OCIO Geospatial Program & Open Geospatial Data
The Office of the Chief Information Officer (OCIO) in Washington State works to mediate data and technology for a more efficient, transparent local government. Working with a myriad of statewide departments to facilitate the usability of statewide open data portals, the OCIO has a broad scope. Within its purview, the Geospatial Program Office works with institutional stakeholders to set standards for metadata and sharing policies, exhibiting as both an advocate and facilitator for Open Data. Currently, the OCIO is pushing for more effective geospatial data sharing to reduce barriers to access and use amongst local government and citizen stakeholders.
My role within the Geospatial Program Office is to evaluate and consolidate Washington State’s three main geoportals into one. Multiple authoritative portals are expensive, inefficient, and confusing for new users. Transitioning requires indexing geospatial and non-geospatial data from disparate portals, tracking departmental provenance, and constructing a sustainable portal that can be easily utilized by stakeholders with varying abilities. To that end, I am reviewing literature on current geoportal best practices and drafting a eight-week plan for completion. The new, singular geoportal should be up and running by the end of the summer.
Washington Master Addressing Service (WAMAS) is another key component of the broader goal of improving open geospatial data access. The state has had some difficulty with maintaining an authoritative list of addresses within the state, so the OCIO is pushing for tribal, municipal and county authorities to contribute to a statewide list. This program is managed by the Department of Revenue, which uses the data to ensure property and sales taxes are accurately distributed. In my capacity as an intern, I will refresh WAMAS’ training materials and website. The list will become more robust as more agencies are empowered to contribute, increasing its value as a public good.
Things have moved quickly the past few weeks as I familiarize myself with OCIO protocols, WAMAS’ infrastructure, and take deep dives into the geospatial information offerings of not only Washington State, but the nation. In the coming month, I will harness my research into a sustainable plan for Washington’s open geoportal and begin implementation.
