GIS Analyst I

GIS Analyst I

Department: Engineering & Network Operations

Reports To: GIS Supervisor

Employment Type: Full-Time

Compensation: $25.00 – $27.00 / Hour

WHY YOU WANT TO WORK FOR DIRECT COMMUNICATIONS

For over 75 years, Direct Communications has been bringing state-of-the-art broadband and connectivity solutions to rural communities. We don’t just deliver reliable high-speed internet—we empower our neighbors with cutting-edge mobile services, whole-home data security through managed routers, Arlo smart camera setups, and expansive outdoor Wi-Fi coverage.

When you join our team, you join a company that prioritizes its people with unmatched benefits, including comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance for just $0.50/paycheck!

We also support your whole well-being with:

• Telehealth services and preventive wellness programs
• A 401(k) with up to a 6% company match
• Company-paid life insurance and short-term disability
• Generous paid time off (PTO) plus 10 paid holidays
• Tuition reimbursement for both professional and personal development
• Free internet within our service footprint

Guided by our core values—Integrity, Growth, Respect, Sustainability, Strategic Decision-Making, and Community—we foster a collaborative environment where every team member contributes to a shared purpose. Come be a part of connecting the future!

ABOUT THE ROLE

As a GIS Analyst I, you will serve as a foundational pillar for our physical fiber infrastructure and spatial database integrity. You’ll partner closely with engineering design, field operations, and senior GIS team members to ensure our digital map databases and physical network inventories are pristine, accurate, and actionable.

We are looking for a team player who naturally operates with quiet humility, focusing on collective victories over personal recognition. You are hungry and self-motivated, constantly seeking ways to improve workflows and dive into complex spatial problems without needing constant oversight. Above all, you possess strong people smarts—communicating with empathy, clarity, and tact when supporting internal colleagues, field crews, and external partners.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Spatial Editing & Digitizing: Perform routine spatial data collection and digitization to build and maintain enterprise digital map databases and physical network inventories.
• Fiber Network Mapping & Inventory: Input and manage physical fiber connections, including detailed strand-by-strand mapping using specialized fiber software.
• Quality Assurance & As-Built Verification: Review daily field reports, cable drop locations, and contractor redline edits against engineering plans to fix line misalignments, missing tags, or disconnected spans.
• Data Conversion & Integration (ETL): Execute Extract, Transform, Load (ETL) workflows to convert CAD drawings, spatial files, and spreadsheets into spatial databases. Apply standard mapping templates to incoming designs and manage project versioning.
• Web Mapping & Mobile Deployment: Configure interactive web maps, pop-ups, and spatial dashboards for internal departments (Sales, Customer Support, Operations). Package and deploy offline mobile map packages for field technicians.
• Spatial Analysis & Automation: Conduct core spatial analysis using geoprocessing tools and simple automation scripts (e.g., Python) to improve efficiency.
• Stakeholder & Leadership Support: Produce clear, executive-ready map layouts and visual reports highlighting network footprints, route expansions, rights-of-way, and utility pole paths for management, investors, and permitting authorities.
• Technical Writing & Documentation: Create clear standard operating procedures (SOPs), documentation, and basic training guides for GIS tools and workflows.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Provide responsive, approachable technical support to field workers and internal stakeholders experiencing GPS sync issues or display discrepancies.

WHAT WE’RE LOOKING FOR

Education & Experience

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in GIS, Geography, Geospatial Science, Environmental Science, Urban Planning, Computer Science, Civil Engineering, or a related technical discipline (or equivalent practical hands-on experience).
• Experience: 0–2 years of experience in GIS operations (exposure to telecommunications, utilities, or broadband infrastructure is a plus).

Technical Skills & Proficiencies

• Working knowledge of ESRI software (ArcGIS Pro, ArcGIS Online) and QGIS.
• Basic understanding of multi-user SQL environments, database administration, and spatial editing.
• Experience converting spatial datasets across CSV, Shapefile, KMZ/KML, DWG/CAD, and Excel formats.
• Familiarity with fiber management software (e.g., CrescentLink, Geograph) or general fiber/telecom concepts is preferred.
• Exposure to basic Python or SQL scripting for task automation is a plus.

Core Competencies & Behavioral Virtues

• Team-First Mindset: Driven by the success of the group and company goals rather than ego; eager to support teammates across departments.
• Grit & Ownership: Possesses a proactive work ethic, taking pride in thorough data accuracy, meticulous quality control, and seeing tasks through to completion.
• Interpersonal Agility: Listens actively, collaborates effortlessly, and tailors technical information so it’s easily understood by non-technical team members.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS

• Screenings: Must be able to pass pre-employment drug and background screenings.

FULL BENEFITS PACKAGE

• Healthcare: Health, Dental, and Vision Insurance for $0.50 per paycheck
• Virtual Care: 24/7 Telehealth services
• Wellness: Preventive Wellness Programs
• Retirement: 401(k) with up to 6% Company Matching
• Paid Time Off: Generous PTO policy (prorated 14 days in Year 1, increasing with tenure)
• Holidays: 10 Observed Paid Holidays
• Insurance Coverage: Company-paid Basic Life & AD&D Insurance and Short-Term Disability
• Financial Support: Company-paid 3rd-party personal finance management services
• Professional & Personal Growth: Tuition Reimbursement Program
• Voluntary Coverage Options:
  • Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) for Medical and Daycare
  • Supplemental Group Term Life Insurance
  • Accident & Critical Illness Insurance
• Perks: Free home internet service if living within our network footprint
• Development: Comprehensive on-the-job training and skill development

Direct Communications is an Equal Opportunity Employer and Provider.