A Discussion of the Roles of the GIO and the State GIS Coordinator

The latest Directions on the News podcast features a discussion of the implications of the recent announcement of plans to appoint a GIO (Geospatial Information Officer) for the Department of the Interior. Joe Francica and Adena Schutzberg explore two basic some questions about the idea: is there time to find the right person? And, what should be the role of a GIO for such a large agency?

Two models fro the GIO role were discussed. One is a CIO focused on geographic issues. Ms. Shutzberg noted that a CIO tends to be a technology leader, someone who focuses on the technology sides of things but not as much on coordination with other levels of government.

The other model is that of the GIS Coordinators who make up much of the NSGIC membership, whose role "tends to be more about ... being the champion for GIS in the state."

Ms. Shutzberg added that a State GIS Coordinator does have to have some technical savvy (and that some have a great deal of technical savvy) but that the coordinator role is broader.

"...unifying the troops. Getting the partnerships together. Creating the vision. Working with the Governor and other state agencies. And it is far more of a, dare I say, political sort of role."

Joe Francica added that the State GIS Coordinator also serves as a liaison between the local and federal levels.

Both agreed that the GIO for a large federal agency such as Interior will need to fit the political role, and be able to coordinate among agencies and levels of government, with strong technical know-how. They concluded that the new GIO will have to be a "high-powered individual" and that it is a real question whether or not there will be time to find and appoint the right person before the end of the current administration.

This podcast makes interesting listening for all of those who work with agencies within the Department of the Interior, for those who now work as GIOs and for those who are State GIS Coordinators. Our roles are growing and changing as we adapt the shifting geospatial industry and the rapid growth of the use and sharing of geospatial data and information.

A Call to CIOs for GIOs

TeleAtlas VP John Cassidy had an article in Government Technology recently making an argument in favor of adding GIOs to CIO offices to continue the expansion of GIS coordination in government.

In Enterprise GIS Strategies Strengthen Government Operations, Mr. Cassidy outlines some of the successes brought to government by the growth of well-coordinated GIS tools, data and processes. He goes on to suggest that CIOs can help things along with some basic guidelines:

• The success of a GIS application is more likely when it's considered a mission-critical IT system and an organization is built specifically to support that system. It's crucial to build a strategic plan to adopt GIS enterprisewide.
• Create a full-time GIS leadership position with a GIO who has adequate staff to build and enhance the enterprise GIS.
• Identify project leaders who have the necessary management and organizational skills to accomplish specific tasks, and motivate people on an interagency basis to overcome the resistance to change.
• Develop communication channels to identify and prioritize GIS application development and spread word of their success.
• Set reasonable goals that produce deliverables over short time frames, so quick results can be readily seen, used and appreciated.

Wisconsin Has a New GIO

The Wisconsin Mapping Bulletin has word today of the appointment of Curtis Pulford as Wisconsin's new Geographic Information Officer. Pulford, who has been GIS Coordinator for state's Department of Transportation, will start his now job on December 23. As near as I can tell, this has been announced to staff via e-mail; I have not yet found a news release.

Job Posting: Maine GIS Coordinator

The State of Maine is advertising for a Systems Group Manager for the Maine Office of GIS (MEGIS). This is a position that appears to be GIS Coordinator for the state.

The previous head of the Office, Dan Walters, has taken a job with the USGS. The job posting (WORD), on the Direct Hire page of the Department of Administrative and Financial Services web site, outlines the role of a GIS Coordinator:

As the System Group Manager, you will be responsible for directing the MEGIS program and facility, including designing and managing the GIS development plan, a general GIS database, managing the activities of MEGIS staff personnel, coordinating with other departments on GIS matters, facilitating statewide GIS policy with the interagency Stakeholders committee, and representing Maine State Government GIS outside of Maine State Government.

The job is in Augusta, Maine. The closing date on the job posting is November 2.

Idaho to Get a New GIO

Idaho Chief Technology Officer Kevin W. Iwersen has announced the hiring of a new Geospatial Information Officer. Gail Ewart will join the Idaho Office of the CIO as GIO in early December.

Ms. Ewart answered the job posting we noted here back in July. Her new role will be to "provide statewide leadership in promoting the use of GIS technology," as CTO Iwerson wrote in his announcement of the hiring.

Gail Ewart is moving to the Idaho job from the Oregon Geospatial Enterprise Office (GEO) where she was Oregon’s Framework Coordinator.

Directions on the News Podcast Previews 2007 NSGIC Annual Conference

Joe Francica and Adena Schutzberg, of Directions Media, have posted a 12-minute Directions on the News podcast that looks ahead to the 2007 NSGIC Conference in Madison, Wisconsin.

In their discussion, Joe and Adena review the importance of GIS Coordination at all levels of government and discuss the potential for the new position of GIO (Geographic Information Officer) to meet that need.

They explore the differences between the roles of a GIO and a data coordinator and various areas in which each needs to have some expertise, from the technical, to the managerial, to the political.

There is also a brief discussion of the need to develop new GIS leaders for the future. Adena notes the role that NSGIC is now playing in developing new state-level leaders. She also points to the new URISA Leadership Academy and to new aspects of some Masters in Geographic Information Sciences programs.

Updates from the GIS in the Rockies Conference

Joe Francica, of All Points Blog, is reporting this week from the GIS in the Rockies Conference and has posted some interesting notes from the Mile High conference site.

So far, he's reported on Jack Dangermond's Keynote Address, a discuss of Service Oriented Architecture for GIS and a multi-agency federal update that folks planning to attend the NSGIC Conference in Madison, Wisconsin, later this month may want to review.

There's also an announcement out of Colorado state government and NSGIC's own Jon Gottsegen that the state has opened its GIS Portal. Even more exciting is the announcement from Michael Locatis, Colorado's Chief Information Officer, "that Gottsegen's position was being elevated to that of a statewide Geographic Information Officer (GIO) that will report in through the Governor's office."

Well done, Jon!

Job Posting: Wisconsin GIO

The word is out, over on the Wisconsin Mapping Bulletin, that the Wisconsin Department of Administration is looking for a new Geographic Information Officer (GIO). Until recently, that post had been held by Dave Mockert (Dave's in the private sector now). The job announcement is posted on the DOA web site.

Job Posting: Idaho GIO

The State of Idaho has posted a Job Announcement for a Geospatial Information Officer (GIO) in the Office of the CIO:

The State of Idaho’s Office of the CIO is seeking a Geospatial Information Officer (GIO) to lead state government GIS efforts as well as serve as a collaborative leader for statewide GIS initiatives. This position will provide GIS direction and staff support to the state’s Information Technology Resource Management Council (ITRMC).

The job posting is open through July 23.