Author Archives: socalgovgis - Michael Carson

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About socalgovgis - Michael Carson

Michael Carson, GIS Manager (retired) for the City of Burbank and President of Southern California Government GIS User Group. Currently teaching GIS at College of the Canyons in Santa Clarita.

CalGIS Conference

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The CalGIS Conference offers valuable content specific to the California Geospatial Community, allowing attendees to engage in hands-on mini-workshops and user experiences to collaborate to support their geospatial organization at a state level. Connect with professionals from various sectors to share insights, best practices, and innovations. Learn about critical updates and solutions that enhance location-based services and improve public safety efforts through more efficient and accurate geographic data management. 

Attending CalGIS 2025 is a strategic investment in professional development, networking, and contributing to the future of geospatial technology. Whether you’re a seasoned professional or a newcomer to the field, the conference offers a rich and rewarding experience for all attendees. The CalGIS community is welcoming and passionate about everything geospatial! Don’t miss the opportunity to connect, learn, and explore the possibilities!

For more info and to register, click below!

New Fire Hazard Severity Zones Maps

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Cal Fire has released new Fire Hazard Severity Zone Maps. The maps for most of Southern California, as well as a large portion of rural eastern California, including Inyo and Mono counties, were released today as part of Cal Fire’s Phase 4 of Local Responsibility Area data. The first three phases encompassed the rest of the state, including Ventura County in Phase 3. Click below to check it out.

Some of you might not be happy since your property might have been moved into the high risk areas which might make your insurance go up … or be dropped! Visit the comparison viewer here.

GIS Analyst Position @ Carlsbad

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The City of Carlsbad has an opening for a GIS Analyst. The primary purpose of the GIS Analyst position is to be the lead resource for the application of GIS technology to all city uses.  The GIS Analyst sets up and manages complex projects involving GIS staff, city client staff, and IT resources, and produces advanced data products for all city clients.   

The ideal candidate will have at least three years of experience in a GIS-centric role and possess the following qualities:

  1. Customer-focused, providing excellent service and addressing user needs with professionalism.
  2. Skilled in managing project timelines, identifying roadblocks, and communicating challenges effectively.
  3. A curious learner who proactively approaches challenges with a problem-solving mindset, demonstrating adaptability.
  4. Capable of working independently while also thriving in a collaborative team environment.
  5. Experienced in creating and maintaining web applications using GIS technologies.

Click here for more info and to apply.

GIS Internship @ WRD

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The Water Replenishment District of Southern California (WRD) is seeking a paid, part-time GIS intern to join the Data and Technology Services Department.

Must be currently enrolled in junior or senior year of an undergraduate program at an accredited college or university, or a recent college graduate with a degree in geography or a closely related field.

For more info and to apply, click here.

Another LA County Fire App

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Check out this fire app built with ArcGIS Online, Experience Builder, and publicly available data.

It combines CAL FIRE’s Damage Inspection (DINS) layers, Maxar imagery from NOAA & OpenAerialMap, dynamic charts that summarize DINS totals, historic structures in the Palisades area from Historic Places LA, and a link in the damage points pop-up to pre-fire Google Street View imagery.

More from the builder of the app here.

Los Angeles County Fires

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Check out this 3D map of the fires in LA County by CAL FIRE. You can click on one of the fires listed at the bottom of the map to zoom to it. Fire perimeters, evacuation area status, wind speeds, camera locations, and live tracking of fire fighting aircraft are shown as well.

An alternate 3D Incident Map (Beta) by CAL FIRE can be viewed here: https://www.fire.ca.gov/incidents.html .

History of Cartography @ UCLA

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I will be teaching a California Rare Book School (CalRBS) course on the History of Cartography August 11th to the 15th at UCLA. 
https://www.calrbs.org/history-of-cartography-2025/

This course is designed to provide a general overview of the history of mapping in the western world as well as the use of cartographic resources in modern day teaching and research. 

Topics will include an introduction to maps (projections, scale, visualization of information), the history of map printing; the evolution of European mapping; the role of maps as cultural and social objects; the wide variety and type of maps produced; reference materials and cartobibliographies, and the role of museums and libraries as stewards of the content. 

Course participants will interact with physical examples from archives and special collections, as well as examine maps in the larger historical context through a class visit to a highly regarded cultural institution. This class will also explore and critically examine digital cartographic repositories from around the world and the role they can play in education and research.

This course provides credit for the following certificates: 

  • a History of the Book course for Certificate in Rare Books and Manuscripts, or
  • 1 of 2 elective credit courses for Certificate in Rare Books and Manuscripts, or
  • a History of the Book course for Certificate in Librarianship, Activism, and Justice
  • 1 of 2 elective credit courses for Certificate in Librarianship, Activism, and Justice

Please do join me for all the mappy fun! 

Ian Fowler
Curator of Maps, History, and Government Information
New York Public Library

GIS Day @ Ventura College

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Come and celebrate GIS Day at Ventura College on Friday 11/22/2024 from 8am to 2:30pm. It will be their 25th year!

Free registration includes: Geospatial Technology Presentations, Industry and Organization Representatives, Posters/Story Maps/Apps, Coffee/Pastries/Lunch.

Featured Speakers
Keynote: Jinna Larkin, County of Santa Barbara GIS Supervisor
Mapping Meaningful Connections – A Santa Barbara Story

Paul Jenkin, Ventura Campaign Coordinator, Surfrider Foundation
Matilija Dam Removal: Sediment transport and downstream implications

Christian Harder, Writer/Editor/Senior Content Strategist, Esri
The Making of The Power of Where, Jack Dangermond’s first book

Register here.