GIS and Adaptation Specialist

Clean Foundation is seeking a GIS and Adaptation Specialist to enhance community capacity for climate action across 19 communities in Nova Scotia. The role involves supporting Climate Leads, engaging with communities, and providing technical expertise in GIS and data analysis. Candidates should have relevant educational backgrounds and experience in project coordination, with strong communication and problem-solving skills. While priority is given to those in Halifax, the position is open to applicants from anywhere.
About the job

About Clean Foundation

Clean Foundation brings specialized teams together to work on complex problems, delivering many climate action and capacity building projects and initiatives around Nova Scotia, PEI and the Atlantic region.

Learn more: cleanfoundation.ca

What You'll Be Doing

Help communities improve their capacity to respond to climate change! Clean is looking for a GIS and Adaptation Specialist to work within a team of adaptation and mitigation experts. In this role you will support a team of Climate Leads and help deliver the Community Climate Capacity initiative across 19 communities in the Province of Nova Scotia.

As the GIS and Adaptation Specialist, you will work directly with Climate Leads and their partner communities to build their internal capacity for climate action and adaptation initiatives. You will support funding applications, community outreach and engagement, guide local level climate work, and visit communities around the province that are making a difference through the initiatives you support. This role is highly innovative and collaborative, working alongside the Community Climate Capacity team at Clean, as well as our many host communities and partner organizations. You will provide in-depth technical expertise and support for the Community Climate Capacity team through data gathering and analysis, as well as statistical, spatial, and environmental modeling, while utilizing a range of GIS-based spatial data layers, manipulating data and creating GIS products. You are an enthusiastic, creative, and motivated leader who can work effectively with colleagues across disciplines to implement meaningful local climate change action.

While all candidates living in Nova Scotia will be considered, priority may be given to those living in the Halifax Regional Municipality.

Job Requirements
• Undergraduate degree or diploma in environmental sciences or studies, public policy, sustainability, urban planning, or an acceptable combination of relevant training and experience.
• Diploma or certificate in Geographic Information Systems
• At least two years experience coordinating projects, teams, and related organizational functions.
• Strong organizational, teamwork, project management, analytical, strategic thinking, problem-solving and financial skills.
• Strong written and oral communication skills.
• Readily adapts to new ideas and initiatives, changes in processes, procedures, methods, etc.
• Commitment to uphold and advocate for Clean’s values and standards.
• Proficient with the Microsoft Office 365 Suite of programs, including Excel, Word, PowerPoint, and Outlook.
• Strong conflict resolution, problem solving, and critical thinking abilities.
• Demonstrable understanding and application of the principles of sustainability, climate change adaptation, mitigation, and community resilience. Must be familiar with climate change impacts in Nova Scotia and the existing environmental policies and regulations.

Additional Assets:
• Experience working in local government.
• Valid PMP certification or proof of other project management training.
• Experience managing projects in non-profit environment.
• Experience working in the environmental sector.
• Other skills, attributes and certifications specific to a particular project may also be considered assets.

Working Conditions:

The GIS and Adaptation Specialist will work in a hybrid environment, spending 2 days a week in-office at Clean’s Dartmouth office, and up to three days remotely. Travel will be required within Nova Scotia, as on-site attendance in partner communities is an expectation of the role. Travel costs will be covered by the program.

Job Responsibilities
• Support a team of Climate Leads and communities in their GIS and Adaptation works
• Manage scoping, budgets, and delivery of GIS projects to meet the needs of the climate leads and participating communities
• Manage, oversee and operate geographic information systems
• Create, process, and analyze spatial datasets (vector, raster, imagery, point cloud) to deliver GIS products (Maps, Web Maps, Dashboards, Applications, StoryMaps) for internal and external use
• Administer and manage ArcGIS Online organization (members, user types, licenses, permissions, collaborations, credits, content, security, sharing)
• Create mobile applications (Survey123, FieldMaps) suited to data collection and analysis workflows
• Work closely with stakeholders, regulators, landowners and other staff to develop assessments, monitoring and plans for implementation activities.
• Support the assessment, monitoring, and delivery of adaptation activities.
• Plan and lead field work, ensuring best practices and safety requirements are met in the field.
• Acquire necessary permits and approvals for monitoring and implementation work.
• Ensure effective communication within the team and with external partners, maintaining organizational standards.
• Provide timely reporting and information about community projects to the Technical Manager.
• Develop and maintain relationships with key stakeholders and represent the organization in interactions and meetings.
• Overseeing the preparation and submission of accurate and professional project reports.
• Participate in community outreach events including formal presentations, and meetings with community interest groups.
• Identify funding sources and support organizations/communities through the development of applications.
• Represent Clean at various stakeholder and partner engagements.

$65,000 – $72,500

A successful candidate’s starting salary will be determined based on various factors such as skills, experience, training and credentials, as well as other business purposes or needs.

Perks & Benefits
• RRSP employer matching
• Fully covered health and dental insurance plan and 24/7 access to our Employee Assistance Program
• Paid vacation and wellness days
• You get your birthday off
• Paid volunteer hours
• A hybrid work environment
• Halifax public transit subsidy

Employment Equity

Clean, is committed to Employment Equity and our goal is to have a diverse workforce that is representative at all job levels. Qualified self-identifying First Nations, Metis and Inuit, Visible Minority Groups, Persons with Disabilities and LGBTQ2+ applicants will be strongly considered for this position. If you are a member of one of the equity groups, you are encouraged to self-identify on your application.

All self-identification data is confidential and stored privately