Research Officer - Database

at  Metro Vancouver

Department: Parks & Environment (Regional Parks)
Employee Group: Teamsters Local 31
Location: 4515 Central Boulevard, Burnaby
Salary Range/ Wage Rate: PG T24 $3,077.63 - $3,634.43 bi-weekly

THIS ROLE:

• Acts as departmental liaison with clients such as municipal planners and members of the business community requesting detailed technical planning information; interviews clients to identify and assess their data needs and recommends extent, type and format of data most suitable; provides information on cost of services and provides additional advice and assistance to clients by locating information sources for data not available.
• Provides information from in-house databases and external sources in response to a variety of internal and external requests; accesses databases to produce required information in a suitable format, including the design of custom formats which may require extensive data manipulation; provides additional factual or analytical information about the data as required.
• Conducts detailed research studies for superior and senior staff on a variety of departmental matters using internal and external sources; discusses methodology of data collection, parameters of study, required formats of materials, and findings with originator; compiles, analyzes and summarizes data, and prepares forecasts and projections.
• Develops and maintains databases; liaises with technical specialists to ensure currency and compatibility of new and existing data sources; converts data from external sources into a standardized format; defines parameters and procedures for data collection; reviews results for compliance with requirements.
• Maintains currency with related provincial, federal and private publications; reviews and evaluates in-house data in terms of recent publications; monitors the demands for data not available through MVRD services and recommends the addition of new data fields.
• Researches new data sources for demographic, land use, recreation supply and demand, commercial floor space, transportation and related statistics; analyzes and evaluates the reliability and validity of statistics, recommends their inclusion in the existing databases, and, on approval, prepares materials for input and expands and updates the same.
• Performs a variety of drafting tasks using GIS and related software to generate and maintain departmental maps; uses GIS and related software to produce routine and non-routine spatial data queries; prepares a variety of graphic materials such as charts, tables and maps for inclusion in reports and presentations; coordinates the printing of various materials, designs layouts, proofreads text, and ensures materials meet established standards.
• Plans, assigns, supervises and checks the work of one or more subordinates engaged in data input, data collection or map coding duties, participates in the hiring of subordinates and provides training on applicable procedures.
• Participates in developing terms of reference for consultant studies and in selecting consultants; reviews proposed data sources, formats and systems for compatibility with requirements and existing sources; reviews methodology and validity of consultants’ statistical findings.
• Participates in the budgeting process by estimating, tracking and monitoring expenditures related to equipment for data collection and external data sources such as consulting services.
• Prepares and maintains a variety of records, reports and manuals related to the work.
• Performs related work as required.