GIS Analyst

Date Posted: 05/08/2023
Req ID: 30927
Faculty/Division: Library
Department: Map and Data Library
Campus: St. George (Downtown Toronto)

Description:

About Us:

The University of Toronto Libraries system is the largest academic library in Canada and is consistently ranked in the top ten among academic research libraries in North America. The system consists of 40 libraries located on three university campuses: St. George, Mississauga, and Scarborough. This array of college libraries, special collections, and specialized libraries and information centres supports the teaching and research requirements of over 300 graduate programs, more than 70 professional programs, and about 700 undergraduate degree programs. In addition to more than 15 million volumes in 341 languages, the library system currently provides access to millions of electronic resources in various forms and over 31,000 linear metres of archival material. More than 150,000 new print volumes are acquired each year. The Libraries' data centre houses more than 500 servers with a storage capacity of 1.5 petabytes

Your Opportunity:

Reporting to the Head, Map & Data Library, the Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Analyst is responsible for providing expert technical geospatial data, mapping and software support to staff, faculty and students.

The GIS analyst is responsible for the maintenance and delivery of geospatial data to U of T GIS users. The incumbent is responsible for providing support in the development of library digital projects. The GIS analyst is also responsible for the presentation and dissemination of geospatial and other digital data collections in the Map and Data Library and creates tools for users to query and analyze data according to various needs.

Duties and Responsibilities

GIS Analysis

• Conduct needs assessments to determine end-user technical requirements
• Create web-based interactive maps using various applications and other GIS tools (for example: ArcGIS Server/ ArcGIS Online / GitHub / QGIS Server / Mapbox, etc).
• Create interactive websites from geospatial data(shapefiles)
• Program functionality such as downloading attribute data and extracting results from queries using various applications (for example: Arcade, Python, and HTML).
• Customize websites using various applications to enhance functionality e.g. developing a census website that enables the user to download selected attribute data or allows the user to zoom to street intersections by entering the street names or hotlink data to map library websites for downloading additional information
• Working knowledge of machine learning (AI) GIS tools
• Manage geospatial data using Dataverse, Drupal and the SP Geoportal.
• Manipulate geospatial data including but not limited to importing/exporting of data, building/cleaning data, and overlay analysis as required for each individual situation.
• Along with other staff, develop and maintain an enterprise Geodatabase for loading and distributing geospatial data for web-based GIS applications
• Convert and manipulate various data types including but not limited to GeoJSON, KML/Z, ascii files, dxf, and mif formats into ArcGIS coverages, shapefiles, grids and/or geodatabases as required
• Use cartographic principles such as colour choice, projections and symbols that enhance the websites’ and published maps’ appearances.
• Support faculty, staff and student cartography requests
• Use of graphics software packages to produce graphic images for web development and map publications.
• Use of desktop GIS and CAD software for the manipulation of data
• Use of GIS software extensively for updating and changing of attribute and geospatial data.
• Use python, R or Arcade to create and manipulate attribute and other related files

Service Support

• Identify and take a role in the developing trends of GIS data dissemination as it relates to the distribution of geospatial data with respect to the Map and Data Library’s websites and web portals
• GIS reference for students, faculty and staff such as:
  • Manipulating data for use in GIS and other applications – ensuring field names and data types will import and export
  • Joining data tables to geospatial data; e.g. census tract data downloaded from the Data Library website into a text format such as csv that will contain attribute information about the area of geographic study.
  • Converting raster-based data to vector data for performing overlay analysis of specific areas of study such as Northern Ontario forest types
  • Producing hard copy/soft copy maps which includes pdf and tiff files as well as paper maps
• Provide advanced GIS and cartography technical help to the GIS Librarian on special projects
• Provide advanced GIS and cartography technical help to staff (including campus libraries) and patrons on the use of GIS and CAD software application and data
• Assist MDL Librarians and staff in the maintenance and delivery of geospatial data to U of T GIS patrons on and off campus.

Qualifications (Minimum):

Education:

• University degree in a related field, e.g., Computer Science; one-year GIS community college diploma., or equivalent combination of education and experience required.

Experience: 

• Minimum of five (5) years of GIS experience using GIS and CAD software such as QGIS, Esri (ArcGIS Pro/ArcMap / ArcGIS online) and AutoCAD.
• Knowledge and experience using python and R programming language are also important. Knowledge and experience of HTML.
• Working knowledge of statistics is also required. Some experience with command-line GIS on Linux or Apple OS.
• Knowledge of graphics packages such as Gimp, Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator, and Inkscape.
• Experience working in a research or academic setting conducting and/or supporting quantitative research an asset.
• Experience in or desire to work in a busy public service-oriented environment an asset.

Other Skills:

• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills
• Ability to interpret questions and negotiate with clients to achieve mutually desired outcomes
• Good internet and database search skills
• Demonstrated accuracy, attention to detail and ability to prioritize tasks.
• Ability to work independently and effectively with technology in a fast-paced environment while managing competing priorities;
• Ability to develop clear, concise, accurate technical documentation
• Strong user-focused service orientation and demonstrated excellent ability to communicate (written and oral)
• Ability to work cooperatively and effectively with supervisors and colleagues in a culturally diverse and rapidly changing environment
• Demonstrated commitment to the values of inclusivity, diversity, anti-racism, equity and accessibility

Closing Date: 05/19/2023, 11:59PM ET
Employee Group: CUPE 1230
Appointment Type: Budget - Continuing
Schedule:
Pay Scale Group & Hiring Zone: CUPE 1230 (1U) - Step 1: $86,999 - Step 2: $90,906 - Step 3: $95,019
Job Category: Library Services