GIS Specialist - Temporary

Calgary Board of Education; Calgary; Hybrid; CAD 71,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

The Calgary Board of Education (CBE) is seeking a GIS Data Specialist to join the Planning department in Calgary, Alberta. You will manage GIS data, create maps, and develop dashboards to support planning projects and student data analyses.

Responsibilities include data automation, scripting in SQL/Python, and coordinating data from authorities to produce accurate reports for internal and external use. This is a 1.0 FTE temporary role with flexible remote work and in-office requirements.

Qualifications

• University degree in GIS, planning, cartography, geomatics or related field.
• Three to five years of related work experience.
• Equivalent combination of related post-secondary education and directly related experience may be considered.
• Strong ArcGIS Pro and cartographic/GIS analysis skills.

Responsibilities

• Produce accurate GIS data and maps for planning projects.
• Create dashboards and online maps for internal/external use.
• Support planning with enrolment projections and demographic studies.
• Automate tasks through scripting (SQL, Python).
• Coordinate data acquisition from authorities and maintain data inventories.

Skills

ArcGIS Pro

GIS analysis

Data visualization

SQL

Python

Communication

Education

University degree in GIS/Planning/Geomatics

Tools

ArcGIS Pro

ESRI software

Job description

The Calgary Board of Education (CBE) is the largest school board in western Canada with over 144,000 students and 16,000 employees. Our mission: Each student, in keeping with their individual abilities and gifts, will complete high school with a foundation of learning necessary to thrive in life, work and continued learning. We pride ourselves in the values we hold. Students come first. Learning is our central purpose. Public education serves the common good. The CBE encourages an inclusive and equitable workplace, which supports our diverse student and employee community. We encourage all applicants to join our dynamic, diverse, and collaborative culture and welcome applications from all qualified individuals.

When you apply to the CBE, you can feel good about serving our future leaders and contributing to student success.

The CBE understands the future of work is flexible. In this role, you are eligible to participate in a flexible work program that allows you to work remotely for up to three days a week. A minimum of two days must be in the office. At certain times, you maybe be required to work in the office more then 2 days per week based on operational requirements.

Purpose:

• The purpose of this job is to provide Geographic Information System (GIS) data management, mapping and analysis for a variety of projects and initiatives to support the activities of the Planning department.
• As part of a highly collaborative and integrated team, this job provides technical and operational support and services in the preparation of maps, planning documents, presentations, student data analyses and studies.

Accountability:

This job is accountable for:

• The accurate and timely provision of data and GIS services.
• Providing primary support to the Planning department and supplementary support to the Facilities and Environmental Services department, Director of Planning, Manager of Planning, Senior Planner and Planning Analysts, while working with a significant degree of autonomy.
• Researching and recommending new technologies, industry trends and best practices, methods and improvements.

Responsibilities:

• Produces accurate and timely statistical data as requested including analysis of student data by school, boundaries, grade and program, and out-of-attendance area.
• Provides information to support planning functions including enrolment projections and demographic studies.
• Works with Transportation to provide detailed analysis on the impacts on student transportation and the effects of the sector-based approach to planning, selective boundary reviews, boundary changes, school closures, school time changes, etc.
• Designs and creates high quality custom maps used for publications and presentations including elementary, junior high and senior high boundary maps.
• Updates and maintains the list of communities and their designated school and school enrolment data.
• Prepares graphs, charts, tables and maps for in-house and public meetings.
• Updates CBE attendance areas, walk zones, school locations and boundaries on regular basis.
• Develops creative solutions and processes through scripting and programing to automate tasks.
• Initiates, leads, and organizes the acquisition of spatial datasets from authorities such as the City of Calgary (e.g. community boundaries, parcels, new communities, annexation).
• Organizes data into formats that can utilized for mapping needs, dashboards, spatial and statistical analysis etc.
• Troubleshoots, identifies and corrects problems within the student database.
• Implements changes and enhancements for reporting data, research and identify areas for improving the quality and/or efficiency of reporting data and visualizing data by recommending new technologies and methods (e.g. hardware, software upgrades).
• Assists with the preparation and distribution of Notices to Parents and ensures consolidation of notices issued. Assists with the preparation of PowerPoint presentations.
• Ensures data formats are consistent with user needs, support data cataloguing (metadata) initiatives and provide spatial data to other internal business units and external agencies upon request.
• Creates and maintains a variety of web maps, interactive maps, and dashboards for both internal and external use.
• Coordinates the identification, testing and installation of new GIS/Data software releases and requests for application enhancements.
• Assesses and evaluates emerging GIS technologies and determines opportunities and impacts with integrating with current business processes.
• Develops, recommends and documents standards and best practices for the management of GIS information.
• Provides training, orienting and coaching to other CBE GIS Users in accordance with practice standards.
• Performs other related responsibilities as assigned to meet the objectives of the Department.

Qualifications

Education and Experience

• Completion of a university degree in geographic information systems (GIS), planning, cartography, geomatics, geography or a related discipline.
• Three to five years of related work experience.
• An equivalent combination of directly related post-secondary education and directly related experience may be considered.

Demonstrated Skills and Competencies

• An in-depth working knowledge of ArcGIS Pro software.
• Solid understanding of cartographic principles, GIS concepts and analytical techniques, and digital data conversion.
• Highly demonstrated degree of proficiency and expertise in using a variety of software applications, often in an integrated fashion.
• Experience creating and developing online maps, dashboards and visualizations using ESRI applications is an asset.
• Experience or working knowledge of scripting and programming (SQL, Python, etc.) are assets.
• Exceptional organizational skills.
• Ability to take initiative and work independently with limited direction.
• Ability to prioritize and manage multiple projects and tasks, with competing priorities under tight and/or stringent timelines.
• Highly effective interpersonal and verbal and written communication skills.
• Personal suitability.
• Ability to thrive in a dynamic, fast-paced, evolving work environment with changes in methodology and associated technology.
• Demonstrated ability to be a self-starter, highly flexible, and proactive.

Competition Close Date: Monday, September 28, 2026 at 11:59 PM

Calendar: 12 month

Salary: SA Grade G, $39.06 - $49.30 per hour

FTE: 1.0, 35 hours per week

This is a temporary position with an expected end date of November 30, 2027.

Land Acknowledgement

The Calgary Board of Education acknowledges the traditional territories and oral practices of the Treaty 7 Nations, including the Siksikaitsitapi Nations, Tsuut'ina Nation, and the Îyârhe Nakoda Nations. We acknowledge the Métis Nation within Alberta, and all people who make their homes in the Treaty 7 region of southern Alberta. As a learning organization, we are committed to advancing the Truth and Reconciliation Calls to Action focused on Education for ReconciliACTION.