Governor Mikie Sherrill • Lt. Governor Dr. Dale G. Caldwell

NJ Geospatial Forum

About Task Forces

Task Forces are an important component of the NJGF. As a need arises, the Executive Committee can establish a Task Force to meet a defined set of goals over a specific period of time. Forum members can volunteer to participate on one or more Task Forces. Each Task Force has a liaison on the Executive Committee. It is through this liaison that Task Forces can formally bring issues to the Executive Committee for discussion. Thus, the members of Task Forces are truly empowered.  

Current Task Forces:

 

Civil Service GIS Titles Review Task Force

Mission: To review the existing NJ Civil Service Commission GIS Specialist title series and make recommendations for possible changes to that series in a report back to the Executive Committee.

Goal: The current GIS Specialist title series has not changed in 26 years. This task force is charged with reviewing the existing titles and how they are used to make recommendations in a report back to the Executive Committee. There is no guarantee that any recommendations made in this task force report will be adopted by the Civil Service Commission (CSC).

The topics for discussion are:

  1. Text of job descriptions for the GIS Specialist series:
    1. GIS Specialist 1
    2. GIS Specialist 2
    3. GIS Specialist 3
    4. GIS Specialist Trainee (Title requires CSC approval before posting)
  2. Matching pay scales to similar IT titles
    1. GIS titles are, for the most part, a range lower than equivalent IT titles.
  3. Pros/Cons of making the series Competitive versus the current Non-Competitive status
  4. Splitting the series into something completely different to give more flexibility to managers and room for growth for staff. Some examples:
    1. Perhaps have two GIS title series instead of one, say GIS Technician 1,2,3 and GIS Analyst 1,2,3 (just an example).
    2. Make GIS Specialist 1 a non-supervisory title and create a new GIS Supervisor title (another example).

Chair: Scott Costello

Executive Committee Liaison: Scott Costello

 

Geodetic Task Force

Mission: To get a comprehensive understanding of the National Spatial Reference System 2022 being put forth by the National Geodetic Survey and potential impacts and plan to implement statewide.

Goals:

  • Research and provide guidance on Transformation tools between datums and State Plane systems.
  • Produce Best Practice and Standards documents for data and metadata, including model RFP language.
  • Collect and produce educational materials for the Geospatial Community. Plan publicity campaign for professional groups and decision makers.
  • The New Jersey Society of Professional Land Surveyors (NJSPLS) will facilitate necessary legislation changes. The task force will communicate these changes, keeping the forum membership informed.

Chair: Stephen Eckhardt

Executive Committee Liaison: David Avery

 

Next Generation 911 Task Force

Mission: This is a working group of County, Municipal and State GIS staff and 911 officials along with contracted consultants, working to support the GIS data needs for the migration and long-term support of every NJ County from e911 to Next Generation 911.

Goals:

  • Prepare the necessary GIS data required by each County to migrate from e911 to Next Generation 911.
  • Design new workflows for each County to maintain the relevant GIS data now and in perpetuity.

Background:

  • This is a working group following the existing work plan for NJ’s Next Generation 911 statewide rollout.
  • Once both Goals have been met, the Task Force may be disbanded.
  • This task force is open only to relevant staff from Counties and Municipalities (GIS and 911), the State Office of GIS and contracted consultants. These individuals will be invited directly via email to join the Task Force. Not open to the General Membership.

Chair: Pat McDonald

Executive Committee Liaison: Brian Embley