Informatics -GIS- Section Supervisor

Hiring Organization: Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation
Employment type: Full-Time
Job Location: Missoula, MT
Application Due Date: December 11, 2023

Major Duties or Responsibilities

This section should be a clear concise statement of the position’s major duties and the approximate percent of work time for each duty.

Forest and Trust Lands Informatics - This position provides oversight and direction to the Forest Informatics Analyst, the Trust Lands Informatics Analyst, and the Remote Sensing Analyst. The position oversees statewide comprehensive Informatics planning for Forest Management Program ensuring that data, data systems and support tools follow applicable laws and rules and abide by objectives set forth in the SFLMP and Administrative Rules for Forest Management.
Data Collection Tool Development - Responsible for working with Trust Lands subject matter experts (SMEs), staff and field practitioners to develop tools and models to be used or aid the practitioners in natural resource and land management decision making processes. These tools and models will support data collection, data analysis, and decision support for the programs
Training - Responsible for assuring the development and sound deployment of tools and associated training utilizing a variety of training methods.
Data Management – This position is responsible for or may collaborate with SMEs on designing and maintaining the TLMD’s versioned geographic information systems (GIS) data, geoprocessing scripts, and related databases. The position’s duties include overseeing data management to include quality assurance/quality control (QA/QC), technical consulting, training, data analysis, collaboration, and occasional intern oversight. May lead, advise and/or collaborate on the creation, maintenance and management of the Division’s GIS data sets and Python based geoprocessing scripts including data QA/QC and metadata maintenance.
Data Analysis and Processing – May lead, advise and/or collaborate on statistical and spatial analysis of tabular and spatial GIS data to address the Division’s management questions, decisions and actions including remotely sensed analytical products and data sets for the Division. The tools, data sets and models produced from remote sensing may provide the basis for Division and Agency level leadership and visioning.
Cartographic Products and Training – Oversees the development and delivery of cartographic products as well as customized GIS training materials and instruction.
Remote Sensing – Responsible for collaborating with SMEs, bureau staff and field practitioners to develop methods and models to incorporate remote sensed data into workflows to improve data accuracy and efficiency. Remote sensed data includes imagery, LiDAR, digital elevation models, and other data collected or modeled from satellites, aircraft and unmanned aerial vehicles. The tools, data sets and models produced from remote sensing provide program direction and inform Bureau, Division and Agency level leadership.
Program Support – Coordinate with the program staff to provide program-wide support and direction as it relates to program datasets.
Special Projects – May serve as the project leader or collaborate for major program-wide GIS planning efforts including any significant revisions to the program datasets, and development of new program-related tools and applications.
Quality Assurance / Quality Control – Oversee development of protocols to provide for quality assurance and quality control for data outgoing to and incoming from the field offices.
Communication – Works closely with Informatics Analysts and program staff in developing applications and systems for the programs and in incorporating new technology related to the collection and management of data.
Budget Management - The Section Supervisor is responsible for working with the Bureau Chief in managing the section’s personal services and operations budget, along with budgets associated with contracted services in which the section engages.
Contract administration - The Section Supervisor is responsible for Informatics and data contracts managed by the Section even when employees in the section are the primary contract administrators. This includes program data-related contracts, contracts, technology related contracts and all training and planning related contracts.

Minimum Qualifications (Education and Experience)

Bachelors degree in Geography Information Systems (GIS), Remote Sensing, Earth Science, or Forestry (natural resources discipline) with an emphasis in GIS natural resources management.

Four years of experience managing GIS systems.

One year of relevant supervisory experience.

Other combinations of education, certification, or experience may be substituted.

Required knowledge, skills, and abilities: - Thorough knowledge and skill in the areas of GIS, data management principles, natural resource and/or range management, forestry, natural resource policy, management and supervision, leadership, technical writing, public speaking, budget management, complex project management including experimental design, and statistical and spatial analysis techniques, remote sensing and geographic information systems. - Initiative, imagination, originality, and professional judgment to develop statewide agency policy, guidance, and recommendations, or solutions to specific on-the-ground situations or issues - Ability to establish and maintain relationships and to communicate and cooperate effectively with individuals possessing varying viewpoints and diverse personalities - Ability to work independently and to manage complex workloads and explicit deadlines - Strong verbal and written communication skills - Strong technical writing skills - Team management, building, and leadership skills - Ability to travel and to work in the field with exposure to adverse weather and on rough terrain

Required knowledge, skills, and abilities

Thorough knowledge and skill in the areas of GIS, data management principles, natural resource and/or range management, forestry, natural resource policy, management and supervision, leadership, technical writing, public speaking, budget management, complex project management including experimental design, and statistical and spatial analysis techniques, remote sensing and geographic information systems.
Initiative, imagination, originality, and professional judgment to develop statewide agency policy, guidance, and recommendations, or solutions to specific on-the-ground situations or issues
Ability to establish and maintain relationships and to communicate and cooperate effectively with individuals possessing varying viewpoints and diverse personalities
Ability to work independently and to manage complex workloads and explicit deadlines
Strong verbal and written communication skills
Strong technical writing skills
Team management, building, and leadership skills
Ability to travel and to work in the field with exposure to adverse weather and on rough terrain