Job Description

Competition # : 41392

Department: Service Nova Scotia

Location: AMHERST

Type of Employment: Permanent

Union Status: NSGEU - NSPG

Closing Date: 11-Jan-24 (Applications are accepted until 11:59 PM Atlantic Time)

About Us

At Service Nova Scotia, we impact every citizen, business, and municipality in Nova Scotia. We conduct over five million client interactions each year through the various programs and services we deliver on behalf of government. We continuously strive to make our programs and services more responsive to the needs and expectations of Nova Scotians.

About Our Opportunity

This client-focused, problem-solving position will allow you to advance your analytical skills and build on your career through experience and training. You will be surrounded by dedicated geomatics professionals that feel challenged to improve our provincial GIS datasets and develop our maintenance strategies and quality control programs.

Under the direction of GIS Coordinators at the Nova Scotia Geomatics Centre in Amherst, the Geographic Information System (GIS 1-2) Specialist is responsible for spatial data manipulation and analysis, development, maintenance and mapping of Government related datasets. Documentation of processes and procedures is an inherent piece of the role.

Interaction with stakeholders, source providers, referencing remotely sensed data (such as aerial photography, satellite imagery and UAV data), digitizing source information, and GPS data are integral to maintaining the foundational provincial datasets. The highly skilled, detail-oriented geomatics professional has technical knowledge of the latest GIS concepts and technologies, GIS software including AGOL, cartographic principles, relational and file-based databases, geographic data analysis tools and methodologies. Understanding and applying data-use licenses and data disclaimers is important, as the role may also include assisting clients with data use and availability.

Primary Accountabilities

The GIS Specialist is responsible for the following:

• Maintaining and enforcing GIS best practices;
• Quality control standards;
• Database management and maintenance;
• Creating digital data and products;
• Cartographic production, adhering to standards with accessibility at the forefront of the solution;
• Research and development of new products;
• Usage and understanding methodology of aerial photography and LiDAR products;
• Ongoing support services including writing technical documentation;
• Assists other provincial departments, Municipalities and First Nation communities with their spatial information requirements by providing technical support and training to end users and clients;
• Assists clients in locating the products and data they require;
• Enhances the client experience by testing different solutions for self-serve data distribution.

About You

The successful candidate must have one of the following education levels:

• Graduation from an approved Geomatics program at a recognized GIS technical school and/or
• Bachelor\'s degree in a relevant Geomatics field

The ideal candidate will have knowledge and/or experience in the following:

• Experience of geographic information systems and related database applications;
• Self-starter with a positive attitude who applies a regular application of independent, sound judgment to solve problems in relation to the quality assurance of geographic databases;
• Demonstrate effective interpersonal skills, good organizational and strong verbal and written communication skills;
• Ability to exercise a logical approach to analyzing problems, interpret client needs while building relationships, adapt to new methodologies and software applications, interact with outside organizations and the public in a professional manner;
• Work cooperatively and collectively in a team environment;
• Attention to detail and strong time management skills;
• Manage multiple tasks with conflicting priorities while meeting deadlines.

Equivalency

An equivalent combination of training, education and experience will be considered. Applicants relying on education and experience equivalencies must demonstrate such equivalencies in their application.

Benefits

Based on the employment status and Union agreement, the Government of Nova Scotia offers its employees a wide range of benefits such as Health, Dental, Life Insurance, Pension, General Illness (Short and Long Term), Vacation and Employee and Family Assistance Programs. Click to learn more about our various benefits offering and eligibility criteria.

Additional Information

The following would be considered an asset. Please state and demonstrate:

• Experience working with province-wide our team maintains (the Nova Scotia Civic Address File, the Nova Scotia Road Network, Nova Scotia Topographic Database, Nova Scotia Orthophotography Database, Nova Scotia Geographic Names Database, Nova Scotia Aerial Photography Database, Nova Scotia LiDAR and LiDAR derivatives)
• Experience with the following: Structured Query Language (SQL), Arcade and Python
• Experience with geocoding techniques and network datasets
• Experience with ArcGIS Online and Portal for ArcGIS
• Adobe Suite of Products including Illustrator and Photoshop

What We Offer

• Career Development where you have access to career guidance, tools, resources, and ongoing training for every stage of your career.
• Engaging workplace. Our Employees feel valued, respected, connected, and tuned in. We have forward-thinking policies and strategies.
• Countless career paths.
• Department Specific Flexible working schedules. Typically, up to 3 days working from home, and 2 days working from the office in Amherst.

Pay Grade: PR 01 - PR 10

Salary Range: $1,579.34 - $1,915.37 Bi-Weekly

Employment Equity Statement:

Our goal is to be a diverse workforce that is representative, at all job levels, of the citizens we serve. The Government of Nova Scotia has an Employment Equity Policy, and we welcome applications from Indigenous People, African Nova Scotians and Other Racially Visible Persons, Persons with Disabilities and Women in occupations or positions where they are under-represented. If you are a member of one of these equity groups, you are encouraged to self-identify on your electronic application.

This is a bargaining unit position initially restricted to current civil service employees represented by the Nova Scotia Government Employees Union (NSGEU). If applying from outside a government office, employees must apply correctly via this link:

Failure to apply correctly means that your application will not be given first consideration as a bargaining unit applicant, and will only be included if external applications are pursued.

External applicants and current casual employees will only be considered if there are no qualified civil service bargaining unit candidates. PLEASE NOTE: Candidates will not be considered for an interview if applications are incomplete or are missing information.

Offer of employment is conditional upon the completion of all applicable background checks and confirmation of credentials, the results of which must be satisfactory to the employer. We thank all applicants for the interest, however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted. All questions and concerns may be directed to Competitions@novascotia.ca.

Government of Nova Scotia