12229 - Geospatial Technology Specialist

Department
Environment Technology and Instructional Support
Employment Type
Permanent
Time Type
Full-Time
Hiring Range
$69,331 - $86,664
Job Category
IT
Job Location : Location
CA-ON-Waterloo

The Geospatial Technology Specialist, an IT specialist, provides expertise for geospatial, software development, and data-driven services and activities. This expertise is used to provide instructional support for teaching and research activities in the Faculty of Environment, for application development and management, and to develop solutions that inform and improve operations within the unit and the broader Faculty.

Application Development and Data Management

• Applies GIS, data management, and analysis skills to develop workflows, tools, and reports that improve operations within ETIS as well as the broader Faculty
• Develops and maintains applications and tools to support business processes and inform decision making for teaching, research, and administration in the Faculty
• Provides guidance for data management for the Faculty, including the development of best practices, documentation, and strategies for managing the types of data used in teaching, research, and administration
• Participates with cross-campus software developer community
• Applies subject matter expertise to assist other ETIS staff members with their duties as assigned
• Performs other duties and assists with special projects, such as implementation of software tools, as assigned

Computing Infrastructure and Maintenance

• Assists with end of term rebuild of lab workstations, servers, re-deployment, and general maintenance of labs
• Advises on decisions related to infrastructure that supports areas of expertise
• Researches geospatial software developments for relevance in teaching/research environment in areas of expertise
• Assists with problem solving on a variety of computing related issues within the Faculty
• Provides general IT support to the Faculty, including at the help desk, as required

Instructional Support

• Works with instructors to develop relevant teaching and training materials for practical assignments, workshops, classroom presentations, and special events related to GIS, data management, and software development
• Collaborates with instructors to design and deliver course material such as workshops, assignments, classroom presentations, video instructions, and special events and to assess instruction programs, in alignment with areas of expertise
• Develops and tests instructional materials related to using GIS, data management, and software development tools, technologies, and data sets, whether in person, online, or in a blended environment
• Ensures proper maintenance and availability of equipment for course needs
• Identifies new opportunities for development of geospatial services and tools
• Stays up to date with changes and emerging technologies in areas of expertise
• Serves as a resource for Teaching Assistants (TAs) for courses aligning with areas of expertise
• Meets with course instructors and/or TAs to plan and review course status and issues
• Uses the University’s Learning Management System (LMS) to support courses

Research and Technical Support

• Offers technical support and consultation services in areas of expertise to clients in person and virtually, including:
  • Use of geospatial tools, technologies, and datasets
  • Best practices and strategies for managing data
  • Assist users in finding, using, managing, analyzing, and visualizing data
  • Assist users in defining geospatial research projects
  • Directing users to appropriate training resources
• Provides training to researchers to enable them to efficiently operate geospatial tools/equipment
• Works with research groups to determine their research support needs and facilitates meeting those needs

• Completion of a Bachelor’s level degree in an area of geomatics, or
• Completion of a Bachelor’s level degree with a focus relevant to the required skills, such as geography/geomatics, computer science, planning, and/or data science
• An equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered
• Knowledge of, and experience with, geospatial tools including desktop software, databases, and related programming languages and libraries
• Excellent knowledge of data management toolsets and practices
• Experience manipulating and transforming datasets by geoprocessing, geocoding, and data format conversion
• Experience analyzing and generating reports from a variety of datasets
• Strong knowledge of data science and statistical methods an asset
• Exposure to deploying and managing software development and data management infrastructure
  Strong communication and interpersonal skills. Highly developed skills required in understanding and dealing with diverse client and co-worker needs
• Ability to work on several projects simultaneously and have excellent time management and organization skills
• Experience with geospatial applications, especially the Esri suite of products
• Programming skills, particularly in Python and web development
• Working knowledge of environmental research methods
• Understanding of spatial statistics theory and uses
• High level of awareness of current trends in geospatial and related technologies with particular focus on applications in environmental teaching and research
• Demonstrated knowledge in the use of a variety of tools for data manipulation and management, such as R and PowerBI
• Experience with Microsoft Power Platform, including PowerApps and PowerAutomate is an asset

The University of Waterloo acknowledges that much of our work takes place on the traditional territory of the Neutral, Anishinaabeg, and Haudenosaunee peoples. Our main campus is situated on the Haldimand Tract, the land granted to the Six Nations that includes six miles on each side of the Grand River. Our active work toward reconciliation takes place across our campuses through research, learning, teaching, and community building, and is co-ordinated within the Office of Indigenous Relations.

The University values the diverse and intersectional identities of its students, faculty, and staff. The University regards equity and diversity as an integral part of academic excellence and is committed to accessibility for all employees. The University of Waterloo seeks applicants who embrace our values of equity, anti-racism and inclusion. As such, we encourage applications from candidates who have been historically disadvantaged and marginalized, including applicants who identify as First Nations, Métis and/or Inuk (Inuit), Black, racialized, a person with a disability, women and/or 2SLGBTQ+.

Positions are open to qualified candidates who are legally entitled to work in Canada.

The University of Waterloo is committed to accessibility for persons with disabilities. If you have any application, interview, or workplace accommodation requests, please contact Human Resources at hrhelp@uwaterloo.ca or 519-888-4567, ext. 45935.