Gis Specialist Jobs
Gis Specialist jobs are open across federal agencies, environmental consulting, urban planning, defense, and utilities, from entry-level technician to senior and lead roles, with specializations in remote sensing, spatial analysis, and geodatabase management. Find a role that fits from the openings below and apply directly.
Find Gis Specialist JobsOverview
Showing 5 of 36+ Gis Specialist jobs











ABOUT THE OPPORTUNITY:
SWCA is seeking a Project GIS Specialist (HR Title = Project Geospatial Scientist) to support Environmental Consulting projects across SWCA’s Southwest operations. In this role, you will take ownership of GIS solutions, collaborate with talented teams, and contribute to a variety of projects across the region and nationally.
This position is available for hybrid work arrangements in Arizona, with consideration for highly qualified remote candidates elsewhere in nearby locations. This is a salaried, exempt, regular (with benefits), position.
Please feel free to provide relevant work samples for further consideration. Application Deadline: Our team will begin reviewing applications immediately, and interviews will be scheduled with qualified candidates on a rolling basis. The application process will remain open until we have received a robust pool of qualified candidates. Once we have identified suitable individuals, we may close the application process without prior notice. We appreciate the time and effort invested by all applicants and will carefully consider each submission.
WHAT YOU WILL ACCOMPLISH:
The Project Geospatial Scientist will support a wide variety of environmental consulting projects throughout the Southwest Region and across SWCA. This position is ideal for a technically strong GIS professional who enjoys solving problems, working independently, and collaborating with multidisciplinary project teams. The successful candidate will be responsible for managing GIS tasks for multiple projects simultaneously, coordinating directly with project managers and resource specialists, and developing practical GIS solutions that support project objectives. This role requires someone who can work with minimal supervision, adapt to changing priorities, and consistently deliver high-quality work products.
Responsibilities Include:
- Independently manage GIS support for multiple environmental consulting projects.
- Coordinate directly with project managers, scientists, planners, archaeologists, biologists, and technical specialists to understand project needs and develop GIS solutions.
- Perform spatial analysis, geoprocessing, data management, and cartographic production using ArcGIS Pro and related technologies.
- Develop and maintain web maps, mobile data collection applications, and GIS workflows using ArcGIS Online, Field Maps, Survey123, and related tools.
- Produce high-quality maps, figures, and geospatial deliverables that meet SWCA and client standards.
- Manage, organize, and QA/QC complex geospatial datasets.
- Support field data collection efforts through the development and maintenance of mobile GIS applications and workflows.
- Design, create, maintain, and perform QA/QC of geospatial databases.
- Independently troubleshoot GIS issues and develop practical solutions for project teams.
- Perform complex geoprocessing, modeling, and spatial analysis in coordination with subject matter experts and senior staff.
- Contribute to the continuous improvement of GIS workflows, tools, and best practices.
- Maintain technical proficiency through ongoing learning and professional development.
- Apply knowledge of environmental resources and regulatory processes to project work.
- Comply with project and company safety requirements.
This role offers the opportunity to take ownership of GIS deliverables, expand your technical expertise, and work on a diverse range of environmental consulting projects throughout the Southwest and beyond.
EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATIONS FOR SUCCESS:
Minimum Qualifications:
- Bachelor's degree in Geography, Anthropology, Biology, Environmental Science, or a related field with an emphasis in GIS (or GIS certificate).
- Five (5) years of professional GIS experience with demonstrated increasing levels of responsibility.
- Previous experience in the environmental consulting, AEC, or a closely related industry.
- Strong proficiency with ArcGIS Pro, including spatial analysis, geoprocessing, cartography, and data management.
- Experience supporting projects from planning and field preparation through analysis, reporting, and final deliverables.
- Experience managing and maintaining geospatial datasets and performing QA/QC.
- Experience with ArcGIS Online, including web maps, hosted data, and user management.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Master's degree in Geography, Anthropology, Biology, Environmental Science, or related field with an emphasis in GIS (or GIS certificate).
- Seven (7) years of experience as a senior GIS analyst or similar position with demonstrated increasing levels of professional responsibility and leadership.
- Previous experience as a GIS professional within environmental consulting.
- Experience supporting field operations using ArcGIS Field Maps, Survey123, or similar mobile GIS platforms.
- Experience managing large geospatial datasets, including database design, schemas, and domains.
- Experience with workflow automation using Python, ModelBuilder, SQL, or similar technologies.
- Experience supporting projects involving federal land management agencies such as BLM, USFS, USFWS, USACE, BOR, or similar organizations.
- Experience with remote sensing, imagery processing, LiDAR, UAV data, or advanced spatial analysis.
- Demonstrated ability to provide technical guidance and mentorship to junior GIS professionals and multidisciplinary project teams.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:
- Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to work independently with minimal supervision.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills.
- Ability to manage multiple priorities and adapt to changing project needs.
WHY WORK AT SWCA:
SWCA Environmental Consultants is a growing employee-owned firm, providing a full-spectrum of environmental services. Our Vision (the North Star) is to make SWCA the best workplace and industry leader in sustainability, bringing sound science and creative solutions to global environmental challenges while maintaining a dedication to employee-ownership. We live our core values: we collaborate as #OneSWCA; we are #AlwaysLearning, we #NeverSettle, and we #GiveBack. We are 100% employee-owned, and we build our success together.
With offices across the United States, SWCA is one of the largest environmental compliance firms and ranks among Engineering News-Record’s Top 200 Environmental Firms. We offer a supportive, team-oriented work environment and competitive wages and benefits, including an 100% employee stock ownership plan (retirement). At SWCA, we support our team members in developing their careers to make them leaders in their industry. Our Career Landscape initiative is a process and guide designed to help develop chart rewarding career paths for employees at SWCA. We encourage professional conference attendance, internal and external professional development and training programs, education reimbursement, and bonuses for publications meeting certain criteria.
All regular status employees are eligible to participate in SWCA medical, dental, vision, employee assistance, wellness, life and disability plans, and are eligible to participate in the SWCA 401(k) Profit Sharing Plan and Trust.
If you need assistance accessing SWCA’s website, completing the online application, or require accommodations at any point during the hiring process due to a disability, please contact us at accommodations@swca.com or call 1-480-581-5378. We’re committed to providing an inclusive and supportive experience for all candidates. This contact information is specifically for accommodation requests; other inquiries will not receive a response.
SWCA is committed to salary equity and salary transparency for all its employees. In alignment with this commitment, SWCA posts good faith pay ranges in all its advertised job postings to promote pay equity and transparency. An employee in this Phoenix, AZ-based position can expect a salary between $71,385.60 - $91,936.00, depending on experience, geographic locations, client requirements where applicable, and other factors permitted by law. Regular-status employees are also eligible for performance bonuses. Candidates are also encouraged to consider SWCA’s Total Rewards package, which includes a competitive benefits package, forward-thinking workplace flexibility, outstanding corporate culture, award-winning career development, and more.
EOE - women, minorities, individuals with disabilities and veterans are encouraged to apply. At SWCA Environmental Consultants, we celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive work environment. We strongly encourage candidates from all backgrounds, including those with diverse experiences and veterans, to apply. We believe that a diverse and inclusive workforce enhances creativity, innovation, and overall organizational success.
SWCA continues to invest deeply in career development programs, delivering our award-winning Career Landscape support resources to accelerate the growth of our staff. We recognize the valuable skills and experiences our internal team members bring to SWCA’s continued success. Qualified internal candidates are encouraged to apply and will be seriously considered for this position. We believe in promoting from within, where possible, providing our existing employees with compelling opportunities to advance their careers.
See All 36+ Gis Specialist Jobs
Jump back to the full list of openings and apply to any gis specialist role that fits.
Find Gis Specialist JobsGis Specialist Job Market
A snapshot from current openings nationwide, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
- Esri15

- GSI Environmental2

- Pacific Gas and Electric2

- University of Utah2

- American Electric Power1

Top Industries Hiring
- Technology & Software20
- Consulting & Professional Services5
- Education5
- Energy3
- Construction & Real Estate2
What Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in gis specialist jobs.
- Proficiency in ArcGIS Pro and ArcGIS Online for spatial data analysis and mapping
- Bachelor's degree in geography, GIS, environmental science, or a related field
- Experience managing and editing enterprise geodatabases using ArcSDE or similar platforms
- Ability to write Python scripts for geoprocessing automation and spatial data workflows
- GISP certification or active pursuit of certification through the GIS Certification Institute
- Familiarity with remote sensing software and interpretation of satellite or aerial imagery
Tips for Your Gis Specialist Job Search
Tailor your resume to specific GIS software
Hiring managers scan for named tools, so list every platform you've used: ArcGIS Pro, QGIS, FME, ArcGIS Online, and any extensions like Network Analyst or Spatial Analyst. Generic phrases like 'proficient in GIS software' get filtered out before a human ever reads your resume.
Lead with your geodatabase and scripting skills
Many gis specialist postings now require Python or SQL alongside spatial data skills. If you've written scripts for geoprocessing, automated map production, or managed enterprise geodatabases, put that near the top of your resume, not buried in a skills list at the bottom.
Target openings by sector to match your data experience
GIS work differs sharply across sectors. Utilities roles focus on network datasets and asset management, while environmental consulting prioritizes raster analysis and field data integration. Filter openings by industry so your sector-specific project experience matches what the employer actually works on.
Apply early to roles that fit
Migrate Mate lists gis specialist openings from across the United States in one place, so you can find roles that match and apply directly to each listing.
Build a portfolio of public-facing map projects
Attach a link to an ArcGIS Online story map, a GitHub repository with geoprocessing scripts, or a PDF portfolio showing finished deliverables. Interviewers for gis specialist roles respond to visible work far more than to descriptions of past duties.
Prepare to walk through a technical scenario live
Many gis specialist interviews include a scenario question: given a dataset or a client problem, how would you approach it? Practice talking through your spatial analysis decisions out loud, including your choice of projection, data sources, and any validation steps you'd run before delivering results.
Gis Specialist Jobs: Frequently Asked Questions
Which companies are hiring the most gis specialists?
The companies hiring the most gis specialists right now include Esri, GSI Environmental, and Pacific Gas and Electric, with the largest share of openings in California, North Carolina, and Colorado, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of June 2026. Federal contractors and environmental consulting firms consistently represent a large portion of active postings.
How many gis specialist jobs are remote?
About 22% of gis specialist openings are fully remote or hybrid as of June 2026, though the share varies by specialty. Roles focused on geodatabase administration, cartography, and data processing tend to be the most remote-friendly, while positions requiring field data collection or on-site coordination with local government clients are more likely to require in-person work.
How do you become a gis specialist?
Start with a bachelor's degree in geography, environmental science, urban planning, or a closely related field that includes coursework in spatial analysis. Build hands-on proficiency in ArcGIS Pro and at least one scripting language like Python. Complete a capstone project or internship that produces real deliverables you can show employers. Pursuing a GISP certification strengthens your application for roles in government and consulting.
Can you get hired as a gis specialist with little or no experience?
Yes, entry-level gis specialist positions exist, especially with federal agencies, local governments, and environmental nonprofits that value academic training alongside practical skills. Build a visible portfolio using free platforms like ArcGIS Online or QGIS to demonstrate spatial analysis and map production. Volunteer GIS work with community organizations or open-data projects can substitute for formal job experience when you're starting out.
What does the gis specialist interview process look like?
Most gis specialist interviews begin with a recruiter or HR screening call focused on your software background and availability. A technical round follows, often including a scenario question where you walk through how you'd approach a spatial problem, and sometimes a short skills assessment using sample data. Final rounds typically involve the GIS team lead or department manager and focus on project experience and how you communicate findings to non-GIS stakeholders.
Where can I find and apply to gis specialist jobs?
You can find and apply to gis specialist jobs on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings from employers across the United States. Search the listings to find roles that match your experience, software skills, and preferred sector, then apply directly to each position that fits.
See All 36+ Gis Specialist Jobs
Jump back to the full list of openings and apply to any gis specialist role that fits.
Find Gis Specialist Jobs