Salary : $123,745.49 - $161,459.81 Annually
Location : City Hall - 123 5th Ave, Kirkland, WA
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number:
Location: IT - GIS Division
Opening Date: 07/29/2026
FLSA: Exempt
Bargaining Unit: MAC

Job Summary

Job SummaryThe City of Kirkland is seeking an experienced IT Supervisor to lead, mentor, and actively contribute to the work of the Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Team. This position oversees the delivery, reliability, and performance of the City's enterprise GIS platforms, spatial databases, and GIS-enabled applications while also performing advanced hands-on technical work. Ideal candidates will bring strong experience in designing and managing spatial systems, administering enterprise geodatabases, performing complex data analysis, developing GIS applications, and integrating GIS with other business systems using Esri's software platform. The IT Supervisor for GIS guides technology planning, supports multi-department initiatives, promotes high standards for data accuracy and system usability, and collaborates closely with staff across the organization to deliver innovative spatial solutions that support effective city operations and informed decision-making.

The role of the IT Supervisor - GIS is to supervise the team(s) responsible for one or more of the following functions, which include but are not limited to: GIS, Network & Operations, Enterprise Applications, and/or IT Service Desk.

The IT Supervisor - GIS schedules, prioritizes, manages, and reviews the workload of staff in the IT functional area that they supervise, mentoring them and growing their technical and teamwork skills. The incumbent closely tracks the performance metrics of the team and ensures a high standard of service delivery to all customers. The IT Supervisor - GIS fosters collaborative relationships with internal City IT customers and application vendors ensuring systems are performing as expected and meeting the customers' growing business needs. The incumbent monitors team and individual progress towards the work plan and maintains and reports work backlogs for the team members supervised.

Distinguishing Characteristics: The IT Supervisor - GIS supervises personnel in the IT department and serves as a technical resource to back up their team's staff as needed. This includes staffing City Council and other public meetings periodically given that this is a core function of IT. As a member of the IT Leadership Team, this position is expected to present to City Council occasionally, at City Council meetings and/or retreats. The IT Supervisor - GIS works closely with the IT Manager to plan and implement the operational goals for their focus area.

Essential Functions: Essential functions, as defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act, may include any of the following representative duties, knowledge, and skills. This is not a comprehensive listing of all functions and duties performed by incumbents of this class; employees may be assigned duties which are not listed below; reasonable accommodations will be made as required. The job description does not constitute an employment agreement and is subject to change at any time by the employer. Essential duties and responsibilities may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Supervises IT personnel, including motivating, training, and delegating assignments; monitoring performance; conducting performance evaluations; taking disciplinary/corrective action; recommending salary increases and promotions; and recommending hires and terminations.
• Works collaboratively with internal customers and IT leadership to develop and maintain an annual work plan for their team or division in IT. Provides periodic updates to the IT Steering Team.
• Prioritizes daily tasks for the team to ensure delivery in keeping with the annual work plan. Periodically reports progress using key performance metrics to IT Leadership.
• Ensure the team triages and resolves incidents and service requests from internal and external customers specific to their IT service area.
• Ensures the team works collaboratively with vendors and business owners to maintain a Systems Lifecyle Management Plan and agreed upon service levels for the City's major systems and applications.
• Manages IT-owned systems and applications, which includes owning management and renewal of licenses and support agreements with vendors to ensure adequate application support.
• Performs project management functions for large projects including:
  • Managing projects with direct impact to IT customers, using project management skills and tools.
  • Tracking and reporting progress toward milestones and deliverables. Measuring and analyzing key performance indicators and metrics throughout projects.
  • Managing customer communications and change management.
  • Escalating project risks appropriately and proposing mitigation strategies.
  • Conducting closeout meetings for completed tasks and projects.
• Responsible for implementing training programs for City's major IT systems, applications, and services to increase user adoption among City customers.

Peripheral Duties:

• Performs functions as assigned in the City's emergency response plan in the event of an emergency.
• Serves as a technical backup and resource for the department, across focus areas.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Experience with geospatial technologies and systems.
• Current knowledge of Esri's GIS software platform including ArcGIS Enterprise, ArcGIS Online, ArcGIS Hub, SDE for SQL server, ArcGIS Pro, ArcGIS Monitor, and ArcGIS Velocity. Familiar with mobile GIS, image processing, data analytics tools, scripting/programming, and spatial visualization.
• Strong customer service skills, demonstrated through building positive customer relationships and effectively managing customer interactions, including strong relationships with leadership such as Directors and the City Council.
• Skilled in vendor management, procurement, and contracting.
• Ability to challenge the status quo by continually looking for better ways to improve services.
• Pursues recommended training and industry certifications for the team to stay current in the area of operation.
• Knowledge of basic managerial principals including development of performance goals, translation into a well-prioritized work program, and monitoring of budgets.
• Ability to plan, implement and evaluate work programs.
• Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing.

Qualifications
Minimum Qualifications:

• Education: Bachelor's Degree in Information Technology, Geography or related field.
• Experience: 5 or more years of related experience in management of Geographic Information Systems (GIS).
• Or: In place of the above requirements, the incumbent may possess any combination of relevant education and experience which would demonstrate the individual's knowledge, skill, and ability to proficiently perform the essential duties and responsibilities listed above.

Licenses and Other Requirements:

• Must have a valid Washington State Driver's license and ability to remain insurable under the City's insurance to operate motor vehicles.
• 2-3 years of supervisory experience preferred.
• Possession of technical and industry certifications is preferred, such as ITIL, SCRUM, and/or Project Management.
• Must be able to pass a background check and a national fingerprint records check.

Other
Physical Demands and Working Environment:

Work is conducted in a typical office setting. Position typically requires extended periods of sitting while performing keyboard operations. Occasional driving to other locations throughout the City are within the scope of supervisory support responsibility.

Selection ProcessPosition requires a resume and cover letter for consideration of application. Please note how you meet minimum qualifications within the cover letter. Applicants who are selected for next steps in the hiring process will be invited by phone or e-mail. Candidates are encouraged to apply at the earliest possible date as screening, interviewing, and hiring decisions will be made through the recruitment period, until such time as the vacancy is filled.

This position includes a health insurance benefit package with 100% City-paid premiums for 1.0 FTE (medical/dental/vision for employee and dependents). Premium is prorated for less than 1.0 FTE positions with cost shared between City and the employee.

Participation in the Public Employees Retirement System is mandatory for all eligible positions.

Other employment benefits include:

• 401b Municipal Employee Benefits Trust (MEBT) with 6.2% City matching contribution
• Voluntary 457 Deferred Compensation plan
• Health Reimbursement Account (HRA) VEBA dollars with City contribution (City contribution depending on employee elected medical plan)
• Voluntary Flexible Spending Account for Healthcare and Childcare
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• City paid Life Insurance
• City paid Long-Term Disability (LTD) Insurance
• Paid vacation (starts with 13 days first year may be prorated for part-time positions)
• Annual 12 paid holidays, including one floating holiday
• Paid sick leave accruals (benefit may vary based on applicable bargaining unit)
• Paid Management Leave for select leadership positions

Perks include:

• Alternative work schedules
• Free EV charging at Level 2 and 3 chargers
• Free ORCA card for public transit
• Access to onsite fitness center and secure bike storage at City Hall
• Free employee parking
• Childcare programs with discounted tuition rates
• Wellness and transportation incentives

For further review of City Benefits and Perks please visit