GIS Data Technologist (2995)

GIS Data Technologist (2995)

NAIT (Northern Alberta Institute of Technology) – Temporary position ending on or before December 31, 2026, with the possibility of extension.

Detailed Job Description

NAIT’s Centre for Data Management and Visualization (CDMV) is seeking a technically skilled Geospatial Database Specialist to lead the design, development, and optimization of geospatial data infrastructure for our organization and collaborators. This position requires a strong foundation in computer science and GIS, with the ability to architect scalable geospatial databases, implement automation pipelines, and ensure secure, sovereignty‑focused data management.

As a key contributor to the Indigenous Community‑led Atlas (ICA) projects, this role will drive the creation of robust hybrid data environments that combine relational geospatial databases with unstructured media content. You will enable advanced workflows for mapping, analysis, and visualization by integrating spatial data, automating processes, and supporting custom GIS tool development. Through this work, you will help build a modern, ethical, and accessible geospatial infrastructure that strengthens capacity in Indigenous communities.

Key Responsibilities

• Consult with internal staff and community partners to assess spatial data needs and availability.
• Collect, clean, convert, and format spatial data from various sources, including GPS, remote sensing, and open data portals.
• Architect and maintain relational geospatial databases (e.g., PostgreSQL / PostGIS) for large‑scale spatial datasets.
• Implement data models and indexing strategies to optimize performance for gigabyte‑to‑terabyte‑scale data lakes.
• Design and maintain a geospatial library in standard formats (e.g., GeoJSON, Shapefile, GDB, KML).
• Ensure compliance with data sovereignty principles through secure, remote‑access solutions without web connectivity.
• Develop scripts and tools (Python and SQL inside / outside the Esri software suite; ArcGIS Arcade, within the Esri suite) to automate ETL processes and streamline data pipelines from database to GIS platforms in either Esri or open‑source platforms (QGIS).
• Integrate workflows with desktop and open‑source GIS software for analysis and visualization.
• Create documentation and training resources to support the adoption of automated processes for both NAIT’s internal data lake and Indigenous Community Partners.
• Design and enforce metadata standards and QA protocols for geospatial datasets.
• Manage interoperability between structured geospatial data and unstructured media / document repositories.
• Support knowledge transfer through internal training and documentation.
• Consult with internal teams and community partners to align database architecture with project needs.
• Evaluate emerging open‑source geospatial technologies and recommend solutions for ongoing scalability and security.

Skills & Abilities

Preferred Skills

Qualifications

Applicants with education credentials earned outside of Canada should have their credentials evaluated by World Education Services (WES), International Qualifications Assessment Service (IQAS), or the Comparative Education Services (CES). All applications require a resume and cover letter.

Remuneration : $49,161.84 – $69,092.14 annually, plus a comprehensive benefits package. (Classification – Research Technologist II). This position is covered by the Alberta Union of Provincial Employees (AUPE) Collective Agreement.

About NAIT

NAIT is known as one of Alberta’s top employers. Our culture reflects shared values of respect, collaboration, celebration, creativity, and accountability. We prioritize the employee experience, offering benefits and perks focused on health and wellness, work‑life balance, recognition, and professional growth. We support a flexible work environment and require remote positions to be based within Canada. NAIT is committed to fostering a safe environment that supports equity and inclusion through our Centre for Community and Belonging (CCB) and Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Strategy. We encourage all qualified applicants to apply; only those being considered will be contacted. If you require accommodations, please connect with us at careers@nait.ca.

Apply directly through our Careers site : www.nait.ca / careers.

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