Geographic Information Officer

Forsyth County, NC

$85K — $97K *
Education, Government & Non-Profit
Less than 5 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in business/public administration, geography, engineering, or planning
  • 4+ years of progressive GIS experience, 3+ in supervisory roles
  • Proficiency in GIS programs like ESRI and ArcGIS
  • Knowledge of strategic planning and budget management
  • Preferred GISP certification and GIS Leadership Academy graduation

Responsibilities

  • Manage department budget and administrative operations
  • Supervise subordinate managers and assign tasks
  • Represent department in discussions with stakeholders
  • Draft and manage data maintenance contracts
  • Communicate with internal and external data users
  • Lead development of high-quality GIS data
  • Oversee geospatial data clearinghouse for public access

Benefits

  • Full-time employment
  • Opportunity to influence strategic direction of GIS services
  • Work in a collaborative environment with other county departments
  • Engagement with community stakeholders
  • Potential for professional development within GIS field
Full Job Description
Salary : $85,051.20 - $97,808.88 Annually
Location : Government Center, 201 N. Chestnut Street, Winston-Salem, NC
Job Type: Full Time
Job Number: 08859
Department: MapForsyth
Opening Date: 06/02/2026
Closing Date: Continuous

General Statement of Duties

Forsyth County's MapForsyth Department is looking to fill a Geographic Information Officer position. This position manages a City/County Geographic Information Office by providing administrative oversight of department operations. The Geographic Information Officer participates in senior management discussions regarding strategic direction. Prepares and administers the department's annual budget and supervises work methods and products of subordinate staff. This position works with other department directors to identify new uses for GIS technology and to support enterprise needs for spatial data.

The selected candidate must become a resident of Forsyth County no more than 180 days after the first day of employment as Geographic Information Officer.
Distinguishing Features

A successful candidate should have the following knowledge, skills and abilities:
Knowledge of the principles, practices, terminology and trends in geographic information systems, spatial data analysis and related technology.

Skill in identifying opportunities for the department to provide services to other parts of the organization.

Ability to properly supervise subordinate managers.

Knowledge of strategic planning and the ability to draft and implement an effective strategic plan.

Skill in developing and meeting project budgets.

Ability to craft and implement a departmental budget.

Ability to deal courteously and tactfully with the public.

Ability to effectively communicate, including demonstrated ability to explain complex technical subject matter to a diverse set of stakeholders.

Skill in using GIS programs, such as ESRI and ArcGIS, for geospatial data collection and analysis.

Skill in utilizing enterprise GIS and databases, open data and other ways to manage datasets coming from different sources.
Minimum Education and Experience

Bachelor's degree in business administration, public administration, geography, engineering, planning; at least four years of progressively responsible GIS experience, three of which are at the supervisory level are required.

A Master's degree in business administration, public administration, geography, engineering or planning preferred or any equivalent combination of education and experience.

A valid Driver's License is required.

Prefer a GISP Certification and Graduation of the GIS Leadership Academy.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Essential duties and responsibilities include but are not limited to:
Manages the department budget and performs administrative duties.

Assigns tasks to and supervises subordinate managers.

Represents department in discussions with county and city management, elected officials, other senior managers, and community stakeholders.

Drafts and manages data maintenance contracts with other departments.

Communicates with internal and external data users.

Maximizes GIS mapping technology by combining geographic data, software, and outputs via maps, dashboards and applications.

Leads the development of high-quality GIS data, which includes both data acquisition and creation as well as aggregation from existing sources.

Manages a geospatial data clearinghouse for public access to GIS information through the online repository.

Oversees the addressing team which handles all of the addressing functions, including assigning and correcting addresses, as well as processing street naming and renaming requests.

Manages projects, develops policies, coordinates services and planning.

Develops, implements and coordinates all of the administrative and financial functions, operations and programs of the department.

Provides staff support to the City-County GIS Steering Committee.
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These links do not apply to positions that are Part Time, no benefits.
01

The following supplemental questions may be used as a scored evaluation of your knowledge, skills and experience. Be certain that the choices you make correspond to the information you have provided on your application. Please be as honest and accurate as possible. You may be asked to demonstrate your knowledge and skills in a work sample or during a hiring interview.By completing this supplemental evaluation you are attesting that the information you have provided is accurate. Any information you provide may be reviewed by the hiring manager. Any misstatements or falsification of information may eliminate you from consideration or may result in dismissal. "See resume" is not an acceptable answer to the questions.
  • Yes I understand and agree
  • No I do not agree

02

Which best describes your highest level of education?
  • Did Not Finish High School
  • High School Diploma or GED
  • Some College
  • Associate's Degree
  • Bachelor's Degree
  • Master's Degree
  • Doctoral Degree

03

Do you have a Bachelors degree in business administration, public administration, geography, engineering or planning?
  • Yes
  • No

04

Do you have a Master's degree in business administration, public administration, geography, engineering or planning?
  • Yes
  • No

05

What best describes your years of progressively responsible GIS experience?
  • No experience
  • Less than 4 years
  • 4 years to less than 6 years
  • 6 years to less than 8 years
  • 8 years to less than 10 years
  • 10 years or more

06

How many years of supervisory experience do you have?
  • No experience
  • Less than 3 years
  • 3 years to less than 5 years
  • 5 years to less than 7 years
  • 7 years to less than 9 years
  • 9 years or more

07

Do you have experience using GIS programs, such as ESRI and ArcGIS, for geospatial data collection and analysis?
  • Yes
  • No

08

Do you have a GISP Certification?
  • Yes
  • No

09

Did you graduate from the GIS Leadership Academy?
  • Yes
  • No

10

The GIO is a department manager. Department managers are required to be a resident of Forsyth County or become a resident by no more than 180 days after their hire date. Are you able to meet this requirement?
  • Yes
  • No

11

Do you have a valid driver's license or can you obtain one within 60 days of employment?
  • Yes
  • No

Required Question

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