Darby DeBruhl

GIS Analyst

About

Darby DeBruhl — GIS Analyst, Database Manager, and Cartographer

Age: 26
Education: B.A. in Geography and History

Email: debruhld@gmail.com
Website: https://debruhld.com

Hi! I'm Darby. I'm a GIS Analyst from the humid southeast. Currently, I work for the South Carolina Geological Survey, where I manage geodatabases, create geologic maps, and handle all things GIS. I am currently in the process of relocating to Southern California to be closer to family.

My professional experience has allowed me to dip my toes into a wide range of GIS technologies. On a daily basis, I employ some combination of ArcGIS Pro, ArcGIS Online, Python, R, Javascript, and dozens of other tools to support non-GIS staff and further the goals of the agency in addressing environmental problems. As SCGS's primary representative for the U.S. Geological Survey's Geologic Map Schema program, of which SCGS is a renowned contributor, I also have extensive experience in collaborating across agencies.

More than anything, I love to learn — teaching myself something new and putting together a creative solution is the best feeling in the world! I also have a strong sense of visual design, often finding myself particularly drawn to the artistic elements of cartography that commonly go overlooked.

This is my personal portfolio website, which offers a copy of my resume and a brief sampler of my work. If you're interested in having a deeper conversation about anything presented here, don't hesitate to reach out!

Resume

A one-page PDF version of my resume is available here! Feel free to download a copy for your records.

Summary

Darby DeBruhl

Creative and detail-oriented GIS Analyst with 5 years of experience working with geospatial data. Extensive experience with:

Esri’s ArcGIS software ecosystem, including ArcGIS Pro, ArcMap, ArcGIS Online, Field Maps, Instant Apps, ArcGIS Hub, StoryMaps, etc.
QGIS
Python
Javascript
HTML & CSS
Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop

Education

Bachelor of Arts in Geography and History

2017 - 2021

University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC

Dual major with a concentration in GIS. Relevant coursework:

Advanced GIS
WebGIS
GIS-Based Modeling
Spatial Programming
Interpretation of Aerial Photographs
Principles of Remote Sensing

Professional Experience

GIS Analyst, Database Manager, and Cartographer

2021 - Present

South Carolina Geological Survey — Columbia, SC

Produces and manages spatial databases, metadata, and other ancillary documentation for geologic maps of South Carolina.
Uses cartographic principles and GIS techniques to prepare geologic maps and data for publication alongside cartographer.
Sets up GIS projects for and provides technical assistance to geologists and other non-GIS staff.
Evaluates maps and data produced by others for cartographic quality and technical accuracy per SCGS Mapping standards.
Primary representative for SCGS in the USGS’s Geologic Map Schema (GeMS) program; responsible for:
- Creating and maintaining the ArcGIS Pro style implementation of the FGDC Digital Cartographic Standard for Geologic Map Symbolization (5,000+ individual symbols).
- Representing SCGS in GeMS-related decision making and schema design alongside USGS and other state surveys.
- Ensuring GeMS-compliancy for all SCGS’s federally funded mapping.
- Writing concise workflows and tutorials for newcomers to the GeMS schema, both within SCGS and nationwide.
Devises enhancements for field workflows involving ArcGIS Survey123 and ArcGIS Field Maps in both Piedmont and Coastal Plain mapping environments.
Employs Python in miscellaneous geological applications; examples include the development and maintenance of SCGS’s Earthquake Database, custom geoprocessing tools, automation of GIS-related tasks, etc.
Responsible for distribution of GIS data to the public.
Responsible for managing and assigning tasks to rotating teams of GIS student interns.

North Inlet-Winyah Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve

January - April 2021

Baruch Institute for Marine & Coastal Sciences | 2306 Crab Hall Rd, Georgetown, SC 29440

Served as an intern in the only designated GIS position at the Reserve.
Responsible for gathering, managing, processing, and vectorizing historic aerial photos and T-sheets of the Winyah Bay area to map shoreline change for conservation purposes.
Independently developed a small tool using arcpy to make the process of vectorizing large raster datasets faster and more efficient. Further details are available upon request.
Used USGS’s Digital Shoreline Analysis System (DSAS) to perform basic shoreline change analysis.

Gills Creek Watershed Association

August - December 2020

712 Main St EWS 603, Columbia, SC 29208

Served as a GIS student intern in a collaborative team with four other students.
Responsible for gathering and mapping demographic data in ArcMap. Using this data, basic statistics were computed to answer questions pertaining to environmental justice within the Gills Creek watershed.
Final deliverables available for review upon request.

Portfolio

Some samples of my work can be found below. This includes cartography, public-facing apps, tool development, and more -- but I'm always open to trying new things!