Senior Fire GIS Systems Analyst

Requisition ID: 38545 

Organization

Located on the traditional, ancestral and unceded lands of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Peoples, Vancouver has a commitment to becoming a City of Reconciliation. Vancouver consistently ranks as one of the world’s most liveable cities and is working towards being the greenest city in the world. Named among Canada's Top 100 Employers, BC's Top Employers, and Canada's Greenest Employers, the City of Vancouver seeks colleagues who can help shape and embody our core commitments to sustainability, decolonization, equity and outstanding quality of life for all residents.

Consider joining our committed team of staff and being part of an innovative, inclusive and rewarding workplace.

Main Purpose and Function

The Senior Fire GIS Systems Analyst is responsible for development, implementation and maintenance of GIS solutions. The position is responsible for all stages of the logical, conceptual, and physical design, testing, and implementation and support of the final product. Using a variety of tools and technologies, the role works as part of the Organizational Performance and Business Operations team, and is responsible for: (a) performing advanced spatial data analysis, (b) generating statistics, metrics, and visual output to drive strategic and operational decisions, (c) providing technical support for the collection, analysis, and interpretation of spatial data and (d) supporting the department’s efforts to achieve Commission on Fire Accreditation International (CFAI) accreditation and conduct a Community Risk Assessment (CRA). Technologies in use or may be used in the future include: ESRI/GIS, PowerBI, Excel, FDM, SQL Server and SQL DataWarehouse.  The work performed will enable VFRS to leverage performance metrics to support strategic, operation and financial decisions as well as support service transformation by driving accountability, improving transparency and increasing value for money.

Key Contacts and Reporting Relationships

The position reports to the Assistant Chief of Analytics & Decision Support. The position interfaces with key business leaders from VFRS as well as the City’s Corporate Leadership team.  The position calibrates tools to translate raw data into valuable business insights and provides insights and recommendations to senior staff using strong logical reasoning skills and business intelligence to drive high performance and quality.

Specific Duties/Responsibilities

• Leads the development and implantation of a comprehensive GIS program to support the fire departments CRA and CFAI accreditation efforts.
• Collects, compiles and analyzes data from various sources to create digital maps that identify community risk factors, such as high-risk structures, vulnerable populations and areas prone to natural disasters.
• Develops and maintains GIS data layers to support the community risk assessment process, including data on demographics, land use, building characteristics, response times, and incident history.
• Provides mapping support for the CRA process, including identifying areas with the highest risk of fire, the location of fire hydrants, water sources, and other potential hazards.
• Assists in the development of standard operating procedures for data collection, analysis, and maintenance to ensure compliance with CFAI standards.
• Supports fire department staff on the use of GIS software and data for CRA and CFAI accreditation purposes.
• Conducts quality assurance and control procedures to ensure accuracy and completeness of GIS data and maps.
• Works collaboratively with other fire department staff and community stakeholders to gather input and feedback on the community risk assessment process and to ensure that it reflects the needs and priorities of the community.
• Leads and supports the development of strategies for effective data analysis and reporting to support departmental strategic direction.
• Configures out-of-the-box and develops custom GIS solutions leveraging the City’s ESRI platform.
• Serves as a technical and educational resource around GIS solution products, data visualization and GIS analysis, geospatial data creation and management.
• Prepares test data, test scripts and test environments, conducts testing (logic, usability, integration, security, and acceptance), debugs programs, and supports user acceptance testing as part of GIS hybrid support team.
• Stays current with developments in GIS, spatial analysis, programming languages, data modeling, integration tools, database technologies and data visualization tools, techniques and best design practices.
• Applies industry knowledge to interpret data and improve performance.
• Provides analysis supporting the short term and long term departmental direction including providing supporting metrics for the same.
• Presents findings with departmental leaders and other stakeholders.
• Develops and maintains user training and documentation.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualification Requirements

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree or diploma in Computer Science, Information Technology or GIS.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience (preferably in a municipal environment) with implementation and maintenance of ESRI GIS solutions leveraging ArcGIS Enterprise platform and ArcGIS Pro.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience with user engagement, requirements gathering and change management.
• Experience in supporting and developing strategies to support major corporate decisions and identifying performance measures to inform strategic decisions.
• Business intelligence experience, familiarity with data management, BI tools, data mining, designing reports and dashboards to facilitate evidence based effective decision making.
• Extensive experience in strategically answering complex business problems through data analysis, scenario modeling and creative thinking.
• Significant experience in supporting and facilitating complex multi-stakeholder initiatives and engagements
• Experience with the creation and presentation of public information (formal/informal reports, other publications) as well as engagement involving a diverse range of stakeholders.
• Completion of GIS professional designation or ESRI certification is an asset.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Knowledge of mapping and spatial analysis techniques, including risk assessment and hazard mitigation.
• Knowledge of GIS in a municipal environment and understanding of its relationship with other business systems.
• Strong knowledge of ArcGIS Python API, Jupyter Notebooks and Safe Software FME.
• Knowledge of Road Network building and manipulation.
• Working knowledge in project management and market research.
• Advanced skills and experience in working with GIS software such as ESRI ArcGIS Pro.
• Ability to simultaneously manage multiple organizational priorities, projects, and deadlines.
• Ability to initiate business process improvements, supporting strategic decisions and change initiatives for a large organization.
• Advanced skills configuring web-based GIS solutions using Story Maps, Experience Builder and Dashboards in ESRI ArcGIS Pro.
• Strong skills with ESRI geodatabases, geodatabase modelling and data warehouses.
• Strong SQL skills in a Microsoft SQL Server environment.
• Ability to strategically answer complex business questions through data analysis, scenario modeling, data visualizations, and creative thinking.
• Ability to leverage strong analytical, technical and troubleshooting skills to solve complex problems and perform root cause analysis.
• Ability to analyze and synthesize data from multiple data sources and formats.
• Ability to customize GIS applications leveraging the ESRI platform when an out-of-the-box solution does not meet all business requirements.
• Some knowledge of user experience, design and accessibility principles.
• Ability to handle business critical and sensitive information.
• Ability to forward think, coupled with the skills of being able to articulate ideas in both written and verbal form.
• Demonstrated analytical skills and strong organizational abilities.
• Knowledge of Fire, medical or other emergency services is preferred
• A good understanding of Fire culture would be an asset.

Business Unit/Department: Organizational Performance & Business Operations/Fire Rescue Services

Affiliation: Exempt 

Employment Type: Regular Full Time ( RFT) 

Position Start Date: June 7th 2023

Position End Date: N/A 

Salary Information: Pay Grade:  RNG-080  $89283.00 to $111,609.00 per annum

Application Close:

At the City of Vancouver, we are committed to recruiting a diverse workforce that represents the community we so proudly serve. Indigenous applicants, people of colour, all genders, 2SLGBTQ+ and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply.  Accommodations will be provided upon request during the selection process. Learn more about our commitment to diversity and inclusion. 

Before you click Apply now

Once you start your application you can save your work and leave the applications page, however please remember to submit your profile to the specific job requisition before the posting closing date.

In addition to uploading your cover letter and resume, part of the application process may include answering application questions related to the preferred requirements of the role which may take approx. 5-10 minutes. Cover letters should express interest and highlight additional information relevant to the position and resumes should include a summary of skills and experience related to the position.