Senior GIC Assistant

University of British Columbia; Vancouver; On-site; CAD 50,000 - 52,000; Full time

Job summary

University of British Columbia is seeking a Senior GIC Assistant to support the Geographic Information Centre within the Department of Geography. The role centers on fulfilling air photo requests, providing reference support to students, and assisting with library operations.

You will lead service activities such as air photo search, invoicing, and collection maintenance, while training and supervising temporary staff and student workers to ensure efficient service delivery.

Qualifications

• Minimum qualifications include high school graduation, a library technician diploma, and several years of related experience.
• Familiarity with library operations, air photo services, and invoicing is preferred.
• Proficiency with standard office software such as Outlook, Word and Excel is expected.

Responsibilities

• Responds to air photo requests from clients and locates sites using NTS maps.
• Prepares invoices and coordinates outgoing shipments; produces monthly invoices.
• Supervises temporary staff and student workers; provides training and guidance.
• Maintains air photo index lines and assists with cataloguing and acquisitions.
• Provides in-person reference support and trains students in mapping systems and stereoscopes.

Skills

Air photo retrieval

Invoicing

Staff training

Student supervision

Reference services

NTS mapping systems

Education

High School graduation

Library Technician diploma

Three years related experience

Tools

Outlook

Microsoft Word

Excel

Job description

Staff - Union

Job Category

CUPE 2950

Job Profile

CUPE 2950 Salaried - Tech Svc Library Asst 3 (Gr6)

Job Title

Senior GIC Assistant

Department

GIC Operations | Department of Geography

Compensation Range

$4,449.00 - $4,676.00 CAD Monthly

Posting End Date

August 27, 2026

Note: Applications will be accepted until 11:59 PM on the Posting End Date.

Job End Date

Ongoing

At UBC, we believe that attracting and sustaining a diverse workforce is key to the successful pursuit of excellence in research, innovation, and learning for all faculty, staff and students. Our commitment to employment equity helps achieve inclusion and fairness, brings rich diversity to UBC as a workplace, and creates the necessary conditions for a rewarding career.

Job Description Summary
The Senior GIC Assistant plays a key role in supporting the Geographic Information Centre (GIC) in the Department of Geography, which holds the largest and most comprehensive collection of historical aerial photographs in British Columbia. This position is responsible for fulfilling air photo requests for a range of academic, commercial, and public clients, providing reference support to students, and assisting with overall library operations. The Senior GIC Assistant leads core service activities including air photo search and retrieval, invoicing, resource acquisition, and collection maintenance. The role also provides training, guidance, and supervision to temporary staff and assists in day-to-day library functions, ensuring efficient service delivery and smooth library operations.

Organizational Status
Reports to the GIC Operation Manager. May provide direction to and supervise student staff.

Work Performed

• Responds to air photo requests from clients.

• Clarifies search areas with clients and locates requested sites using the National Topographic System (NTS) maps and multiple index series.

• Selects appropriate air photos based on time period, scale, and client needs, considering any overlapping requests from other clients.

• Physically retrieves photos from compact storage, verifying topographic features match client specifications.

• Advises clients on alternative options or timelines when requested imagery is unavailable.

• Prepares invoices to accompany outgoing loan materials.

• Coordinates outgoing shipments, including arranging courier pickups and tracking deliveries.

• Produces and submits monthly invoices for air photo services.

• Conducts regular reviews of air photo holdings to identify gaps in coverage based on client requests and instructional needs.

• Recommends and coordinates annual air photo purchases within budget constraints.

• Updates and maintains air photo index lines as new photos are catalogued.

• Assumes responsibility for the Geographic Information Centre during the Curator’s absence, including opening, closing, and ensuring overall security of the facility.

• Provides in-person reference support to students, identifying research topics, conducting catalogue and online searches, and directing students to appropriate resources.

• Instructs students in the use of NTS mapping systems, air photo indices, and stereoscopes through individual or group sessions.

• Coordinates schedules, assigns tasks, and provides training to temporary staff and student workers.

• Oversees the quality of work performed by temporary staff and student workers and ensures timely completion of assignments.

• Tracks and submits student work hours and supports onboarding processes.

• Designs and implements long-term work plans for major projects, ensuring sustained progress and completion.

• Purchases books, maps, and instructional materials based on academic and operational needs.

• Orders and maintains inventory of office supplies and general library materials.

• Processes incoming library materials, resolves related issues, and ensures resources are properly integrated into the library system.

• Performs other library, clerical, and administrative duties as required.

Consequence of Error/Judgement
Inaccurate or incomplete air photo orders would significantly undermine the credibility of the library’s fee-for-service program, particularly with environmental consultants and industry clients. Additionally, the quality of research and academic work by faculty and students would be negatively impacted if the GIC failed to provide accurate and timely assistance.

Supervision Received
Work is done independently. Unusual problems will be referred to GIC Operations Manager.

Supervision Given
May coordinate work schedule, provide training, determine tasks, oversee quality of work of temporary staff and student workers.

Minimum Qualifications

High School graduation, plus two years Library Technician diploma, plus three years of related experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

• Willingness to respect diverse perspectives, including perspectives in conflict with one’s own.
• Demonstrates a commitment to enhancing one’s own awareness, knowledge, and skills related to equity, diversity, and inclusion.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Geography preferred.

• Experience with the UBC Library system and academic databases is an asset.

• Familiarity with thematic and topographic maps, including the National Topographic System (NTS), air photo index systems, and the use of stereoscopes.

• Proficiency in standard office software, including Outlook, Microsoft Word, and Excel, at an intermediate level.