H-1B Visa Gis Specialist Jobs
GIS Specialist roles qualify as H-1B visa specialty occupations under USCIS guidelines, requiring at least a bachelor's degree in geography, geospatial science, or a closely related field. Federal agencies, engineering firms, utilities, and tech companies regularly sponsor H-1B visa petitions for this occupation, making it a strong target for visa-holding candidates.
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Get Access To All JobsJob Posting End Date
06-23-2026
Please note the job posting will close on the day before the posting end date.
Job Summary
The Geographical Information System Specialist for Nuclear Siting supports advanced nuclear development by providing geospatial analysis and mapping expertise to identify and evaluate potential sites for nuclear facilities. This role involves managing spatial data, performing suitability analyses, and producing high-quality maps and visualizations to inform siting decisions. The GIS Specialist collaborates with engineering, environmental, and regulatory teams to integrate geospatial insights into feasibility studies and project planning.
Data Management & Analysis
- Collect, organize, and maintain geospatial datasets including land use, environmental constraints, infrastructure, and regulatory boundaries.
- Perform spatial analyses to evaluate site suitability based on technical, environmental, and socio-economic criteria.
- Develop models for proximity analysis (e.g., transmission lines, water sources, transportation access).
Mapping & Visualization
- Create detailed maps, dashboards, and visualizations for internal teams and external stakeholders.
- Prepare GIS layers for integration into feasibility reports and presentations.
Collaboration & Support
- Work closely with siting engineers, environmental specialists, and permitting teams to provide geospatial insights.
- Support interconnection studies by mapping grid infrastructure and analyzing transmission corridors.
Compliance & Standards
- Ensure GIS data and outputs meet industry standards and regulatory requirements.
- Maintain data security and version control for sensitive project information.
WHAT WE'RE LOOKING FOR
Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree Geography, GIS, Environmental Science, or related field of study dependent upon business unit requirements with three (3) years qualified experience; OR,
- Associate’s degree in the same required disciplines with five (5) years of qualified experience.
- Proficiency in GIS software (ArcGIS, QGIS) and spatial analysis tools.
- Strong analytical and visualization skills; ability to communicate technical findings clearly.
Preferred Skills
- Familiarity with nuclear siting considerations, environmental constraints, and regulatory frameworks.
- Experience with Python or other scripting for GIS automation.
- Knowledge of NRC siting guidelines and NEPA environmental review.
- Understanding of transmission planning and interconnection processes.
WHAT YOU’LL GET
Base Salary: $88K - $109K
In addition to base salary, AEP offers competitive Total Rewards including: discretionary short-/long-term incentives, 401(k), pension, health insurance, vacation, educational assistance, etc.
WHO WE ARE
At AEP, we’re more than just an energy company — we’re a team of dedicated professionals committed to delivering safe, reliable, and innovative energy solutions. Guided by our mission to put the customer first, we strive to exceed expectations by listening, responding, and continuously improving the way we serve our communities. If you're passionate about making a meaningful impact and being part of a forward-thinking organization, this is the company for you!
Compensation Data
Compensation Grade: SP20-007
Compensation Range: $87,633.00 - $109,543.00
The Physical Demand Level for this job is: S – Sedentary Work: Exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally (Occasionally: activity or condition exists up to 1/3 of the time) and/or a negligible amount of force frequently. (Frequently: activity or condition exists from 1/3 to 2/3 of the time) to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects, including the human body. Sedentary work involves sitting most of the time but may involve walking or standing for brief periods of time. Jobs are sedentary if walking and standing are required only occasionally, and all other sedentary criteria are met.
It is hereby reaffirmed that it is the policy of American Electric Power (AEP) to provide Equal Employment Opportunity in all respects of the employer-employee relationship including recruiting, hiring, upgrading and promotion, conditions and privileges of employment, company sponsored training programs, educational assistance, social and recreational programs, compensation, benefits, transfers, discipline, layoffs and termination of employment to all employees and applicants without discrimination because of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity, and sexual orientation), national origin, age, veteran or military status, disability, genetic information, or any other basis prohibited by applicable law. When required by law, we might record certain information or applicants for employment may be invited to voluntarily disclose protected characteristics.
Job Posting End Date
06-23-2026
Please note the job posting will close on the day before the posting end date.
Job Summary
The Geographical Information System Specialist for Nuclear Siting supports advanced nuclear development by providing geospatial analysis and mapping expertise to identify and evaluate potential sites for nuclear facilities. This role involves managing spatial data, performing suitability analyses, and producing high-quality maps and visualizations to inform siting decisions. The GIS Specialist collaborates with engineering, environmental, and regulatory teams to integrate geospatial insights into feasibility studies and project planning.
Data Management & Analysis
- Collect, organize, and maintain geospatial datasets including land use, environmental constraints, infrastructure, and regulatory boundaries.
- Perform spatial analyses to evaluate site suitability based on technical, environmental, and socio-economic criteria.
- Develop models for proximity analysis (e.g., transmission lines, water sources, transportation access).
Mapping & Visualization
- Create detailed maps, dashboards, and visualizations for internal teams and external stakeholders.
- Prepare GIS layers for integration into feasibility reports and presentations.
Collaboration & Support
- Work closely with siting engineers, environmental specialists, and permitting teams to provide geospatial insights.
- Support interconnection studies by mapping grid infrastructure and analyzing transmission corridors.
Compliance & Standards
- Ensure GIS data and outputs meet industry standards and regulatory requirements.
- Maintain data security and version control for sensitive project information.
WHAT WE'RE LOOKING FOR
Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree Geography, GIS, Environmental Science, or related field of study dependent upon business unit requirements with three (3) years qualified experience; OR,
- Associate’s degree in the same required disciplines with five (5) years of qualified experience.
- Proficiency in GIS software (ArcGIS, QGIS) and spatial analysis tools.
- Strong analytical and visualization skills; ability to communicate technical findings clearly.
Preferred Skills
- Familiarity with nuclear siting considerations, environmental constraints, and regulatory frameworks.
- Experience with Python or other scripting for GIS automation.
- Knowledge of NRC siting guidelines and NEPA environmental review.
- Understanding of transmission planning and interconnection processes.
WHAT YOU’LL GET
Base Salary: $88K - $109K
In addition to base salary, AEP offers competitive Total Rewards including: discretionary short-/long-term incentives, 401(k), pension, health insurance, vacation, educational assistance, etc.
WHO WE ARE
At AEP, we’re more than just an energy company — we’re a team of dedicated professionals committed to delivering safe, reliable, and innovative energy solutions. Guided by our mission to put the customer first, we strive to exceed expectations by listening, responding, and continuously improving the way we serve our communities. If you're passionate about making a meaningful impact and being part of a forward-thinking organization, this is the company for you!
Compensation Data
Compensation Grade: SP20-007
Compensation Range: $87,633.00 - $109,543.00
The Physical Demand Level for this job is: S – Sedentary Work: Exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally (Occasionally: activity or condition exists up to 1/3 of the time) and/or a negligible amount of force frequently. (Frequently: activity or condition exists from 1/3 to 2/3 of the time) to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects, including the human body. Sedentary work involves sitting most of the time but may involve walking or standing for brief periods of time. Jobs are sedentary if walking and standing are required only occasionally, and all other sedentary criteria are met.
It is hereby reaffirmed that it is the policy of American Electric Power (AEP) to provide Equal Employment Opportunity in all respects of the employer-employee relationship including recruiting, hiring, upgrading and promotion, conditions and privileges of employment, company sponsored training programs, educational assistance, social and recreational programs, compensation, benefits, transfers, discipline, layoffs and termination of employment to all employees and applicants without discrimination because of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity, and sexual orientation), national origin, age, veteran or military status, disability, genetic information, or any other basis prohibited by applicable law. When required by law, we might record certain information or applicants for employment may be invited to voluntarily disclose protected characteristics.
See all 36+ H-1B Visa Gis Specialist Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new H-1B Visa Gis Specialist Jobs.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding H-1B Visa Sponsorship as a Gis Specialist
Verify your degree meets specialty occupation
USCIS scrutinizes GIS roles because the required degree field isn't always obvious. Document that your bachelor's degree is in geography, geoscience, computer science, or urban planning, not just a general STEM field, before applying.
Target employers with LCA filing history
Search DOL's OFLC Wage Search to confirm prospective employers have filed Labor Condition Applications for GIS-related SOC codes. Employers with a filing record understand the H-1B process and are far less likely to withdraw sponsorship mid-hire.
Use Migrate Mate to filter H-1B-sponsoring employers
Search GIS Specialist roles on Migrate Mate to see which employers have verified H-1B filing history for this occupation, so you're only applying where sponsorship is already established practice.
Build your GIS certification portfolio now
Esri's ArcGIS Professional certification and GISP credentials strengthen your specialty occupation case by demonstrating field-specific expertise. USCIS adjudicators have issued RFEs on GIS petitions when the degree-to-role connection isn't clear.
Negotiate the H-1B timeline before accepting an offer
Standard H-1B processing runs several months, and premium processing adds a fee your employer may or may not cover. Confirm your start date accounts for USCIS adjudication time before you resign your current position.
Understand prevailing wage levels for your GIS role
DOL assigns GIS Specialist wages across four levels tied to experience and supervision. Your employer's LCA must certify your offered wage meets or exceeds the applicable level, check the OFLC Wage Search to verify before your offer is finalized.
H-1B Visa Gis Specialist: Frequently Asked Questions
Does a GIS Specialist role qualify as an H-1B specialty occupation?
Yes, provided the position requires at least a bachelor's degree in a directly related field such as geography, geospatial science, cartography, computer science, or urban planning. USCIS has issued RFEs on GIS petitions where job duties were general or the degree field was only loosely connected, so your employer's job description needs to clearly tie specialized GIS skills to the degree requirement.
Which industries most commonly sponsor H-1B visas for GIS Specialists?
Federal contractors, state and local government agencies, utilities, environmental consulting firms, defense contractors, and technology companies with geospatial products are the most consistent H-1B sponsors for GIS roles. You can find employers with verified H-1B filing history for this occupation on Migrate Mate, which surfaces DOL Labor Condition Application data by role and employer.
What happens to my H-1B status if my GIS contract ends early?
You have a 60-day grace period after your H-1B employment ends to find a new sponsoring employer, file for a change of status, or prepare to depart. If a new employer files an H-1B transfer petition before your grace period expires, you can begin working for them once USCIS receives the petition, not just after approval.
Can my employer file an H-1B for a fully remote GIS Specialist position?
Yes, but your employer must file a separate Labor Condition Application for each location where you'll work, including your home address if you work remotely. DOL requires the LCA to reflect the actual worksite where you'll perform duties. If your remote location is in a different metropolitan area than the employer's office, the prevailing wage for your home location applies.
How do I confirm an employer's offered wage meets H-1B prevailing wage requirements for a GIS role?
Use the OFLC Wage Search to look up the prevailing wage for GIS Specialists under SOC code 15-1299 or 17-1021 in the employer's metropolitan area. Your employer's LCA must certify they'll pay at least the DOL wage level corresponding to your experience tier. Accepting an offer below the certified wage is an H-1B violation that can affect your status.