Starting as a Technician, Mr. Bearden advanced through positions including GIS Specialist, GIS Coordinator, GIS Manager and is currently GIS Engineer. Mr. Bearden’s responsibilities have included: development, deployment, operation, and administration of the City's enterprise GIS; advising of elected officials and senior management; supervision and training of GIS staff and other end-users; coordination of GIS activities among all municipal departments and external agencies; authoring of policies, manuals, plans and guides; evaluation and selection of hardware, software, and professional services; leveraging of geospatial resources in support of municipal and inter-agency operations and initiatives, and for the seamless migration of municipal GIS operations from the Public Works to Information Technology Departments.

Maintained GPS base station, field receivers, and bulletin board service; developed workflows for GIS/GPS management and implementation, project cost estimation, data collection, and generation of FGDC metadata; supervised GIS interns, provided GIS/GPS training classes and workshops for PLS and PE continuing education credits. Was responsible for administering and leveraging geospatial technologies in support of regional projects, programs and initiatives throughout a ten county district in south-central Kentucky

Responsible for providing GIS and cartographic support for planning projects including comprehensive plans and zoning ordinances, for maintaining GIS and student computer labs, and for providing technical assistance to faculty and students.