication for a Class B Misdemeanor, if within the previous 10 years.
• Open arrest for any criminal offense (Felony or Misdemeanor).
• Family Violence conviction.

NOTE: Qualifying education, experience, knowledge, and skills must be documented on your job application. You may attach a resume to the application as supporting documentation but ONLY information stated on the application will be used for consideration. "See Resume" will not be accepted for qualifications.

• Experience in a public safety, emergency management, or law enforcement environment.

• ICS GISS (GIS Specialist) credential or eligibility to obtain.

• GISP certification or Esri technical certification(s).

• Proficiency with Python scripting or GIS Model Builder for workflow automation.

• Experience with SQL, relational databases, Microsoft SQL Server, or Power BI.

• Familiarity with UAV/UAS operations and integration of aerial imagery into GIS workflows.

• Experience with AutoCAD, Survey123, QuickCapture, or similar field data collection platforms.

• Familiarity with reading or editing basic JavaScript/TypeScript or JSON configuration.

Position Type and Typical Hours of Work:

• Regular Full-time

• Hours will be discussed during departmental interview.

Salary:

• Minimum: $36.72 Hourly

• Depends on Qualifications

• Based on 26 Pay Periods

• Plus, benefits

Work Environment:• Work is primarily performed in an office environment with regular use of computers and mapping systems.

• The position may require field deployment to fire scenes, hazmat incidents, or EOC activations, including evenings and weekends.
• Field work may involve exposure to outdoor conditions and environments associated with fire or hazmat incidents.
• The GIS Specialist may be required to lift and carry equipment up to 50 pounds and must possess manual dexterity, clear speech, and visual/hearing acuity sufficient to perform the duties of the position.

Employment may be contingent on passing a drug screen and meeting other standards.

Due to a high volume of applications positions may close prior to the advertised closing date or at the discretion of the Hiring Department.