STEM OPT Gis Specialist Jobs
GIS Specialist roles qualify for the 24-month STEM OPT extension when your degree falls under an eligible CIP code in geography, computer science, or a related STEM field. Your employer must be enrolled in E-Verify, and you'll need a signed I-983 training plan before your extension begins.
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Interviews are anticipated to be conducted within one week of closing date. Applicant use of Artificial Intelligence tools is prohibited during interviews.
Please make sure to attach your transcripts to certify degree (If Applicable) and accounting hours that are required.
Why does the job exist?
The Property Tax Code requires that all property shall be described for property taxation purposes by a description sufficiently adequate and accurate to identify it. Real property shall be described under a uniform system of real property description in accordance with regulations of the department. The Property Tax Division (PTD) shall promulgate regulations establishing a uniform system of real property description to be used by the department and all assessors. The system shall include requirements for a comprehensive mapping or geographic information system, the use of uniform property record documents and uniform coding of real property descriptions. This position will support the PTD and counties in meeting GIS system requirements including providing GIS expertise, support, and guidance.
How does it get done?
This position will be responsible for:
I. Provide Technical assistance and training to county assessors and their staff:
- Act as primary technical support to counties for GIS parcel data workflow, development, and collection.
- Provide planning and technical support to counties for "emerging" and "growth" counties moving from analog to digital mapping workflows. Support counties to migrate from paper/mylar maps to digital maps and modern data models.
- Support counties to create and/or enhance data integrations between property mass appraisal and valuation systems and GIS parcel databases.
II. Report and evaluate for compliance of statute:
- Every county shall have a digitized set of maps for the county. Every such set shall meet the specifications and standards set by the Department for such sets. The Department shall review each set to ensure conformance with requirements of this subsection and directives of the Property Tax Division (PTD) Director.
III. Perform mapping/GIS services for the state and other governmental agencies:
- Primary liaison for GIS data and services to PTD.
- Primary liaison to ISBIT group regarding PTD GIS requirements for network, storage, and software application infrastructure.
- Identify and communicate budgetary requirements.
- Identify future trends in GIS technologies, applications, and data models.
- Identify, develop, and deploy internal and public web mapping applications that support TRD business lines.
- Provide specialized reports as requested.
IV. Provide Technical expertise for GIS required systems by Department: 3.6.7.18 NMAC:
- Identify business reasons that justify investment and support for statewide land record modernization initiatives.
- Define standards for spatial and attribute data published from counties to the Property Tax Division.
- Provide technical expertise to support the standardization of mapping technologies and methods for counties considering/ needing modernization of process and data.
- Support TRD and counties to identify, define, and standardize "best practices" for State/county parcel data management.
Who are the customers?
The taxpayers of the State of New Mexico.
Ideal Candidate
The taxpayers of the State of New Mexico.
Minimum Qualification
Bachelor's degree in Geographic Information Systems, Geography, Planning, Geology, Cartography, Urban Studies, Landscape Architecture, Civil Engineering, or Computer Science and two (2) years of experience in geospatial data management. Any combination of education from an accredited college or university in a related field and/or direct experience in this occupation totaling six (6) years may substitute for the required education and experience.
Employment Requirements
Must possess and maintain a valid Driver's License. Must possess and maintain a current Defensive Driving Course Certificate from the State of New Mexico or must pass and receive Defensive Driving Course Certification within six (6) months of date of hire as a condition of continued employment. Must be current with all tax reporting/payment. Employment is subject to post offer pre-employment criminal background check to include fingerprint checks and is conditional pending results.
Working Conditions
Work is performed in an office setting with exposure to Visual/Video Display terminal (VDT) and extensive personal computer and telephone usage. Some sitting, standing, bending and reaching may be required.
Supplemental Information
Do you know what Total Compensation is? Click here
Agency Contact Information: Larry Brotman, (505) 670-6535 Email
For information on Statutory Requirements for this position, click the Classification Description link on the job advertisement.
Bargaining Unit Position
This position is not covered by a collective bargaining agreement.
Posting Details
Interviews are anticipated to be conducted within one week of closing date. Applicant use of Artificial Intelligence tools is prohibited during interviews.
Please make sure to attach your transcripts to certify degree (If Applicable) and accounting hours that are required.
Why does the job exist?
The Property Tax Code requires that all property shall be described for property taxation purposes by a description sufficiently adequate and accurate to identify it. Real property shall be described under a uniform system of real property description in accordance with regulations of the department. The Property Tax Division (PTD) shall promulgate regulations establishing a uniform system of real property description to be used by the department and all assessors. The system shall include requirements for a comprehensive mapping or geographic information system, the use of uniform property record documents and uniform coding of real property descriptions. This position will support the PTD and counties in meeting GIS system requirements including providing GIS expertise, support, and guidance.
How does it get done?
This position will be responsible for:
I. Provide Technical assistance and training to county assessors and their staff:
- Act as primary technical support to counties for GIS parcel data workflow, development, and collection.
- Provide planning and technical support to counties for "emerging" and "growth" counties moving from analog to digital mapping workflows. Support counties to migrate from paper/mylar maps to digital maps and modern data models.
- Support counties to create and/or enhance data integrations between property mass appraisal and valuation systems and GIS parcel databases.
II. Report and evaluate for compliance of statute:
- Every county shall have a digitized set of maps for the county. Every such set shall meet the specifications and standards set by the Department for such sets. The Department shall review each set to ensure conformance with requirements of this subsection and directives of the Property Tax Division (PTD) Director.
III. Perform mapping/GIS services for the state and other governmental agencies:
- Primary liaison for GIS data and services to PTD.
- Primary liaison to ISBIT group regarding PTD GIS requirements for network, storage, and software application infrastructure.
- Identify and communicate budgetary requirements.
- Identify future trends in GIS technologies, applications, and data models.
- Identify, develop, and deploy internal and public web mapping applications that support TRD business lines.
- Provide specialized reports as requested.
IV. Provide Technical expertise for GIS required systems by Department: 3.6.7.18 NMAC:
- Identify business reasons that justify investment and support for statewide land record modernization initiatives.
- Define standards for spatial and attribute data published from counties to the Property Tax Division.
- Provide technical expertise to support the standardization of mapping technologies and methods for counties considering/ needing modernization of process and data.
- Support TRD and counties to identify, define, and standardize "best practices" for State/county parcel data management.
Who are the customers?
The taxpayers of the State of New Mexico.
Ideal Candidate
The taxpayers of the State of New Mexico.
Minimum Qualification
Bachelor's degree in Geographic Information Systems, Geography, Planning, Geology, Cartography, Urban Studies, Landscape Architecture, Civil Engineering, or Computer Science and two (2) years of experience in geospatial data management. Any combination of education from an accredited college or university in a related field and/or direct experience in this occupation totaling six (6) years may substitute for the required education and experience.
Employment Requirements
Must possess and maintain a valid Driver's License. Must possess and maintain a current Defensive Driving Course Certificate from the State of New Mexico or must pass and receive Defensive Driving Course Certification within six (6) months of date of hire as a condition of continued employment. Must be current with all tax reporting/payment. Employment is subject to post offer pre-employment criminal background check to include fingerprint checks and is conditional pending results.
Working Conditions
Work is performed in an office setting with exposure to Visual/Video Display terminal (VDT) and extensive personal computer and telephone usage. Some sitting, standing, bending and reaching may be required.
Supplemental Information
Do you know what Total Compensation is? Click here
Agency Contact Information: Larry Brotman, (505) 670-6535 Email
For information on Statutory Requirements for this position, click the Classification Description link on the job advertisement.
Bargaining Unit Position
This position is not covered by a collective bargaining agreement.
See all 41+ STEM OPT Gis Specialist Jobs
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding STEM OPT Authorization as a Gis Specialist
Verify your CIP code before applying
Check that your degree's CIP code is on the USCIS STEM OPT designated degree list. Geography, geospatial science, and computer science degrees commonly qualify, but your DSO confirms your specific code before filing.
Search for E-Verify enrolled employers
Before accepting an offer, confirm the employer is actively enrolled in E-Verify, not just registered. Ask HR for their E-Verify company ID and cross-check it through the E-Verify employer search tool.
Target GIS roles at government contractors
Federal contractors are legally required to use E-Verify, making them reliable STEM OPT employers. Defense, infrastructure, and environmental contractors routinely hire GIS Specialists and already have compliant I-983 onboarding processes in place.
Build a portfolio around geospatial data workflows
Employers evaluating STEM OPT candidates want evidence of hands-on GIS output. Showcase projects using ArcGIS, QGIS, or Python-based spatial analysis that map directly to the technical scope described in O*NET for this occupation.
Use Migrate Mate to filter GIS jobs by sponsorship history
Searching broad job boards wastes time on employers who won't sponsor. Migrate Mate filters GIS Specialist listings by verified DOL filing history, so you see employers who have actually supported work authorization for this role.
Draft your I-983 training plan before your offer closes
STEM OPT requires a detailed I-983 outlining your learning objectives and supervisor responsibilities. Having a draft ready lets your employer review and sign quickly, reducing the gap between offer acceptance and your extension start date.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a geography or geospatial science degree qualify for the STEM OPT extension for GIS Specialist roles?
Geography, geospatial science, and computer science degrees typically appear on the USCIS STEM OPT designated degree list, but eligibility depends on the specific CIP code assigned to your degree by your school, not the degree title alone. Your DSO can confirm whether your CIP code qualifies before you file Form I-765 for the extension.
What E-Verify requirement applies to employers hiring me as a GIS Specialist on STEM OPT?
Your employer must be enrolled in E-Verify before your STEM OPT extension begins. Enrollment alone isn't enough if the specific hiring site or business unit isn't covered. Verify the employer's active E-Verify status before accepting an offer, because USCIS requires this as a condition of approving your extension.
What should my I-983 training plan include for a GIS Specialist position?
Your I-983 must describe specific learning objectives tied to your GIS role, such as spatial data analysis, cartographic production, or database management. It must name a qualifying supervisor, outline how the work relates to your STEM degree, and include evaluation checkpoints. Your employer signs it, and your DSO countersigns before you submit.
How does cap-gap protection work if my H-1B is selected while I'm on STEM OPT as a GIS Specialist?
If your H-1B visa petition is filed and your employer requests a change of status for October 1, cap-gap protection automatically extends your STEM OPT work authorization through September 30. You can keep working in your GIS role without interruption. USCIS confirms cap-gap eligibility through the I-797 receipt notice from your employer's petition.
Where can I find GIS Specialist jobs where the employer is already set up to hire STEM OPT students?
Use Migrate Mate to search GIS Specialist roles filtered by employers with verified DOL labor condition application filing history. This approach surfaces employers who have actively supported work authorization for similar technical roles, saving you time that would otherwise go toward screening employers who aren't set up for the STEM OPT process.