GIS Specialist (GIS Officer 1(A)-(B)-2(A)-(C))

Competition # :   47969

Department :   Service Nova Scotia

Location :   AMHERST

Type of Employment :  Permanent

Union Status :   NSGEU - NSPG

Closing Date :   25-Feb-26  (Applications are accepted until 11 : 59 PM Atlantic Time)

About Us

At Service Nova Scotia, we impact every citizen, business, and municipality in Nova Scotia. We conduct over five million client interactions each year through the various programs and services we deliver on behalf of the government. We continuously strive to make our programs and services more responsive to the needs and expectations of Nova Scotians.

About Our Opportunity

This client-focused, problem-solving role offers an excellent opportunity to build your analytical skills and advance your career through hands-on experience and professional development. You’ll work alongside a dedicated team of geomatics professionals committed to improving provincial GIS datasets and refining maintenance strategies and quality control programs.

Reporting to GIS Coordinators at the Nova Scotia Geomatics Centre in Amherst, the Geographic Information System (GIS 1-2) Specialist is responsible for the collection, manipulation, analysis, development, maintenance, and mapping of government-related spatial datasets. Documenting processes and procedures is a key part of the role.

Collaboration with stakeholders and data providers, along with the use of remotely sensed data such as aerial photography, satellite imagery, LiDAR, and Pictometry, is essential to maintaining the foundational provincial datasets. Digitizing source materials and integrating GPS data are also necessary for this work.

The ideal candidate is a highly skilled, detail-oriented geomatics professional with technical expertise in the latest GIS technologies and practices. This includes experience with GIS platforms such as ArcGIS Online (AGOL), Esri Enterprise / Portal, and ArcGIS Pro, as well as a solid understanding of cartographic principles, spatial analysis tools, relational and file-based databases, and geographic data methodologies.

Primary Accountabilities

The GIS Specialist is responsible for :

• Maintaining and promoting GIS best practices and quality control standards
• Managing and maintaining geospatial databases
• Creating and maintaining digital geospatial data and products
• Developing and publishing GIS applications for provincial government partners using ArcGIS Online (AGOL) and / or Esri Enterprise / Portal
• Producing cartographic products that adhere to standards and prioritize accessibility
• Researching and developing new geospatial products and solutions
• Utilizing remote sensing data such as aerial photography, orthophotos, and LiDAR, including the creation of derived products such as DEMs
• Supporting and maintaining databases, distributable datasets, map services, and mapping applications, including the creation of technical documentation
• Providing technical support and training to other provincial departments, municipalities, and First Nation communities on spatial information needs
• Assisting clients in locating and accessing the geospatial data and products they require
• Enhancing the client experience by exploring and testing self-serve data distribution solutions

Qualifications and Experience

The successful candidate must have one of the following education levels :

The ideal candidate will have knowledge and / or experience in the following :

Equivalency

Applicants relying on education and experience equivalencies must demonstrate such equivalencies in their application.

Benefits

Based on the employment status and union agreement, the Government of Nova Scotia offers its employees a wide range of benefits such as a  Defined Benefit Pension Plan , Health, Dental, Life Insurance, General illness, Short and Long Term Disability, Vacation and Employee and Family Assistance Programs.  For information on all our Benefit program offerings, click here :   Benefits for government employees .

Assets

The following qualifications will be considered assets. Please clearly state and demonstrate any of the following :

What We Offer

Career Development where you have access to career guidance, tools, resources, and ongoing training for every stage of your career.

Engaging workplace. Our Employees feel valued, respected, connected, and tuned in. We have forward-thinking policies and strategies.

Countless career paths.

Department Specific Flexible working schedules.

Pay Grade :   PR 01 - PR 10

Salary Range :   $1,708.03 - $2,970.48 Bi-Weekly

Employment Equity Statement :

Our goal is to be a diverse workforce that is representative, at all job levels, of the citizens we serve.  The Government of Nova Scotia has an Employment Equity Policy, and we welcome applications from Indigenous People, African Nova Scotians and Other Racially Visible Persons, Persons with Disabilities and Women in occupations or positions where they are under-represented.  If you are a member of one of these equity groups, you are encouraged to self-identify on your electronic application.

Accommodation Statement :

We are committed to providing an inclusive and accessible recruitment process. Candidates may request accommodations based on any grounds protected by the Human Rights Act. If you require an accommodation throughout the recruitment process, please contact us at competitions@novascotia.ca.

This is a bargaining unit position initially restricted to current civil service employees represented by the Nova Scotia Government Employees Union (NSGEU). If applying from outside a government office, employees must apply correctly via this link :

Failure to apply correctly means that your application will not be given first consideration as a bargaining unit applicant, and will only be included if external applications are pursued.

External applicants and current casual employees will only be considered if there are no qualified civil service bargaining unit candidates. PLEASE NOTE : Candidates will not be considered for an interview if applications are incomplete or are missing information.

Offer of employment is conditional upon the completion of all applicable background checks and confirmation of credentials, the results of which must be satisfactory to the employer. We thank all applicants for the interest, however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted. All questions and concerns may be directed to  Competitions@novascotia.ca.