GIS Specialist II
Salary
$44,954.11 - $67,498.59 Annually
Location
83 - STATEWIDE, MS
Job Type
Full-Time
Job Number
9491-0451-20260518SW
Department
0451 - FORESTRY COMMISSION
Opening Date
05/18/2026
Closing Date
6/1/2026 11:59 PM Central
Agency Minimum Salary
$44,954.11
Agency Maximum Salary
$67,498.59
Preferred Qualifications
Typically requires a Bachelor's Degree and 1-3 years of experience in GIS.
About the Agency
Mississippi Forestry Commission (MFC) has been a leader in the protection, management, and sustainability of the states forests for 100 years. The MFC provides expert management, protection, and information needed to keep Mississippis approximately 19.2 million acres of forestland healthy, productive, and prosperous. For additional information contact Brooke Hanna, Human Resource Director, shanna@mfc.ms.gov.
About the Position
This position is with the Mississippi Forestry Commission. The incumbent will be responsible for GIS duties and related responsibilities across all counties north of Hinds County. The positions main office will be housed in Starkville, Mississippi, and will serve as the primary GIS role for the northern region of the state. In general, this is a second-level professional responsible for developing spatial data overlays and comparisons, performing geostatistical analysis, and geocoding, generating, and analyzing grids, surfaces, routes, and networks. Reviews procedures and applications to ensure data integrity, compatibility with existing systems and compliance with standards, policies, and other guidelines. Provides technical support and training to end users, responds to complex questions, and resolves user problems. Responsibilities include working with the GIS Director to plan, design and implement procedures that enhance access and responsiveness of GIS. Review procedures and applications to ensure data integrity, compatibility with existing systems and compliance with standards, policies, and other guidelines. Maintain enterprise geodatabases and use relational database technologies to prepare and deliver GIS products and applications. Configure documents and maintains intranet/internet web-based GIS applications across AGO/Portal/3rd party mapping systems. Administer user accounts across multiple platforms. Utilize drone and GPS technology to assist in field data collection for the maintenance of spatial and tabular GIS databases, application development, GPS mapping, map production and data requests. Highly detailed analysis and creation of maps, GIS story maps and project presentations to users, staff and the public. Provides technical training and support to staff and users. Examples of work include but are not limited to the following: Federal grant administration, monitoring and reporting. Serving as liaison between the Mississippi Forestry Commission and other state and/or Federal agencies on a state, regional, and national level as directed by the GIS Director. Manage, develop and maintain spatial databases and web applications for various agency projects that include management of public and private forest land and other spatial data layers. Assist with FAA registrations and inventory of drone fleet. Assist with GIS projects for forest health in field collections (i.e., invasive species, controlled burning, storm damage), site selections and audits that support the agency and other federal based programs. Knowledge and experience with • Designing, negotiating, and implementing GIS solutions • Experience with ESRI products such as ArcGIS Pro, ArcGIS Online, ArcGIS Server, Drone Deploy • Experience in SQL/SDE management and creation • Must have good verbal and written communication skills. • The physical environment requires the employee to work both inside and outside in heat/cold, wet/humid, and dry/arid conditions. • May be requested to work out of town for extended periods, overtime, and weekends for special events.
What youll need to be Successful
Integrity and Honesty: Demonstrates a sense of responsibility and commitment to the public trust through statements and actions. Models and demonstrates high standards of integrity, trust, openness, and respect for others. Demonstrates integrity by honoring commitments and promises. Demonstrates integrity by maintaining necessary confidentiality. Work Ethic: Is productive, diligent, conscientious, timely, and loyal. Conscientiously abides by the rules, regulations, and procedures governing work. Service Orientation: Demonstrates a commitment to quality public service through statements and actions.
No available description
Health/Prescription Insurance
Eligible employees have the opportunity to participate in the state's health and prescription insurance program. Employees may select either single or family coverage with affordable co-payments. More detail can be found at Know Your Benefits.
Wellness Benefits
Employees are eligible for a wellness and health promotion program. This plan provides annual benefits for certain services with first-dollar coverage with no deductible.
Life Insurance
All eligible employees receive an actual term life insurance policy upon employment. The policy coverage is two times the employee's annual salary to a maximum of $100,000. More detail can be found at Life Insurance Choices.
Optional Insurances
Many agencies offer discounted premiums for dental, vision, and cancer insurance.
Flexible Spending Accounts
Many state agencies provide opportunity for employees to participate in pre-tax spending accounts. These accounts allow employees to withhold childcare expenses and unreimbursed medical expenses prior to application of state and federal taxes.
Paid Personal Leave and Sick Leave
Full-time employees receive paid time off for personal needs and for sick leave. Leave begins accruing after one month of employment and may be used as it is accrued. Employees earn approximately 18 days of personal leave annually and 12 days of sick leave annually.
Military Leave
In accordance with federal law, all employees serving in the armed forces or the military reserves are entitled to 15 days per year for military training.
Holidays
Employees receive up to 10 paid holidays to enjoy many of our nation's celebrations with family and friends.
Retirement Programs
The State of Mississippi provides all its employees a Defined Benefit/Defined Contribution Retirement Program. Employees become vested in the State's retirement system after 8 years of employment. Both you and your employing agency contribute toward your retirement. More detailed information regarding the State's retirement program can be found at http://www.pers.state.ms.us
Deferred Compensation
State agencies offer several opportunities for their employees to participate in a deferred compensation voluntary retirement savings plan. More information can be found at Deferred Compensation.
State Credit Union
All state employees are eligible to participate in the Mississippi Public Employees' Credit Union. This organization offers state employees special savings and borrowing plans. For more information about this program, call 601.948.8191.
Tuition Reimbursement
Many state agencies provide opportunities for their employees to achieve higher education through tuition reimbursement. Common programs include medical and nursing fields, accounting, and business/administrative fields.
Career Development and Training
The Mississippi State Personnel Board offers several management and administrative certification programs, as well as professional development courses to enhance employee value to the agency. Individual agencies also offer technical training and allow membership in professional organizations to employees in their specific fields of employment.
Promotional Opportunities
Employees who have completed 6 or more months of service are eligible for promotional opportunities within state government employment. Minimum qualifications must be met.
Career Ladders
Many job classifications provide career-ladder opportunities based upon attainment of competencies. These career ladders can increase an individual's salary, provided funds are available within the agency.
01
How many years of experience do you have in GIS?
02
What is the highest level of education (or semester hours of college) you have completed?
Required Question
Employer State of Mississippi
Address 210 East Capitol Street
Suite 800
Jackson, Mississippi, 39201
Phone 601-359-1406
601-359-1406