Answer

Note: Your responses may be shared with the project hiring committee. Please provide as much detail as possible (using examples) to describe your skills in the areas below.

1. Tell us about your demonstrated training and/or experience in geospatial data compilation.

            While applying for this position, I recognize that compiling geographic information is one amongst the most expensive and the one that consumes time the most in the process of developing a Geographic Information system (GIS). For this reason, I undertook a thorough training in the process of collecting and maintaining timely geographic information. I was particularly trained in the process of acquiring, organizing, storing, and visualizing data in the same sense. In my six years-experience working with GIS and environmental science data, I came to understand that updating such data is very eminent in ensuring the current information is not only up to date but is also true – as it relates to the information on the ground. What is more, I have learnt that it is also very important to keep the tools for data compilation as streamlined and as productive as possible, a process to which I have come to be an expert in.

            I have managed to work with many data compilation tools but I am very proficient in ArcGIS, since I trained and worked with this very same tool. However, since September of 2019, I have been working with QGIS to process GUPS address data while working as a cartographic specialist for the United States Census Bureau (NPS). What is more, when working as a graduate research assistant for the Southern Illinois University, I managed to work on a grant for mapping permafrost for military installations in Alaska. Here, I have also done data fusion of optical images with GIS data. Additionally, I have experience in using many sources and forms of geospatial data that can be used in GIS. Even more so, I have dealt with several types of data in GIS projects, including alpha-numeric strings, Boolean values, dates, binaries, as well as short and long integers. For this reason, I can not only measure and collect data, but I can also organize and compile a wide variety of data saved in the most common of files – even though I am well accrued with the SHP file format. Nonetheless, my experience and expertise in data compilation is not only exceptional but is also useful in this project.

2. Tell us about your experience with Python or R.

I am technically skilled in both Python and R programming language but I am better skilled with Python than with R. This is because, apart from being a simple language, it is intuitively designed to have an easy to work with structure and syntax. What is more, the codes written in python are the easiest for any human to read – even those with no programming experience. They can also be written in the shortest time possible, making Python the best programming language in the time-consuming projects of GIS. Furthermore, my choice was reinforced with the wide acceptance of the same language in the job market. Large companies – such as ESRI – have embraced Python as their basic and common language (van Rees, 2014).

            In my experience while working with Python, I have come to develop a good foundation in using commercial python scripts as well as in using certain native python tools. What is more, I have ensured that I am at speed with all-in-one platforms such as GeoPandas, which I can extensively work with – even with the latest version 0.2. Nonetheless, I have the basic knowledge of working with other python GIS libraries including Fiona and PyProj. Furthermore, I have an extensive knowhow on the use of ArcPy to manipulate ArcGIS – for which I have a good knowledge base. What I like most about using Python to manipulate ArcGIS is the fact that it reduces redundant behavior, apart from it being so easy to learn and understand.

3. Tell us about your experience working with ArcGis.

Working with ArcGIS has been one of the easiest and the most fulfilling part of my GIS project practices. This is majorly because, as I believe it, ArcGIS provides a wide variety and full range of GIS capabilities. What is more, this tool allows one to add powerful functionality and intelligence (Gonzalez-Longatt and Torres, 2018). I love working with ArcGIS also because it has the capabilities of working online to collaborate with the content management system for maps, data, apps, as well as other geographic content. With the online version, I have been able to create web maps, share data, enable the data to be accessed and viewed online, and also found other useful data and configurable GIS resources. This largely indicates that my experience working with ArcGIS has been exceptionally well, as I gain further knowledge into how to effectively use the toolset in handling and compiling a wide variety of data that it supports.

            I am well versed and skilled in ESRI ArcGIS Pro, ESRI ArcGIS, ArcMap, ESRI ArcCatalog, and ArcScene. I have also had the pleasure of working with both ArcGIS Enterprise and QuickCapture, while harmonizing both their capabilities into one discrete functionality. I have the basic knowhow of creating and managing a portal for ArcGIS, in which I can store and reference QuickCapture projects that include web maps and mobile app packages. What is more, I possess good knowledge of creating and editing GIS data that include attributed data using special methodologies like coordinate geometry, heas-up digitizing, and conversion of other data sources. In the same regard, I have been able to connect to top secured content and services on ArcGIS online that is helpful in any project. Despite my vast knowledge and experience in working with ArcGIS, I still have the willingness and the urge to learn more through discovery of content and services that are available on the ArcGIS server. Through this, I am certain my knowledge in the same field would increase, enabling me to be efficient in various aspects of compilation of data.

4. Tell us about your working knowledge of or willingness to learn and use version control (e.g., Git, GitHub, Bitbucket, etc.).

As much as I work passionately in most of my GIS projects; and as I seek to keep data as updated as possible, I have come to understand and appreciate the need of keeping previous versions of data. For this reason, I understand and appraise the use of version control in keeping previous versions of data. This is because, as it happens to many individuals, one could have the need to revert a project to a previous state, compare changes over time, or even seek to modify a previous version for problems in the present version. However, I have not quite the extensive knowledge in working with these version control systems like I have in working with ArcGIS. Nonetheless, I understand all the version control systems; including local, centralized, and distributed version control systems. However, I have some knowledge on how to use Git version control system. More like the programming language I picked, I also did research on what version control system is best. In that regard, I discovered that Git is one of the best performing platforms with various options.

            Since I have very basic knowledge on how to use Git, I would be open for any sort of learning that can help me be proficient in the same. Since I understand the need for learning and using version control systems, I would pretty much be open to learn almost every version available. Nonetheless, I would prefer working with Grit since it is flexible, more secure, and provides the best performance (Somasundaram, 2013). I appreciate this since I have once had an experience where I needed to confirm the previous version of the project in order to understand the source of error that I was getting. I had a hard time compiling the code and looking for the error, which I could have identified by simply reverting the new version to the old one. For this reason, I am more than willing to learn and use version control.

5. What would you like us to know about you that makes you the best candidate for this role at EPA?

Apart from my vast knowledge in working with various data compilation tools and my experience with ArcGIS, I have the unique aspect of having passion in what I do. I am very visionary and never fail to finish what I have started. What is more, I always like to do every type of research and comparing results of my research with any other existing research. For this reason, I am able to ensure that the available resources are effectively used to do the best possible work in any project. Even more so, I can effectively communicate with my peers and colleagues when working – making me one of the best candidates for this work that requires working with a team. For this reason, I will not only be able to share information with my team, but also with the agency as well as other federal, state, and local agencies. I have also held leadership positions in the institutions I have been enrolled in, through which I have achieved experienced as I have also managed to spearhead several projects in the same field. Lastly, I also share in the vision and the policies of the Environmental Protection Agency. All in all, my talent, passion, knowledge, and drive make me one of the best candidates for this position at EPA. I will be glad to work alongside such incredible minds. Hope to hear from you soon.