Job Specification

Purpose of Position :

To lead the implementation and daily operation of Geographic Information System technology within the Geomatics Services Centre (GSC). To provide technical direction to staff and to support project management activities.

Duties / Responsibilities :

Provides operational support, for the Geographic Information Systems technology, that is responsive to the Geomatics Services Centre user needs and client requirements, by:

• Planning, managing and optimizing the implementation and on-going use of the GIS technology.
• Leading and supporting software users in the design and development of efficient GIS databases and applications.
• Providing analysis and reporting coordination by ensuring consistent methodologies are used and documented.
• Developing and maintaining a long range plan for the acquisition and refresh of supporting IT resources. (hardware/software/network)
• Solving advanced technical problems, providing means for resolution and assisting with implementing solutions.
• Evaluating related technologies for the purpose of establishing standards, meeting project goals and positioning the GSC to meet project needs.
• Participating in appropriate user and technical working groups; acting as the primary contact between the GSC and other GIS staff.
• Attending GSC team meetings to ensure a clear understanding of the support and development requirements.

2. Provides project management by: (leadership)

• Providing group leadership to the GSC Team through effective coordination of activities to facilitate an effective team and optimum service delivery support to GSC Projects.
• Conducting GIS project requirement analysis by providing clients with estimates of resource, scheduling and costs.
• Developing and monitoring project plans in consultation with GSC coordinator.
• Determining priorities within specific projects; defining and assigning tasks within the project team
• Facilitating the review of project comments and overall project deliverables.
• Tracking workflow and optimizing GSC resources to deliver the required products.
• Maintain the GSC project management tracking system
• Provide project updates and summaries as required
• Identify issues and events that may affect service delivery schedules.
• Overseeing work contracted out by the GSC

3. Provide Data Coordination and Management by:

• Manage the acquisition and maintenance of corporate and project specific datasets stored within and for the geomatics service centre.
• Maintaining and developing contacts with relevant data custodians within cluster, provincial and federal agencies.
• Helping to define user information requirements through interviews and analysis
• Establish local data management protocols according to Ministry/LRC and ensure all datasets are archived and documented accordingly.
• Ensuring all projects in the centre are archived appropriately according to ministry standards
• Ensure the training of all new and existing geomatics staff in the use and management of spatial datasets.

4. Other duties as assigned.

Knowledge :

• Position requires advanced knowledge of Geographic Information Systems theories and principles. Including vector, raster and 3D modeling, remote sensing technology, relational database theory and common programming languages in order to design and develop appropriate project solutions to address client requirements.
• Position requires knowledge of project management concepts to support the administrative responsibilities of Geomatics Service Centre projects
• Position requires knowledge of information management theory and principles to ensure information holdings and project deliverables are managed according to Ministry Information Management strategy.
• General understanding of resource management principles and management techniques to engage clients and stakeholders during project negotiation and production.

Skills :

• Job requires analytical, research and problem solving skills to assess and understand client user requirements and to develop and deliver appropriate technical solutions.
• Job requires technical skills to create advanced GIS/RS information products to meet specific project requirements (including interface customization and GIS/RS workflow automation).
• Job requires technical skills to design and manage desktop database solutions
• Job requires project management skills to develop and implement project plans; to lead and participate in concurrent projects with differing timelines and deliverable schedules; and to apply project management principles (project scope/charters, progress reports, closeout reports) to successfully deliver projects to the client.
• Job requires oral and written communication skills to work with multiple clients to assess user needs, to develop solutions options, to negotiate project terms, and to create and provide technical documentation and project summaries.
• Job requires interpersonal skills to work effectively with a multi-disciplinary team of co-workers and with a broad range of clients (both OPS and non-government)
• Job requires group leadership skills to direct and train unclassified staff and co-op students, assign & schedule work, monitor work performance to ensure deadlines are met, and to advise supervisor of performance and other issues

Freedom of Action :

Under the general direction of the Geomatics Service Centre Coordinator, this position will have the latitude to manage assigned project resources. Working independently, this position will need to recognize new priorities, adjust resources as required, escalate issues and implement resolutions in accordance with government legislation, policies and directives.