Job Specification

Purpose of Position :

Working in a District team environment and through liaison with the Regional Information and Analysis Unit, to provide district technical expertise in Geographic Information System (GIS) and Information Management (IM) support services (i.e. data entry, editing, manipulation and quality control), information product generation (including maps, queries, geo-processing, tabular summaries and reports), and customer service to internal MNR staff and external clients.

Duties / Responsibilities :

1. Updating and maintaining natural resource GIS and database records by: implementing standard information, data collection, and editing processes and procedures; overseeing and undertaking the collection and transfer of resource data; ensuring and verifying the quality and integrity of data collected; working with District staff in collecting and assembling data for loading and/or digitizing; spatial and tabular editing of resource information; and ensuring compliance with provincial and corporate data standards within the local context.

2. Providing district GIS products and services, consistent with regional and provincial standards, in order to support ministry projects by: performing data analysis, geo-processing and queries; creating information products including maps, reports and tabular summaries for Fish & Wildlife, Forestry, Crown Land Management, Water, Parks and Protected Areas, Non-renewable Resources and Emergency Response; validating data; digitizing and database entry. Supporting regional GIS staff through the inputting, assembly and interpretation of data to support the completion and provision of a variety of information products including maps, queries, tabular summaries, and reports.

3. Liaising with regional GIS staff on District geographic information, information management, and information technology needs, support and projects to ensure district requirements and priorities are clearly conveyed to regional staff.

4. Providing project management for field and office data collection projects, including providing information to support budget and expenditure tracking; recommending standard data and database field/file formats; providing technical training in appropriate collection methods, software and equipment technologies and working with District staff in assembling data for loading and digitizing. Downloading and correcting field data as required; testing and documenting processes, procedures, and applications.

5. Supporting district information management needs for non-spatial data through appropriate data and information management practices in support of District business (including standard filing, FIPPA responsiveness, and internal/external client need) in keeping with provincial and corporate information
management direction and policies.

6. Providing input into the development of standards for data transfer, compatibility, valuation, maintenance and quality control.

7. Providing assistance for District staff in the use and maintenance of hardware, software and peripheral equipment.

8. Assisting in troubleshooting problems with GIS, databases, and operating systems, networks, software, hardware and peripherals in liaison with regional and I&IT staff.

9. Participating in field surveys in support of field data collection, verification and processing activities.

10. Coordinating the development and administration of resource management information agreements and copyright license agreements by: leading local negotiations (e.g. data standards, data transfer, data compatibility, data valuation and data maintenance); maintaining district information partnership and agreement files; and monitoring Partnership and Copyright License Agreements as required.

11. Other duties: Management has right to assign other duties.

Staffing and Licencing :

Valid Drivers Licence.

Knowledge :

Knowledge of ministry resource management programs, legislation, regulation and related policies, directives, guidelines and procedures in order to maintain database records and manage data collection, data input, analysis and data transfer appropriately (e.g. Forests program requires knowledge of the Business Plan, the Forest Management Planning Manual; the Forest Information Manual; Silviculture Guidelines, etc.) and assist in field operations.

Knowledge of relevant legislation (i.e. Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act), ministry policies and procedures related to information management, data standards, intellectual property rights, data security and privacy to ensure data is maintained in a secure environment and that the ministry's interests are met and value gained while developing infomation sharing partnerships and agreements.

Working knowledge of GIS applications, concepts, including using ArcGIS, LIO Editor, and other specialized software applications (e.g. spatial, analytical techniques) to provide on-site GIS user support and to develop standard and specialized map and information products that meet corporate and provincial standards (e.g. Cartographic, information management, security, and privacy).

Knowledge of standards and methodologies for data management including, integration, conversion, manipulation, transfer, storage & maintenance, system security and quality controls for data entry to manage the data life cycle.

Knowledge of computer hardware, software, networking systems and protocols to assist in testing, trouble-shooting, supporting and maintaining GIS,
software, databases and data.

Knowledge of office software applications (e.g. Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint) in support of communications, reporting, presentations and training.

Knowledge of project management methodologies, including capacity to monitor projects, budgets, track work and provide input into work planning.

Good working knowledge of the Occupational Health and Safety Act and those Regulations made under the act that apply to the workplace and the work being performed.

Skills :

Analytical, problem solving and technical skills to manage, maintain, update and prepare data (spatial & tabular formats) and information products with internal and external clients (e.g. Forest Industry, Municipal and CA partners, etc.) and to make project level decisions with respect to regularly monitoring data standards, inventory maintenance updates and data/file integrity; and to resolve technical problems and information requirements by gathering/analyzing data and determining options for software, selecting/designing desired file and record format requirements, documenting revisions undertaken.

Planning, coordinating, and project management skills to administer budgets, organize, schedule and coordinate human and equipment resources for GIS and information management projects (e.g. field and office data collection projects) sometimes involving other resource agencies, contractors or partnerships (e.g. designing and implementing a GPS field project in cooperation with local partners to map and plan for emergency evacuations) and to ensure contracts and agreements are completed to standard by ensuring staff and equipment are available to perform quality inspections, contractor performance reviews and audits at appropriate times.

Wide range of computer and software technical skills including GIS (e.g.: ESRI products), terminology, methods and techniques, cartography and cartographic procedures, coordinate systems and projections, geo-spatial digital imagery, digital equipment (e.g. survey, GPS, data collectors) to provide on-site users GIS and tool support and standard or specialized information products (including maps, queries, geo-processing, tabular summaries and reports) that meet provincial and corporate standards (e.g. cartographic, data and information management, security, and privacy).

Written and oral communications skills to prepare and provide reports, correspondence, spatial analysis, resource queries, standard and customized map and information products and presentations for individuals who may lack extensive GIS knowledge, background and vocabulary; support and provide District technical training, develop technical instructions for end users, make presentations on GIS and related technology and software, communicate with and provide information to staff, partners, and clients.

Interpersonal and negotiation skills to effectively deal with requests and concerns of clients/partners and lead local negotiations related to data standards, data transfer, data compatibility, data valuation and data maintenance in resource management information and/or copyright license data sharing agreements.

Ability to work both independently as well as in a team environment, work under pressure and meet deadlines.

Freedom of Action :

Working independently under the general supervision of the District Resources Operations Supervisor, job requires focusing on work that is generally solitary and routine requiring a high level of attention to detail and ensuring that deadlines are met. Work is performed within established practices and procedural controls, ministry and government policies, legislation, guidelines and directives pertaining to information management and GIS.

Job makes decisions regarding development and provision of information products (including maps, queries, geo-processing, tabular summaries and reports) to meet district staff (technicians, foresters, biologists) requirements.

Job exercises latitude in decision making by providing project management on field and office data collection projects, implementing approved field data collection procedures, databases and formats and providing technical training in collection methods, software and hardware use; and in coordinating the development and administration of resource management information and copyright license agreements.

Job provides updates to the supervisor and other team members through regular meetings discussions and periodic reviews of progress and results.

Job reports unusual or potentially contentious issues (e.g. Violation of Copyright, persistent or unusual equipment problems, and maintenance/lease agreements) to the Supervisor.