Job Details

Job Title: GIS Applications Analyst
Responsible to: GIS Team Leader
Responsible for: None

Functional links with:

• All ICT personnel
• Knowledge Manager
• Ordnance Survey
• Current and potential Herefordshire Council GIS User
• Suppliers of GIS equipment and software
• Other LG bodies

Occasional

• Directors
• Members
• Other professional bodies (eg user groups)
• Herefordshire Partnership colleagues
• National Bodies including IdeA
• Sub-contractors to the council
• Local Government colleagues outside the Herefordshire Council.

Main Purpose of Job:

Geographical data is widely held by all departments. It had become recognised as a key information asset, and a major means if improving service delivery and the delivery of savings. The post holder will therefore be required to work in all areas of the Council’s business planning and delivery.

Geographical data is now seen as a corporate asset. The post holder will therefore be required to promote and contribute to the to secure agreement and joint working between departments.

Maintain the integrity and currency of the Council’s corporate Ordnance Survey data and other spatial data sets.

Maintain the integrity of Metadata for corporate spatial data

To provide effective 2nd level support for problem resolution to the users of the Council’s GIS Systems, external clients and Herefordshire Partnership colleagues who have a need to use Council GIS systems.

Main Responsibilities / Accountabilities:

The jobholder will be expected to complete the responsibilities / accountabilities effectively.

• To proactively promote the effective management of Geographic Information throughout the Council to enable better service provision.
• The volume of spatial data is enormous, including electronic maps, digitised data, aerial photography, and complex databases from numerous sources. To keep up to date in the technical issues in their manipulation, integration and maintenance are considerable, requiring in-depth knowledge of current technologies and conventions.
• 2nd level day to day support of GIS users with minimum supervision
• Manage and control the release of ordnance survey data
• Advise GIS users using their knowledge of GIS software / hardware and spatial datasets
• Responsible for administration of corporate spatial data
• Responsible for spatial metadata integrity and maintenance
• Carry out duties of a link person between GIS users and external suppliers.
• Prepare and deliver GIS Training for GIS System Users
• Maintain FAQs and Knowledge Base for GIS Systems
• Actively promote corporate GIS, both to existing and potential users
• Complete and record accurate details within Time Recording and Helpdesk systems

Job Activities:

• To work with staff in all departments to promote and enhance the understanding and support for geographical data management and systems.
• To proactively promote the effective management of Geographic Information throughout the Council to enable better service provision in-line with Council’s strategy for Geographic Information Services (GIS).
• Provide advice and guidance to customers (internal/external) on the Council obligations under Ordnance Survey Copyright agent.
• On issue from Ordnance Survey update base mapping on mapping servers (within 2 weeks of receipt.)
• Recommend and produce maps (paper/electronic) to meet customer (internal/external) requirements.
• Attend Ordnance Survey Liaison meetings on behalf of Herefordshire Council.
• Attend Metadata Liaison meetings on behalf of Herefordshire Council.
• Administer, maintain and update spatial datasets
• Compile and maintain the register of all departmental spatial data sets within the council.
• Provide advice, guidance and consultancy to existing users in the use of GIS hardware and software.
• Provide advice, guidance and consultancy to existing users in the use of BS7666 Local Land and Property Gazetteer
• Support / advice and guidance to all MapInfo users within the council.
• Advice / Consultancy to potential new customers of GIS.
• Provide advice to customers in the best use of existing/potential spatial datasets.
• Provide GIS toolset use, advice and guidance to the Council’s GIS users and other ICT Services staff.
• Design, write GIS training courses to meet individual departments needs
• Provide and deliver training from (beginners to advanced) to GIS users.
• Consultation / design / development / implementation and support of GIS specific applications and user utilities
• Be aware of current and changing national data standards and when these change help to identify implications for the Council in complying or otherwise and make recommendations
• Stay aware and abreast of current technologies in relation to GIS and identify possible cost benefits.
• Recommend standards for spatial databases and the implementation and use of GIS technology.
• Act in a customer services role to GIS users
• Act in a “pre-sales” role in the planning and estimating of data capture activities.
• Help with the production of GIS service level agreements.

Other information:

This is a new post within the Council and as such the duties and responsibilities attached to the post are difficult to define in their entirety therefore may vary from time to time without changing the general character of the duties or level of responsibility entailed.

he post holder is therefore expected to undertake such other duties as may be requested provided the general character of the duties or level of responsibility does not change.

Skills:

Essential:

• At least 3 years experience in the use of GIS software
  to include:
  • table creation
  • data capture
  • data maintenance,
  • map production,
  • data manipulation
  • analysis of spatial data across more than one dataset
• At least 3 years experience providing advice and guidance in the use of GIS and the promotion of ICT Solutions
• Minimum 2 years knowledge of the principals of BS7666
• Minimum of 2 years knowledge of the principals of Metadata and its application in GIS
• Recognised professional project management qualification such as Prince 2 (foundation)

Desirable:

• Minimum 2 years knowledge and experience in any of the following:-
  • MapInfo and related software applications
  • Use of Ordnance Survey datasets
  • Use of property gazetteers
• Minimum 2 years knowledge and experience in any of the following:-
  • Deployment of GIS via a web browser (eg MapXtreme)
  • Developing GIS applications (large or small) eg using MapX
• Experience of Microsoft .NET framework
• Practical knowledge and experience any of the following:-
  • Ordnance Survey Mastermap
  • Oracle spatial databases and SQL queries
  • Writing / supporting Mapbasic routines
  • Manipulation of raster data eg using ER Mapper
  • Conversion of OS raw data into application specific format eg. For Mapinfo Using Transpose
  • Conversion of spatial data sets into different file formats eg using FME
  • Use / support of data and/or services in local government

Qualifications:

Essential:

• Graduate in geography, information technology and/or GIS
• GCSE english and mathematics
• Minimum 4 years experience in the use of ICT such as :-
  • MS Office suite
  • Windows
  • Use of Directories/ subdirectories / files / shares
• Demonstable knowledge of ISO 9001/14000 (GEM) quality standard
• Detailed knowledge of Ordnance Survey mapping products

Desirable:

• ITIL Foundation
• ECDL
• MapInfo Training
• Detailed knowledge of NLPG, NSG and associated national standards.

Skills and Abilities

Essential

• Excellent ICT skills including a good working knowledge of the Microsoft suite of applications
• Excellent written and oral communication skills including English and maths
• Ability to advise, guide and communicate technical issues to non technical staff
• Excellent team player
• Strong ability to analyse and assimilate information
• Ability to work under own initiative
• Proven ability to work within complex and demanding environments
• Ability to convey the Authority’s message in an authoritative yet polite and cooperative manner
• Ability to manage resources & information and deliver to targets
• Creative and innovative thinker
• Promotes and manages change as a means to secure continuous improvements
• Ability to exercise political awareness at all times
• Proven ability and commitment to provide customer focused services in a corporate context
• Ability to deliver timely and accurate technical advice
• Commitment to continuous professional development evidenced by recent professional/academic achievement

Desirable

• Understanding of and commitment to both the Data Protection and Freedom of Information Acts

Other Factors

• The post will be required to work at any of the Council’s locations and attend relevant meetings throughout the UK
• The post holder is expected to be flexible to ensure the most effective organisation and provision of services and will be required to attend evening meetings. Other work in the evenings or at weekends may be required, both planned and to resolve urgent problems.