Job Description

Competition # : 42266Department: Service Nova ScotiaLocation: AMHERSTType of Employment: PermanentUnion Status: NSGEU - NSPGClosing Date: \xe2\x80\x8b11-Apr-24 \xe2\x80\x8b (Applications are accepted until 11:59 PM Atlantic Time)Information SessionPlease join us for a virtual information session for an opportunity to ask questions and learn more about the two vacant GIS Officer 4 positions - Geomatics Project Administrator and Provincial Toponymist.This session will be held on Wednesday, April 3rd, at 12:00pm AST and will be hosted by Colin MacDonald, Director, Geographic Information Service and Laura Roy, Manager, GIS Operations.Microsoft Teams meetingJoin on your computer, mobile app or room deviceMeeting ID: 281 060 107 170
Passcode: ALepck|Please note: your name will be displayed to all those who register for this session.About UsAt Service Nova Scotia, we impact every citizen, business, and municipality in Nova Scotia. Our mandate is to design and deliver programs and services to meet the needs of our clients and the public good through a culture of excellence. Service Nova Scotia\'s vision is to be recognized leader in service and public protection that delivers trusted, accessible, modern programs, and contributes to Nova Scotia as a safe and desirable place to live, work and do business. To learn more about our department, please click .GeoNOVA is the provincial mapping program, providing geomatics solutions for departments and agencies across provincial government. GeoNOVA\'s vision is to ensure geographic information supports the Government of Nova Scotia in achieving excellence in decision making and service delivery.Located in Amherst, NS the Nova Scotia Geomatics Centre was established in the 1990s as a centre of excellence in the geomatics sciences. Join our leading-edge team of geomatics professionals as the Geomatics Program Administrator responsible for geographic naming in Nova Scotia.Find more about GeoNOVA .About Our OpportunityUnder the direction of the Manager of Geographic Data at the NSGC in Amherst, the Provincial Toponomist leads the development, implementation and monitoring of policies and procedures associated with the collection, maintenance, quality control and exchange of the Nova Scotia Geographic Names DataBase (NSGNDB).Duties include researching the origins and local usage of geographic names, verifying the accuracy and appropriateness of proposed geographic names with a focus on community engagement and cultural sensitivity. The proponent coordinates public engagement activities and ensures adherence to the principles and procedures for Geographical Naming established by the Geographic Names Board of Canada.Primary Accountabilities

• Works with Nova Scotian applicants to prepare and review recommendations for adding or changing official geographic names. This may include assistance in gathering the necessary supporting documentation such as letters of support, historical references, and maps.
• Conduct thorough reviews of geographic naming applications following established principles, processes, and procedures.
• Coordinate and facilitate public engagement activities, including in-person and virtual sessions, paper and online surveys, name suggestion and selection activities.
• Engage with local-residents, geographic communities, social communities, interest groups with connection to the land and its use, Mi\'kmaq, and African Nova Scotian peoples to gather input.
• Facilitate communication with a wide range of clients and partners to see a geographic name change application through to completion.
• Works collaboratively with provincial and federal departments, First Nations, municipalities, contractors, academia, community groups and public clients.
• Contribute to provincial and national workshops and conferences.
• Actively participate in intergovernmental working groups and steering committees.
• Interact with colleagues at senior levels of government and the private sector, make recommendations to management to improve Geographic Naming engagement, policy, processes, and procedures.
• Design, develop, implement, and support web-based GIS applications and products.
• Provide expert advice and collaborate with management, team members and other consultants to create and develop, implement, maintain and support dependable, efficient, and high-quality GIS workflows, solutions, and products.
• Evaluate and implement new technology and tools to support business requirements.
• Develop, explain, and present findings, reports, recommendations, and summaries of results both verbally and in writing, in a clear and concise style that is appropriate to the audience.

Qualifications and ExperienceThe incumbent must hold a bachelor\'s degree in a relevant geomatics field, plus 7 years related experience OR graduation from an approved technical school in the field of geomatics plus a minimum of 10 years related experience OR an equivalent combination of training and experience.The successful candidate must have:

• Advanced training and experience in geomatics, geographic data GIS principles and database design.
• Strong research skills, including conducting archival research, analyzing historical documents and historical mapping reference materials.
• Excellent organizational and project management skills to oversee the naming process and effectively work under pressure. The Provincial Toponomist will manage multiple projects with various clients partners, all while meeting dynamic deadlines and defined budgets.
• Project management skills to oversee the naming process.
• Strong communication skills and the ability to articulate and relay complex problems (verbal, written, and communicating through maps), naming recommendations and technical information appropriately to a wide range of audiences, both technical and non-technical.
• Experience as a resourceful and innovative problem solver and decision maker.
• Strong organizational skills and the ability to adapt to changing technologies and software applications.
• Excellent interpersonal skills when technically advising, leading, and supervising a diverse group of professionals.
• Motivation to achieve business goals, completing projects and meeting deadlines with minimal supervision.

Qualifications and Experience (continued)Additionally, the ideal candidate will be:

• Familiar with the Geographic Naming Process, principles, and procedures.
• Experienced with large geographic datasets such as the Nova Scotia Geographic Names DataBase.
• Proficient in ArcGIS Pro, Enterprise Portal and ArcGIS OnLine.
• Experienced in designing, building, maintaining, and analyzing an enterprise geodatabase.
• Experience automating or scripting solutions using tools such as Python, or other programming languages (e.g., JavaScript, FME, SQL).

Leadership competencies required at this level of work are: Analytical Thinking, Team Leadership, Initiative, Effective Interactive Communication, Partnering and Relationship Building, and Intercultural and Diversity Proficiency.Please provide details in your cover letter explaining how you qualify for the position through the qualifications listed above.EquivalencyApplicants relying on education and experience equivalencies must demonstrate such equivalencies in their application. Please include a cover letter with your application.BenefitsBased 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.Pay Grade: PR 15Salary Range: $2,746.69 - $3,348.16 Bi-WeeklyEmployment 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