GIS Architect
Job Title: GIS Architect
Location: West Virginia Department of Transportation (WVDOT)
About the Role
The West Virginia Department of Transportation (WVDOT) is seeking a highly experienced GIS Architect to join our team on a temporary contract basis. In this strategic leadership role, you will be responsible for the design, implementation, and management of enterprise GIS systems that support critical WVDOT operations. You will provide technical leadership, establish governance frameworks, lead modernization initiatives, and ensure enterprise-level scalability, high availability, and disaster recovery readiness.
Key Responsibilities
Design, implement, and manage enterprise GIS systems, including Esri ArcGIS Enterprise, ArcGIS Online, ArcSDE, and relational database platforms such as Oracle, SQL Server, or PostgreSQL/PostGIS
Design enterprise GIS architectures, including system integration, scalability planning, cloud deployment (Azure/AWS), and high-availability configurations
Provide technical leadership and guidance to GIS database administrators, analysts, and developers, including establishing standards, best practices, and governance frameworks
Optimize enterprise GIS performance, including spatial SQL tuning, service load balancing, and distributed geoprocessing workflows
Develop and implement enterprise-level disaster recovery planning, including backup and replication strategies, failover systems, and business continuity planning for GIS environments
Lead enterprise GIS modernization initiatives, including migration to cloud platforms, integration with enterprise IT systems, and adoption of emerging geospatial technologies
Collaborate with project managers, business analysts, database administrators, GIS analysts, application developers, business policy staff, and workers
Produce clear technical documentation, architectural diagrams, and communicate effectively with both technical and non-technical audiences, including executive leadership
Mentor GIS technical staff and provide strategic direction across enterprise GIS projects
Requirements
Required Qualifications
Education (one of the following):
Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Geography, Geomatics, Information Systems, or a related field from an accredited institution, OR
Minimum of seven (7) years of equivalent work experience
Note: A Master's degree is preferred
Enterprise GIS Design, Implementation & Management:
Minimum of ten (10) years of experience in the design, implementation, and management of enterprise GIS systems, including Esri ArcGIS Enterprise, ArcGIS Online, ArcSDE, and relational database platforms such as Oracle, SQL Server, or PostgreSQL/PostGIS
Enterprise GIS Architecture Design:
Minimum of five (5) years of experience in designing enterprise GIS architectures, including system integration, scalability planning, cloud deployment (Azure/AWS), and high-availability configurations
Technical Leadership & Governance:
Minimum of five (5) years of experience in providing technical leadership and guidance to GIS database administrators, analysts, and developers, including establishing standards, best practices, and governance frameworks
Enterprise GIS Performance Optimization:
Minimum of five (5) years of experience in optimizing enterprise GIS performance, including spatial SQL tuning, service load balancing, and distributed geoprocessing workflows
Disaster Recovery & Business Continuity:
Minimum of three (3) years of experience in enterprise-level disaster recovery planning, including backup and replication strategies, failover systems, and business continuity planning for GIS environments
GIS Modernization Initiatives:
Demonstrated experience in leading enterprise GIS modernization initiatives, including migration to cloud platforms, integration with enterprise IT systems, and adoption of emerging geospatial technologies
Communication Skills:
Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with demonstrated ability to work with project managers, business analysts, database administrators, GIS analysts, application analysts, business policy staff, workers, and executive leadership
Preferred Skills (Not Required but a Plus)
Master's degree in Computer Science, Geography, Geomatics, Information Systems, or a related field
Experience in transportation or government IT environments
Esri Enterprise certification (e.g., Esri Technical Certification - Enterprise System Design)
Cloud certifications (AWS Solutions Architect, Azure Solutions Architect)
Experience with enterprise service-oriented architecture (SOA) and microservices
Familiarity with geospatial data standards and metadata management (FGDC, NGDA, ISO 19100 series)
Experience with enterprise security frameworks (NIST, FISMA, FedRAMP)
Knowledge of emerging geospatial technologies (3D GIS, real-time GIS, IoT integration)