http://www.hr.gov.nt.ca/employment/pdf/1868/description.pdf
PURPOSE OF THE POSITION
The Geomatics Analyst (Analyst) manages and conducts advanced spatial data analysis to compliment the Territorial forest fire management program goals. This includes the creation of reliable spatial/attribute data and products that support the development of standards, guidelines, and science-based policy. Providing expert advice and logistical support to fire management program geomatics functions in five (5) Regions is a key requirement.
SCOPE
The Forest Management Division (FMD) provides the policy, planning, and regulatory framework for the stewardship, protection, and sustainable management of forest resources on 33 million hectares of land in the Northwest Territories (NWT). The forest fire management program is a key area of responsibility. The Fire Science Section of the Division provides scientific fire management expertise and supports the forest fire management program. The Section conducts applied research for enhanced fire science knowledge, leads the forest fire prevention program, and manages an information management framework for fire management. The use of geomatics plays a significant role in the ability of the Section to provide effective support to the fire management program.
Located in Fort Smith and reporting to the Manager of Fire Science, the Analyst acts as a senior technical specialist in the area of geomatics for the Forest Management Divisions fire management program. This position is a subject matter expert with a specific focus on spatial and attribute data providing advice and guidance respecting data standards, integrity, currency, data storage, security, and analytical processes. The positions ability to successfully respond to time-critical requests for information and services is of great importance.
The Analyst is responsible for the collection, compilation, integration, interpretation, and integrity of spatial and related attribute data for the forest fire management program. The position manipulates and integrates graphic, image, and statistical data using GIS (Geographic Information System) applications and RDMS (Relational Database Management Systems) to achieve results.
The Analyst, using a combination of technical and theoretical knowledge, is responsible for the acquisition, storage, maintenance, and security of information in compliance with divisional, departmental, and inter-agency specifications and standards. The information is territorial in extent and provides the foundation for divisional automated decision support systems, and is made available through access via divisional spatial data repositories and planning tools.
He/she provides expertise on the reliability/risk of data when completing projects or responding to requests for information. If the data is not reliable the safety of personnel, communities and cost effectiveness of the program may be compromised.
This is a specialized technical support position, with no supervisory responsibilities. However, this position is expected to function in a team environment and as a result is required to work collaboratively with peers and subordinates to deliver according to developed work plans. A mentoring role is provided to peers and subordinates on the appropriate use of fire management data, spatial data management methodologies, and related use of GIS technology to meet divisional business requirements.
The Analyst assists staff with policy interpretation and implementation, and specific challenges such as development of customized analytical processes. This position, working closely with the Divisional GIS Coordinator in Hay River, will assume a lead role in the development and direction of Divisional goals being implemented by geomatic staff in the Forest Management Regions.
The Analyst assists regions with specific analysis projects required to meet client resource information needs. As required, the Analyst may be temporarily assigned regional roles to assist with critical operations during the forest fire season.
Key contact requirements include Divisional staff, Regions, and other ENR Divisions to provide information, tools, operational support, and technical expertise; and to collaborate on priority setting and joint initiatives. Other contacts are counter-parts in other departments and agencies to consult, exchange information, and discuss data, data sets, metadata, standards, services, joint initiatives, and issues. Contact with contractors is required for goods and services needed to obtain and process data, develop products, and maintain or enhance systems.
RESPONSIBILITIES
1. Plans and manages fire management GIS spatial data needs, including spatial and attribute data.
• Evaluates, plans, and coordinates the acquisition, processing, and analysis of all types of resource data to support the needs of fire management.
• Ensures that the integrity of spatial data sets is maintained and protected.
• Develops and adheres to file maintenance and security procedures.
• Applies corporate data model standards and creates custom data models for local data sets. • Develops manual and automated routines for streamlining data loading and integrity checking;
• Performs advanced spatial and statistical analysis requiring a high degree of attention to detail with significant consequences
• Develops spatial and attribute databases used in spatial analysis processes.
• Develops new data sets based on queries and models using industry standard tools like SQL Server, Oracle, or Access.
2. Supports fire management planning activities
• Collects, analyses, and prepares current and historical data such as fire history, weather, and Canadian Forest Fire Danger Rating System outputs.
• Provides technical expertise on spatial data analysis and range of spatial information tools, mapping, fire behaviour and growth simulation models, burn prescriptions, fuel management options to assist in planning fuel reduction, and fire suppression activities.
• Assesses new and existing fire management and mapping tools and technology, and incorporates into existing systems, as required.
• Prepares materials such as statistics and maps, and provides analytical data and descriptive statistics required for decision-making, presentations, and briefings to staff, contractors, industry and public.
• Provides feedback to the program area for optimal integration of GIS to support the fire management functions.
• Compiles statistics, interprets results, estimates cost effectiveness, and provides input into annual reports.
• Uses GIS modeling functions and database queries to assist in the analysis of different resource management options.
• Provides analytical data and descriptive statistics for decision making and reports.
• Develops thematic maps to illustrate various options to fire operations personnel.
3. Supports regional fire management GIS activities
• Provides expert technical advice and support at the regional level related to the fire program on geomatics, issues and technical challenges related to geomatics hardware, software, data acquisition, integrity, storage, security, spatial data analysis, processes, and products.
• Supports regional geomatics staff with specific challenges such as converting data into formats consistent with Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) standards, resolving complex hardware/software problems, and clarifying requirements and specifications for data and products, such as specific resource reports and mapping/spatial information.
• Provides user documentation, information, and training for staff on the application, interpretation, and use of mapping components of customized applications.
• Consults with regional staff to identify emerging issues related to data, data models, systems applications/models, and hardware.
• Supports regional staff in coordinating workload priorities and challenges, troubleshooting issues, and responding to specific information requests or requirements. Assists with activities, such as analysis projects, development of customized applications and products, and resolving data integrity issues.
4. Plays a key role in the identification of emerging issues and the development solutions related to geomatics
• Keeps up to date on current and emerging technologies, techniques, trends, and issues in the field of geomatics and fire management through participating in training, workshops, industry conferences, and review of technical literature. Communicates pertinent information to other staff.
• Consults with data providers from cooperating agencies regarding issues related to reliability and compatibility of data and consistency of standards and practices.
• Evaluates and advises staff on specific concerns regarding reliability/risk of data. Researches and recommends options to meet current and evolving business needs/standards, such as revisions to procedures, alternate data sources, systems enhancements, and customized analytical processes.
• Provides GIS expertise to resolve data and technical difficulties or conflicts.
• Analyzes and resolves issues related to capture, integration, and storage of spatial/related attribute data.
5. Supports program development activities
• Supports Territorial geomatics initiatives, by participating in development and implementation of new policy and procedures, new technology, system enhancements, and tools. Assists with testing and evaluation of geomatics hardware/software, applications and tools, effectiveness evaluations, and delivery of territorial / regional training, as required.
• Uses spatial hardware and software to develop, test, and evaluate customized mapping components to meet Division needs, within deadlines.
• Provides input to the Division’s GIS coordinator on fire management needs with respect to spatial data, infrastructure, programs, and applications.
• Leads and/or participates on inter-agency and departmental working groups and committees considering wildland fire management data, metadata, warehousing, applications, and systems.
6. Provides support for work planning related to GIS projects
• Develops detailed GIS project plans including terms of reference, resource, equipment, information/data requirements, timelines, project methodology, and deliverables • Manage a diverse and variable workload, taking into consideration changing priorities, volume of work, deadlines, and tasks
• Receives and evaluates requests in a timely manner and schedules workload for multiple projects;
• Facilitates internal coordination and cooperation on GIS application projects and implements program amendments in response to requests for additional GIS capabilities.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES
1. Knowledge
• Knowledge of Geomatic systems used for forest fire management and issues related to data acquisition, integrity, warehousing, and processing in the north.
• Knowledge and understanding of Data Base software technology and system design methodologies to support application development activities.
• Demonstrated knowledge of Global Positioning Systems, GIS and RDBMS (including Access and SQL server) standards and various standard operating procedures.
• Knowledge of the principles and general theory of cartography and hardcopy and digital mapping specifications.
• Basic knowledge of the IT development cycle.
• Demonstrated knowledge of large corporate spatial databases.
• Understanding of data capture by digitizing and application of data capture standards.
• Working knowledge of mapping systems and processes such as spatial projections, NTS, scale measurement, map compilation, reproduction methods, photo, and remote sensing.
2. Skills and Abilities Demonstrated ability to:
• Structure and manipulate spatial and attribute databases prior to and including geodatabase population; utilize data capture and GIS software, applications and tools in the management of large and complex spatial and attribute databases (including, but not limited to, ArcGIS, Geodatabase, SDE, Microsoft Suite).
• Listen to clientele needs to assess and effectively understand and respond to their needs.
• Establish and maintain positive working relationships and effectively resolve conflicts.
• Work cooperatively with co-workers, clients, and contractors in a multi disciplined resource environment.
• Work independently and exercise judgment and initiative as appropriate.
• Capture, create, compile, convert, edit, and maintain digital information in a GIS environment. • Interpret and follow detailed and complex written and verbal instruction.
• Clearly communicate, verbally and in writing, complex technical information and evolving issues to a variety of people.
• Organize and manage concurrent GIS projects and initiatives.
• Use computer programming languages such as Visual Basic, VB Script, Python, Arc Macro Language, and SQL.
• Use and maintain a broad variety of mapping and design hardware, software, and other equipment to create themes, colour thematic maps, terrain models, and develop reports using layout and design principles that combine line and space effectively.
• Learn new methods and applications in a computer environment.
Typically, the above qualifications would be attained by: A certificate from a recognized technical institute in GIS and three (3) years of related and current experience (gained within the last four (4) years); or A diploma from a recognized technical institute in GIS and two (2) years of related and current experience (gained within the last four (4) years); or A degree in geography, or natural resource management related field, in which the incumbent can demonstrate that the core GIS curriculum is equal to either a certificate or a diploma from a recognized technical institute in GIS and with two (2) years of related and current experience (gained within the last four (4) years).
Related experience must include the following:
• Manipulating and integrating geographical and statistical data using various GIS applications and RDMS.
• Creating a variety of digital, graphical, and descriptive products including aggregate or subset data themes, colour thematic maps, and associated descriptive statistics, producing quality digital cartographic output to defined standards.
• Working with GIS software, including ArcInfo, ArcGIS, and ArcSDE.
• Data and information management including metadata management, data archiving, data retrieval and data recovery.
WORKING CONDITIONS (Working Conditions identify the unusual and unavoidable, externally imposed conditions under which the work must be performed and which create hardship for the incumbent.)
Physical Demands
• Required to sit at a computer terminal for long periods of time.
• Some light lifting is required.
Environmental Conditions
• Working under adverse conditions such as smoke, extreme heat, mountainous terrain, in remote and isolated locations.
• Spending extensive periods of time in aircraft in often adverse flying conditions. Sensory Demands
• The incumbent will spend long periods documenting, recording, and preparing correspondence, meeting minutes, and documentation where intense concentration and attention to detail is required.
Mental Demands
• Travel and work away from home during the fire season (long hours and away from family).
• The severity of the fire season determines the incumbents work load and this is a factor beyond the control of the incumbent.
• The incumbent will be exposed to shifting priorities and tight deadlines with urgent situations, which significantly increase the level of stress in this position, especially during the forest fire season.
• Given the nature of the organization and responsibilities for emergency response, flexibility is required for sudden changes in responsibilities and assignments such as call-outs for emergencies or supporting regional staff during times of increased fire activity.
ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS
• Willingness to work extended hours, travel extensively and be on standby for extended periods of time in accordance with operational plans during the fire season.
• Willingness to keep current on emerging issues affecting the Forest Fire Management Program.
• A valid passport.
• A valid NWT Class 5 Driver’s licence.