GIS Analyst & Spatial Data Manager

Position: GIS Analyst and Spatial Data Manager
Project: Ontario’s Northern Boreal Landscape
Reports To: Ontario’s Northern Boreal Landscape Leader
Job type: Full-time 6 month position (potential to extend)
Location: Flexible within Ontario (WCS Canada Office in Toronto or Peterborough, or a home office location in Ontario)
Closing date: 29 March 2013
Anticipated start date:  1 June 2013 (or sooner if possible)
Salary: Commensurate with experience

Position Summary:
The GIS Analyst and Spatial Data Manager is responsible for technical and applied geospatial support that addresses the objectives of WCS Canada’s Ontario Northern Boreal Landscape Program (http://www.wcscanada.org/WhatWeDo/OntarioNorthernBoreal.aspx). The program is focused geographically on Ontario’s Far North developing applied- and field-based research on terrestrial and aquatic socio-ecological systems to address conservation needs in this large, intact landscape.   Information generated by the program is used to address and improve land use planning processes, environmental assessment, and conservation in Ontario’s Far North with decision-makers in Government and First Nations and other stakeholders.   The position is primarily aimed at providing geospatial support to help develop solutions for conserving the landscape as well as communicating issues and solutions to a broad range of decision-makers and stakeholders. 

Position Objectives:
This position will be responsible for providing technical and applied geospatial support to team members of the Ontario Northern Boreal Landscape program. Specific objectives include:

• Develop and implement a strategy for sharing (e.g., updating, management) spatial data across three office locations (Toronto, Peterborough, Thunder Bay) in Ontario.
  
• Design and implement spatial analyses that support the conservation objectives of the program.
  
• Provide GIS training and support to team members.
  

Principal Responsibilities:

• Develop and manage a central spatial information database to be founded on the existing data holdings and data sharing agreements of the team.
  
• Identify and implement appropriate technology (e.g. cloud based technologies) to allow multiple users across office locations to access and actively use (e.g., update, download) the central spatial information database.
  
• Design, implement, and assist team members with GIS-based spatial analysis research projects as well as field work where necessary.
  
•  Provide onsite and remote GIS and spatial analysis training and support to team members across Ontario.
  
•  Develop maps and other outputs for reports, publications, and presentations.
  
• Liaise with spatial analysis and IT staff at WCS head quarters at the Bronx Zoo, New York and, where necessary, with North American program staff.
  

Required Qualifications:

• Relevant graduate degree in conservation biology, resource management, landscape ecology or related field (an undergraduate degree and 2 years of professional experience may substitute for a graduate degree).
  
• Experience using ArcGIS for a diversity of spatial analyses and cartographic applications.
  
• Experience with spatial and non-spatial data management and analysis.
  
• Experience collecting, manipulating, analyzing and interpreting scientific data (e.g., terrestrial, aquatic) and preparing maps, spatial and non-spatial statistics, and other outputs for reports, publications, and presentations.
  
• Experience providing GIS support to team members of varying skill levels.
  
• Experience working with Microsoft Office Suite Software.
  
• Excellent communication skills (written, oral, visual) across a broad range of audiences in order to support training, collaboration, and reporting.
  
• Experience coordinating multiple projects, setting realistic deadlines and managing timeframes.
  
• Experience and understanding of applications of GIS for addressing Aboriginal land use, occupancy mapping, and traditional knowledge an asset.
  
• Experience with conservation planning tools for terrestrial and aquatic systems (e.g., Marxan, BEACONs) an asset.
  
• Demonstrated ability to analyze situations, evaluates alternatives and implements solutions.
  
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and collaborate effectively in teams.
  

About WCS Canada

WCS Canada was established as a Canadian conservation organization in July 2004.  Our mission is to conserve wildlife and wildlands by improving our understanding of and seeking solutions to critical problems that threaten key species and large wild ecosystems throughout Canada.  We implement and support comprehensive field studies that gather information on wildlife needs and then seek to resolve key conservation problems by working with a broad array of stakeholders. We also provide technical assistance and biological expertise to local groups and agencies that lack the resources to tackle conservation concerns.  WCS Canada is independently registered and managed, while retaining a strong collaborative working relationship with sister WCS programs in more than 55 nations, including an integrated North America Program.  The Wildlife Conservation Society (www.wcs.org) is a recognized global leader in conservation and for more than a century has worked in North America promoting actions such as bison reintroduction, pioneering field studies, parks creation, and legislation to protect endangered wildlife. 

To apply:
Please send cover letter detailing spatial analysis and conservation interests and experience and Curriculum Vitae to WCS Canada by email, fax or mail:
By email:      [email protected]
By fax:          416-850-9040
By mail:        Human Resources
Wildlife Conservation Society Canada
720 Spadina Avenue, Suite #600,
Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5S 3B3

For more information, contact WCS Canada Assistant Director, Gillian Woolmer ([email protected]). 

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