Geospatial Data Analyst

This competition is open to all applicants however internal candidates and applicants who were former employees of the University of Alberta in the past 18 months will be given priority consideration before external candidates. Please indicate your internal status using the "Advertisement" drop down menu when applying.

This position is for one year plus a day, with the possibility of renewal and offers a comprehensive benefits package which can be viewed at: Faculty & Staff Benefits .

ABMI is dedicated to tracking changes in biodiversity across the entirety of Alberta for the next 100 years, and this resultant information provides Albertans' the ability to make informed decisions about the state of their environment in ways never before possible. Working in the ABMI's Geospatial Centre, the Geospatial Data Analyst is responsible for the development, implementation, and management of geospatial data analysis that support the ABMI's goal of enhancing environmental monitoring and reporting across the province. This includes, but is not limited to applying machine learning and big data exploration to support geospatial needs related to scientific analysis of ABMI’s species, habitat and human footprint data and data products.

The Geospatial Data Analyst is responsible for developing and implementing geospatial data analysis approaches to produce layers that will support environmental monitoring at regional and provincial scales. The Geospatial Data Analyst will interact with the ABMI’s staff on matters related to project/task management, data and knowledge analysis, QA/QC processes, and big data processing issues. The ABMI is looking for an outstanding Geospatial Data Analyst with ability to collaborate on strategic natural resource monitoring initiatives through gathering, processing and analysis of wide range of big geospatial data.

Duties

• Primary duties involve the development and implementation of data processing and analysis of wide range of big geospatial data, including but not limited to large scale optical, radar, and LiDAR datasets for developing landcover and habitat monitoring system.
• Big data processing and visualization and applications of cloud computing environment (e.g.,Google Earth Engine) and machine learning for big data analysis
• Investigate and apply emerging geospatial analytical approaches to landscape and biodiversity monitoring that will be integrated other environmental information produced by the ABMI to facilitate environmental monitoring in Alberta.
• Coordinate and produce large-scale landcover mapping products relating to wetlands and forestry
• Coordinate and undertake quality assurance on work prior to passing it on and coordinate independent audits as required.
• Summarize and export required geospatial information as required for analysis and distributing information to other ABMI staff, key stakeholders and public.
• Provides support to ABMI's other centres on matters related to understanding and application of big geospatial data analysis to improve the work quality and solutions.

Qualifications

• Post-secondary degree in geospatial sciences, remote sensing and natural resource sciences.
• Minimum five years geospatial data science work experience and strong hands-on experience with geospatial analysis and applied geospatial statistics.
• Must have minimum 1 year experience working with Google Earth Engine/Earth Engine APIs for the purpose of water quality monitoring and wetland hydrodynamics (using optical and SAR data).
• Must also have minimum 1 year of experience with large-scale wetland and forest cover mapping. Proficient with Earth Engine APIs.

Preference given to those with:

• Familiar with a variety of technologies capable of processing of large spatial data (i.e., more than just Google Earth Engine) with training and skills that include but are not limited to a variety of technologies capable of storing spatial data (i.e., ArcSDE, SQL Server, etc.)
• Superior written and verbal communications skills
• Strong planning ability and demonstrated strategic thinking
• Team oriented with excellent relationship-building skills
• Ability to work independently, prioritize, adapt to rapidly shifting priorities and manage projects from start to completion
• Experience using open-access (Sentinel, Landsat) Earth observation data for landcover mapping
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills for effective and efficient interaction with ABMI staff and public when required.

COVID-19 Vaccination: Proof of full vaccination against COVID-19 in compliance with the University’s COVID-19 Vaccination Directive. Fully Vaccinated means a status an individual achieves 14 days after having received the recommended number of doses of a COVID-19 vaccine approved by Health Canada or the World Health Organization, and requires the individual to maintain the recommended number and type of vaccine doses as updated and required by Health Canada thereafter.

Note: Online applications are accepted until midnight Mountain Standard Time of the closing date.

We thank all applicants for their interest; however, only those individuals selected for an interview will be contacted.