Tag: marine-protected-areas

Data Management and GIS Contractor

Data Management and GIS Contractor

Position Overview

Application Deadline: March 20, 2026

Salary: $100,000 – $120,000 Annually

Education Required: Graduate degree in data science, GIS, or related field preferred

Experience Required: Five years in data management or GIS analysis

Description

The Great Bear Sea Marine Protected Area Network and the Marine Plan Partnership for the North Pacific Coast (MaPP) collaborate with First Nations, the Province of British Columbia, and the Government of Canada to implement a large-scale marine protected area network in the Northern Shelf Bioregion. The initiative aims to protect and manage 30 percent of the Great Bear Sea while supporting sustainable marine stewardship and economic development.

The Data Management and GIS Contractor develops and implements a unified data management strategy supporting both initiatives while conducting regional spatial analysis. The role focuses on improving data mobilization, strengthening data governance and security, and maintaining spatial datasets and decision-support tools used by partner organizations involved in the Great Bear Sea MPA Network and MaPP programs.

Responsibilities

  • Develop a unified regional data management strategy and associated workplan supporting Network and MaPP monitoring programs.
  • Align data management processes with the Network monitoring framework, draft MaPP data management strategy, and related regional initiatives.
  • Support development of data sharing agreements among Network and MaPP partners.
  • Facilitate discussions among partners regarding regional data management strategy.
  • Conduct GIS analysis, management, and visualization of regional spatial datasets.
  • Compile and update spatial datasets including species distributions, habitat data, human activities, and MPA network footprint information.
  • Respond to partner requests for spatial data release, publication, and access.
  • Maintain spatial datasets and decision-support tools such as SeaSketch.
  • Maintain data inventories, file repositories, and associated metadata records.
  • Conduct network-scale spatial analysis to evaluate progress toward MPA network objectives.
  • Support working groups and collaborative discussions related to spatial data management.
  • Identify strategies for long-term data storage, security, and backup systems.
  • Develop approaches for maintaining long-term accessibility and usability of datasets through documentation and format management.
  • Collaborate with First Nations, federal, and provincial organizations on data management and mobilization processes.

Minimum Requirements

  • Five or more years of professional experience in data management, GIS analysis, or related fields.
  • Proficiency using GIS software and spatial analysis tools.
  • Experience with data visualization and spatial data management workflows.
  • Experience working with database systems, data standards, and archiving practices.
  • Knowledge of programming or data analysis tools such as Python, geopandas, or R.
  • Strong organizational and analytical skills.
  • Ability to work independently while managing multiple priorities and deadlines.
  • Strong collaboration and communication skills in multi-partner environments.

Preferred Qualifications

  • Graduate degree in data science, GIS, or a related discipline.
  • Experience working with marine spatial data or ocean management initiatives.
  • Experience developing data sharing agreements or data governance frameworks.
  • Familiarity with Indigenous data sovereignty principles and OCAP guidelines.
  • Experience working across multiple governments, agencies, and stakeholder groups.
  • Familiarity with ocean open-data portals such as the Canadian Integrated Ocean Observing System.

Additional Notes

  • Contract type: Independent contractor position with Coast Funds Society.
  • Contract period: April 2026 through March 2027.
  • Expected workload: Approximately 35 hours per week.
  • Location requirement: Contractor must be located in British Columbia.
  • Contractor provides their own equipment including computer, internet, and phone.
  • ESRI software license fees provided by Network and MaPP partners.
  • Occasional travel to the British Columbia coast; travel expenses reimbursed.
  • Reports to the Great Bear Sea MPA Network and MaPP Secretariats.
  • Project Authority: Coast Conservation Endowment Fund Foundation.

How to Apply

Submit a cover letter, resume, and portfolio of relevant work to Fiona Beaty at Fiona.L.Beaty@gmail.com by March 20, 2026.