GIS classes released
Los Angeles County has just released a complete GIS series that will support its ability to hire and retain Geographic Information Systems (GIS) staff that will help the County use geography and GIS technologies to support the citizens of the County more effectively for emergency response, citizen engagement, child and family well being, and analyis and decision making.
Three years in the making, with critical support from the Chief Executive Office and the Board of Supervisors, the GIS classifications were approved on May 15th. Click here to see the announcement.
The release of the detailed specification (job descriptions) will now enable departments to develop their GIS strategies, and enable the County to attract the best GIS talent.
Official Information
Current GIS job descriptions are found at the County’s Human Resources Class Specification Search site, which will have the most up to date information. The CAO salary listing will have current salary information
To access the job descriptions:
-
Class Specification Search
Click on this site http://dhrdcap.co.la.ca.us/classspec/index.cfm?fuseaction=search.searchResult
- In the “Search Job Title” box type “Geographic” and you will see the GIS classifications listed. See the sample to the right.
To find the current salary listing, go to this link: http://cao.lacounty.gov/PDF/scha.pdf and find “Geographic” – the GIS series will appear.
Details as of August 1, 2012
To make things a bit easier, I have compiled the information from various sources into a single set of information here.
- LA County Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Series Classifications and Specifications – combined (.pdf file)
- GIS Classification salary levels (Excel file) - this information is also listed below.
| # | Item | Salary Schedule | Step 1 | Step 5 or Control Point | Yearly (Step 1) | Yearly (Step 5) or Control Point |
| 4411 | Geographic Information Systems Technician | 89F | $ 4,737.64 | $ 5,885.73 | $ 56,851.68 | $ 70,628.76 |
| 4412 | Supervising Geographic Information Systems Technician | 94C | $ 5,385.73 | $ 6,690.27 | $ 64,628.76 | $ 80,283.24 |
| 4413 | Geographic Information Systems Analyst | 94C | $ 5,385.73 | $ 6,690.27 | $ 64,628.76 | $ 80,283.24 |
| 4414 | Senior Geographic Information Systems Analyst | 99B | $ 6,152.36 | $ 7,643.09 | $ 73,828.32 | $ 91,717.08 |
| 4415 | Principal Geographic Information Systems Analyst | 103E | $ 6,908.36 | $ 9,060.82 | $ 82,900.32 | $ 108,729.84 |
| 4416 | Geographic Information Systems Specialist | 108G | $ 7,951.27 | $ 10,428.36 | $ 95,415.24 | $ 125,140.32 |
| 4417 | Geographic Information Systems Manager I | S11 | $ 9,696.37 | $ - | $ 116,356.44 | |
| 4418 | Geographic Information Systems Manager II | S12 | $ 10,423.38 | $ - | $ 125,080.56 |
This is great news. Now, I can finally have a chance at some work if a job opens up. I have seen numerous postings on the web where a BA is required with experience. While I have the experience, I do not have BA, yet.
I am not saying certification should be a requirement or substitute for other qualifications, but rather an option much like AICP is for planners at LA County. Most of our planners do not have AICP certification and it is not listed as required, but rather as a desirable qualification on job announcements. Yet those who do possess that credential are eligible for a pay bonus and get additional points (equivalent to a masters degree, I believe) for consideration in promotional opportunities at LA Co.
This is good news!
Hopefully the County will also recognize GIS certifications (GISP, etc.) just like it recognizes the AICP city planner certification. Florence County, South Carolina has recognized GISP for some years now.
Since GISP isn’t yet a professional standard we didn’t make it a requirement. At this point the GISP is something that will help a GIS professional separate themselves from other applicants, but it won’t supplant the other requirements.