GIS Technician

Taking care of our environment has never been more important than it is today. The Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC), is looking for a GIS Technician in Alberta to fill a 4-6-month term contract on a team committed to protecting our most important natural areas and the plants and animals they sustain.

NCC is the country’s leading private land conservation organization. As a non-profit, charitable organization we work in partnership with individuals, corporations, governments, and other non-profit groups to protect our most important natural treasures. We take a collaborative and science-based approach to our mission. Since 1962 NCC and its partners have helped to conserve 2.8 million acres (more than 1.1 million hectares), from coast to coast to coast. With National headquarters in Toronto and regional offices across the country, NCC delivers results you can walk on.

Position Summary

The GIS Technician is responsible for supporting the delivery of GIS and mapping-related tasks for all of Alberta. The GIS Technician will report to the GIS team and Conservation department leads and will work closely with the other conservation field staff in a collaborative environment. This position is based out of the Calgary or Edmonton area with an option to work from home or hybrid (a blend of in-office, remote).

Required Skills and Attributes:

• University degree, College Degree or Diploma, or certificate from a Technical Institute
• Proficiency in the use of GIS in the context of map development, manipulating and organizing data, managing geodatabases, digitizing data, spatial analysis, and an understanding of ArcGIS Online and field data collection tools (specifically, Field Maps)
• Experience with, or an understanding of, the use of mapping portals (ArcGIS Online) to organize and display spatial information and metadata
• An understanding of Alberta’s landscapes, communities, and conservation issues, with the ability to seek out and use datasets available for planning initiatives in Alberta and more broadly (integrating wildlife movement data, climate projections, and broader planning initiatives into the maps that NCC produces)
• The ability to communicate with regional colleagues who require support, training, and leadership in GIS tools
• Flexibility, reliability, self-motivation, and ability to work independently
• Excellent problem solving, planning and organizational skills, and attention to detail and timelines that can change throughout a project
• Committed to the mission and values of the NCC
• Background in GIS, science, conservation, ecology, or environmental studies is an asset
• A proficiency with python and/or R an asset

General Task Outline

• Manage and organize data within ArcCatalog and file/enterprise geodatabases
• Update geometric calculations in existing databases
• Digitize features from base-layers or other datasets to create polygons necessary for vegetation and boundary delineation
• Use existing datasets to extract spatial information required for reporting
• Develop mapping portals using ArcGIS online
• Help with development of databases, services, web maps and web apps
• Understand data collection and ArcGIS Field Maps
• Respond to coworker requests for mapping and other GIS requests
• Develop maps using ArcMap and ArcGIS Pro for the following regional needs:
  • monitoring visits
  • landowner requests
  • Baseline Inventories
  • Baseline Documentation Report
  • Property Management Plans
  • communications
  • fundraising and
  • other maps required by the region

Terms of Employment:

• This is a 4-6-month contract (Starting in May 2023).
• The position is based out of the Calgary or Edmonton area
• This is a junior position for someone looking to gain experience in GIS
• Hourly Wage: $19-25 (depending on experience and length of contract)
• Option to work at home or hybrid

How to Apply

NCC is an equal opportunity employer. If you are interested in joining our team, please submit your cover letter and resume through our Career Centre.

Application Deadline: March 31, 2023 11:59 EST

NCC welcomes and encourages applications from people with disabilities. Accommodations are available on request for candidates taking part in all aspects of the selection process.

We value and incorporate diverse traditions, heritage, knowledge and experiences in our mission and in our workplaces. We celebrate the full participation of people from all walks of life as we work towards common goals. We strive for a conservation movement in which equity, diversity and inclusion are the norm. This is our continuous commitment: to promote healthy people, healthy communities and a healthy planet for everyone.