GIS Technician

[alkemyst]

Originally posted by: ZeroIQ
This sentence doesn't make sense to me and it'll bug me until it does. What do you mean?

when one is the OP and answering back, most are nottaking it as a joke.

Fixed.

Either way if you are one of the tech leads on this, you need to get out there and do A LOT more research on what GIS is and mapping is about.

You are in the discovery phase of the hiring process. Once you have your answers then you can determine you who will hire and what software/systems to setup. Based on the posts above here, your place of employment may be best served hiring a consultant expert in this field to determine needs.

 

[pstylesss]

Originally posted by: alkemyst

Originally posted by: ZeroIQ
This sentence doesn't make sense to me and it'll bug me until it does. What do you mean?

when one is the OP and answering back, most are nottaking it as a joke.

Fixed.

Either way if you are one of the tech leads on this, you need to get out there and do A LOT more research on what GIS is and mapping is about.

You are in the discovery phase of the hiring process. Once you have your answers then you can determine you who will hire and what software/systems to setup. Based on the posts above here, your place of employment may be best served hiring a consultant expert in this field to determine needs.

While that may be true, it's too late in the game to be doing this. This was just brought to our attention the beginning on this week. They requested we come up with a few technical questions for the interviewees. I spoke to the department about this, and thats when they realized what they were getting into. Since then, I have been trying to gain enough knowledge to be able to ask good questions to know if the guy knows what he is doing.

It's amazing what happens here. You would think almost anything technology related would be brought to IT for review, but it isn't. We've had network copiers roll (6 I think, at 3 different locations) in here and had to get them set up for everyone same day, no prior knowledge they would be coming.

There was also a "technology team" formed, the IT staff was not a part of it. This "team" determined the direction the city would be going with technology, what software would be purchased, and other things like that. Ridiculous.

Thanks for the help everyone. I'm looking for more in anyone has any.

 

[sdifox]

Ask the dude to give you an honest opinion of ESRI's product and their support. If it is anything other than swear words, dude is lying. Those idiots don't know what the word enterprise means. Who makes server software that run faster if you have a good video card?

 

[Chaotic42]

Originally posted by: sdifox
Ask the dude to give you an honest opinion of ESRI's product and their support. If it is anything other than swear words, dude is lying. Those idiots don't know what the word enterprise means. Who makes server software that run faster if you have a good video card?

Hah, I actually laughed out loud at that. Have you ever read ESRI's opinion about dual processor support?

 

[sdifox]

Originally posted by: Chaotic42

Originally posted by: sdifox
Ask the dude to give you an honest opinion of ESRI's product and their support. If it is anything other than swear words, dude is lying. Those idiots don't know what the word enterprise means. Who makes server software that run faster if you have a good video card?

Hah, I actually laughed out loud at that. Have you ever read ESRI's opinion about dual processor support?

It is such a great piece of software , some pieces of it is still 16 bit. Our GIS guys are bitching constantly how they have to cut the job down so the resulting file does not exceed 2gb...

Fucking wankers.

I had to fight the IT department to get a non standard server so I can stick good video cards in them. I also had to get a nonstandard 'workstation' (just a clone machine with choice hardware) since we tried the workstation and it was slower than the clone... and for a lot more.

And I got them a Toshiba Qosmio G30 for GIS laptop... 1080p screen with 7600Go

 

[sdifox]

Originally posted by: ZeroIQ

Originally posted by: alkemyst

Originally posted by: ZeroIQ
This sentence doesn't make sense to me and it'll bug me until it does. What do you mean?

when one is the OP and answering back, most are nottaking it as a joke.

Fixed.

Either way if you are one of the tech leads on this, you need to get out there and do A LOT more research on what GIS is and mapping is about.

You are in the discovery phase of the hiring process. Once you have your answers then you can determine you who will hire and what software/systems to setup. Based on the posts above here, your place of employment may be best served hiring a consultant expert in this field to determine needs.

While that may be true, it's too late in the game to be doing this. This was just brought to our attention the beginning on this week. They requested we come up with a few technical questions for the interviewees. I spoke to the department about this, and thats when they realized what they were getting into. Since then, I have been trying to gain enough knowledge to be able to ask good questions to know if the guy knows what he is doing.

It's amazing what happens here. You would think almost anything technology related would be brought to IT for review, but it isn't. We've had network copiers roll (6 I think, at 3 different locations) in here and had to get them set up for everyone same day, no prior knowledge they would be coming.

There was also a "technology team" formed, the IT staff was not a part of it. This "team" determined the direction the city would be going with technology, what software would be purchased, and other things like that. Ridiculous.

Thanks for the help everyone. I'm looking for more in anyone has any.

Ask him to describe the process of installing ArcIMS, Arc SDE and how it interacts with Oracle. Then ask him how long it takes to get it to all work and how many times it goes down.

If the numbers are small, dude is lying.

 

[bunker]

Originally posted by: sdifox

Ask him to describe the process of installing ArcIMS, Arc SDE and how it interacts with Oracle. Then ask him how long it takes to get it to all work and how many times it goes down.

If the numbers are small, dude is lying.

<shrug>I'm an SDE admin (on SQL server though, not oracle) and my uptime is at about 2.5 years. (not including monthly server reboots for patches/updates)

ArcIMS is another story...we're lucky if that stays up more than a week at a time without having to restart it.

I do detest ESRI and their support however. My boss had to threaten to drop ESRI all together to get them to help us with ArcIMS disconnects from sde. They actually sent someone out who knew what they were doing.

 

[sdifox]

Originally posted by: bunker

Originally posted by: sdifox

Ask him to describe the process of installing ArcIMS, Arc SDE and how it interacts with Oracle. Then ask him how long it takes to get it to all work and how many times it goes down.

If the numbers are small, dude is lying.

<shrug>I'm an SDE admin (on SQL server though, not oracle) and my uptime is at about 2.5 years. (not including monthly server reboots for patches/updates)

ArcIMS is another story...we're lucky if that stays up more than a week at a time without having to restart it.

I do detest ESRI and their support however. My boss had to threaten to drop ESRI all together to get them to help us with ArcIMS disconnects from sde. They actually sent someone out who knew what they were doing.

Most things are less painful on MSSQL side. Most companies don't need the scale of Oracle. I don't know why they still put up with the hideous overhead that is associated with Oracle.

SDE in itself does not fuck up much. I mean there isn't much to fuck up to begin with. but the whole DBMS - SDE - Applet Server - IMS chain is just waay to flaky for my taste. And I am not even the GIS person. I just oversee the whole system where GIS is the prettierst piece so most noticeable when it's down, which is weekly occurrence.

 

[Svnla]

OP, here is the job requirements and descriptions for GIS position from a large city <several millions residents>

------------------------------------------------
Provide experienced analysis, programming, and testing to support the City?s Geographic Information System (GIS).

Essential Functions:
1. Designs, codes, tests, and debugs GIS specific software on NT or UNIX-based workstation systems to develop and maintain software applications capable of addressing business needs.

2. Makes modifications or updates to existing GIS applications and software to improve system efficiency.

3. Responds to and resolves GIS programming problems experienced by users and systems analysts in the user departments.

4. Responds to GIS programming requests for application development and information from users and systems analysts in the user departments.

5. Analyzes GIS programs and use problems to determine corrective action necessary to resolve new design, programming, procedure change, and user training.

6. Trains other City employees in the use of GIS applications.

Essential Functions Depending on Assignment:

1. Coordinates with IT Department to improve the quality, integrity, and security of the Geographic Information Systems database through resolution of technical problems involving hardware and/or software.

2. Drafts GIS documentation of hardware and software packages to enable others to understand the operation of the GIS system.

3. Drafts new system requirements documentation.

4. Provides customized reports by programming against the GIS database to provide information used in management decisions.

5. Performs other duties as assigned.

Working Conditions & Hazards:

- Works in an office.

- Exposed to viewing computer monitor and use of computer keyboard.

- Performs position duties in office environment.

Minimum Qualifications:
Bachelor's degree in computer science/GIS OR science, math, geography or business fields with 15 college hours in computer science/GIS. One year experience in the design, programming, implementation and maintenance of GIS database mapping systems involving Arc/Info, ArcGIS, ArcView, SDE, and/or ArcIMS. Effective oral and written communication and strong relational database skills are required.

A five-year combination of specified education and experience qualifies. A GIS certificate will substitute for two years of the required education.

Knowledge, Skills & Abililties:
- Proficiency in programming, analyzing, and manipulating computer-based geographic information systems.

- Knowledge of one or more programming languages.

- Ability to analyze and develop logical solutions to information system problems.

- Knowledge of network configurations.

- Ability to communicate technical information orally and in writing.

- Thorough knowledge of systems analysis techniques, 3GL and 4GL programming techniques and operating systems functions.

- Ability to use all Third Generation Languages (3GL), Fourth Generation Languages (4GL), relational database systems (RDBMS) and tools used with in the development of the GIS and familiarity with all existing Information Systems mainframe GIS tools and systems.

- Ability to develop abstract systems and applications designs and translate them to user friendly efficient

- Knowledge of GIS applications software, (SUN, UNIX and ORACLE) SAS retrieval language, mainframe and microcomputer environments, and related technical skills.

- Ability to evaluate technical difficulties with NT or UNIX work station based databases.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by personnel assigned to this classification and is not necessarily an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required.

-------------------------------------------------------------
Geographic Information Systems Analyst II Supplemental Questionnaire

*1. What is your level of experience in operating and managing GIS-based data collection vehicles?
None
Less than one year
One to two years
Two or more years
*2. What is your level of experience in utilizing equipment to evaluate the condition and document the inventory of streets and alleys?
None
Less than one year
One to two years
Two or more years
*3. Select the level of experience you have in ArcGIS
No Experience
Some Knowledge
Intermediate Knowledge (with some training)
Advance Knowledge (with training)
*4. Select the level of experience you have in ArcInfo
No Experience
Some Knowledge
Intermediate Knowledge (with some training)
Advance Knowledge (with training)
*5. Select the level of experience you have in ArcIMS
No Experience
Some Knowledge
Intermediate Knowledge (with some training)
Advance Knowledge (with training)
*6. Select the level of experience you have in ArcSDE
No Experience
Some Knowledge
Intermediate Knowledge (with some training)
Advance Knowledge (with training)


* Required Question

 

[jread]

Originally posted by: sdifox
Ask the dude to give you an honest opinion of ESRI's product and their support. If it is anything other than swear words, dude is lying. Those idiots don't know what the word enterprise means. Who makes server software that run faster if you have a good video card?

SO TRUE!

I've been in GIS for 10-years using only ESRI products. I will be lucky if I don't die at an early age...

 

[Chaotic42]

Originally posted by: jread

Originally posted by: sdifox
Ask the dude to give you an honest opinion of ESRI's product and their support. If it is anything other than swear words, dude is lying. Those idiots don't know what the word enterprise means. Who makes server software that run faster if you have a good video card?

SO TRUE!

I've been in GIS for 10-years using only ESRI products. I will be lucky if I don't die at an early age...

I've got three years in and I just picked up a copy of Manifold for home use. It's supposed to be competative with ArcGIS. We'll see. I'd love to have an Arc setup at home (PLTS, SDE, everything), but I don't have a spare $20K.

 

[jread]

Originally posted by: Chaotic42

Originally posted by: jread

Originally posted by: sdifox
Ask the dude to give you an honest opinion of ESRI's product and their support. If it is anything other than swear words, dude is lying. Those idiots don't know what the word enterprise means. Who makes server software that run faster if you have a good video card?

SO TRUE!

I've been in GIS for 10-years using only ESRI products. I will be lucky if I don't die at an early age...

I'd love to have an Arc setup at home (PLTS, SDE, everything), but I don't have a spare $20K.

I think there is a home license available for $50 if your employer is an ESRI customer. Either that or get them to let you have a GoToMyPC account (which is what I do).

 

[Dedpuhl]

Good luck on finding someone that's really proficient and cheap.

I'm an engineer and a part time GIS monkey. I freakin' HATE ArcGIS.

 

[sdifox]

Originally posted by: Dedpuhl
Good luck on finding someone that's really proficient and cheap.

I'm an engineer and a part time GIS monkey. I freakin' HATE ArcGIS.

I am not sure there is any homo sapiens that have to use esri products and not hate them.