GIS Specialist I

Job Posting

Halifax Regional Municipality (HRM) is inviting applications for the permanent, full-time positions of GIS Specialist I in Information Technology. 

Halifax Regional Municipality (HRM) is committed to reflecting the community it serves and recognizing Diversity and Inclusion as one of the Municipality’s core values. We have an Employment Equity Policy and we welcome applications from African Nova Scotians and Other Racially Visible Persons, Women in occupations or positions where they are underrepresented in the workforce, Indigenous/Aboriginal People, Persons with Disabilities and 2SLGBTQ+ Persons.  Applicants are encouraged to self-identify on their electronic application.

Reporting to the Manager, GIS, the GIS Specialist I provides a broad range of technical services in support of HRM’s GIS solutions and data.  The GIS Specialist requires technical knowledge in the areas of mapping and visualization, data management, field mobility, sharing & collaboration, constituent engagement and decision support as well as knowledge in the area of spatial analysis.   The GIS Specialist’s services may be performed independently or within a team or project structure.  All work is conducted following established methodologies and governance processes.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Solution Design, Development and Support:
• Work with HRM business units to review and recommend options for spatial solutions.  Assist with identifying and capturing application and data requirements. Investigate alternative solutions to meet requirements and make recommendations.
• Work proactively and cooperatively with the Manager, GIS and other IT staff to recommend tasks for work plan development and project management purposes.
• Support the development of required documentation for approvals through established GIS and IT governance processes (Design Authority, ARB, CAB, etc).
• Develop and configure solutions (web, mobile or paper based) for internal and external use following established cartographic and user centred design principles, using appropriate symbology and classification methods to enhance usability.
• Develop and execute functional testing and support integrated testing cycles independently and collaboratively with HRM staff and other stakeholders.
• Develop required training materials, organize and provide group and one-on-one training on GIS solutions and related hardware.
• Develop and maintain supporting documentation, including but not limited to: knowledge articles, user guides, methodologies, common questions, known issues, release notes and training materials for maps, software, spatial applications, data, metadata.
• Prioritize and implement application enhancements through formal change request processes within scheduled timeframes.
• Monitor vendor updates to online mapping products and tools; test changes to ensure continued functionality of published applications.
• Research and test new GIS hardware (GPS units, laptops, tablets, smartphones), applications, software, and procedures.
• Maintain GIS equipment (plotter), and non-digital resources (aerial photo print archive).
• Maintain the content of internal and external GIS web pages.
• Participate in GIS user groups and other stakeholder engagements.
• Data Management:
• Assist in the design and development of spatial databases.
• Assist in developing procedures and standards for data collection and integration, as well as methods to reduce duplication and data entry errors.
• In coordination with business stakeholders, provide maintenance of corporate GIS data, and ensure data meets corporate data governance and quality standards.
• Verify data collected in the field to ensure data integrity. Process and integrate acquired field data into GIS from internal and third-party sources.
• Implement, modify, and update processes and procedures for data integrity while ensuring integration and compatibility with other IT system databases, programs, and initiatives.
• Distribute GIS data, scanned images and documents, and georeferenced images for other business units or the public. Convert files to other formats as required.
• Conduct research to locate and verify GIS data from source documents, such as Council minutes, historical documents, spreadsheets, archived map files, aerial imagery, sketches or microfiche.
• Analysis:
• Conduct GIS analysis as required. Utilize geo-processing tools and analysis processes in desktop and web environments. Assist in the development and manipulation of automated scripted analysis, using current GIS programming and scripting languages.
• Interpret and analyze aerial photography, LiDAR or GPS data, making comparisons to other spatial data sources.
• Perform other duties as required, including working outside normal working hours.
• Emergency Management & Emergency Operations Centre Support:
• Provide GIS expertise and support to the Emergency Management (EM) during preparation for EM exercises and activation of the Emergency Operations Centre (EOC).
• Provide hard copy and digital outputs, maps, sketches, charts and tables for reports, during EOC activation.

QUALIFICATIONS
Education and Experience:

• 2-year diploma or degree in Geomatics from a recognized institution, or suitable combination of education and work experience in Geomatics.
• Minimum two years’ work experience in a geomatics environment, preferably in a municipal setting, including solution configuration, testing, training and spatial data management.
• Minimum two years’ work experience with the Esri ArcGIS desktop and web environments
• Minimum two years’ work experience maintaining and managing spatial data in an Enterprise GIS environment, including editing in a shared environment.
• Demonstrated familiarity with remote sensing techniques as well as experience interpreting aerial photography and integrating imagery into GIS solutions.
• Demonstrated advanced knowledge of current GIS industry best practices, including cartographic concepts, design and layout, and map scales and projections.
• Demonstrated customer services skills, particularly listening skills, as well as the ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in written form with a wide variety of audiences.
• ITIL (Information Technology Infrastructure Library) Foundations Certificate considered an asset
• Lean Six Sigma certification considered an asset

Technical / Job Specific Knowledge and Abilities:

• Advanced knowledge of ESRI products such as ArcGIS Pro, AGOL, Field Maps and Experience Builder
• Thorough knowledge of cartographic concepts, design and layout. Strong database management and analysis skills
• Strong data maintenance skills
• Knowledge of remote sensing and remote sensing techniques
• Ability to interpret aerial photography and integrate scanned images into GIS
• Familiar with other GIS, CAD (Computer Aided Design) and database software
• Extensive interpretation skills with respect to municipal information (i.e. road and water networks, property information, building information, parks and open spaces, etc.)

Security Clearance Requirements: Applicants will be required to complete an employment security screening check.
 
Please note –Testing may be conducted as a component of the selection process to assess technical and job specific knowledge. Candidates, who are selected for testing, may be tested in a group setting, scheduled at the employer’s discretion.  

COMPETENCIES: Analytical Thinking, Communication, Customer Service, Networking / Relationship Building, Organizational Awareness, Organization and Planning, Teamwork and Cooperation, Valuing Diversity, Values and Ethics.
 
WORK STATUS:  Permanent, full-time

HOURS OF WORK: 8:30am - 4:30pm, Monday to Friday; 35 hours per week.  Some overtime hours may be required.

SALARY: $39.63 per hour; Level 8 as per hour as per the Agreement between the Halifax Regional Municipality and NSGEU Local 222

WORK LOCATION: Barrington Tower, Scotia Square - Halifax, NS

CLOSING DATE: Applications will be received up to 11:59pmonSunday, November 1, 2026. 
 
This is a bargaining unit position. External applicants will only be considered if there are no qualified bargaining unit candidates.

Please note: We thank all applicants for their interest in this position. Only those applicants selected for interview/testing will be contacted.

Please note: We thank all applicants for their interest in this position. Only those applicants selected for interview/testing will be contacted. To ensure a fair and equitable hiring process, candidates are expected to complete all parts of the recruitment process, including assessments, assignments, and interviews independently and without the use of artificial intelligence (AI) tools or other forms of external assistance. The use of AI to complete any component of the hiring process is not permitted and may result in disqualification from consideration. 

During the recruitment process, applicants have the right to request an accommodation. Applicants invited to participate in an assessment process (such as interview or testing) and who require an accommodation, should discuss their needs with the Talent Acquisition Advisor when invited to the assessment process. For more information on our accommodation process please click on the link:Accommodations | Hiring | Employment | Halifax

(Position #78604485)