Dam Safety GIS Specialist
The Virginia Department of Conservation & Recreation (DCR), Division of Dam
Safety & Floodplain Management (DSFM) is seeking a self-starting team player to serve as a GIS Specialist in support of Simplified Dam Break Inundation Zone
Mapping for Low Hazard Dams, quality control of centralized Dam Inventory GIS information for dams of importance to Virginia, data exchange support for contracted Dam Monitoring System and related duties. This position is responsible for preparing raster and vector datasets for input into Dam Break
Inundation Zone Modeling software, to streamline and automate GIS processes where strategic, to steward input and output datasets from a systematic statewide perspective, and to work seamlessly with the Dam Safety
Engineer/Modeler and other Division staff. Efficient interoperation of all DSFM projects is of paramount importance. This position reports directly to the
Division Director of Dam Safety and Floodplain Management or delegate.
Potential candidates must be highly motivated and able to perform work with minimal supervision. We expect candidates to take this opportunity seriously, be engaged by its subject matter and be motivated to always do great work. This position requires the candidate to work as a team with the Dam Safety
Engineer/Modeler counterpart to create the inundation mapping and verify the
Low Hazard Classification of modeled dams. They must also work closely with key Division staff on other equally important technical initiatives, e.g. Dam
Dragnet, DamWatch and the VAFRIS. Candidates must demonstrate the ability to work well as a team member and to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing.
Applicants must have a 4 year degree in a science or other technical field from an accredited university, and significant work experience with advanced GIS concepts, particularly at the interface of hydrology; advanced GIS work is plus, and strong preference will be given to those who have worked with large and computationally demanding statewide datasets. HEC-HMS, FEMA’s GeoDam-
BREACH, and ArcGIS 10 desktop (including the ArcHydro, Spatial Analyst, and 3D
Analyst extensions) are the primary software packages to be used, but FLO-2D and other supporting software are likely as well; mastery of the basic MS Office
Suite is requisite. To automate processes, we are requiring mid-level Python coding skills in ArcGIS and model builder experience where appropriate, solid SQL knowledge beyond ArcGIS is necessary and learning spatial SQL is expected. Prior experience interfacing with H&H modeling software is preferred.

Candidates must have a valid driver’s license by the start of employment and a safe driving record. The selected candidate will be working out of the Richmond
Central Office. A flexible work schedule may be available.
This fulltime salaried position is funding contingent and is expected to last a minimum of one year. Continued employment beyond one year is a possibility based on exceptional job performance and additional funding. State university benefits and holidays are provided.
Hiring Range: $41,000 to $60,000