Member Spotlight: Jaishankar Jayaraman

Jai Jayaraman's professional foundation is in geospatial technology. A Masters graduate in Remote Sensing and GIS, he entered the industry in the early 2000s as an Esri and ArcFM technical practitioner. Since then, he has contributed to enterprise GIS deployments across Local Government, Transportation, and Utilities. His project experience is global (India, Japan, the Middle East, and the United States). Early technical work included Esri/ArcFM implementations for facility and utility asset operations, large-scale Gas GIS deployments, and mapping architecture for a widely adopted Intelligent Transportation [...]

Sustaining Member Spotlight: UC Santa Barbara Geography’s Center for Spatial Science

The Center for Spatial Science is housed within the Department of Geography at UC Santa Barbara and has the mission to collaboratively design, implement, and disseminate advanced spatial science for a better world. Design: We pioneer interdisciplinary research at the intersection of spatial data science, developing next-generation methods and convening global experts to set the research agenda.Implement: We deploy spatially-informed AI and community-embedded research to tackle the world’s most pressing environmental and societal challenges.Disseminate: We champion future-ready GIScience education, [...]

GIS Specialist Position at Karuk Department of Natural Resources

We are pleased to announce a new job opportunity within the GIS Division of the Karuk Department of Natural Resources.This position offers a unique chance to contribute to meaningful work within the Karuk Aboriginal Territory, located in the scenic Klamath mountains and along the Klamath and Salmon rivers. The successful candidate will play a vital role in supporting DNR Programs, project partners, and other Tribal departments by collecting, managing, analyzing, and mapping crucial spatial data. This work directly serves Tribal and Departmental objectives and values.The role involves developing, [...]

City of West Hollywood is hiring for a GIS Solutions Engineer!

Los Angeles, California, United StatesSalary: $134,886.60 - $172,357.32 AnnuallyLocation: West Hollywood City Hall - 8300 Santa Monica Blvd, West Hollywood, CAJob Type: Full-time Regular StatusRemote Employment: Flexible/HybridJob Number: 26-50221-02Department: Finance & TechnologyDivision: FIN - Information TechnologyOpening Date: 07/14/2026JOB SUMMARYThis recruitment is open on a continuous basis and may close without prior notice once a sufficient number of qualified applications have been received. Priority will be given to applicants who apply by August 4, 2026.Why WeHoThe is like [...]

Community Forum: Overture Maps-video, slides, notes

The CGIA Community Forum presentation on Overture Maps happened on July 7, 2026. As promised, the slides, notes, and recording are now available.Link to the slides: Link to the notes: The video is posted on our YouTube channel. https://youtu.be/n_pBhpczIoo?si=XMxFMnNf-_GpKKYHThe CGIA Community Forum has long been focused on the status of California's Spatial Data Infrastructure. For this Forum, we invited you to learn about Overture Maps and the Overture Maps Foundation, which, according their website, is "A platform for bringing together tech companies, mapping organizations, government agencies, [...]

Member Spotlight: Jane Schafer-Kramer

Jane Schafer-Kramer is a Geographic Data Specialist with the California Department of Water Resources, where she leads the national hydrography data stewardship program. Her journey into GIS wasn’t exactly linear—she began her career at DWR in a clerical role and, driven by curiosity and determination, took night classes at American River College to learn GIS. In midlife she pivoted from a role as an Executive Secretary to a Research Data Analyst, processing geospatial data for the hydrologic engineers. Jane is an active member of the geospatial community. She’s been involved with the Geospatial Professional Network (formerly URISA), served on CalGIS planning committees, and […]

Sustaining Member Spotlight: Shasta College GIS

Shasta College's GIS Program is the state’s longest running community college program north of Sacramento. The foundation courses were developed to support the retraining of laid off timber workers in the mid-1990s. By the end of the decade the addition of several courses allowed for the creation of a GIS Certificate, which has been continuously offered for almost 30 years. Over the years, of course, there have been many changes. The program transitioned from ArcView to ArcMap and later to ArcGIS Pro, ArcGIS Online, Field Maps and peripheral apps. The GIS Program has always worked closely with government, industry and […]

CGIA Awards Winners 2025

Thank you to everyone who joined CGIA at our annual Awards celebration at the Esri User Conference last week! It was a pleasure to spend time with so many members and friends. We collected on Tuesday evening at Revel Revel with an evening of snacks, drinks, awards, and networking, with thanks to ParcelQuest for their additional sponsorship. This year, we presented awards to four lucky winners: Next year is a long way off, but we'll look forward to seeing everybody again! We've shared some pictures from the event below.

New CGIA Publication – Cautions to Geospatial Professionals

CGIA is proud to announce the publication of a document to help protect the California geospatial community, Cautions to Geospatial Professionals, in context of California statutes defining the Practice of Surveying.

This document provides carefully researched guidance and insight for geospatial professionals navigating the complex landscape of California statutes defining the practice of surveying.

Introducing the CGIA Shop

Have you been at an event recently where you bumped into CGIA board members wearing beautiful CGIA t-shirts? There's a picture below of our outgoing and incoming Chairs, Roland and Tracy, sporting them at the Los Angeles Geospatial Summit a few months back. They're a bargain, made with thick cotton, and starting at just $15 including shipping. As you can see, they're currently available in blue or green. Black (not shown) is also an option. Do you want your own? Of course you do! We're hoping to be able to offer them on sale at future in-person events, but for […]

CGIA on Film

We recently showcased the CGIA YouTube channel, but have you seen our wonderful video showcasing the good work done by CGIA? Maybe you saw it on the front page of our website already? It should give you a bit of a feel for what CGIA does and why you might want to consider joining as a member or contributing to the work that we do. Here's a longer version, if you have a minute or so more to spend: https://youtu.be/9eFF5WTfyTg.

About CGIA

California Geographic Information Association (CGIA) is a non-profit, statewide association formed in 1994 to facilitate coordination, collaboration, and advocacy for California’s Geographic Information System (GIS) community. CGIA promotes the creation and maintenance of the best practices in the governance and application of geographic information within the State of California that can become a model for the nation.

Learn more…

Member Spotlight: Jaishankar Jayaraman

Jai Jayaraman’s professional foundation is in geospatial technology. A Masters graduate in Remote Sensing and GIS, he entered the industry…

October 2, 2026

Sustaining Member Spotlight: UC Santa Barbara Geography’s Center for Spatial Science

The Center for Spatial Science is housed within the Department of Geography at UC Santa Barbara and has the mission…

September 30, 2026

GIS Specialist Position at Karuk Department of Natural Resources

We are pleased to announce a new job opportunity within the GIS Division of the Karuk Department of Natural Resources.…

August 1, 2026

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Sustaining Members

Initiatives

Spatial Data Infrastructure Map

CGIA has launched an initiative to provide California with a comprehensive picture of our state's Spatial Data Infrastructure

CGIA Awards

CGIA recognizes outstanding achievements in various aspects of geospatial technologies within California through its annual awards program, commemorating excellence in Geographic Information across the Golden State.

Events

CGIA hosts webinars, brown bag lunch series and general membership meetings.

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California GIS Contact Map

View a map of GIS contacts throughout California. Perfect for networking!

Become a CGIA Member

We are GIS professionals, students, educators and nonprofits. Join CGIA and gain access to job updates, networking events, annual awards programs, discounted conference registrations and more. As a CGIA member you have the opportunity to participate in the shaping of GIS industry standards, best practices and legislation affecting California and the nation.