Geospatial Analyst/Programmer

Wildlife Conservation Society Canada; Northwestern Ontario; Remote; CAD 74,000 - 84,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

4 weeks vacation

Paid sick and personal emergency leave

Self-care days

Health and dental care

Life insurance

RRSP match

DEIJA Team

Weekly Wellness sessions

Mentorship program

Job summary

Wildlife Conservation Society Canada is seeking a Geospatial Analyst/Programmer for the Ontario Northern Boreal (ONB) program. The role focuses on advanced geospatial analysis, tool development, database management, and automated workflows to support conservation planning and ecological assessments.

The successful candidate will collaborate with scientists and external partners to develop geospatial solutions, produce maps and dashboards, and advance conservation outcomes across national

Qualifications

• Graduate degree or equivalent in a relevant discipline.
• Minimum five years of progressive experience in geospatial analysis, GIS database management, spatial modelling, geoprocessing workflow development, and cartographic production.
• Advanced proficiency with Esri GIS technologies, including ArcGIS Pro.
• Experience programming/scripting with Python, R, SQL, Arcade, and the ArcGIS API for Python.
• Experience designing, managing, and analyzing complex geospatial datasets.
• Experience with ecological, environmental, land-use, natural resource, or conservation spatial data.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, maintain, and enhance geospatial databases, analytical tools, automated workflows, and custom applications.
• Manage and maintain the Ontario Mineral Tracker and related databases and reporting products.
• Conduct geospatial analyses, spatial modelling, and data visualization to support conservation planning and assessments.
• Develop reproducible analytical workflows using Python, R, SQL, ArcGIS Pro.
• Prepare technical documentation for geospatial processes and workflows.
• Collaborate with scientists to identify analytical approaches informing conservation priorities.
• Produce maps, dashboards, and visualizations communicating findings.

Skills

Geospatial analysis

GIS database management

Spatial modelling

Geoprocessing workflows

Cartographic production

Python

R

SQL

ArcGIS Pro

ArcGIS API for Python

Education

Graduate degree in Geomatics, Geography, GIS, Remote Sensing, Computer Science, Environmental Science, Conservation Biology, Landscape Ecology, or related discipline

Tools

Esri GIS technologies

ArcGIS Pro

ArcGIS API for Python

Python

R

SQL

Arcade

Job description

Position Title: Geospatial Analyst/Programmer

Program: Ontario Northern Boreal (ONB)

Position Level: 7

Position Type: Full-time, Term (Leave Cover)

Term: 4 January 2027 to 3 September 2027

Position Location: Remote in Canada

Salary: $74,000 to $84,000 annually depending on experience

Start Date: 4 January 2027

Date written/revised: 29 October 2026

Reports to: Constance O’Connor, Director of ONB Program

Supervises: Not applicable

Benefits: 4 weeks’ vacation, Paid sick and Personal emergency leave, Self-care days, Health and Dental care, Life insurance, RRSP match, DEIJA Team, Weekly Wellness sessions, Mentorship program.

Vacancy: Currently Open

Application Closing Date: November 20, 2026 at 5PM EDT

Position Summary

The Geospatial Analyst/Programmer provides advanced geospatial analysis, programming, database management, and technical expertise to support the conservation objectives of the Ontario Northern Boreal (ONB) Program and broader WCS Canada initiatives.

The position is responsible for developing, maintaining, and enhancing geospatial tools, databases, automated workflows, and analytical products that support conservation planning, ecological assessment, landscape-level monitoring, and natural resource development analyses. This includes maintaining the Ontario Mineral Tracker, supporting ecological atlas and cumulative effects assessment initiatives, conducting geospatial analyses, and producing high-quality cartographic and data visualization products.

Working closely with conservation scientists, researchers, and external partners, the Geospatial Analyst/Programmer identifies innovative applications of geospatial technologies and develops technical solutions that improve decision-making and advance conservation outcomes. The role also contributes to nationally scoped projects focused on ecological integrity, landscape connectivity, climate resilience, critical minerals, and other major land-use and infrastructure initiatives.

Position Objectives

• Provide advanced geospatial analysis, programming, and technical expertise to support conservation science, planning, and decision-making across the ONB Program and WCS Canada.
• Develop, maintain, and enhance geospatial databases, analytical tools, and automated workflows that improve organizational efficiency and conservation outcomes.
• Support strategic conservation initiatives through the application of innovative geospatial technologies, spatial modelling, and data visualization.
• Strengthen organizational geospatial capacity through technical guidance, resource sharing, training, and GIS licensing support.
• Collaborate with internal and external partners to develop geospatial solutions that advance shared conservation objectives.

Principal Responsibilities

Geospatial Analysis and Programming

• Design, develop, maintain, and enhance geospatial databases, analytical tools, automated workflows, and custom applications supporting ONB and broader WCS Canada priorities.
• Manage and maintain the Ontario Mineral Tracker, including associated databases, automated workflows, web-scraping applications, and reporting products.
• Conduct geospatial analyses, spatial modelling, and data visualization to support conservation planning, ecological assessments, resource development analyses, and strategic decision-making.
• Develop reproducible analytical workflows using Python, R, SQL, ArcGIS Pro, and related technologies.
• Prepare and maintain technical documentation for geospatial databases, analytical processes, scripts, and workflows.
• Support the development and maintenance of geospatial databases and analytical products for ecological atlas initiatives, cumulative effects assessments, and other conservation science projects.
• Acquire, manage, integrate, and validate geospatial datasets from multiple sources to support research, monitoring, and conservation planning.
• Collaborate with scientists and conservation practitioners to identify analytical approaches that inform conservation priorities and policy development.
• Produce maps, dashboards, visualizations, and other geospatial products that effectively communicate scientific findings and conservation priorities.

Organizational and Strategic Support

• Provide technical expertise and advice regarding GIS technologies, data management practices, and geoprocessing workflows.
• Administer GIS software licensing and support organizational access to geospatial resources and tools.
• Share knowledge, provide training, and promote best practices in geospatial analysis and conservation GIS across the organization.
• Contribute to project reporting, funding proposals, and technical communications as required.

External Engagement and Knowledge Sharing

• Represent WCS Canada at conferences, workshops, academic institutions, and professional forums to share conservation research, geospatial innovations, and analytical approaches.
• Contribute to publications, presentations, articles, blogs, and other communication products that support conservation science and organizational visibility.
• Develop collaborative relationships with external partners to advance the application of geospatial technologies for conservation outcomes.

Organizational Culture

• Support WCS Canada’s goal of transforming WCS Canada’s conservation practice through reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples.
• Collaborate effectively with colleagues across programs and contribute to a positive, inclusive, and respectful workplace.

• Support WCS Canada's commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, justice, and accessibility in all aspects of work.

Required Qualifications, Skills, Experience

• Graduate degree in Geomatics, Geography, GIS, Remote Sensing, Computer Science, Environmental Science, Conservation Biology, Landscape Ecology, or a related discipline. Equivalent combinations of education and experience may be considered.
• Minimum five years of progressive experience in geospatial analysis, GIS database management, spatial modelling, geoprocessing workflow development, and cartographic production.
• Advanced proficiency with Esri GIS technologies, including ArcGIS Pro and related applications.
• Demonstrated experience using programming and scripting languages such as Python, R, SQL, Arcade, and the ArcGIS API for Python.
• Experience designing, managing, and analyzing complex geospatial datasets.
• Experience working with ecological, environmental, land‑use, natural resource, or conservation-related spatial data.
• Strong analytical, problem‑solving, and critical‑thinking skills.
• Excellent cartographic design and data visualization capabilities.
• Strong project management and organizational skills, including the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to communicate technical information to diverse audiences.

Preferred Qualifications, Skills, Experience

• GIS Professional (GISP), GIS diploma, remote sensing certification, or other relevant professional designation.