Entry Level GIS Technician

About the Role

This role focuses on performing detailed design work for utility and distribution projects, including the preparation of complex drawings, specifications, and cost estimates for review and approval by a responsible engineer. The position supports a range of engineering disciplines, ensuring designs align with industry standards, project requirements, and schedule commitments.

Responsibilities

• Prepare detailed manual or computer-assisted design and construction drawings of a complex nature with a high level of accuracy and neatness.
• Develop and update design documents in accordance with applicable drawings, specifications, and industry and company standards for assigned work.
• Participate in the preparation of cost estimates, specifications, technical evaluations, and material requisitions to support project planning and execution.
• Assist in the preparation of engineering calculations to support design decisions and ensure compliance with technical requirements.
• Coordinate equipment deliveries and design development activities to align with project schedules and milestones.
• Acquire on-site field data to support design activities, verify existing conditions, and monitor or evaluate equipment performance as needed.
• Apply a thorough understanding of practices and procedures in one or more technical areas such as electrical engineering, distribution engineering, substation design, transmission design, civil engineering, mechanical engineering, instrumentation and control, protective relaying, surveying, GIS and mapping, or CADD.
• Work with minimal supervision while managing multiple design-related tasks and contributing to the successful completion of projects.
• Demonstrate leadership and technical capability by collaborating effectively with engineers, designers, and other project stakeholders.

Skills

• Thorough knowledge of practices and procedures in one or more of the following areas: electrical engineering, instrumentation and control, protective relaying, transmission design, substation design, civil engineering, mechanical engineering, distribution engineering, surveying, GIS and mapping, and CADD.
• Proficiency in AutoCAD or similar computer-aided design (CAD) tools for preparing complex design and construction drawings.
• Ability to perform design services requiring a full understanding of drawings, specifications, and industry and company standards.
• Experience preparing or assisting with cost estimates, specifications, evaluations, and requisitions.
• Ability to assist in the preparation of engineering calculations to support design work.
• Capability to coordinate equipment deliveries and design development to meet established project schedules.
• Ability to acquire and interpret on-site field data to support design activities and evaluate equipment performance.
• Demonstrated ability to work with minimal supervision while handling a variety of design-related duties.
• Demonstrated leadership and technical capability to perform assigned job duties and responsibilities effectively.

Qualifications

• Bachelors/Associates degree in an environmental, GIS, or technical field is preferred, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• 0-1 years of experience in utility design and electrical design, particularly within distribution engineering environments.

Work Environment

This position is primarily office-based and involves working with design and engineering software such as AutoCAD, CAD/CADD systems, and GIS tools. The role may require occasional field visits to collect on-site data or observe equipment performance. Once fully trained, there is an opportunity for flexible hours and the possibility to work from home up to two days per week, subject to business needs and leadership discretion. The work environment emphasizes collaboration with engineers and other technical professionals in a structured, professional setting.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Richmond, VA.

Pay

The pay range for this position is $23.50 - $24.00/hr. Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors.

Benefits

• Medical, dental & vision
• Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital
• 401(k) Retirement Plan – Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available
• Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents)
• Short and long-term disability
• Health Spending Account (HSA)
• Transportation benefits
• Employee Assistance Program
• Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

Workplace Type

This is a fully onsite position in Richmond, VA.