GIS Governance Specialist/Coordinator

GFT is a leader in infrastructure planning, design, and program management, delivering innovative solutions that help our clients make informed decisions through technology, data, and engineering expertise. We are seeking a GIS Governance Coordinator to join our growing GIS and Digital Solutions team supporting the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT). This position operates on a hybrid schedule, requiring the successful candidate to be in the office 3 days per week.

This role offers an exciting opportunity to help establish and advance enterprise GIS governance practices for one of the nation’s leading transportation agencies. Working with stakeholders across the organization, you will play a key role in developing governance standards, improving data quality, and supporting strategic GIS initiatives that drive better business decisions and long-term operational excellence.

If you’re passionate about geospatial technologies, data governance, and building scalable processes that improve enterprise performance, this is an opportunity to make a lasting impact. What you will be challenged to do:

• Help shape and advance enterprise GIS governance practices across a large, complex organization
• Partner with technical and business stakeholders to improve data quality, consistency, and lifecycle management
• Lead initiatives that strengthen GIS governance standards, documentation, and organizational processes
• Support strategic GIS planning efforts that improve operational efficiency and decision-making
• Promote collaboration and continuous improvement across enterprise GIS programs

In this capacity you will be responsible for the following:

• Coordinating enterprise GIS governance initiatives and supporting implementation of governance standards and best practices
• Developing, maintaining, and updating GIS governance documentation, policies, procedures, and supporting materials
• Facilitating collaboration across departments to ensure consistent adoption of GIS governance processes
• Supporting enterprise GIS strategic planning initiatives and continuous process improvement efforts
• Preparing reports, executive presentations, dashboards, and briefing materials for leadership and governance committees
• Supporting GIS data governance activities including stewardship, metadata management, data quality, and lifecycle management
• Coordinating special projects related to GIS governance, organizational standards, and workforce initiatives
• Assisting with the development of governance frameworks that improve consistency, accountability, and long-term sustainability of enterprise GIS data assets

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Geographic Information Systems (GIS), Information Technology, or a related field
• Minimum of six (6) years of progressively responsible experience leading GIS data management or GIS governance initiatives
• Strong understanding of GIS principles, enterprise GIS environments, and spatial data management
• Knowledge of data governance concepts including stewardship, metadata, data quality, and information lifecycle management
• Experience working with Esri technologies, enterprise geodatabases, and spatial data services
• Demonstrated ability to manage complex projects while coordinating cross-functional teams and diverse stakeholder groups
• Excellent analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to communicate technical concepts to non-technical audiences
• Experience developing workflows, governance documentation, and process improvements

What we prefer you bring:

• Experience supporting enterprise GIS governance or enterprise data governance programs
• Familiarity with transportation infrastructure and transportation data domains
• Experience developing technical competency frameworks, governance models, or workforce skill standards
• Experience working with state or local government agencies

The salary range for this role is $90,000 - $100,000. Salary is dependent upon experience and geographic location. Featured Benefits:

• Hybrid (in-person and remote) work environment.
• Comprehensive benefits package including wellness programs, parental leave, and pet insurance, in addition to medical, dental, vision, disability, and life insurance.
• Tax-deferred 401(k) savings plan.
• Competitive paid-time-off (PTO) accrual.
• Tuition reimbursement for continued education.
• Commitment to professional development, access to internal and external training programs, and support of active participation in professional organizations
• Incentive compensation for eligible positions.

At GFT, a privately held AEC firm, we innovate where transportation, water, power, and buildings converge. We call this the Infrastructure of Life. We measure our success by the strength of our relationships - that’s why we’re the employer of choice for 5,000+ of the industry’s brightest engineers, planners, architects, inspectors, designers, and more.

Our clients choose us for our expertise and prefer us for our nimble approach, creativity, and personal touch. Backed by over a century’s experience, together we’re building a lasting legacy for future generations: stronger communities, a healthier planet, and better lives.

GFT: Ingenuity That Shapes Lives is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified candidates will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veterans’ status or other characteristics protected by law.

Unsolicited resumes from third party agencies will be considered the property GFT.

GFT does require the successful completion of a criminal background check for all advertised positions.