Taking care of our environment has never been more important than it is today. The Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC) is seeking a GIS Manager in British Columbia to join a team committed to protecting our most important natural areas and the plants and animals they sustain.

NCC is the nation’s leading not-for-profit, land conservation organization, working to protect our most important natural areas and the species they sustain. Since 1962 NCC and its supporters have protected 15 million hectares (more than 35 million acres) of ecologically significant land across Canada. NCC takes a collaborative, science-based approach to achieve conservation success for the sake of nature and Canadians. With a national office in Toronto and regional offices across the country, NCC delivers results you can walk on.

Position Summary

Reporting to the BC Director of Planning and Innovation, this position requires an individual with a comprehensive background in GIS, spatial analysis, and conservation planning. This highly technical role provides essential support to all staff in the BC operating unit. We are seeking an individual who can manage relationships with internal staff as well as external contractors and partners. This self-directed position requires management of team projects, anticipation of tasks, and development of efficient workflows. The GIS manager will work collaboratively with our team, empowering staff to confidently use spatial tools and software as needed.

Job Responsibilities

• Maintain internal databases, online data portals/mapping applications, and incoming external data as required.
• Support stewardship staff with field data collection processes through the development of data collection applications, digital surveys, and associated guidance for use.
• With the Director of Planning and Innovation, lead the region in conservation prioritization planning and analyses at multiple scales, including participation in nation-wide planning working groups.
• Support regional staff in mapping, analyses, communication, and reporting as required.
• Support for Director of Planning and Innovation with spatial derivation of conservation impact metrics and standards.
• Delegate GIS tasks to the information coordinator and provide technical training to that position and others as required.
• Provide mentorship for, and supervision and/or management of, a growing team.

Position Requirements (Technical)

• Degree or equivalent experience in conservation, biology, geography, or related field.
• Advanced information management and GIS technical training gained through a GIS diploma, degree, or equivalent experience.
• 3 or more years of related work experience using GIS.
• Advanced technical knowledge in geomatics is essential.
• Proficiency with ESRI products including ArcGIS Pro, ArcGIS Online applications, ArcGIS Enterprise geodatabases, ArcGIS Field Maps, and ArcGIS Server. Proficiency with Survey123 considered a strong asset.
• Proficiency with R and/or Python scripting languages.
• 3 or more years of related, practical experience in conservation planning, landscape ecology, community planning, or equivalent multi-disciplinary field considered a strong asset. BC specific experience is a significant asset.
• Experience with conservation prioritization analyses considered a significant asset.
• Working knowledge of BC government provincial datasets considered a significant asset, including various methods of access and an analytical understanding of appropriate use.
• Experience with LiDAR and other remote sensing data considered an asset.
• Ability to present data and analyses to varying technical and non-technical audiences.
• Ability to assume a leadership role in teaching/demonstrating GIS technical skills and information to a variety of staff.
• Experience or familiarity with the Conservation Measures Partnership’s Conservation Standards considered an asset.
• Proficiency with MS Office applications (Outlook, Teams, SharePoint, Word, Excel, etc.)

Position Requirements (Non-technical)

• Proficiency and adaptability in managing workflows and reaching deadlines, accounting for regular tasks, long-term projects, and urgent requests. Solid organizational skills are essential.
• Proficiency in problem-solving and finding innovative and creative solutions as needed.
• Flexible, resilient, reliable, and self-motivated, with the ability to work independently or collaboratively as part of a team.
• Experience with aspects of a not-for-profit conservation organization’s ethics, opportunities and challenges considered an asset.
• Ability to interact comfortably with NCC’s partners in BC, including donors, government representatives, Indigenous communities, NGO partners, and landowners.
• Well-developed written, verbal, listening and overall communication skills.
• Must be able to travel periodically for work.

How to Apply

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

Application Deadline

April 5, 2024 | 11:59pm EST, 9:59pm Mountain Time, 8:59pm Pacific Time, 10:50pm CST, 00:59 am +1 AST

NCC hires based on merit and is strongly committed to equity and diversity within its community. We strive for bold conservation achievements in which equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) are the norm. We welcome applications from racialized persons/visible minorities, women, Indigenous persons, persons with disabilities, ethnic minorities, and persons of minority sexual orientations and gender identities, as well as from all qualified candidates with the skills and knowledge to productively engage with diverse communities. NCC implements an employment equity program and encourages members of designated groups to self-identify.

Accommodations are available on request for candidates taking part in all aspects of the selection process. For a confidential inquiry, contact us by email at hr@natureconservancy.ca to make any required arrangements. If you have questions regarding accessible employment at NCC, please email us at hr@natureconservancy.ca