Job Details

Job Title: GIS Team Leader
Responsible to: Support and Development Manager
Responsible for: A small team of ICT specialists (approximately 4 permanent and 4 contract staff)

Functional links with:

All ICT managers and personnel, Council staff at all levels and all departments, Ordnance Survey, National Bodies including IdeA, Herefordshire Council GIS users, external suppliers, Members of the Herefordshire Partnership organisations and sub-contractors to the Council and Local government colleagues outside the Herefordshire Council

Job Description:

Main Purpose of job:

• To lead the development and implementation of the Council’s strategy for Geographic Information Services (GIS).
• Preparation and monitoring of annual staff budget of circa £150,000 and an IEG budget for BS7666 of circa £184,000, including monthly reporting to Head of Service and Finance Team Leader and for ensuring that best value is identified and continuously improved
• 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 have a central role of significant effect 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 work and negotiate at a high corporate level to secure agreement and joint working between departments.
• The volume of spatial data is enormous, including electronic maps, digitised data, aerial photography, and complex databases from numerous sources. The technical issues in their manipulation, integration and maintenance are considerable, requiring in-depth knowledge of current technologies and conventions.
• The section is involved with national initiatives, working with external national organisations and major companies, e.g. Improvement & Development Agency (I&DeA) & the Ordnance Survey. The work is closely linked to the E-Government and joined-up government initiatives and Best Value.
• To represent the Division on the Staff Travel Group panel

Main Responsibilities / Accountabilities:

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

• To formulate the Council’s strategies in the areas of geographic information management. To contribute as appropriate to all ICT strategic planning. To work with members, directors and senior staff in all departments to gain understanding and support for geographical data management and systems.
• To proactively and independently promote the effective management of Geographic Information throughout the Council to enable better service provision.
• To develop and agree with managers throughout the Council prioritised programs and projects to implement new geographic information management services and systems.
• To provide effective management and leadership to the team of GIS professionals and to ensure that the team provides a responsive, quality and cost-effective service to meet corporate and service needs.
• The design, implementation and maintenance of BS7666 for Herefordshire.

Job Activities:

• To formulate the Council’s strategies in the areas of geographic information management. To contribute as appropriate to all ICT strategic planning. To work with members, directors and senior staff in all departments to gain understanding and support for geographical data management and systems : Daily
• To proactively and independently promote the effective management of Geographic Information throughout the Council to enable better service provision : Daily
• To develop and agree with managers throughout the Council prioritised programs and projects to implement new geographic information management services and systems : Daily
• To provide effective management and leadership to the team of GIS professionals and to ensure that the team provides a responsive, quality and cost-effective service to meet corporate and service needs : Daily
• To prepare project plans to deliver projects including resource requirement, time-scales and costs; to monitor and report on corrective action where necessary. To lead and co-ordinate their development, implementation, monitoring, review and evaluation : Daily
• To undertake the role of Ordnance Survey Liaison Officer for the Council; to ensure best value is obtained from the Ordnance Survey (OS) Service Level Agreement, management of the OS copyright licences, provision of OS services to schools and parish Councils : Daily
• To undertake the role of National Land and Property Gazetteer (NLPG) custodian for the Council; managing the maintenance of the Council’s Local Land and Property Gazetteer (LLPG) to enable matching of candidate addresses submitted from external organisations via the NLPG; undertake consultations with external organisations involved in NLPG issues on behalf of the Council : Daily
• Provide consultancy to potential and existing GIS users : Daily
• Assist GIS users using their knowledge of GIS software / hardware and spatial datasets : Daily
• Effectively contribute to the IT Services management team in terms of regular input to personnel management, training and development plans, service planning and IT Services policies and procedures : Daily
• Monitor and authorise expenditure of an annual staff budget of circa £150,000 and an IEG budget of circa £184,000 in 2004/05 : Daily
• Authorise purchase orders to the value of £10,000 and cash reimbursements to a value of £50, travel and overtime : As required
• Significant project management responsibilities on cross-service programmes : As required
• Be aware of current and changing national data standards and current technologies in respect of GIS; make recommendations; and identify implications for the Council in complying or otherwise : On going
• The production of marketing and promotional material in conjunction with the IT Marketing Manager : As required
• Assist with the production of GIS service level agreements : As required
• Undertake specific R&D activities : As requested
• Represent the ICT Services Division on Council bodies (e.g. GIS Forum) and carry out duties of a link person between GIS users and external suppliers/user groups : Daily

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.

The 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 5 years IT managerial experience to include: -
  • Monitoring of budgets.
  • Workload allocation
  • Staff recruitment
  • Promotion of ICT Solutions
  • Design and Implementation of IT solutions
  • User consultancy
• At least 5 years experience in use of GIS applications and hardware support within a similar working environment
• Minimum 5 years instruction and consultancy in the use of spatial data datasets
• Minimum 5 years experience in the support of GIS hardware / software

Desirable:

• Minimum 3 years knowledge and experience in the production of ICT strategy and its implementation
• Minimum 3 years knowledge and experience in the use of MapInfo and related software applications
• Minimum 3 years knowledge and experience in the following:-
  • Use of Ordnance Survey data sets
  • Providing advice and guidance to others in the use of GIS software
  • Use/ Support of a property gazetteers
  • Development of applications (large or small) e.g. using MapX
  • Manipulation of raster data (e.g. ER Mapper)
  • Conversion of OS raw data into application specific format (eg. Mapinfo)
  • Using Transpose
  • Conversion of spatial data sets into different file formats (eg FME)
• Minimum 6 Months experience in the following: -
  • Deployment of GIS via a web technology (eg MapXtreme
  • Developing/ supporting Mapbasic routines
• Proven experience in the following: -
  • Ordnance Survey Mastermap
  • Maintaining / creation of a BS7666 database
  • Creation of small databases, eg access including the creation of tables, queries, forms and reports
  • Use / support of data and/or services in local government

Qualifications and Training:

Essential:

• Graduate or 5 years relevant experience in geography, information technology and/or GIS
• Formal qualification (to practitioner level) in a recognised project management methodology
• Formal management qualification
• Formal training in staff review and
• Demonstrable knowledge of ISO 9001 and 14001 quality standards
• Member ship of an appropriate professional body, or an additional 3 years experience.
• Detailed knowledge of NLPG, NSG and associated national standards.
• Detailed knowledge of Ordnance Survey mapping products.

Desirable:

• ITIL accredited
• Experience of using modern software development and project management tools

Skills and Attributes:

• First class technical skills
• Ability to classify, plan, prioritise and manage own workload to meet strict deadlines and targets working under own initiative
• Ability to deliver timely and accurate technical advice
• Ability to communicate including presentation, report writing and facilitation skills to the highest standard
• Ability to effectively communicate, persuade, negotiate and motivate people at all levels
• Ability to work as part of a team either as a team lead or team member
• Proven ability to manage people, resources, information and a service
• Demonstrates role model behaviours, acting in a professional and responsible manner at all times
• Promotes learning and development enhancing current performance and facilitating career development
• Creative and innovative thinker
• Numeracy and financial management with recent proven ability to manage the finances of a technical operation effectively, ensuring best value is obtained
• Promotes and manages change as a means to secure continuous improvements
• Ability to exercise political awareness at all times
• Commitment to ensuring oppressive practices are effectively tackled, promoting positive recognition of differences, mutual respect and merit-based opportunity in line with the Council’s Diversity Policy
• Proven ability and commitment to provide customer focused services in a corporate context

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.