No 2. Apr-Jun 2006
Members:
Welcome to our second SWIGIS newsletter. Inside you'll find features about what our membership has been up to since our last newsletter. Spring has finally sprung and our members are springing into action.
This month we have an article from Kelly Sparks about a project called GreenMap that she is currently involved with. I also attended the MAC URISA conference at Rutgers University and wrote a short piece on my participation. There is also a GIS conference calendar with the latest GIS conferences throughout the U.S as well as information on a few job openings..
Please forward this newsletter to those who you think would be interested in SWIGIS. We have seen an increase in our membership and I would like to see us grow even more! As always if you would like to contribute an article for our newsletter send me an email: noemi at swigis.org.
Thanks,
Noemi
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GreenMap Project
By: Kelly C. Sparks
Colorado Springs Area GIS Guru to create a “Green“ Map of the area
What’s a GreenMap?
The Green Map System is a global eco-cultural movement, energized by local knowledge, action and responsibility. Green Maps are locally created maps that use a shared visual language of Green Map Icons to highlight green living resources. Green Maps cultivate citizen participation and community sustainability in hundreds of places around the world. The result, literally, puts sustainability on the map! Over 260 maps have been created locally in small villages, large cities and rural areas on six continents already.
Green Map of the Pikes Peak Region
Kelly Sparks, who owns a GIS company in Colorado Springs and is also active with local environmental causes, learned about the GreenMap System and felt that her community could benefit by having a GreenMap to raise local awareness of environmental issues. Thus she contacted the GreenMap System ( http://www.greenmap.org/) and volunteered to become the local “Green Mapmaker“. She has since secured support from various individuals, groups and businesses. The core group working on the project is thrilled with the amount of enthusiasm shown by the community to date. The group is creating the map with efforts of local volunteers and sponsors, as well as input from the public.
Mapping is being done in a Geographic Information System (ArcGIS 9) and using GPS and related technologies as well as good old fashioned feet-on-the-pavement. The initial maps will be shown online monthly beginning June 1st this year. In this way, many people in the community can be a part of the process and help determine which sites should appear on the map. The printed edition will be complete in early 2007 and will be officially released on or before Earth Day 2007. The printed edition will be on recycled paper, will be freely distributed to the public, and will be useful for Colorado Springs residents as well as tourists or those considering visiting/relocating to the area.
There will be several Green Map "Themes" in order to best display all the various types of information. Topics will include, but are not limited to:
- Water & Energy
- Transportation (walking/bike trails, bus routes, and carpool info)
- Local/Organic Products
- Effects of Urban Sprawl
- Green Resources (recycling centers, etc)
- Green Recreation / Eco-tourism
Goals:
- Raise awareness of green issues and opportunities in the area
- Make it easy for public to make green decisions & support environmentally friendly products/services
- Provide educational opportunities for those wanting to volunteer & gain GIS/mapping experience
- Increase interaction/communication among various groups in the area working on environmental issues
- Have fun!
Contact & Bio:
Kelly Sparks is the president of GIS Training Source, a company which does GIS (Geographic Information Systems) training & consulting. She is registered with the GreenMap System (http://www.greenmap.org/) to lead creation of the Pikes Peak Area (Colorado Springs) GreenMap. From Arkansas originally, she’s been In Colorado Springs for 4 years, and wishes to encourage environmental awareness among residents here.
More information:
For more information you may visit the main GreenMap Website at http://www.greenmap.org/, or visit the Pikes Peak Area GreenMap at www.gistrainingsource.com/greenmap. Kelly would love to support and encourage the creation of GreenMaps in other locations. SWIGIS members are welcome to contact her if interested.
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Conferences Attendance:
By: Noemi Mendez
2006 MAC URISA, Rutgers University.
I was a presenter at this year’s MAC URISA conference at Rutgers University's Piscataway Campus held on March 15th and 16th 2006. Another coworker and I gave a talk about the Re-Engineering of the 2010 Census. We have a brief overview about some of the programs that the US Census is undertaking to get ready for the 2010. The Philadelphia Regional office along with the New York Regional office also gave a 10-minute workshop on how to use American Fact Finder. We all had a great time and sat through some very good workshops and presentations. It’s not often that I get to present and attend conferences so I was glad to have the opportunity to do so. Below is a picture of me during the Census Presentation.
Photo courtesy of Jon Martin, NY Regional Office.
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Jobs:
FEMA GIS Specialist - Multiple Positions
The Federal Emergency Management Agency of the Department of Homeland
Security is hiring temporary workers to support the delivery of services to
victims of Hurricane Katrina. We are looking for applicants to fill the
following types of positions:
GIS Specialist Create accurate Geospatial maps. Locate, analyze, and
present spatial data in the form of tables, graphics, or maps using ArcGIS
9.1 software. Add new data fields to existing map layers. Import data into
a MS Access database and create custom queries. Follow established FEMA
standards for symbology and map layout. Geo-reference data and use vector
and raster data within GIS software. Import, convert, and generate data
from GPS data into GIS software. Digitize vector and raster data sets.
Hazard Mitigation Engineer
Review and monitor technical work performed by private engineering
consultants and other Federal agencies conducting flood hazard studies
under contract to FEMA, concentrating on hydrologic and hydraulic
engineering modeling and geospatial analysis (LiDAR). Evaluate performance
of study contractors. Provide engineering technical assistance to community
officials, developers, builders, building officials, engineers and others
through correspondence, telephone conversations, and site visits, as
needed.
Experience Required: Civil Engineering, flood plain management, ability to
interpret and convey technical data to a non-technical audience, ability to
interact with local officials, experience dealing with contracts and/or
contractors.
Salary $58 – $66k –
To apply for this position, please prepare your resume and submit to U.S.
Post! Office, Attn: Jean Rivault, P.O. Box 5097, 750 Florida Street, Baton
Rouge, LA 70802. Email resumes to Jean.Rivault@dhs.gov. Include your
Social Security Number, contact information (home phone, cellular phone
etc) a self-certification of U.S. citizenship, work experience, education
and special skills.
Qualified applicants will be contacted for pre-employment screening and FBI
fingerprint check for a security background investigation.
All applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, color,
national origin, sex, age, political affiliation, non-disqualifying
physical handicap, sexual orientation, and any other non-merit factor.
The Federal Government is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
All applicants must be alerted: FEMA will hire only US Citizens and does
not reimburse for relocation costs.
POSITION DESCRIPTION:
GeoDecisions, (http://www.geodecisions.com/) a division of Gannett Fleming,
is looking to fill a GIS Analyst position working out of our
Jacksonville, FL regional office. We are looking for an individual
with a strong work ethic and who has the ability to work with all
levels of clients and associates.
REQUIREMENTS:
BS in Environmental Science, Civil Engineering, Environmental
Engineering or other related programs
Preferred 2 years full-time, demonstrable experience with ArcGIS 9.x
(ArcView and ArcInfo), ArcHydro model, GRASS, ERDAS Imagine, HEC-
HMS, Pollution Load Screening Models, MS Access.
POSITION RESPONSIBILITIES:
The GIS Analyst position will require 1) participation in and
leading environmental impact assessment tasks, hydrological studies
and management planning projects. 2) analyze geospatial data using
various statistical and visualization programs; 3) develop and
update metadata: 4) participate in project requirements gathering
sessions and project status meetings; 5) field data collection
activities.
TO APPLY:
Interested candidates should send via email: salary requirements,
resume, and cover letter to:
employment@gfnet.com
Replies should include: - Resume for GIS Analyst - Jacksonville - in
the subject line.
GeoDecisions
209 Senate Ave
W402
Camp Hill, PA 17011
United States
http://www.geodecisions.com/
ABOUT GEODECISIONS
GeoDecisions is an award-winning leader in the information
technology industry that specializes in geospatial solutions. Our
reputation for success is founded on providing innovative solutions
to our clients. In today's fast-paced world, utilizing the power of
spatial information is fundamental to enhancing the decision-making
process. GeoDecisions experienced staff of professional
consultants, analysts, and developers has a complete understanding
of integrating this spatial information with cutting-edge technology
for the business markets we serve.
As a vendor-independent consulting firm, GeoDecisions is setting new
standards in designing, developing, and implementing scalable and
robust solutions to support clients across the United
States. Fundamental to our approach is the integration of spatial
information to empower existing systems and processes. GeoDecisions
philosophy is based on an enterprisewide approach to the integration
of diverse information technologies, data formats, and systems.
ADDITIONAL JOB DETAILS
Employment term: Full Time
Degree: Bachelors
Travel: Light < 25%
Job level: Mid Level 2-6 yrs.
Job site: Jacksonville, FL
Work Authorization: U.S. Citizen
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Upcoming GIS Conferences/Meetings:
April 21 - 26 -- American Congress on Surveying and Mapping (ACSM) Annual Conference
Caribe Royale Resort, Orlando, FL
April 23 - 26 -- GITA's Annual Conference 29: No Barriers: Connected. Responsive. Prepared.
Tampa Convention Center, Tampa, FL
April 23 - 27 -- The 10th Biennial MAGIC Symposium
The biennial meeting of the MidAmerica GIS Consortium (MAGIC).
Westin Crown Center, Kansas City, MO
April 30 - May 4 -- ASPRS Annual Conference
Reno Hilton Hotel, Reno, NV
May 1 - 3 -- Geography on the Move: Sustaining your Community
Annual conference of IMAGIN (Improving Michigan's Access to Geographic Information Networks).
Grand Traverse Resort, Traverse City, MI
May 1 - 5 -- 2006 ASPRS Annual Conference: Prospecting for Geospatial Information Integration
Annual conference of the American Society for Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing (ASPRS). Reno Hilton Hotel, Reno, NV
May 2 - 4 -- MapInfo's 13th Annual Global User Conference: MapWorld 06
Phoenix, AZ
May 7 - 9 -- ITS America 2006
The annual meeting and exposition of the Intelligent Transportation Society of America (ITS).
Philadelphia, PA
May 9 - 10 -- New England GIS Conference
Sheraton Ferncroft, Danvers, MA
May 15 - 18 -- West Virginia GIS Forum and Workshops
Morgantown, WV
May 31 - June 2 -- NASCIO Mid-Year Conference
The Capital Hilton, Washington, DC
June 12 - 15 -- Intergraph 2006 International Users Conference
Orlando, FL
June 18 - 21 -- 2006 GeoTec Event: Celebrating History and Innovation
Ottawa Congress Centre, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
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