Senior GIS Developer

Minnesota IT Services is seeking a Senior GIS Developer to help lead enterprise GIS modernization efforts for the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH). In this hybrid role based in St. Paul, you will design, develop, administer, and modernize GIS databases, applications, and web services while partnering with business stakeholders and IT professionals to support MDH’s GIS Roadmap and Modernization Plan.

You will focus on reducing technical debt, guiding Agile delivery, and ensuring GIS solutions remain reliable, secure, and maintainable. The work also supports key MDH programs and divisions, including Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Prevention & Control, Environmental Health, Health Policy, and Health Regulation.

Responsibilities

• Lead the design, development, administration, and modernization of enterprise GIS databases, applications, and web services.
• Lead development and implementation of the GIS Roadmap and Modernization Plan.
• Address technical debt and improve long-term system stability.
• Lead Agile processes for GIS workstreams.
• Ensure GIS solutions are reliable, secure, and maintainable.
• Provide technical leadership by mentoring junior staff, developing documentation and standards, and supporting division-specific GIS and geocoding needs.
• Promote collaboration and knowledge sharing across MDH’s GIS Community of Practice and with state agency partners.
• Support program needs and goals for multiple MDH divisions, including Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Prevention & Control, Environmental Health, Health Policy, and Health Regulation.
• Modernize GIS infrastructure and applications, improve processes, and expand business partners’ GIS knowledge through training, consultations, and knowledge sharing.
• Support key projects, including the PFAS Testing of Minnesota Community Water Systems Dashboard, maintaining accurate drinking water well locations, and geocoding support for COVID-19 cases and clinic locations.

Requirements

• Minimum of four (4) years of IT related experience in enterprise GIS development and administration, including GIS applications, spatial databases, web services, and GIS systems infrastructure.
• Knowledge and experience with the Esri product suite, including ArcGIS Online, ArcGIS Enterprise, and associated APIs or interfaces (such as Portal, Experience Builder, and Street Map Premium).
• Strong working knowledge and experience with geocoding and spatial analysis.
• Strong knowledge and experience developing GIS applications and web services.
• Experience coding in JavaScript, Python, C#, .NET, and/or SQL.
• Experience leading teams and GIS projects to develop and implement small to medium sized GIS applications and systems.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate clearly and effectively to facilitate mutual understanding.
• Customer-focused approach grounded in active listening, empathy, and solution-oriented problem-solving.
• Education in IT or a related field may substitute for experience: a master’s degree for eighteen (18) months of experience; a bachelor’s degree for one (1) year; and an associate’s degree for six (6) months.

Preferred Qualifications

• Strong technical problem-solving, requirements analysis, documentation, mentoring, and stakeholder communication.
• Experience with source control and DevOps tools, such as Git/GitLab and automated deployment processes.
• Ability to research, design, analyze, and develop custom geospatial applications using both Esri tools and open-source technologies.
• Experience administering GIS infrastructure, including servers, networking, security, upgrades, and high-availability environments.
• Advanced knowledge of cartographic principles and geographic concepts, including coordinate systems, projections, map-based analysis, and overall cartography.
• Experience developing in Amazon Web Services (AWS) (for example, Lambdas).
• Experience working on Agile projects and leading Agile scrum ceremonies.

Technologies

• ArcGIS Online
• ArcGIS Enterprise
• Portal
• Experience Builder
• Street Map Premium
• JavaScript
• Python
• C#
• .NET
• SQL
• Esri product suite
• Amazon Web Services (AWS)
• Git
• GitLab

Location and Work Setup

• St. Paul, MN (hybrid)
• Onsite required at 625 Robert St. N, St. Paul, Minnesota at least 50% of the time, with limited telework available.
• Telework eligibility depends on residence (including potential limits for candidates living in Minnesota or within 50 miles of the worksite in bordering states).

Compensation

• USD 37 - 62 per hourly

Benefits

• Paid vacation and sick leave
• 12 paid holidays each year
• Low-cost medical, dental, vision, and prescription drug plans
• Fertility care, including IVF
• Diabetes care
• Dental and orthodontic care for adults and children
• 6 weeks paid leave for parents of newborn or newly adopted children
• Pension plan that provides income when you retire (after working at least three years)
• Employer paid life insurance
• Short-term and long-term disability insurance
• Tax-free expense accounts for health, dental, and dependent care
• Resources supporting physical, emotional, social, and financial well-being
• Training, classes, and professional development
• Tuition reimbursement
• Federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (some positions may qualify)
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for work/life support
• Daily Living/Convenience Services: chore services, home repair, trip planning, child/elder care

Additional Requirements and Notices

• Pass all legally required checks prior to employment, which may include SEMA4 Records Check (for current and past state employees only), Criminal History Check, Reference Check, Social Security and Address Verification, Education Verification, Driver’s License Record Check, and other legally required checks.
• Minnesota IT Services does not participate in the federal E-Verify program.
• Minnesota IT Services is unable to sponsor applicants for work visas, including F-1 STEM OPT extensions, and cannot complete Form I-9 or any other documentation requiring employer participation in E-Verify.
• All applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States at the time of application.
• Benefits eligibility varies based on type of employment, agency, funding availability, union/collective bargaining agreement, location, and length of service with the State of Minnesota.

Application Details

• Select “Apply for Job” at the top of the page.
• Questions about applying for jobs: Careers Help Desk at 651-259-3637 or [email protected].
• For more information about the application process: http://www.mn.gov/careers.

Contact

• For questions about the position: Human Resources at [email protected]

Connect 700 Program

• To receive consideration as a Connect 700 Program applicant, apply online and email the Job ID#, Working Title, and your valid Proof of Eligibility Certificate by the closing date to [email protected].

Veterans

• To be considered for Veteran’s Status, indicate it on your application.
• Recently separated veterans (RSV) must meet Minimum Qualifications and RSV criteria and submit a copy of DD-214 by the closing date to [email protected].
• Certain disabled veterans must meet service requirements, have a verified service-connected disability rating of at least 30%, submit qualifying documentation verifying the disability, meet Minimum Qualifications, and submit documentation by the closing date to [email protected].

Current State Employees

• Bidders: This vacancy is open for bids and all qualified applicants simultaneously; current employees of Minnesota IT Services in an Information Technology Spec 4/Geographic Info Systems Tech position who are eligible to bid and apply within the seven (7) day bidding period will be considered prior to filling the position via other means.
• Current State Employees: employment provisions (including seniority and leave accrual) vary among the three branches of Minnesota State government.