Senior Geographic Information System (GIS) Analyst

at  Valard Group of Companies

Valard Construction LP, is Canada’s premier utility contractor, as well as head of the Valard Group of Companies AND part of the Quanta Group, the largest electrical power contractor in North America. Valard has full-service capabilities for transmission, distribution, substations, foundations, telecommunications and renewable energy.
Valard Construction LP is seeking to hire a Senior Geographic Information System (GIS) Analyst.
As part of Valard’s Right of Way Operations Department, the role involves collaborating with Managers, Planners, and GIS Analysts to provide GIS support for Right of Way Operations. The role supports various GIS aspects of linear development (right-of-way) planning, access planning and right-of-way clearing along with operational forestry, regulatory permitting and land acquisition. Projects will require applying a diverse skill set across Canada, specifically in GIS Data Conversion, Analysis & Integration for operational planning throughout the country, with a focus on Right of Way access and planning constraints.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES:

• Background in operational forestry is an asset.
• Knowledge and experience in tenures and permitting, timber supply, land use planning, forest management planning, forest inventory, and GIS are beneficial.
• Demonstrated problem-solving ability is necessary.
• Strong written and oral communication skills are required.
• Ability to develop GIS solutions, perform data analysis, and digitize data to support the Right of Way Department’s needs.
• Experience and background in GIS Data Conversion, Analysis & Integration are expected.
• Familiarity with forest operational planning, right-of-way and/or access planning or right-of-way projects would be an asset.
• A good understanding of right-of-way access and planning constraints would be an asset.

REQUIREMENTS

• The position requires a minimum completion of the 2nd year of a B.Sc. in fields such as Geography, Forestry, Agrology, Environment, Planning, Computer Science, or a related scientific field with a strong focus on GIS.
• Moderate hands-on experience through college co-op, internships, or summer work is strongly preferred.
• 3-5 years’ experience as a GIS Analyst.
• Strong computer skills, relational database knowledge, ability to handle multiple projects concurrently, and a self-starter attitude.
• Proven proficiency in GIS, tablets, data analysis & management, and MS Office tools.
• Understanding of theoretical and applied GIS Sciences.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, with the ability to communicate effectively between technical and non-technical staff.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Experience or exposure to Road Eng or other civil design software is an asset.
• GIS Professional certification is beneficial.
• Desirable software experience includes CAD software (AutoCAD, Microstation), GPS platforms, and some exposure to programming languages (Python, Visual Basic, C++, SQL, XML, Java, ASP, ASP.NET).

• Support projects involving GIS system development and maintenance for forest operational planning, field operations, EAP applications, wetland assessment, environmental management, forest inventory, timber salvage planning, wildfire hazard assessments, land & road use requests, agency and stakeholder engagement, permitting, and approvals.
• Opportunities to contribute to the design, development, and implementation of GIS solutions for water resources and environmental engineering projects, as well as enterprise GIS implementations for Right of Way.
• Responsibilities include the development and maintenance of spatial databases, in-depth spatial data analysis, imagery analysis, GIS programming, feature extraction, quality control, quality assurance, and related implementation activities.
• Senior-level role with responsibilities such as quality control of survey computations and plan preparation, review of plans for accuracy, interpretation and analysis of field notes, performing advanced calculations, and ensuring an advanced level of competency in all calculations and plan requirements.
• Provides technical leadership to other technicians and acts as an informal resource for colleagues with less experience.
• Has developed proficiency in a range of processes or procedures through job-related training and considerable on-the-job experience.
• Completes a variety of atypical assignments, working within defined processes and procedures or methodologies, and may help determine the appropriate approach for new assignments.
• Works with a limited degree of supervision.