Open Data Specialist (IS Data Specialist II) (Open and Promotional)

The San Mateo County Information Services Department is seeking a well-qualified individual for the position of Open Data Specialist (IS Data Specialist II) to join our dynamic GIS and Open Data Program team.
This role is ideal for someone with a passion for open data and its potential to drive innovation, enhance transparency, and promote equity in public sector decision-making.
As an Open Data Specialist, you will play a vital role in managing and advancing the functionality of the County’s key open data platforms on Socrata and Esri.
Your responsibilities will focus on ensuring these platforms are effective for data sharing, analysis, and visualization.
A core part of your role will require deep understanding of Open Data Standards and familiarity with public data sources like the US Census and American Community Survey.
You will need to demonstrate proficiency in handling various open data formats and protocols, and exhibit expertise in the integration of diverse data sources.
Ensuring data quality and adhering to data security measures are also crucial aspects of your responsibilities.
In addition to the technical aspects of the role, the position requires strong capabilities in stakeholder engagement.
You will be responsible for liaising with County departments, external agencies, and the broader public to promote the utilization of open data.
This includes organizing and conducting educational workshops and meetings, enhancing the understanding and use of open data resources among various stakeholders.
This position offers a unique opportunity to contribute significantly to the advancement of open data initiatives within San Mateo County.
Your work will have a lasting impact on public service, driven by data innovation.
We are looking for individuals who are not only passionate about open data but also possess the necessary technical expertise and communication skills.
The ideal candidate for the position will possess: Excellent oral and written communication skills, evident in organizing and facilitating meetings, articulating complex ideas clearly in English, and engaging stakeholders and colleagues for effective teamwork.
Strong interpersonal skills, proven in fostering effective client relationships and partnerships, and generating excitement around the Open Data Initiative.
Proven experience in managing and integrating diverse datasets from various sources, familiarity with Open Data Standards.
Demonstrated ability in utilizing platforms like Socrata open data platform, ArcGIS Portal, and ArcGIS Online for data analysis and management.
Familiarity with public datasets, including but not limited to the US Census, American Community Survey, Bureau of Labor Statistics data, and CDC health data.
Extensive experience in using GIS, particularly proficient in ArcGIS Portal and ArcGIS Online, and the ability to apply spatial analysis and modeling techniques.
Advanced proficiency in GIS software, encompassing data acquisition, analysis, and management.
Proven expertise in data visualization, skilled in tools like Microsoft Power BI, DOMO, Esri Insights and Esri Dashboard.
Substantial experience with Drupal and Microsoft SharePoint, adept in deploying data and dashboards.
Demonstrated experience in working with APIs and a solid familiarity with web development standards.
In-depth knowledge of technologies used by the County, including ArcGIS, FME, R, and Python.
Demonstrated problem-solving abilities, complemented by strong investigative and research skills.
Proven track record in project management, including leading and coordinating data analytics and visualization projects.
In-depth understanding of relevant policies and regulations, ensuring compliance of projects with local, state, and federal requirements.
Demonstrated commitment to continuous learning and adaptability, keeping updated with the latest data analytics and visualization technologies and methodologies.
NOTE: The eligible list generated from this recruitment may be used to fill future extra-help, term, unclassified, and regular classified vacancies.
Examples Of Duties Duties may include, but are not limited to, the following: Provides support for Open Data & GIS programs, collaborating with internal and external stakeholders.
Develops innovative methods for user engagement with the County's Open Data & GIS datasets, responding to feedback and data analysis.
Identifies and integrates new, valuable datasets into the Socrata Open Data Portal https://data.
smcgov.
org and ArcGIS Open Data Portal https://data-smcmaps.
opendata.
arcgis.
com/ Participates in the implementation of internal data sharing and GIS technologies across various business units.
Offers maintenance and technical support for Socrata, Esri Open Data portals, and collaboration tools like ArcGIS Online and ArcGIS Portal.
Configures and maintains the County's ArcGIS Online and ArcGIS Portal, managing the home page, users, groups, and access to Socrata and Esri Open Data resources.
Provides end-user support for Socrata, ArcGIS Online, ArcGIS Portal, and related web applications.
Collaborates with internal teams to develop and maintain reporting dashboards on https://performance.
smcgov.
org, incorporating data from diverse sources.
Analyzes data, interprets and packages results, and communicates key findings and recommendations to officials, executives, managers, staff, and community partners.
Educates and informs both internal and external audiences about open data and GIS tools and resources.
Monitors ArcGIS web services and manages AWS S3 buckets for GIS dataset storage.
Designs, develops, and executes ETL workbenches and other processes for data compilation and quality assessment in enterprise data using FME Desktop/Server.
Resolves database errors and failures, manages system access, audits activities and resource utilization, and generates database objects availability.
Provides training, guidance, and technical support to Open Data user community.
Assists in troubleshooting Open Data platform-related issues and offers solutions to enhance user experience.
Serves as technical lead for assigned projects, including developing project budget and allocating resources, gathering user and systems requirements, working with vendors, contractors, project managers, and other project staff, installing, configuring, testing, and providing general technical support, and developing technical and user documentation.
Leads response and resolution for major incidents on Open Data Platforms.
Ensures rapid action and effective communication with stakeholders about platform status.
Identifies root causes of issues and designs, proposes, and implements solutions.
Functions as a liaison between project managers, analysts, system specialists, communications specialists, and client systems specialists to ensure standards and protocols are maintained; assists in coordinating activities with other information services staff.
Provides recommendations to managers and supervisors on creating both long-term and short-term plans for Open Data governance and administration.
Participates review and recommendation of contracts with outside vendors and consultants; administers, monitors, and evaluates contract scope of work; reviews design documents to ensure technical integrity.
Researches and provides recommendations or with approval, purchases tools, supplies, and repair parts from a variety of sources.
Stays abreast of new trends and innovations in technology related to County operations; researches, recommends, and evaluates vendor solutions and technologies; implements improvements; works with staff to maintain, revise, or improve operations and systems.
Writes and maintains user and technical operating instructions and documentation; provides training to users and other technical staff and advises on best practices.
Performs other duties as assigned.
Qualifications Education and Experience: Any combination of training and experience that would provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities is qualifying.
A typical way to obtain the required qualifications would be: Education: Equivalent to graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with major coursework in management information systems, computer science, or a related field.
Additional related experience may substitute for education requirement on a year-for-year basis, up to four (4) years.
IS Data Specialist II: Two (2) years of progressively responsible experience in database management, equivalent to an IS Data Specialist I at the County of San Mateo, and specific to the specialty area assigned which includes logical and physical database administration; integration; business intelligence, analytics, and report scripting; and/or data quality and integrity.
Licenses and Certifications: Some positions may require the ability to pass a security background check.
Knowledge of: Various software packages including word processing, spreadsheet, SQL database and database management, and reporting tools.
Principles and practices of configuring and implementing system backup solutions.
Principles and practices used in the operations, maintenance, repair, and administration of assigned systems and equipment.
Basic data management theory, principles, and practices.
Recent and on-going developments, current literature, and sources of information related to the operations of the assigned programs.
Principles and procedures of record keeping.
Customer service and telephone techniques.
Modern office practices, methods, and computer equipment and applications related to the work.
English usage, spelling, vocabulary, grammar, and punctuation.
Techniques for providing a high level of customer service by effectively dealing with vendors and County staff.
Specific (UNIX) procedures/commands related to Relational Database Management System (RDBMS) analysis and programming.
Data management theory, principles, and practices and their application to a wide variety of services and programs.
Technology, hardware and software, and current applications and practices related to data platforms such as GIS, Open Data, and Open Government.
Techniques and methods of database system evaluation, implementation, and documentation.
Troubleshooting, configuration, and installation techniques.
The organization, operation, and functions of the department as necessary to assume assigned responsibilities and to determine appropriate point of escalation.
Applicable regulatory relevant to assigned area of responsibility.
Skill/Ability to: Perform basic technical support functions for assigned responsibilities; troubleshoot problems and take appropriate action or escalate to appropriate staff as needed.
Participate in design sessions or process improvement sessions and provide sound recommendations, and technical input.
Identify, troubleshoot, and resolve basic database problems and perform minor repairs.
Install, configure, test, upgrade, and tune databases.
Create and manipulate data layers within GIS.
Create and manipulate visualizations of data and load data into the Open Data and Open Government portals Use methods of ETL for data loads between disparate systems.
Deal tactfully with the customers and staff in providing information, answering questions, and providing customer service.
Respond to and effectively prioritize a high volume of phone calls and other requests for service.
Learn and understand the organization, operation, and functions of the department as necessary to assume assigned responsibilities.
Learn, interpret, and apply applicable Federal, State, and local laws, regulatory codes, ordinances, and procedures relevant to assigned area of responsibility.
Organize, maintain, and update records systems.
Operate modern office equipment including computer equipment and specialized software applications programs.
Use English effectively to communicate in person, over the telephone, and in writing.
Use tact and prudence within general policy, procedural, and legal guidelines.
Establish, maintain, and foster positive and effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
Diagnose problems, perform remedial actions to correct problems, and/or recommend and determine solutions.
Lead focus groups or working sessions to establish new processes or technical design for improvement Perform routine to complex functions in the installation, implementation, testing, and maintenance of a variety of database systems and other components.
Implement a GIS program that includes effective database development, management, accessibility, and systems integration.
Implement an Open Data and/or Open Government portal that includes effective data classification, management, accessibility and systems integration.
Perform basic analyses of informational requirements and needs, identify problems, provide technical advice and consultation, and ensure efficient computer system utilization.
Analyze data and recommend logical solutions to problems.
Interpret, apply, explain, and ensure compliance with Federal, State, and local policies, procedures, laws, rules, and regulations.
Establish and maintain a variety of filing, record keeping, and tracking systems.
Organize own work, set priorities, and meet critical time deadlines.
Use tact, initiative, prudence, and independent judgment within general policy, procedural, and legal guidelines.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS Must possess mobility to work in a standard office setting and use standard office equipment, including a computer; vision to read printed materials and a computer screen; and hearing and speech to communicate in person and over the telephone.
Standing in and walking between work areas is frequently required.
Finger dexterity is needed to access, enter, and retrieve data using a computer keyboard or calculator and to operate standard office equipment.
Positions in this classification frequently bend, stoop, kneel, and reach to perform assigned duties, as well as push and pull drawers open and closed to retrieve and file information.
Employees must possess the ability to lift, carry, push, and pull materials and objects up to 25 pounds with the use of proper equipment.
ENVIRONMENTAL ELEMENTS Employees work in an office environment with moderate levels, controlled temperature conditions, and no direct exposure to hazardous physical substances.
Employees may interact with upset staff when providing database support services.
Application/Examination Open and Promotional.
Anyone may apply.
Current County of San Mateo and County of San Mateo Superior Court of California employees with at least six months (1040 hours) of continuous service in a classified regular, probationary, Confidential and Management extra-help/limited term, and SEIU or AFSCME represented extra help/limited term positions prior to the final filing date will receive five points added to their final passing score on this examination.
A supplemental application form must be submitted in addition to our regular employment application form.
Resume or CV will not be accepted as a substitute for the required employment application and supplemental questionnaire.
The examination process will consist of an application screening (pass/fail) based on the candidates' application and responses to the supplemental questions.
Candidates who pass the application screening will be invited to a panel interview (weight: 100%).
Depending on the number of applicants, an application appraisal of education and experience may be used in place of other examinations or further evaluation of work experience may be conducted to group applicants by level of qualification.
All applicants who meet the minimum qualifications are not guaranteed advancement through any subsequent phase of the examination.
All examinations will be given in San Mateo County, California and applicants must participate at their own expense.
IMPORTANT: Applications for this position will only be accepted online.
If you are currently on the County's website, you may click the "Apply" button.
If you are not on the County's website, please go to https://jobs.
smcgov.
org to apply.
Online applications must be received by the Human Resources Department before midnight on the final filing date.
~TENTATIVE RECRUITMENT SCHEDULE~ Final Filing Date: Tuesday, February 6, 2024 11:59 PM Application Screening: February 8, 2024 Panel Interviews: February 28 and/or 29, 2024 San Mateo County is centrally located between San Francisco, San Jose, and the East Bay.
With over 750,000 residents, San Mateo is one of the largest and most diverse counties in California and serves a multitude of culturally, ethnically and linguistically diverse communities.
The County of San Mateo is committed to advancing equity in order to ensure that all employees are welcomed in a safe and inclusive environment.
The County seeks to hire, support, and retain employees who reflect our diverse community.
We encourage applicants with diverse backgrounds and lived experiences to apply.
Eighty percent of employees surveyed stated that they would recommend the County as a great place to work.
The County of San Mateo is an equal opportunity employer committed to fostering diversity, equity and inclusion at all levels.
HR Contact: Kristin Herman (01232024) (IS Data Specialist II – V273)