| Date: |
January 26, 2015 |
| Reports to (Job Title): |
Geospatial Data Services Librarian |
| Jobs Reporting (Job Titles): |
None |
| Department: |
Library |
Location: |
Geospatial Centre, Information Services & Resouces, Dana Porter Library |
Grade: |
USG 9
35 hr/wk |
Primary Purpose
The Geospatial Information Systems Specialist is responsible for providing advanced geospatial technical and information services to the campus community. This position is also accountable for the development and management of individual and collaborative geospatial digital projects. The incumbent works closely with the Geospatial Data Services Librarian, the Musagetes Architecture Library, the Digital Initiatives Department, and the Faculty of Environment Mapping and Design Unit.
Key Accountabilities:
1. As a member of Porter Information Services and Resources, the Specialist, in close partnership with the Geospatial Data Services Librarian, is an effective, innovative, and proactive team member by:
- Collaboratively developing, implementing, coordinating, and reviewing initiatives/services/projects/resources that support teaching, learning and research of the campus community
- Promoting the use of Geospatial services and resources to the campus community, and as aligned with areas of expertise
- Supporting and advancing the Library’s strategic directions to further the Library’s contribution to the campus Strategic Plan for learning, teaching, and research in the campus community as related to their expertise
- Participating in Library committee and campus working groups, as relevant
- Actively engaging in consortia-related meetings and discussions, as relevant to core job areas
2. As the geospatial technical expert for the Geospatial Centre and Libraries by:
- Maintaining high level of awareness of current trends in Geospatial Information Systems (GIS) & related technologies with particular focus on applications in teaching and research
- Updating and refining GIS technical skills on a continual basis
- Training colleagues, both within the Geospatial Centre and throughout the Library, to assure growth and development of their GIS skills and knowledge
- Providing technical training to student workers (co-op student and student workers) to provide basic and intermediate geospatial service in the library
- Identifies new opportunities for development of GIS services and tools
3. As the main provider of advanced geospatial technical and information services:
- Develops and delivers, in collaboration with the team, advanced technical service and consultation as well as handling the most advanced questions
- Offers technical geospatial reference and consultation services to Library users in person and virtually, including:
- Using advanced geospatial tools, technologies and data sets
- Assisting users in finding, using, managing, mapping, analyzing, and visualizing spatial data
- Assisting users in defining GIS research projects
- Collaborates with the Geospatial Data Services Librarian to develop evolving specialized geospatial services and resources
- Collaboratively, initiates and executes geospatial-related events for end users, such as campus community mapping initiatives
4. As the position accountable for providing digital collection development and management support:
- Evaluates and recommends geospatial datasets and appropriate GIS-related software, to the Geospatial Data Services Librarian
- Supports the Geospatial Data Services Librarian in creating, maintaining, updating and organizing the Library’s Geospatial data collection
- Manipulates and transforms datasets by geoprocessing, geocoding and data format converting
- Develops geospatial digitization projects to enhance collection access and discovery
- Conducts regular searches (data mining) for collection updates, providing recommendations to the Geospatial Data Services Librarian for decision-making
- Downloads selected datasets, provides quality assurance testing, and reformats datasets as needed
5. As one of the positions accountable for providing instruction to end users:
- Works with Geospatial Data Services Librarian to develop relevant teaching and training materials for workshops, classroom presentations and special events with a focus on GIS applications
- Develops classroom assignments related to using GIS tools, technologies and data sets
- Creates and updates GIS-related software guides and presentation materials, including online components
- Provides instruction on GIS software use, in classrooms, in workshops, and one-on-one
- Provides orientation and course-related tours of the Geospatial Centre and its web resources
6. As the position responsible for digital geospatial projects:
- In close collaboration with the Geospatial Data Services Librarian and the Digital Initiatives Department, develops, implements, and maintains geospatial digital and digitization projects
- Initiates new digital and digitization projects
- Develops, manages, and delivers special projects
- Develops metadata for digital objects
- Oversees and guides geospatial staff members’ participation in geospatial digital projects
- As appropriate, provides technical advising to colleagues for new geospatial digital project development
- Assesses and provides needed training for special project team members
- Develops and implements a maintenance schedule and quality assurance protocol for digital projects
- Ensures strong working relationship with Library web developers and system administrators
Position Requirements
Education:
Bachelor’s Degree in Geomatics or equivalent [computer programming and geomatics specialization/course work in bachelor’s degree, accreditation, or college diploma/degree/certificate related to GIS or Geomatics or work experience]
Experience:
Recent experience successfully providing high-quality advanced GIS technical services to end users in a public-facing capacity. Proven ability to develop, manage, complete GIS digital projects, including GIS web services. Recent technical application of advanced ArcGIS knowledge, geospatial metadata standards as well as web programming language(s), Proven self-starter; Demonstrated commitment to high-quality customer service; Proven project management experience with strong mentoring ability; Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills; Ability to present GIS information in an effective manner to individuals and groups; Effectively communicate information in a clear and concise manner, both verbally and in writing; Maintain strong working relationships; Manage priorities with fluctuating and time-sensitive deadlines in an environment with frequent interruptions.
Technical:
| MS Word |
Excel |
PowerPoint |
Other |
| Intermediat |
Intermediat |
Intermediat |
ArcGIS (Advanced), Geospatial metadata standards (intermediate)), HTML (Intermediate), Python (Intermediate), JavaScript (Intermediate), PHP (Basic); knowledge of web accessibility compliance guidelines |
Nature and Scope
Interpersonal Skills:
- Internally, communicates with Geospatial Centre staff, including co-op and student workers, and the Musagetes Architecture Library staff. Works with Library Technical and Facilities Services and Digital Initiatives Departments to obtain action on projects and resolve issues. Works with other members of the Library for training and promotional initiatives.
- Externally, works with patrons, campus colleagues, faculty members and the general public.
- Due to the strong service component of this position, strong communications skills, both verbal and written are required.
Level of Responsibility:
- Specialized work with minimal supervision. Provides assistance, technical support and training to co-workers in regards to areas of expertise and leadership. Provides technical leadership and project management for GIS special projects within the Geospatial Centre, and as appropriate, in the Musagetes Architecture Library.
Decision-Making Authority:
- Responsible for problem-solving daily issues as related to responsibilities. Works with manager and others to solve larger problems.
Physical and Sensory Demands:
- Minimal demands typical of a public service position operating within an office environment characterized by frequent interruptions.
Working Environment:
- Minimal exposure to disagreeable conditions typical of a fast paced public services position.
