GIS and Data Officer

Purpose: To maintain our evidence-based approach to river catchment restoration by managing, analysing and communicating spatial data. 

Reports to: Head of Operations. On occasions, responsible for: Project assistants, volunteers and work experience placements. 

Location: Office at Bayfield near Holt. Visits across Norfolk and Cam and Ely Ouse (CamEO) catchment with mileage expenses at £0.45 per mile.  

Job term: Full-time, permanent. 37.5 hours per week. 

Annual Leave Entitlement: 25 days plus 8 days bank holidays pro rata. 

Salary details: £31,224 – £33,535 (9% Employer Pension Contribution). 

Norfolk Rivers Trust is seeking a highly competent GIS professional with a passion for the natural environment to join our growing team. In this newly created role, you will be dedicated to data, evidence and GIS, working across both Norfolk Rivers Trust and our subsidiary arm, Rivers Ecology Ltd. 

The primary purpose of the position is to underpin the evidence-based approach taken by our project staff by managing, analysing and communicating spatial data to inform effective river catchment management and restoration.  

As such, you will have a good understanding of environmental data and how it can be used and accessed, along with experience of field data collection and tools for spatial analysis. In addition, you will be able to incorporate and use remotely sensed data, such as drone footage and satellite data, to inform decisions relating to water and land management.  

 You will be involved in a variety of projects, ranging from multi-year landscape scale programmes and citizen science initiatives to short-term local habitat restoration projects. This will require you to work on defined tasks, as well as taking the initiative to identify further opportunities in which GIS-based analysis, data collation and data visualisation could be used to enhance and support the Trusts’ delivery work and funding applications. 

This is an exciting position in which you can have a tangible impact on the revival of our water environment. 

Data coordination and management 

• Effective management of all data and staff software licences.  
• Ensure that datasets are held and maintained appropriately, including data assurance and quality control. 

Spatial analyses and data presentation to support targeted project outcomes 

• Work closely with colleagues to identify opportunities for spatial data analyses. 
• Collect, source, process and analyse data from a variety of sources (e.g. topographic, open source, government and citizen science) to support evidence-based decision making and strategic project planning. 
• Support Norfolk Rivers Trust and Rivers Ecology Ltd. (NRT’s subsidiary) staff in spatial data analysis and presentation. 
• Effectively present and communicate spatial data and facilitate its interpretation, including high quality visual outputs, to support stakeholder engagement and decision making. 
• Support the creation of decision-making tools and evidence such as risk and opportunity maps for improving water quality, habitat and biodiversity. 

Project and GIS development

• Work with the Trust’s Operations Team to evaluate NRT’s data, software and GIS processes. 
• Contribute to the development of project funding applications. 
• Support staff in the development of their own GIS and data management capabilities. 
• Keep abreast of developments in GIS and associated software by attending relevant workshops, meetings and conferences, while collaborating with the wider Rivers Trust movement to share best practice. 
• Build commercial opportunities including working for trusts across the movement. 
• Work with project teams to create risk and opportunity maps and identify on-ground projects associated with organisational objectives/targets. 
• Evaluate the impact of projects and record delivery work. 
• Create and manage data platforms such as ArcGIS online applications including Survey123 and Field Collector for internal and external data collection. 
• Upskill and develop NRT employee skills with GIS and data systems. 
• Oversee and develop the Trusts’ utility service mapping. 

Person Specification: 

Education 

• Minimum HND/BSc in Geospatial, Environmental Sciences, Geography related subjects or equivalent relevant experience. 

Experience and knowledge 

Essential 

• Excellent organisational and communication skills. 
• Knowledge of ArcGIS Online administration including managing user roles, credits, and licences. 
• Experience of working in a multi-disciplinary organisation, providing technical support services or training. 
• Experience of engaging with key stakeholders and working collaboratively with partner organisations. 
• Excellent understanding of ESRI applications including ArcGIS Pro, ArcGIS Online and associated applications such as Survey123, Field Apps and StoryMaps. 
• Good knowledge of using IT systems, email and Microsoft programs such as Excel and Word. 

Desirable 

• Experience of working on river and catchment related projects including the project design element. 
• An understanding of river catchment-scale processes and how they interact – including hydrological processes and modelling. 
• Project management experience or training. 
• Experience of working with volunteer citizen science and community groups. 
• Proven track record in writing project bids and bringing in additional funding. 
• Experience of developing GIS applications – including automated dashboards. 
• Experience of other GIS mapping and geospatial tools. 
• Working within the NGO sector and/or within a small organisation. 

 Personal skills and qualities  

• Passion for rivers and the wider environment.  
• Clear commitment to the vision and values of Norfolk Rivers Trust. 
• Ability to build and maintain relationships with internal teams and external partners and stakeholders.  
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills. 
• Good organisational and reporting skills. 
• Able to manage and prioritise own workload. 
• Willingness to learn and engage with Trust work.
• Awareness and adherence of GDPR practice. 
• Full UK driving licence with own car covered by business insurance. 
• At times being required to travel to remote sites and work some evenings and weekends. 

Applications 

To apply, please send your completed job application form and a covering letter to [email protected] by 17:00 on Monday 1st January 2024. 

If you have any questions regarding this role, please contact: [email protected] or on 07495 739656.