Salary : $95,804.80 - $155,396.80 Annually
Location : 390 Robert St. N St. Paul, MN
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number:Division: Regional Administration
Department: IS-Admin
Opening Date: 08/11/2026
Closing Date: 8/25/2026 11:59 PM Central
The GIS Coordinator (GIS Project Manager) is part of the Council's core GIS team in the IS Department and works with all Metropolitan Council Divisions (Metro Transit, Environmental Services, Community Development, Metropolitan Transportation Services, and Regional Administration), overseeing the planning, execution, and delivery of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) projects. This role ensures that technical teams, project stakeholders, and organizational leadership stay aligned on project goals, timelines, data quality, and outcomes. The GIS Project Manager combines project management expertise with strong geospatial knowledge to lead complex initiatives supporting analysis, mapping, planning, and decision-making.
What you would do in this job - Lead end-to-end management of GIS projects, including scope definition, gathering technical requirements, planning, scheduling, budgeting, and risk mitigation. This includes responsibilities to:
- Understand business requirements and translate them into technical requirements
- Create project plans
- Clarify the tasks needed to complete plans
- Work with Executive Sponsors, Product Owners, and SMEs across the business and in IS functional areas to deliver the project on time
- Collaborate with internal stakeholders, subject matter experts, and external partners to gather requirements and define project objectives.
- Oversee the development, integration, and maintenance of GIS data, applications, and workflows.
- Ensure the quality, accuracy, completeness, and metadata compliance of spatial datasets and mapping products.
- Coordinate with GIS analysis developers and data specialists to manage workflows and resolve technical issues.
- Monitor project progress and provide regular status updates, reports, and dashboards to leadership and stakeholders.
- Implement and uphold GIS standards, best practices, and data governance policies.
- Support the evaluation and adoption of new GIS technologies, tools, and methods.
- Facilitate training, workshops, and user support for GIS applications and project deliverables.
- Manage vendor relationships, procurements, and contracts where required.
- Participate in regional or intergovernmental GIS committees or working groups.
- Drive adoption through consistent communications with customers.
- Identity needed IS partners, such as DBAs, Developers, and System Engineers, and ensure they have the resources necessary to support the service.
What education and experience are required for this job (minimum qualifications)Education/Experience: Any of the following combinations of experience (applying GIS to support government/private operations and managing projects) and completed education (degree field of study in Computer Science, Geography, GIS or related field):
- High school diploma/GED with nine (9) years of experience
- Associate degree with seven years (7) of experience
- Bachelor's degree with five years (5) of experience
- Master's degree with three years (3) of experience
Desired Qualification- Experience with geospatial data and applications, including ArcGIS Products
- Experience with managing multiple complex projects simultaneously.
- Experience with the application of GIS concepts and standards.
- Ability to write clear, concise, and logical reports.
- Ability to make clear verbal and written presentations.
- Ability to plan and facilitate conversations.
- Ability to effectively communicate to a wide variety of audiences and stakeholders.
- Ability to plan, arrange, and conduct meetings.
- Ability to effectively juggle multiple projects simultaneously.
- Experience working and collaborating in diverse, multicultural, and inclusive environments.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities - Knowledge of a broad range of geographic principles and the application of GIS concepts and standards.
- Familiarity with Esri ArcGIS platforms (ArcGIS Pro, ArcGIS Online, ArcGIS Enterprise).
- Knowledge of spatial data structures, geodatabases, and metadata standards.
- Understanding of project management methodologies (Agile, Waterfall, hybrid approaches).
- Knowledge of relevant data governance, data quality, and data security standards.
- Awareness of enterprise IT (ITSM) concepts, system integrations, cloud environments, and APIs.
- Ability to plan, facilitate, and conduct effective meetings
- Strong project planning, scheduling, and coordination skills.
- Ability to manage budgets, timelines, scope, and resources.
- Skilled in defining project requirements and translating needs into technical tasks.
- Proficiency in generating high-quality maps, dashboards, and analytical products.
- Strong documentation, reporting, and status-tracking skills.
- Effective communication with both technical and non-technical audiences
- Strong problem-solving and analytical thinking skills.
- Ability to lead cross-functional teams and build consensus among diverse stakeholders.
- Ability to manage multiple complex projects simultaneously.
- Ability to assess risks and develop proactive mitigation strategies.
- Ability to explain geospatial concepts in clear, accessible terms.
- Ability to adapt to changing priorities, technologies, and organizational needs.
- Ability to promote standards, best practices, and quality assurance within GIS operations.
Additional information Union/Grade: AFSCME/Grade I
FLSA Status: Exempt
Safety Sensitive: No
Work Environment:Work is performed in a standard office setting. May require travel between the primary work site and other sites.
We believe our employees are a key to our agency's success! In order to attract and retain high quality employees, the Council provides a highly competitive benefits package both in choice and coverage levels. Some highlights about our benefits are listed below:
- Guaranteed monthly retirement income through Minnesota State Retirement System pension fund
- Opportunity to save additional funds for retirement on a tax-deferred basis through a voluntary deferred compensation (457) plan
- Two or more medical plans from which to choose, with employer contribution towards premiums over 80%
- Dental insurance, life insurance and vision insurance
The following benefits are provided to all employees as part of working for the Council. You will have access to free:
- Well@Work clinic
- bus/rail pass valued at over $1200 per year
- parking at many job locations
- fitness centers at many job locations
- Employee Assistance Program
- extensive health and wellness programs and resources
01
Applicant Instructions: It is important that
your application shows all relevant education and experience you possess. The supplemental questions listed below are to further evaluate your education and experience and to determine your eligibility for this position. Answer each question completely, and please do not type "see resume." Otherwise, your application will be considered incomplete, and you will not receive further consideration for this position. The experience you indicate in your responses should also be consistent with the Work History section of this application. If you attach a resume and/or cover letter to your application, it will be reviewed at the education and experience review step.I have read and understand the above instructions regarding my application and supplemental questions.
02
How did you
first hear about this job opening?
- CareerForce Center
- Community Event/Organization
- Employee Referral
- Facebook
- Glassdoor
- Indeed
- Job Fair
- LinkedIn
- Metro Transit Bus Advertisement
- Twitter
- Website: governmentjobs.com
- Website: metrocouncil.org
- Website: metrotransit.org
- Website: minnesotajobnetwork.com
- Other
03
If you selected 'Other', please describe where you first heard about this job. if you selected 'Employee Referral' please enter the employee's first and last name, ID number (if known), and job title.Type N/A if not applicable.
04
The Metropolitan Council recognizes that Artificial Intelligence (AI) and generative tools are increasingly used in application processes. While the Council permits the use of AI to assist in the preparation of application materials, all applicants must certify the following statement:
- I affirm that all information provided in my application including any uploaded documentation is true and accurate. I further affirm that I have personally reviewed, verified, and approved all content, including any content generated with the assistance of AI. I will provide all interview responses directly and in real-time without unauthorized assistance. I will not use AI avatars, external assistance in answering including computer-generated suggestions, or any recording and transcription tools during the interview process unless I have received prior approval from Human Resources for a disability-related reasonable accommodation.
05
Please select the areas below with which you have work experience (select all that apply).
- Experience with geospatial data and applications including ArcGIS Products.
- Experience with managing multiple complex projects simultaneously.
- Experience with the application of GIS concepts and standards.
- Ability to write clear, concise, and logical reports.
- Ability to make clear verbal and written presentations.
- Ability to plan and facilitate conversations.
- Ability to effectively communicate to a wide variety of audiences and stakeholders.
- Ability to plan, arrange, and conduct meetings.
- Ability to effectively juggle multiple projects simultaneously.
- None of the above.
06
Please describe your professional experience managing complex projects with a wide variety of stakeholders.
07
Please describe from your professional experience, in detail, one specific project you managed (GIS-focused if possible).
08
Please describe your professional experience utilizing GIS software including Esri products like ArcGIS Pro and ArcGIS Online.
09
Please describe your experience working and collaborating in diverse, multicultural, and inclusive environments.
Required Question
