GIS Manager

Job Description

JOB SUMMARY

Become part of a team that thrives on Professionalism, Innovation, Customer Experience, Integrity, and Teamwork — the values that guide how we serve our community.

The GIS Manager provides strategic leadership for the City’s enterprise Geographic Information System (GIS), guiding data management, governance, and visualization efforts across the organization. This role drives multi-departmental initiatives that strengthen data-driven decision making, improve operational efficiency, and enhance public transparency. By shaping the City’s enterprise data strategy, the position ensures that accurate, accessible, and meaningful data supports both internal operations and community engagement.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

The following list highlights the main responsibilities of this position. While it covers the core tasks, it may not include every duty that could be assigned. Employees may be asked to take on other responsibilities as needed to support the team and department.

Strategic Leadership

• Provides long-term strategic direction for the City’s enterprise GIS and data programs, ensuring alignment with organizational priorities and technology goals.
• Leads citywide data initiatives that strengthen governance, standardization, transparency, and analytics maturity.
• Advises executive leadership on emerging technologies, enterprise data needs, and resource planning to support informed investment and operational decisions.

Enterprise GIS & Data Program Oversight

• Oversees the City’s enterprise GIS architecture and data platforms to ensure reliability, security, scalability, and accessibility.
• Ensures the development and maintenance of authoritative datasets and enterprise data resources.
• Directs creation of enterprise solutions including dashboards, public portals, analytical tools, and mission-critical mapping applications.

Project & Portfolio Management

• Leads complex, multi-department initiatives using formal project management practices that ensure timely, high-quality, and cost-effective outcomes.
• Develops and maintains project portfolios and annual work plans that reflect citywide priorities and available resources.
• Coordinates cross-functional teams, consultants, and contractors, ensuring accountability for deliverables and performance.
• Stakeholder & Relationship Management
• Facilitates enterprise governance bodies to support alignment, consistency, and organizational engagement in GIS and data initiatives.
• Builds strong relationships across departments to understand operational needs and promote adoption of data-driven practices.
• Communicates complex technical concepts effectively to executive leadership, staff, and the public.

People Leadership & Team Development

• Supervises GIS and data staff, fostering a collaborative, high-performing, and customer-focused team environment.
• Provides coaching, workload management, performance evaluation, and succession planning.
• Promotes a culture of innovation, accountability, and continuous improvement.

Operational Management

• Oversees lifecycle management of GIS and data systems, applications, and hardware to ensure continuity and resiliency.
• Maintains current and effective documentation, standards, procedures, and training resources.
• Manages budgets, contracts, procurement, and vendor performance to support enterprise GIS operations.
• Ensures compliance with IT security requirements, data privacy standards, and emergency response protocols.

Technical & Analytical Mastery

• Applies advanced knowledge of GIS technologies, geospatial analysis, data architecture, and enterprise data systems.
• Designs and guides high-impact data visualizations, dashboards, and analytical narratives that support strategic decision making.
• Ensures best practices in data governance, lifecycle management, metadata standards, and data security.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS & PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

• Bachelor’s Degree in GIS, Geography, Computer Science, Data Science, Engineering, or a related field.
• Seven (7) years of progressively responsible experience with enterprise GIS design, implementation, administration, and project management.
• Three (3) years of supervisory experience.
• Ability to pass FBI criminal background screening and meet criminal justice information security standards.
• ITIL Foundation certification (or ability to obtain within one year).
• Must be able to pass FBI criminal background fingerprint check and can comply with state and federal requirements for criminal justice information security standards.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience leading enterprise data, analytics, or governance programs.
• GISP certification, ESRI technical certifications, or other data management or analytics certifications.
• Experience managing enterprise technology solutions and cross departmental technology initiatives.

TRAINING/CERTIFICATIONS

• Must obtain ITIL Foundation certification within 1 year of hire.
• Must obtain FEMA NIMS certifications within 1 year

Starting salary will be determined by qualifications.

COMPETENCIES AND ENVIRONMENT

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Knowledge of management and organizational principles, including project and resource management.
• Knowledge of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) standards, practices, procedures, and ESRI technologies.
• Knowledge of database management systems, data governance, and metadata standards.
• Skill in project management, including planning, communication, risk mitigation, monitoring, and performance reporting.
• Skill in analytical reasoning, using observation, evaluation, and problem-solving to support data-driven decisions.
• Skill in conflict management, negotiation, and resolving employee relations issues.
• Ability to lead, coordinate, and support the work of technical staff and cross-departmental teams.
• Ability to analyze complex situations and present clear, concise recommendations in written and verbal form.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with colleagues, system users, and the public.
• Ability to manage internal and external resources to ensure successful project outcomes.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

This position requires the ability to lift up to 30 pounds occasionally. The physical requirements of the job include the ability sit, talk, kneel, bend at both the waist and knee, reach with the arms over the head, and hear, both on the telephone and in person, using regular conversational tones; vision requires the ability to focus and read printouts, computer, screens, and the written material, as well as, the ability of hand/finger usage to perform essential functions, such as computer typing.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

Work is primarily performed in an office setting with extended periods of sitting. Working conditions involve occasional exposure to variable and/or extreme weather conditions, diesel generators and/or other machinery with moving parts, working in confined spaces, and hazards associated with moving/lifting equipment and furniture is involved. Computer room is kept at 70 degrees and may be drafty. Noisy work environment, i.e. generators, alarms, and staff talking on phones (noises are intermittent and constant).

This is a safety-sensitive position.

The City of San Marcos offers its employees a broad range of benefits to enhance their personal and occupational lives. We are committed to a total rewards strategy that provides employees with competitive compensation, comprehensive benefits, and an environment that supports a healthy work/life balance.

View Our Benefits Guide.

BENEFITS
Medical, Dental & Vision Coverage

• United Healthcare
• Choice Plus PPO Plan
• Prescription Drug Plan
• Wellness Initiatives
• Virtual Doctor Visits 24/7
• Dental Plan
• Base Vision Plan
• Premium Vision Plan
• Laser Vision Correction discounts

Retirement

• Texas Municipal Retirement System (TMRS)
• Mission Square Retirement Corporation - optional 457-deferred compensation plan & Roth IRA

ADDITIONAL BENEFITS

• Flexible Spending Accounts
• City-paid Life and AD&D Insurance
• Voluntary Life, AD&D and Long-Term Disability insurance
• Employee Assistance Program
• Medical Concierge Service
• Vacation
• Sick Leave
• Holidays
• Longevity pay
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Activity Center Membership
• Direct Deposit
• Home Buyer Incentive Application
• Home Buyer Incentive Policy
• Paid Parental Leave
• Bereavement Leave

The City of San Marcos is committed to supporting a flexible and positive work/life balance. Certain eligible positions may offer remote telework opportunities based on departmental operations and the nature of the work. Telework is not a fully remote arrangement, and eligibility and frequency are determined by the department director based on operational needs and the city's commitment to providing quality services to the community.

Closing Date/Time: 10/2/2026 11:59 PM Central