International GIS Recruiting

August 9th, 2010
Health building

Abu Dhabi government building

Although the United Arab Emirates has a rich history dating back as far as 5,500 BCE, the union of the 7 Emirates (Abu Dhabi, Ajman, Dubai, Fujairah, Ras al-Khaimah, Sharjah, and Umm al-Quwain) we know today is a remarkably recent unification that materialized in the early 1970’s. The growth of the Emirates civilization has been rapid and massive. The construction programs in this region have developed sophisticated schools, vast, assorted housing; geographically disperse hospitals, commercial buildings, financial districts, and roads.

At the heart of this progress is the capitol Emirate. Abu Dhabi has grown to be a multicultural and multiethnic city. It’s the center of political, industrial, financial, commercial, and engineering activity in the UAE. Important federal government offices are housed in Abu Dhabi, and it is also the home for the Emirati Royal Family. Oil royalties and wealth have transformed this metropolis and now those riches provide the means and investment capital required to meet our planets major environmental challenges.

The Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi (EAD) has initiated a strategic mission to improve the quantity and the quality of water resources in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi. EAD wants to improve the air quality and protect society from hazardous materials. To set waste management policy and regulations along with developing a climate change framework, the EAD has invested in technology as a key enabler. Capital investments in ESRI’s ArcGIS family products have resulted in the required data analysis and mapping tools needed for efficient enterprise planning in real estate, tourism, transportation, education, health, environment, public and business sectors.

To maximize the effectiveness of human capital, GeoSearch, Inc. is on-site in Abu Dhabi providing a recruiting effort for two current projects and one upcoming and exciting project. The first project requires subject matter GIS experts in many functional areas. Positions that have been filled include the Senior Environmental GIS/IS Analyst for Marine and Terrestrial Biodiversity, Public Relations and Outreach Specialist, Program Coordinator, Program Manager, Remote Sensing and Technology Specialist, Program Advisor, Operations Manager, Database Administrator, and an Enterprise Architect.

Positions that still need to be filled include an Environmental Data Coordinator, Environmental Data Architect, Environmental Analytics Department Manager, Senior Environmental GIS/IS Analyst for Water and Natural Resource Management, Senior Environmental GIS/IS Analyst for Pollution and Regulatory, Senior Environmental GIS/IS Analyst for Policy, Planning and Performance Measurement, and a Partnership Project Manager.

The second project GeoSearch, Inc. is recruiting for is the Abu Dhabi Systems and Information Center and this project is known as (ADSIC). Here we are looking for an Applications Support Specialist, GIS Analyst, Operations Manager, Enterprise GIS Implementation Planning Specialist, and a GIS Analyst Service Level Agreements (SLA) Coordinator.

A third and very exciting project that is just getting started is the Eye on Earth summit. Look to our next blog for news related to that.

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GIS Role in Containing Catastrophic Oil Spill

May 1st, 2010

Gulf Ocean

Gulf of Mexico


Last week, a large oil slick emanated from a pipe 50 miles offshore and 5,000 feet underwater in the Gulf of Mexico. The oil is now threatening Louisiana’s fragile coastal wetlands.

NOAA has released a map showing where the Gulf of Mexico oil spill is currently spreading and notes that bad weather continues to influence clean-up measures.

The clean-up measures are the responsibility of BP because a rig owned and operated by Transocean Ltd. exploded, busting a pipe following work on a well for London-based BP PLC. Now the sub contractors to BP have requested GIS Technicians with 1-2 years of experience with ArcMap to make maps from GPS data for the field crews to help in the oil spill clean up off the coast of Louisiana.

An URGENT response went out on twitter @geosearch “Searching for GIS Techs (ArcMap exp) – URGENTLY needed in Louisiana for oil spill clean up. Contact me asap if interested!” about 14 hours ago via TweetDeck.

The GeoSearch, Inc. social media campaign has resulted in a flood of resumes and responses to help. GIS and GPS talent is critical to the response effort. AP has reported that Satellite images show the Gulf of Mexico oil spill is tripling in size.

Putting boots on the ground in mission critical situations can be a big challenge and GIS talent resources will provide the data required to clean up the spill.

Posted in Employers, GIS, climate change, satellite images | No Comments »

GeoSearch at the MAPPS Federal Programs Conference

March 24th, 2010

GeoSearch at the Capitol

On March 8th, GeoSearch traveled to WASHINGTON, DC, for the 2010 MAPPS Federal Programs Conference. MAPPS is the only national association exclusively comprised of private firms in the remote sensing, spatial data and geographic information systems field in the United States. The legislative initiatives highlighted during the MAPPS members’ meetings with members of Congress on March 10th included:

* The “Making America Prosperous (MAP)” Act, a proposed bill to authorize the “Imagery for the Nation” concept, authorizing a national geospatial image mapping program to provide baseline geographic data for economic development and a variety of other applications;

* A “Digital Coast” Act, fully authorizes the Digital Coast program within NOAA to help America’s fragile oceans, coasts and shorelines by implementing mapping, charting, and other geospatial data, as recommended in several recent commissions, as well as a National Academy of Sciences report;

* The “FLAIR” Act, or Federal Land Asset Inventory Reform Act, H.R. 1520, will create a current, accurate cadastre, or land inventory, of Federal land ownership, as well as consolidate the more than 100 duplicate, inaccurate, obsolete, and non-interoperable land inventories currently maintained by several Federal agencies;

* And the Freedom from Government Competition Act, H.R. 2682 and S. 1167, to codify the “Yellow Pages” test, a simple test that has been applied by Mayors and Governors, both Democrat and Republican, that says if there are private companies to be found in the Yellow Pages providing products or services in the commercial market that the government is also providing, then the service should be subject to market competition to break up the government monopoly and prove a better value to the taxpayer.

Outside the offices


GeoSearch met with Colorado members of Congress and Congressional staff including Charles Cogar, Legislative Assistant in the Office of Representative Mike Coffman. Jimmy Hague, Legislative Assistant in the Office of Senator Mark Udall. Senator Michael Bennet staff members. Marissa Smith, Legislative Assistant in the Office of Representative Betsy Markey. Tommy Walker, Legislative Assistant in the Office of Representative Diana DeGette. Matt Henken, Legislative Assistant in the Office of Representative Ed Perlmutter and we met with Congressman Doug Lamborn.

Geospatial Technology Exhibition


The campus of the U.S. Capitol Compex was the location of our meetings and an exhibition of geospatial technologies showcased and hosted by MAPPS member firms including Merrick & Company, Riegl USA, Trimble, and Woolpert, Inc.

The Geospatial Technology Exhibition was held on the first floor foyer of the Rayburn House Office Building. U.S. Representative James Moran (D-8th District-VA), who represents MAPPS’ headquarters in Reston, VA, was the sponsor of the event.

Posted in Employers, GIS, Small business, Uncategorized, strategic planning | 1 Comment »

International Lidar Mapping Forum Day 1

March 4th, 2010
2010 ILMF

2010 ILMF


GeoSearch, Inc. is exhibiting at the ILMF along with 56 other companies that are exhibiting with us. It has had great traffic and has attracted attendance from professionals that have come from all over the world. After spending some time in the Exhibit Hall the Welcoming and Opening Address kicked things off and it previewed that the presentation will cover several aspects of LiDAR as it relates to the end-user. LiDAR uses and applications will be front and center in this forum.
Booth 123

Booth 123

The ASPRS Hot Topics Session went first but the first presentation GeoSearch attended was the Data Collection break out session given and presented by Jamie Young General Manager – LiDAR services team at The Sanborn Map Company. The considerations of new LiDAR sensor technology presentation covered area’s like the learning curve and other challenges inevitable with each update and upgrade in Optech and Leica sensors. However, Sanborn gets great support from both manufactures and they work together to make improvements. It covered Reflectivity. Drop outs due to fresh tar, saturated area’s, and roof pitch among other factors. This presentation also highlighted that new LiDAR sensor technology also provides much better data. Much better. It has lower cost and allows for more applications. The full presentation will be posted later here: http://lidarblog.wordpress.com

James Young

James Young


The other session was called How low can you go: Maximum depths achieved with HawkEye II during projects in 2009 presented by Dan Schnurr, Director, Blom Aerofilms Ltd,. Recent advances in Wetland Vegetation Mapping using Green, Waveform LiDAR Amar Nayegandhi, Project Manager, Remote Sensing Specialist, Jacobs-U.S Geological Survey.. Successful delivery of International Hydrographic Organisation (IHO) Order 1B specification coastal survey data using Bathymetric LiDAR presented by Dr Jerry Wilson, Commercial Manager, Fugro-Pelagos, Inc.
In the hall.

In the hall.


We ended the day with the cocktail reception in the Exhibit Hall. Most conversations centered around optimism. Each and every company seemed to have a difficult 2009 and it seems that everyone we talked with, has had an uptick in business and a pipeline of opportunities. 2010 looks like it will be a terrific rebound year. More this this forum later…

Posted in Employers, GIS, Lidar, Uncategorized | No Comments »

Geospatial Career Leader, GeoSearch, Inc. Publishes 2010 Wage and Salary Survey

February 26th, 2010

GeoSearch, Inc. has compiled an annual wage and salary survey specific to the geospatial career market since 1991. The survey originated in an attempt to measure job categories that couldn’t be found in other surveys. Unique GeoSearch access to geospatial employers allowed data to be collected from commercial companies and public agencies responsible for evaluating compensable factors and paying fair market wages.  Each year, GeoSearch is able to collect data, from geospatial employers, that reports wage and salary information in various categories and classifications.

This year’s numbers compared to a decade ago shows some interesting data. For example, in the 2000 survey, a GIS Manager averaged $58,026 in annual wages reported from 170 participating employers.  In the 2010 survey, a GIS Manager averaged 73,888 in annual wages reported from 140 participating employers.  In this example, a GIS Manager is described as: Manages the GIS department; supervises GIS Specialists and Technicians; develops action plan for GIS development; acts as central communication point; acts as public information source; assists with integration of GIS into existing systems; prepares newsletters and makes presentations.  Typically reports to agency Director or Operations Manager. Typically requires B.S. degree in related field and five or more years experience.

The 2010 Wage and Salary Survey includes a measure of 9 geospatial job categories reported from 140 employers with an average of 244 employees.  The survey is conducted on-line providing an efficient way of collecting information from a large number of respondents.  Participants in the survey receive results for free and the results are available for purchase for non-participants.  All employer identifying responses are confidential. Names of organizations or individuals are not shared, sold, or rented for any purpose.  This is a survey of organizations, not individuals. The numbers represent the wage not the total rewards such as bonus, incentives, commissions, or other compensable factors for each job category.

Although this data is believed to be reliable and accurate, GeoSearch cannot claim statistical validity.  While the GeoSearch Wage and Salary Survey is a valuable tool, it is strongly suggested that this information be used in conjunction with other known data sources and that local and community cost-of-living, competition from other industries, and related matters be factored in to the interpretation of any wage and salary data, including this survey.

Posted in Employers, jobs | No Comments »

GeoSearch and Equiom Team Up to Offer Staffing Services

January 19th, 2010

Strategic partnership to offer full service staffing to the geospatial sciences industry

BOULDER – January 19, 2010 – Combining their complementary capabilities, GeoSearch and Equiom announced today the formation of GeoSearch Staffing, a resource placement and staff augmentation service for the geospatial sciences and GIS employer community. This new partnership offers contract personnel recruitment and staffing services using GeoSearch’s access to top geospatial and GIS talent and customer relationships, and Equiom’s world-class employment capabilities. Equiom’s talent placement solution optimizes an organization’s talent supply and streamlines the hiring cycle, while GeoSearch brings its 21 years of experience with the geospatial community to serve as the single point of contact for GeoSearch Staffing services.

“We are very excited to be aligning with Equiom, an experienced leader in providing sustainable teams to technology organizations large and small,” said GeoSearch President Richard Serby. “We have identified the perfect compliment in Equiom and, together, we have assembled an invaluable service to offer employers an efficient and cost-effective option to tap the brightest geospatial resources available.”

“The alliance between Equiom and GeoSearch was a simple decision, one that allows our staff augmentation model to be powered by the GeoSearch recruiting prowess,” said Bassam Saliba, CEO of Equiom. “We are pleased to be teaming with the leading geospatial career source, GeoSearch, Inc. and we are excited to offer this integration to geospatial businesses.”

Personnel hired by GeoSearch Staffing enjoy competitive wages, salaries, and benefits and are assigned to commercial companies and public agencies for specific projects. GeoSearch Staffing employees receive health/medical, 401K, paid time off, and other benefits associated with permanent full-time employment.

About GeoSearch

GeoSearch, Inc. (http://www.geosearch.com) is a personnel recruitment firm specializing in the geospatial sciences and technologies operating since 1989. We offer a wide range of cost-effective and efficient recruitment products and services in geospatial sciences, Geographic Information Systems (GIS), Global Positioning Systems (GPS), photogrammetry, and many other related sciences. We recruit technical, management, sales and marketing professionals. Our highly targeted candidate database and long history in the geospatial sciences allow immediate access to qualified professionals.


About Equiom

Equiom, Inc. (www.equiom.com), a software consultancy and intellectual property development firm established in 2001, delivers innovation through an integrated set of services that include talent placement, project outsourcing, business technology consulting, and application & infrastructure security. Our practice helps startups and major corporations identify, plan, develop, and deploy effective technology solutions and services to specific business problems. Equiom’s ability to innovate, as well as execute and deliver, is built on a careful balance between the drive to advance technology, and the need to achieve business goals. We have a proven track record of consistently developing and delivering successful products to market on time and on budget. Our clients include high-profile companies as well as innovative startups. Among them are Microsoft, yahoo!, bSquare, Expedia, Ford, and Real Networks.


For more information about GeoSearch Staffing:

866-962-7772

http://www.geosearchstaffing.com

The names of actual companies and products mentioned herein are the trademarks of their respective owners.

Posted in Employers, GIS, jobs, talent | No Comments »

Geospatial Jobs and the 2010 Economy

January 15th, 2010

On January 28th Directions Media will host a Geospatial Jobs and the 2010 Economy Webinar from 12 to 1 pm Eastern Standard Time.  Mike Agron will moderate and speakers include our own Rich Serby of GeoSearch, David DiBiase from Penn State University, Jennifer Swift from the University of Southern California and Michael Gould of ESRI.

How do the current economic realities impact jobs? Where are the jobs? Which jobs are ‘hot’ and what is the current demand for specific job titles, skills and experience? What are the current educational requirements to land these jobs? This webinar addresses these topics and more. If you have experienced a change in your employment status during this difficult economic period or trying to prepare for the prospect of a entering a difficult job market, this webinar is for you.  Register Here!

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Posted in Employers, Uncategorized, candidates, market | No Comments »

GIS Career Night at the Tivoli Center, Denver CO

December 1st, 2009

Yesterday, the associations of GIS professionals Rocky Mountain Urban and Regional Information Systems Association (URISA), Rocky Mountain Region of American Society for Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing (ASPRS) and Rocky Mountain Geographic Information Technology Association (GITA) held a GIS CAREER NIGHT at the the Tivoli Student Union which serves as a hub of student activity for the Community College of Denver, Metropolitan State College of Denver and University of Colorado Denver.

The GITA Rocky Mountain Chapter Board of Directors representative Natalie Cutsforth kicked things off with a presentation overview of the Geospatial Information and Technology Association.   GITA is an information resource and community for anyone who has a vested interest in the use of geospatial information.  The organization provides excellent networking opportunities for geospatial job seekers.

That presentation was followed with an overview of ASPRS by  Ms. Linda E. Meyer, the ASPRS Rocky Mountain Region Treasurer.  She highlighted their mission to promote the responsible applications of photogrammetry, remote sensing, GIS, and supporting geotechnologies and explained the advantages of membership.  She also mentioned that her company GeoEye is growing and that hiring activity is up.

Tony Palizzi, the current URISA Rocky Mountain Chapter president, presented the URISA briefing and moderated the distinguished panel, which included Linda Meyer of GeoEye, Pamela Fromhertz of NOAA, and Richard Serby of GeoSearch.

Those in attendance included employees of the Census Bureau, DOT, Metro State, DU, and Inergraph.  There were professional land surveyors, oil and gas technicians, land use GIS, Regional Council of Government members, LiDAR professionals, and dozens of former, current, and future students.  The crowd numbered about 50.  Last year totaled over 150.

Lengthy discussions ensued on numerous topics.  The first discussion revolved around the geospatial career outlook.  Richard Serby went over the national unemployment numbers from last year, this year, and the best of years.  Colorado unemployment numbers have been better than the national numbers but that isn’t to say that the local economy hasn’t suffered.  “Let’s talk about the good news.” he said, “I’m done talking about the bad news.”  The good news is that companies, agencies, and the federal government have started to add staff.  “It will be a long road to reach the optimal unemployment number of 5%.” he said.  But now that demand for geospatial applications  is on the rise, more jobs need to be filled and that is chipping away at the 10% unemployment number where we currently sit.

Several questions on internships followed.  Most of the panel agreed that for students that need to gain experience, an internship can be invaluable.  Tips to negotiate a paid internship were discussed and the value of an unpaid internship is not to be overlooked for getting your foot in the door.  Many colleges are helping students make this happen.  To see more on this topic read:The First Rung of the Ladder… Many on the panel started their geospatial career with a paid internship.

Before the networking session the topics included citizenship, clearances, overqualified objections, the new energy economy, and networking your way into the seat that you want.  We hope to network with you at this event next year!  If you attended, we would love your feedback.

Posted in Employers, Employment Situation, Energy, GIS, Uncategorized, candidates | No Comments »

This is Geography Awareness Week…

November 19th, 2009

The National Geographic Society promotes Geography Awareness Week (GAW) every November in the third week. It is a week for classroom activities, awareness events, and after-school programs providing students opportunities to know and understand their planet by bringing geography to life. National Geographic offers resources and cool interactive map downloads that make the subject fun, interesting, and educational for children of all ages.

A grassroots celebration that encourages GIS users to open their doors to schools, businesses, and the general public on November 18th is called GIS Day. This awareness campaign lets GIS users share their knowledge and passion with others by demonstrating the tremendous impact GIS technology is making in our lives each day. 10,000 organizations in over 80 countries celebrate GIS Day. This tradition began in 1999 and is always celebrated on the Wednesday of National Geographic’s GAW.

Colorado GIS Day events include GIS Alley Fort Collins CO, Jefferson County Colorado Golden CO, GIS Services ESRI Henderson CO, event focus on GIS Services Boulder County Longmont CO, City of Thornton Thornton CO, event focus on GIS Services Adams County Colorado Westminster CO, event focus on Planning/Economic Development ESRI Aspen CO GIS Services Mountain Shadows Montessori School Boulder CO, Boulder County Boulder CO event focus on Agriculture, Assessor/Cadastral Records, Conservation, Demographics/Census/Elections, GIS Services, Health and Human Services, Law Enforcement, Planning/Economic Development, Public Safety/Emergency Management, Survey, Telecommunication, Transportation/Fleet Management, Water Resources, Boulder CO K-12 Education Tri-State G&T Assoc. Inc. Brighton CO, event focus on Electric/Gas Utility Kohl Elementary Broomfield CO K-12 Education ESRI Broomfield CO K-12 Education ESRI Broomfield CO K-12 Education City and County of Denver Denver CO, and at Colorado State University Fort Collins CO.

If you attended a GIS Day event, let me know how it went.

Today is also the American Cancer Society’s 34th annual Great American Smokeout – For smokers who want to kick the habit, an American Cancer Society interactive Web page offers help on how to quit for good.

Posted in GAW, GIS Day, Geographic, National Geographic | No Comments »

The First Rung of the Ladder…

November 12th, 2009

This blog has been following the geospatial career market. Most current indicators point to great demand for an increasing number of geospatial related services in dozens of markets from smart grid technologies, location intelligence, and mobile applications to name a few. Job seekers will tackle the overall employment increase by stepping on many different rungs of the corporate ladder.

Now, there is good news for those that need to start on the first rung of the ladder. The National Science Foundation (NSF) awarded a grant to The Pikes Peak Community College Geography Department in August of 2009. This pilot program seeks to implement a Tiered Internship Model for Students in Geospatial Technology (TIMSGeoTech). Interns that have an interest in starting a geospatial career can participate in this program and create a network of contacts while gaining school credit.

The funding of $149,542 will sustain the program from this year through the summer 2011. Under-represented groups will benifet from TIMSGeoTech through outreach to workforce development offices, by providing resources to unemployed and underemployed individuals. The PPCC GIS Advisory Board, made up of Colorado industry professionals starting with Donna Arkowski, the PPCC Geography Department chair, and Dr. Irina Kopteva, principal investigator for the project and adjunct Geography and GIS instructor. The work is supported by Mary-Ann Wermers, dean of Health, Environmental, Natural & Physical Sciences; Jennifer Jirous, Colorado Community College System; Jason San Souci, executive vice president and chief operating officer of NCDC Imaging & Mapping; Richard Serby, president and owner of GeoSearch, Inc.; Jay Tilley, senior vice president and general manager of Sanborn, Inc.; Cynthia Pesek, director for Career and Technical Education at Academy School District 20; Patressa Gardner, South Carolina Advanced Technological Education (SC ATE) Center; and Dr. Phillip Davis, National Geospatial Technology (GeoTech) Center.

The results of TIMSGeoTech will provide many opportunities for programming students. There are always geospatial jobs for candidates using VB, Java, Python, html, xml, ESRI’s map objects, and other programs that integrate provide digital map development, spatial data management, application development, data migration, and more. GIS is a rapidly changing and developing industry.

To step on the first rung of the ladder in this industry, a GIS certificate and AAS degree, along with a full retinue of GIS coursework is a great place to start.

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Posted in Employment Situation, Uncategorized, candidates | 1 Comment »

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