City of Orem Public Works – GIS & Infrastructure Support

 What I worked on

I supported both the Streets Division and the Water Reclamation Division by improving infrastructure datasets and building public-facing StoryMaps. My work focused on making operational GIS cleaner internally and clearer externally.

This included asset layer updates, symbology fixes, and structured StoryMaps explaining pavement management and wastewater treatment processes.

The problem

Municipal GIS is often operational first and communicative second.

• Street repair and sewer layers had readability and symbology issues.

• Public-facing infrastructure information lacked structure and narrative flow

• Technical treatment processes needed to be explained in a way residents could understand.

The data was strong, but it wasn’t being communicated clearly.

My approach

I focused on clarity, consistency, and usability.

• Cleaned up line and point symbology for infrastructure layers

• Improved map readability for internal staff use

• Structured StoryMaps to guide users from overview to detailed process

• Translated engineering steps into plain, accessible language

• Ensured maps supported transparency around infrastructure work

I approached each StoryMap like a guided walkthrough rather than just embedding a map on a page.

Key Projects

2025 State of the Streets StoryMap

Developed and populated a StoryMap explaining pavement management practices such as slurry seal treatments, lifecycle extension, and prioritization.

• Integrated interactive maps of treatment locations

• Added structured explanatory text

• Provided context around cost per mile and expected service life

Water Resource Recovery Facility (WRRF) Tour StoryMap

Built a step-by-step digital tour of Orem’s wastewater treatment facility.

• Used aerial imagery and labeled facility components

• Explained secondary clarifiers, UV disinfection, and biosolids processing

• Organized content for clear narrative flow

Infrastructure Layer Improvements

• Symbology updates to PointRepairs and SewerMains

• ADA pad mapping variations

• Seal coat contract support map layouts

Outcome

• Clearer, more consistent infrastructure layers

• Public-facing StoryMaps that increase transparency

• Improved communication between technical operations and residents

This experience grounded me in municipal GIS operations and reinforced that effective GIS in a city environment is about reliability, structure, and making infrastructure understandable.