GIMS Specialist 1

What You’ll Do

No ag background, no problem! You’ll learn all about agriculture from our top-notch experts who dedicate their lives to a cleaner, safer, better Ohio.

This Position Is Responsible For

• Administers various Plant Health GIS applications, including but not limited to apiary registration, apiary inspection, plant pest survey and the BeeCheck registry
• Assists & educates users regarding GIS &/or opportunities GIS technology affords to resolve resource management problems
• Researches & analyzes programs, procedures & policies
• Prepares reports, gathers statistics & may compile in report form
• Develops project proposals & program plans
• Provides technical advice to aid administrators in decision making
• Revises content of manuals & notebooks
• Maintains up-to-date knowledge & understanding of ArcGIS Pro & Online technologies
• Maintains up-to-date understanding of habitat, phenology, & survey methodology in order to better serve field & management personnel
• Operates state owned vehicle to perform field work to place, inspect & remove traps
• Transports inspection & sampling equipment to inspection sites & transport samples to ODA laboratory
• Learns to conduct complex analysis of Graphic Information System (GIS) in response to user requests, (e.g., invasive species, homeland security, project mapping)
• Performs field work to place, inspect & remove traps, and performs quality control on placed traps
• Travels occasionally, with some overnight travel, to meetings & conferences
• Maintains valid drivers license and insurance
• Performs routine administrative tasks (e.g., drafts & may sign simple correspondence)
• Researches responses to inquiries
• Compiles data
• Performs research & writes reports to present straightforward information
• Performs other clerical duties (e.g., maintains files; sorts and routes mail; answers phones & screens calls; greets visitors; orders & stocks supplies; maintains calendar; makes copies; prepares materials for mailing; prepares time reports for payroll; schedules meetings)
• Uses Microsoft Office to generate letters, reports, presentations & spreadsheets
• Assists customers in understanding computer applications
• Participates in eradicating, suppressing &/or slowing spread of growing invasive pest population
• Participates in egg mass surveys & field surveys to determine life stages of species
• Operates state owned vehicle to transport inspection & sampling equipment to inspection sites & transport samples to Ohio Department of Agriculture (ODA) laboratory
• Performs field work to place, inspect & remove traps
• Performs other related duties as assigned
  
  

This position shall be filled in accordance with the provisions of the OCSEA Collective Bargaining Agreement. ODA bargaining unit members have selection rights before non-bargaining unit members. All other applications will only be considered if an internal bargaining unit applicant is not selected for this position.

We Support Diversity And Inclusion

ODA values its internal diversity and pledges to cultivate an inclusive and engaging environment for all employees where differences are embraced and celebrated. The agency commits to building a workforce that champions the advancement of these principles and initiatives. The values on which these efforts are founded are respect, empathy, transparency, equality, and equal access.

What’s In It For You

At the State of Ohio, we take care of the team that cares for Ohioans. We provide a variety of quality, competitive benefits to eligible full-time and part-time employees. For a list of all the State of Ohio Benefits, visit our Total Rewards website! Our benefits package includes:

Medical Coverage

• Quality, affordable, and competitive medical benefits are offered through the Ohio Med PPO plan.
  
  

Dental, Vision and Basic Life Insurance

• Dental, vision and basic life insurance premiums are free after one year of continuous service.
  
  

Time Away from Work and Work/Life Balance

• Paid time off, including vacation, personal, and sick leave
• 11 paid holidays per year
• Childbirth/Adoption leave
  
  

Ohio Public Employees Retirement System

• OPERS is the retirement system for State of Ohio employees. The employee contributes 10% of his/her salary towards his/her retirement. The employer contributes an amount equal to 14% of the employee’s salary. Visit the OPERS website for more information.
  
  

Deferred Compensation

• The Ohio Deferred Compensation program is a 457(b) voluntary retirement savings plan. Visit the Ohio Deferred Compensation website for more information.
  
  

Maternity Benefits

• Expanded maternity health care benefits available to state employees enrolled in the Ohio Med PPO and Ohio Med NN (narrow network) medical plan options. Several prenatal, childbirth, and post-childbirth services are provided at no out-of-pocket cost to employees utilizing network providers.
• Examples of services now covered by network providers at 100% include:
• Prenatal care, including physician visits and examinations.
• Home health care services designated as maternity care (for expectant members on bed rest).
• Inpatient claims for all types of delivery.
• Inpatient NICU claims, from birth through discharge.
• Postpartum care, including office visits for follow-up, and procedures/treatments directly related to maternity.
• Medications prescribed for both antepartum and postpartum conditions (e.g., morning sickness, postpartum depression). Medical services provided by non-network providers will be processed at the applicable coinsurance, deductible, and out-of-pocket limits.
• Prescription drugs that are directly related to maternity care are covered with no copay. The State of Ohio has collaborated with the prescription drug third-party administrator (OptumRx) to provide a list of covered medications that can be approved for zero copay via prior authorization from providers.
  
  

3 years training or 3 years experience in coordination of operations of geographical information systems (e.g., data input operations, creation of digital spatial data bases, design & implementation of geographic information design & use of projections, coordinate systems & map algebra in operation of geographic information systems).

• Or completion of undergraduate core program in geography, natural resources, engineering, planning, computer science, biology, geology, ecology or related field to include course work in geographic information systems (e.g., applications in geographic information systems; design & implementation of geographic information; creation of digital spatial data bases; data input operations in geographic information); 12 months training or 12 months experience in use of projections, coordinate systems & map algebra in operation of geographic information systems.
• Or 12 months experience as GIMS Technician 2, 85672.
• Or equivalent of Minimum Class Qualifications For Employment noted above.
  
  

Organization

Agriculture

Agency Contact Name and Information

Ryan Gunter / Ryan.Gunter@agri.ohio.gov / 614-728-6339

Unposting Date

Apr 2, 2026, 11:59:00 PM

Work Location

Bromfield Building

Primary Location

United States of America-OHIO-Licking County-Reynoldsburg

Compensation

$25.77 - $33.52

Schedule

Full-time

Work Hours

8:00 am - 5:00 pm

Classified Indicator

Classified

Union

OCSEA

Primary Job Skill

Information Technology

Technical Skills

Database Administration, Information Technology

Professional Skills

Adaptability, Attention to Detail, Ethics and Values, Teamwork

Primary Technology

Not Applicable

Agency Overview

Competitive salary: $53,602 - $69,722 Annually

Agriculture is the heart of it all in Ohio!

The Ohio Department of Agriculture protects all Ohioans by safeguarding plants and animals, conserving our natural resources and supporting farmers. ODA is cabinet-level agency reporting to Governor DeWine. Food and agriculture is Ohio’s number one industry, contributing $124 billion to the economy and employing one in eight people. Ohio is home to more than 75,000 farms, with agriculture touching every part of the state. Not only does Ohio rank number one in Swiss cheese production, but we are top three in the nation’s egg production and fifth in soybean production. Ohio’s farmers impact those well beyond state lines, feeding families across the nation.

ODA’s beautiful campus is located in Reynoldsburg on 158-acres. Not only is parking free, but food trucks frequent the campus for coffee and lunch.

You’ll find great coworkers here, who are experts in their field and care about the work they do.

What We Do

Working for the Ohio Department of Agriculture means strengthening our state with the help of our 19 divisions programs. Our staff ensures the products you consume every day are safe to eat and drink. We protect Ohio’s farmland, improve soil health and water quality, all while keeping our plants, crops, and animals free of pests and disease. We are home to the state’s top food safety laboratory and serve as the hub for a statewide lab safety system. Our folks protect consumers by ensuring you get what you pay for through weights and measures accuracy standards. ODA oversees Ohio’s 94 county and independent fairs, the showcases of our towns and cities, and protects fair goers by inspecting the amusement rides you love to enjoy!

As a member of team ODA, you will be working with people of the highest caliber, doing great work, and making a difference for all Ohioans.