OVERVIEW OF POSITION / DEPARTMENT

The Planning and Business Development Department strives to facilitate an environment for development that positively contributes to the economic sustainability and neighborhood vitality of the City of Aurora, in the context of maintaining a quality-driven organization. The department seeks to forward the City’s vision:  Aurora will be the safest, most livable city in Colorado, boasting a unique and diverse community identity, vibrant economy, and an inspired future.

The Long-Range Planning and Data Services Division is responsible for developing and implementing plans and programs to improve and maintain the quality of the community and supports the economic base of the city. The Division is responsible for developing and implementing Aurora Places, the city’s Comprehensive Plan, neighborhood plans, transportation corridor plans, and special area plans. Within the division, the Data Services team provides data, demographic, and mapping analysis to support various projects and initiatives within the Planning Department, other city departments, and with various community partners.

The City of Aurora is looking for a candidate to perform professional data, demographics, geographic information systems (GIS), and spatial analysis work to support the department’s Data Services Division. The position’s focus is on data, demographic and mapping research, analysis and reporting that supports departmental projects, programs and initiatives. A successful candidate will have strong skills in GIS and data analysis software, management, practices, and presentation.

PRIMARY DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

• Integrates data with Geographic Information Systems to display, analyze and evaluate demographic, development and land use trends.

• Performs research to support statistical and spatial analysis and visually conveys data, trends and analysis of the city's geography and communicates results and methodology in a variety of formats, including oral, written, and visual.

• Utilizes a variety of data sources such as the Census Bureau, other city departments, various county and state agencies' databases, and realty/business information systems associations.

• Supports the long-range planning function of the department on projects, plans and grant applications that have GIS/cartography or data analysis aspects.

• Assists the general public, business interests, city departments, city management, interdepartmental project teams, and others by providing spatial visualization and cartographic map products and demographic, economic, and development data.

• Analyzes statistical data and other relevant information and creates presentation materials for various groups which include reports, graphs, and other visual media. Assists with presentations to city management, City Council and the community.

• Geocodes and integrates land use data as it becomes available from various sources.

• Works with the Information Technology department to maintain department's SDE database, REST API, and open data catalog.

• Conducts routine edits to department's SDE GIS database to reflect land use changes.

• Maintains spatial information and maps on the city's web site.

• Attends meetings, conferences, seminars, workshops, and training classes to stay apprised of regional, state, and other information

• Performs other related duties as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS & WORKING CONDITIONS

An equivalent combination of education, training, and experience that demonstrates required knowledge, skills, and abilities may be considered.

Education:

• Bachelor's degree in urban or regional planning, Geographic Information Systems (GIS), public administration or a directly related field. Coursework in Geographic Information Systems (GIS) is strongly preferred.

Experience:

• At least three (3) years of experience in urban or regional planning, Geographic Information Systems (GIS), public administration, or a related field.

• Prefer professional experience involving geographic information systems (GIS) and/or data and demographic analysis.

• An equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered.

Knowledge:

• Knowledge of the principles and practices of geographic information system analysis, statistics, Census information, long-range urban and regional planning, land use.

• Knowledge of personal computers with related software including word processing, database, spreadsheets, and graphics applications.

• Knowledge of ESRI GIS software and Microsoft Excel is required.

• Knowledge of Adobe Creative Suite software and Python/SQL programming languages preferred.

Abilities:

• Ability to maintain effective working relationships with other employees, internal and external customers, and the general public.

• Effectively communicate complex information both orally and in writing to a variety of audiences.

• Analyze and compile technical information and reports; make presentations

• Interpret and apply statistical data.

• Ability to prioritize and manage complex tasks and projects.

• Ability to use COGO extension of ArcGIS is strongly preferred.

Skills:

• Skill in the use of ArcGIS desktop and ArcGIS Online.

• Proficiency in the use of personal computers with related software including word processing and spreadsheets, and geographic information systems (GIS) software tools.

• Strong interpersonal, analytical, and presentation skills.