"Every time a 911 line rings, a valid address is found, the proper equipment
is dispatched and a timely and accurate response occurs, I see what I have done
is working."
"Opportunities are increasing every day. As more people become aware
of GIS in the public safety realm, and as the fire protection, law enforcement
and emergency medical services technologies have become more widely used, finely-tuned,
and user friendly, public safety agencies are looking for people with knowledge
of GIS and public safety to help keep them up to date."
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GIS Coordinator - Rachel Kilby
Job Title: GIS Coordinator
Field: Public Safety
Place of Employment: Guilford
Metro 911, City of Greensboro, North Carolina
What is your current job and what does it entail?
GIS Coordinator, Guilford
Metro 911. I coordinate the mapping activities for three 911 Public Safety
Answering Point centers in the county, more than 20 responding EMS, police,
sheriff and fire departments, and three GIS departments (two city, one county),
to provide accurate information dictating all emergency response in the county.
This includes accurate road centerline information,
address locations, municipal boundaries, different public safety agency response
areas and planned growth areas.
In your day-to-day activities, who are the people that you interact
with regularly?
I interact with the 911 director, police chief, sheriff, EMS director, fire
chief, addressers for the local government, department of transportation officials,
annexation coordinators, planning department, building inspectors—all primarily
local government employees. Less frequently, I interact with citizens, typically
when something goes wrong or there is a complaint about service.
For your position, what skills do you need in geospatial technologies?
I need a broad understanding of GIS and its capabilities, as well as the different
technologies used, in terms of software, compatibility and capability. The most
important part is a basic knowledge of GIS and how it impacts all areas of local
government; the specific technicalities come in time.
For your position, what skills outside of geospatial technologies are
required?
The most important skills include diplomacy, interpersonal and communication
skills, and cooperation. The job also requires an in-depth understanding of public
safety, its special requirements/needs, and how it relates back to the government
structure.
What was the key factor in your career decision?
I have always been interested in the applications of GIS to all aspects of
public safety.
What do you like most about your career?
I like the interaction with such a broad array of people, and also the fact
that I see the effects of my work instantaneously. Every time a 911 line rings,
a valid address is found, the proper equipment is dispatched and a timely and
accurate response occurs, I see what I have done is working.
What do you like least about your career?
My least favorite part is the research, the grunt-work of having to find out
what is going on when a question regarding an address or street arises.
What do you do to relax?
Work out!
Who are your heroes/heroines?
I don’t have any.
What advice would you give a high school student who expressed an interest
in pursuing a career in your field?
I’d advise them to expose themselves to many different areas of their
fields of interest and learn how they all work together. I’d also suggest
trying to understand the inner workings of the public agency/agencies involved;
most of the time this is the most complex part of the job. The technical stuff
is much easier to learn and do!
Are career opportunities in your field increasing or decreasing and
why?
Opportunities are increasing every day. As more people become aware of GIS
in the public safety realm, and as the fire protection, law enforcement and emergency
medical services technologies have become more widely used, finely-tuned, and
user friendly, public safety agencies are looking for people with knowledge of
GIS and public safety to help keep them up to date.
E-mail: rachel.kilby@greensboro-nc.gov
Salary Range: $60-80,000
Degree |
Major |
Institution |
B.S. |
Urban Planning |
Appalachian State University |
B.S. |
Geography |
Appalachian State University |
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