Division: Provincial Services Division/ Science and Research Branch
Job Term: 1 Permanent
Salary: $1,408.64 – $1,773.85 Per Week*
*Indicates the salary listed as per the OPSEU Collective Agreement.
Do you have demonstrated strategic planning, project management and analytical skills and an interest in documenting Ontario’s forest cover, condition, and be involved it’s management?
If so, bring your program and geospatial data experience to the Forest Resources Inventory Unit (FRIU) in the Ministry of Natural Resources. The Forest Resources Inventory (FRI) provides information about forests and trees that is used to support resource management and land use decisions and to meet provincial, federal, and international reporting requirements
Are you a self-motivated and innovative individual with geographic information systems (GIS) and programming expertise? Join our team of passionate, client-focused, technical experts as we provide leadership and support to a diverse range of resource management activities and clients across the province.
Why work for the Ontario Public Service (OPS)?
The OPS is one of the largest employers in the province, employing more than 60,000 people.
We are re-thinking how we deliver services through various initiatives, including modernization and how we store, access, and deliver critical services remotely. We are striving to enable a future-ready OPS workforce through technology-focused enterprise-wide strategies.
The OPS offers a competitive compensation package. We support career and leadership development, invest in learning opportunities, and recognize team and individual achievements, and support flexible work arrangements.
What can I expect to do in this role?
As a GIS Officer, you will:
- Collaborate as a member of a program team in diverse roles through various projects
- Provide GIS solutions to support high end geospatial analysis and modeling for the delivery of programs and projects
- Assist the program team to guide clients in determining, designing and delivering data products or applications to support standardized and consistent approaches to data management and products within specified and agreed upon timelines
- Perform GIS and computer programming to support the development of database and data storage designs and solutions
- Facilitate work with other Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) program areas including Land and Resources I&IT Cluster to ensure appropriate administration, maintenance and support while assisting in troubleshooting and recommending solutions
- Assist with technical support to MNR staff, regional sections, districts and external clients
How do I qualify?
Technical Knowledge:
- Comprehension and application of geographic information systems and data management theory, current programming and scripting languages (cloud management tools, such as Azure, Databricks, cloud databases, API development; Opensource libraries such as; R, GDAL, PDAL, COPC; VB, C, C++; Python; experience with business intelligence reporting such as PowerBI, AGOL, Tableau, and/or others); geoprocessing and data management solutions (importation, validation, formatting and reporting of data, security, access)
- Strong experience with GIS (geographic information system) tools and software, tools like QGIS or ESRI ArcGIS Pro to perform 3D modeling and analysis of point cloud, elevation model and vector data sets, and assist in the design of workflows and scripting for such analyses at multiple scales.
- Proficient in database development and information gathering methods, automated support tools, data dictionaries, logical design, and data modelling to contribute to the design and implementation of information systems; ability to evaluate database/data management software; prepare documentation; contribute to development of information tools and products for user groups; and provide technical support for implementation
- Experience in one or more terrestrial natural resources fields related to forest resources inventory and forest management planning, including spatial analytics, spatial modelling, inventory analytics, data reporting, and associated inventory, research and monitoring processes and techniques to help employ current and emerging technology to meet clients’ information processing and storage requirements, and provide technical support to inventory, research, and monitoring programs
- Strong skills in project management, team building, communications, and provincial and ministry policies/requirements/regulations/guidelines governing data to participate in agreements on directions, schedules, and outcomes when working on projects or with partners and clients on data exchanges and services
- Experience administrating Microsoft SharePoint sites; creating custom data storage products and applications using Microsoft O365 tools
Planning and Project management Skills
- Experience in coordinating, planning and project management skills to participate in the program team delivery of computer programs, applications and tools for IM/GIS to meet program and project deliverables, to help enhance and facilitate applications, GIS, and database functions.
- Demonstrated experience of collaborating with program teams delivering geographic information systems and database design activities by identifying requirements and providing data management and analysis expertise; assisting the program team with or writing end-user manuals, documentation, reports, and/or procedures; and making appropriate recommendations for improvement/adopting new approaches to accommodate Digital First, OpenData, LEAN, and forest policy changes.
- Engage in the establishment and management of business process routines by helping to develop standardized business procedures to identify and resolve discrepancies or inconsistencies in data; developing geographic information system programs and assist in the development of supervised automated processes for data processing, mitigating the impact of repetitive tasks, and managing data; and ensuring that data back-up and security measures and procedures are in place to safeguard inventory, research, and monitoring data.
- Experience in project management and planning skills that required tracking and documenting current and future business processes using various project management tools and software applications (Planner, Project, etc.).
Interpersonal and Communication Skills
- Effective interpersonal, presentation, evaluative, and communication skills to work directly with the project team and clients to assess program/project needs and support and train GIS users.
- Demonstrated communication skills to identify client technical requirements for information collection and management, design elements, and related issues; present and discuss technical requirements with management and project teams; provide information to end users on implementation/maintenance requirements; and explain technical information to non-technical end users
- Demonstrated written communication skills to compile manuals, procedural guidelines, and various information documents about data/information management
Organizational, Analytical and Problem-Solving Skills:
- Strong experience in organizational, analytical, research, innovation and problem-solving skills to understand, test, troubleshoot, recommend, and acquire computer hardware, software, networks, and peripherals to support the provision of efficient and proactive GI and database systems and operation.
- Analytical skills to research, interpret, and assess data management and information requirements; participate in developing guidelines and/or recommendations on data definition/integration/standards, (e.g., data validation, reporting, and formatting); support the design and development of spatial data products and procedures for managing and maintaining data/information; and the ability to evaluate and recommend data management techniques
How to apply:
- You must apply online.
- Your cover letter and resume combined should not exceed five (5) pages. For tips and tools on how to write a concise cover letter and resume, review the Writing a Cover Letter and Resume: Tips, Tools and Resources.
- Customize your cover letter and resume to the qualifications listed on the job ad. Using concrete examples, you must show how you demonstrated the requirements for this job. We rely on the information you provide to us.
- Read the job description to make sure you understand this job.
- OPS employees are required to quote their WIN EMPLOYEE ID number when applying.
- If you require a disability related accommodation in order to participate in the recruitment process, please Contact Us to provide your contact information. Recruitment services team will contact you within 48 hours.
For more information and to apply, please visit www.gojobs.gov.on.ca/Forest Inventory GIS Officer
Please be advised that the results of this competition may be used to form an eligibility list of qualified candidates to potentially fill future vacancies represented by the Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU). In accordance with the Collective Agreement, eligibility lists are shared with OPSEU representatives. By applying to this competition, you are providing consent that your name may be shared with OPSEU representatives.
We thank you for your interest. Only those selected for further screening or an interview will be contacted.