GeoSystems Monitor v4.3 Release is Now Available

VESTRA Resources, Inc. has a new version of the GeoSystems Monitor, v4.3, now available for download. This is the final upgrade for the GeoSystems Monitor.

Changes at v4.3 Include:

• Upgraded compiled Python scripts (v3.11.6) for the checks/points.   

• Checks/points retired (list of retired checks/points)

Contact us for more information.

GeoSystems Monitor v4.2.1 Release is Now Available

VESTRA Resources, Inc. has a new version of the GeoSystems Monitor, v4.2.1, now available for download.

CHANGES AT V4.2.1 INCLUDE:

• Python upgrade from v2.7.9 to v3.11.6 (64-bit) 

• This upgrade is for the installed version of Python (GeoSystems Monitor checks/points will be upgraded in the next release)

• Custom checks/points must be upgraded to Python 3.x in order to run 

• If needed, contact VESTRA for assistance. 

• Node.js upgrade from v16.x to v18.19

• Notifications for checks/points to be retired in the next release (list of retiring checks/points and notification examples)

• ODBC – DSN changes are automatically upgraded from 32-bit to 64-bit if using Microsoft SQL for Usage Databases

Contact us for more information.

Job Opening - Regulatory Geologist/Hydrologist

VESTRA Resources is seeking candidates for a Regulatory Geologist/Hydrologist with 5 or more years related experience. This person will support and/or manage projects associated with various public and private sector clients. Projects include a mix of office and fieldwork responsibilities. Work includes statistical analysis, regulation interface, regulatory application and analysis, drilling oversight, logging soil borings, installing wells/piezometers, report preparation, sampling various media (groundwater, soil, surface water, etc.), documenting activities onsite, and directing subcontractors.

Qualifications include:

• BS/MS in Hydrology, Geology, Hydrogeology or related field, required.

• Five (5) or more years related experience and ability to obtain Professional Geologist license within one (1) year is required.

• Professional license in California or Geologist in Training Certification, preferred.

• Any combination of equivalent education and experience will be considered.

• Knowledge and experience in California regulations associated with investigation, water quality, remediation, and solid waste.

• Experience in environmental consulting and/or ability to handle multiple projects simultaneously.

• Project management experience.

• Good communication skills - both verbal and written.

• Self-motivated, strong initiative and work ethic, ability to work independently.

• Ability to lift and move approximately 75 lbs., work in the field, operate a boat and ATV, and operate and calibrate field measurement equipment.

VESTRA has a reputation for developing innovative and cost-effective solutions to address the environmental and engineering needs of our clients. For this reason, the ability to think creatively and follow through on ideas is essential.

VESTRA is located in Northern California, an area ideal for the outdoor enthusiast. The surrounding area offers year-round recreational activities such as boating, skiing, hiking, bicycling, hunting, and fishing. Our community offers excellent schools, affordable housing, and access to cultural events.

VESTRA is an equal-opportunity employer and makes employment decisions on the basis of merit. VESTRA intends to employ the best available persons in every position. VESTRA is committed to compliance with all applicable laws providing equal employment opportunities. This commitment applies to all persons involved in Company operations.

VESTRA offers competitive pay and benefits (medical, dental, vision, life, LTD), 401k match, paid holidays, vacation, and sick leave, and opportunities for training and professional growth. The salary for this position is $60,000-$100,000 and will be assigned based on the level of experience applicable to the position. Qualified candidates please send letter of interest, resume, and transcripts to jobs@vestra.com; or by mail to VESTRA Resources, Inc., Attn: Human Resources, 5300 Aviation Drive, Redding, CA 96002.

For information on Shasta County, including economic information, visit the Shasta Economic Development Corporation website.

For more information about working at VESTRA, visit our Careers page.

GeoSystems Monitor v4.2.0 Release is Now Available

VESTRA Resources, Inc. has a new version of the GeoSystems Monitor, v4.2.0, now available for download.

ENHANCEMENTS, IMPROVEMENTS/FIXES, AND SECURITY UPDATES AT V4.2.0:

• Ability to access administrator's user content when adding content in Portal/ArcGIS Online

• Webmap layer group support for up to one level deep

• Node.js upgrade from 12.x to 16.x

• Security audit and upgrade of project dependencies

• New SSL certificate expiration date check

• Batch Editor fixes

• UI enhancements / fixes

• External email support for email notifications

• Updated error logging for backend/frontend UI

• Updated Postgres Library to accommodate latest Postgres versions

• Enhanced WMI checks

• Linux server (WMI equivalent) checks available upon request

• Easy open http link added to both alert and summary email for GeoSystems Monitor dashboard access

CLIENT IDEAS IMPLEMENTED IN V4.2.0:

• Reporting section enhancement

  • Ability to export reports to CSV added

• Autopopulate enhancement

  • Unselect all option added

Contact us for more information or to request a demo.

Esri Selects VESTRA as a Featured Partner for Q1 2022 in ArcGIS® Marketplace

VESTRA is excited and honored to announce that we have been selected as a Featured Partner on Esri’s ArcGIS® Marketplace Overview Page for the First Quarter of 2022 for National Government. We are honored to be selected by Esri for this exclusive opportunity as only 16 partners are featured each quarter.

Since 1988, VESTRA Resources, Inc. has been an industry leader in Enterprise GIS design, customization, and implementation. VESTRA was one of the first Esri authorized business partners in California, and has been a trusted Gold Business Partner since 1989. Over the years we have been honored with and have maintained the following Esri designations: ArcGIS® Online Specialty Partner, State and Local Government Specialty Partner, Federal Small Business Specialty Partner, and ArcGIS® Systems Ready Specialty Partner.

We specialize in consulting with industries such as State, Local and Federal Government; Healthcare; Agriculture; Natural Resources, Transportation, and more. We are a full-service GIS firm with staff ready to assist you with your GIS needs. Below are our core competencies -

• Enterprise GIS Design, Implementation, Support

• ArcGIS® Enterprise Health Checks and Upgrades

• GIS Application Development (Desktop, Web, and Mobile)

• GIS Strategic Plans and Needs Assessments

• GIS Data Management and Modeling

• Geodatabase Design and Development

• ArcGIS® Online for Organizations

• Portal for ArcGIS® Implementations

• ArcGIS® for Local Governments

• Local Government Information Model (LGIM)

• Mobile Development and Field Data Collections

• GIS Solutions Architecture and Workflow Design

• GIS Analysis

• Web Application Mashups

• CAD to GIS Data Migration and Conversion

• Parcel Fabric Implementations and Health Checks

• Parcel Editing

• 3D Visualization and Modeling

• GIS Training and Support

We've also developed the GeoSystems Monitor – the best real-time Enterprise GIS monitoring system, as well as several enhanced Web AppBuilder widgets that help improve Local Government workflows.

Contact us today to discuss your GIS needs!

VESTRA's October 2021 Event Schedule

VESTRA will be represented at the following October 2021 events -

1. 63rd Annual Washington Association of County Officials (WACO) Conference, October 5-7 in Tacoma, Washington

   Ryan Goodner-Belli, Senior GIS Analyst / Project Manager will be presenting Tuesday, October 5th at 1:00 p.m. on the topic of Modern Property GIS

2. 119th Annual California Assessors’ Association and CAA Information Technology Affiliate Meeting, October 25-28 at the Holiday Inn Downtown Sacramento, California

   Ryan Goodner-Belli, Senior GIS Analyst / Project Manager will be in Booth #13. Stop by and talk to Ryan about how VESTRA can help you with your GIS.

If you can’t make it to these events, please feel free to contact us. Our GIS experts would be happy to discuss what GIS solutions would be most suitable for your GIS needs.

Esri Designates VESTRA as a State and Local Government Specialty Partner

Its official, VESTRA has been designated as an Esri State and Local Government Specialty Partner! VESTRA has gained this recognition based on our expertise in implementing and delivering GIS services to State and Local Government clients.

See our government projects page for a small sample of projects we have assisted state and local governments with.

Do you have a GIS project you need help with? Call us at (530) 223-2585 or email us today, we’d be happy to help!

VESTRA's 2020 4-H and FFA Program Support

Despite the challenges and obstacles that 2020 has presented, VESTRA was happy to still be able to support our local 4-H and FFA members at the Glenn, Intermountain, Shasta, and Tehama fairs.  VESTRA Staff also spent a significant amount of time and effort working with the Shasta County Public Health Department and Board of Supervisors to help the Shasta District Fair have a safe and successful live Jr. Livestock Auction.

We hope that agricultural minded youth and young adults are not discouraged by the circumstances of this year.  We know that not being able to have regular livestock shows and in person sales for many of these fairs may have felt that your hard work was not able to be appreciated or recognized, but it was!  In time things will get back to normal, and we hope that youth and young adults will continue to join these programs. Our Company speaks to a number of high school seniors each year for our local scholarship program, and we often find that those individuals that participated in 4-H and FFA programs have stronger leadership and communication skills.

We want to personally thank all of the other individuals and businesses that were also able to help support and recognize these individuals’ hard work and dedication to their projects.

We hope for a brighter 2021, and that we will see many of you 4-H and FFA members at our office come fair season.

Testimonial from City of Los Altos, CA

GeoSystems Monitor v4.1.1 Release is Now Available

VESTRA Resources, Inc. has a new version of the GeoSystems Monitor,  v4.1.1, now available for download. 

DESIGN       

• UI style and design updated using Bootstrap 3

• In JavaScript (deprecates Silverlight)

• Works in all modern browsers (Edge, IE 11+, Firefox, Chrome)

NEW FEATURES

GSM 4.1.1

• GSM Uptime Report enhancements

• Ability to create containers from ArcGIS Online and Portal folders and groups

• Node.js upgrade from 8.x to 12.x

• Moved Node.js to self-contained to install, with option to remove (if needed)

• Security audit and upgrade of projects dependencies

• Added improved iisnode error logging

Client ideas implemented in v.4.1.1:

• GSM Uptime Report - Added feature to save slow and up threshold values

• GSM Uptime Report - Added data descriptions page

Contact us for more information or to request a demo.

To stay up to date on the latest GeoSystems Monitor and VESTRA news, like us on Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter.

Case Study: City of Gonzales Empowers Public Works with ArcGIS Online Solutions for Local Government

Pic Credit: rwjf.org

Challenge

The City of Gonzales (Monterey County, CA) was relying on paper maps for tracking locations of utility assets in their Storm, Water and Sewer networks. This method was time consuming and inefficient for locating assets and planning maintenance operations. The City had digital CAD drawings of their networks but these were usable only in the office and were not accessible to field staff. The City wanted a better way to view their utility network information in the office and in the field, and improve their workflows with faster access.

Solution

After consulting with the City and determining their needs, VESTRA began by converting CAD data to GIS and georeferencing the information so it is located with better accuracy on the map. VESTRA then setup the ArcGIS Online organizational account for the City and published the converted CAD as hosted layers within ArcGIS Online. (The City had purchased a Cloud-based Enterprise Agreement from Esri. This gave the City access to unlimited desktop GIS software and the powerful ArcGIS Online platform with over 200 app solutions for local government).

VESTRA then used ready to deploy ArcGIS Solutions for Local Government, included with ArcGIS Online such as Water Distribution System Foundation, Mapping for Small Stormwater Systems, and Sewer Data Management. Each of these solutions include a suite of web, mobile, and desktop apps to support mapping the respective systems with data editing, viewing maps in the field and in the office, viewing reports about asset information, and creating map notes.

Result

The deployment of ArcGIS Online and included web and mobile applications transformed the way the City functions and performs work related to utility network mapping and maintenance. Multiple staff with logins can now access any part of the system, and view asset locations and understand their attributes. Mobile apps such as Collector for ArcGIS allow the City to capture more data in the field than originally available in the CAD drawings, and expand the collection of assets available to City staff.

Patrick Dobbins, Public Works Director said, “ArcGIS Online has proven to be a leap forward in how we operate and allowed us to modernize our workflows. VESTRA has been instrumental in our transformation and we are pleased with their expert knowledge, guidance, and responsiveness throughout the process.” Crystal Dorn, Regional Account Manager at Esri said, “Key partners such as VESTRA are able to fully leverage the advantages provided by Cloud-based Enterprise Agreements and offer a lot of value to clients in a relatively short amount of time.”

The City is now in the process of expanding on their asset inventory by using mobile apps like Collector and capturing data directly from the field and expects to make updated information available to anyone across the organization.

GeoSystems Monitor v4.1.0 Release is Now Available

VESTRA Resources, Inc. has a new version of the GeoSystems Monitor, v4.1.0, now available for download.

DESIGN

• UI style and design updated using Bootstrap 3

• In JavaScript (deprecates Silverlight)

• Works in all modern browsers (Edge, IE 11+, Firefox, Chrome)

NEW FEATURES

• GSM Uptime Report

• Batch Editor enhancements / fixes

• UI enhancements / fixes

• Auto-populate and refresh services easier

• Map service extent picker more flexible

• Connections enhancements

• License Manager charts enhancements

• Easier upgrading

• Clickable Help within UI - look for the question mark (?) icon in the upper right (see example below). Clicking this icon will link you to specific sections in the documentation.

CLIENT IDEAS IMPLEMENTED IN VERSION 4.1.0

• Add baseline for number of licenses purchased in License Manager Chart

• License Manager Chart Counts

• Uptime Report

Contact us for more information or to request a demo.

Job Opening - Professional Land Surveyor

VESTRA Resources, Inc. is seeking candidates for a Professional Land Surveyor licensed in California to join our Environmental, Engineering and Surveying Division. This position will involve working with our surveyor crew, engineers, environmental staff, and project managers on projects of various complexities. This position requires a strong understanding of survey principals and computer-aided design and drafting software. Duties include a mix of office and fieldwork responsibilities.

Responsibilities include:

• Conduct land surveys for determination of boundary lines, retracement of government survey lines, and re-establishment of land survey corners.

• Makes ties to subdivisions, property lines and government land corners.

• Assemble field data, reduces field notes and makes survey calculations.

• Assemble pertinent reference data before field surveys.

• Plot field data, using survey computer programs, construct maps, and prepare reports.

• Establishes control for alignment and benchmarks; makes required line and elevation ties to existing centerlines and U.S.G.S. benchmarks.

• Makes vertical control surveys for aerial surveys; determines elevations for various surfaces.

• Makes topographical surveys and site surveys for the development and/or clean-up of contaminated recreational facilities, and the design of buildings, roads, and bridges.

• Maintains records and prepares reports as necessary.

• Participate in business development, client communications and client satisfaction efforts.

• Analyze and prepare specialized technical studies and investigations and perform difficult research work.

• Coordinate project work teams, scoping sessions, budgeting, client communication and technical advisory sessions.

• Work both independently and with a diverse, multi-disciplinary team

• Interact and communicate with clients to ensure client satisfaction

• Maintain and contribute to positive communications between VESTRA, clients, and local agencies.

• Ability to manage project objectives for deliverables, schedule and budget

Qualifications include:

• B.S. in surveying or related field, or an Associated degree with a survey emphasis

• 6-8 years of related experience; or other equivalent combination of relevant education and work experience.

• Possession of valid Professional Land Surveyor (PLS) License issued by the California Board of Professional Land Surveyors, or ability to obtain license.

• Project Management Experience preferred

• Knowledge of state law regarding the establishments of plats, property lines, and survey monuments.

• Highly proficient in AutoDesk AutoCAD Civil 3D

• Knowledge of AutoCAD, Windows, Internet browsers, MS Office, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook

• Experience with survey equipment including GPS, robotic, and Total Station

• Experience with Trimble R10 GPS and Trimble Total Station a plus

• Ability to read and interpret engineering plans and specifications.

• GIS knowledge and experience a plus

• Requires excellent oral and written communication skills, including abilities to communicate effectively by telephone, face to face, e-mail and in writing.

• Organizational skills

• Self-motivated; strong initiative and work ethic

• Experienced with managing multiple projects, preparing proposals, scope of work and cost estimates

• Ability to organize and manage time, work on own initiative, prioritize between conflicting demands, work at a consistently high level of accuracy and meet deadlines.

• Strong interpersonal skills, experience and ability to work well within a team, create and maintain trust and confidentiality.

• Must be physically and mentally capable of working in a wide range of physical and environmental conditions (e.g. off trail rugged hiking).

• Ability to lift and move approximately 50 lbs., work in the field, operate a boat and ATV, and operate and calibrate field measurement equipment.

About VESTRA:

VESTRA has a reputation for developing innovative and cost-effective solutions to address the engineering and environmental needs of our clients. For this reason, the ability to think creatively and follow through on ideas is essential.

VESTRA is located in Northern California, an area ideal for the outdoor enthusiast. The surrounding area offers year-round recreational activities such as boating, skiing, hiking, bicycling, hunting, and fishing. Our community offers excellent schools, affordable housing, and access to cultural events.

VESTRA is an equal-opportunity employer and makes employment decisions on the basis of merit. VESTRA intends to employ the best available persons in every position. VESTRA is committed to compliance with all applicable laws providing equal employment opportunities. This commitment applies to all persons involved in Company operations.

VESTRA offers competitive pay and benefits (medical, dental, vision, life, LTD), 401k plan, and opportunities for training and personal growth. Qualified candidates please send letter of interest, resume, and references to Human Resources via jobs@vestra.com; or by mail to VESTRA Resources, Inc., Attn: Human Resources, 5300 Aviation Drive, Redding, CA 96002. Visit our website for more information at www.vestra.com.

For more information about working at VESTRA, visit our Careers page.

VESTRA's 2019 4-H and FFA Program Support

VESTRA continues to be an active supporter of 4-H and FFA members throughout the North State. VESTRA highly encourages participation in these programs, and believes these programs help foster leadership skills and a sense of responsibility and dedication that will prove invaluable in future endeavors whether at school, in careers, or in leadership roles. To support these programs, VESTRA purchased market animals from members at local fairs, including the Glenn County Fair, Inter-Mountain Fair, Shasta District Fair, Tehama District Fair, and Trinity County Fair. Overall, VESTRA was able to support 20 members this year, and hopes to be able to keep that support going next year.

We enjoy meeting the many members of these programs as they visit our office each year or reach out to us in letters, and are pleased to see the active participation in the programs and at the fairs.

VESTRA takes pride in the North State communities that we live and work in, and makes it a priority to give back to the communities as best we can. We encourage other individuals and businesses in the area to show support for the surrounding communities as well, in any way that you are able.