Research and Gis Specialist

**Position Title**:Research and GIS Specialist

**Team**:Ecology

**Reports to**: Research Manager and Program Manager

**Job Location**:Vancouver or Home-based remote working

**ORGANIZATIONAL STATUS**

One of the largest Indigenous-owned research firms and values-based organizations, the Firelight Group has provided socially responsible, community-driven research services across Canada since 2010. Indigenous clients have trusted Firelight to provide high-quality research and technical services that decolonize research practices and centre on Indigenous Knowledge and values to protect rights and advance self-determination. Firelight has an expanding, diverse team of over 100 talented professionals working on multi-disciplinary projects in nine business units: Indigenous Knowledge Research, Socio-Economic Research, Environmental Assessment, Indigenous Negotiations, Mapping & GIS, Planning & Implementation, Ecology, and Indigenous Health.

Firelight has offices in Xwmélch’tstn, xʷməθkʷəy̓əm Territory, Lkwungen, Tkarón:to, and ᐊᒥᐢᑿᒌᐚᐢᑲᐦᐃᑲᐣ (Amiskwacîwâskahikan). Firelight acknowledges that most of our work is with clients on territories where we are invited guests, and we are deeply grateful for this trust. We bring respect, humility, and a willingness to learn while recognizing that our work supports realizing our clients’ needs and objectives. Firelight proudly provides client-identified services that amplify and strengthen community voice and participation.

**JOB OVERVIEW**

Reporting to a Research Manager and their Program Manager, the Research and GIS Specialist is an ecologist that supports the Ecology Unit’s Technical Leads and Researchers Managers and leads smaller client projects and engagements. With growing expertise in spatial analysis, research, project management and engagement, the Research and GIS Specialist supports consulting files, informing the design, strategy and execution of projects and manages a small number of projects, with supervision. The Research Specialist contributes to strong, accountable client relationships.

**RESPONSIBILITIES + DUTIES**
Technical Advising
- Work with Technical Leads and Research Managers to provide strong technical skills in spatial analysis, research and engagement
- Lead and support on-the-land ecological research ensuring consistent data collection and management protocols are in place
- Contribute to data analysis and reporting on multiple projects
- Manage GIS data and data analysis for the ecology team
- Support discussions with clients to define their requirements and priorities on moderately complex financial and/or organizational issues
- Lead or support the development of deliverables for clients and external stakeholders

Project Management
- Support and guide client engagements, effectively onboarding new clients, communicating the project plan, and identifying when there is a change in purpose, scope, or timeline
- Oversee the development and execution of smaller, multi-methods projects aligned to client expectations with mentoring and oversight from Research Managers, Program Manager and Technical Leads
- Work with Technical Leads and Research Managers to develop and monitor project scope, plans, budgets, and schedules to ensure successful project delivery
- Ensure timely execution of current, planned, and/or adjusted tasks in alignment with the project scope and schedule
- Manage information, data, and documents following established procedures
- Mentor and support Researchers within project work

Client Engagement
- Represent Firelight to clients, communities and in technical meetings, with supervision from the Technical Lead, Program Manager and Business Lead
- Work with and coordinate the activities of community partners and others, including Firelight team members and external consultants, to develop, design, and implement projects
- Nurture and cultivate partner and client relationships through service excellence, knowledge transfer, and skills development

**QUALIFICATIONS + EXPERIENCE**
- 3-7 years of recent experience in ecology with clear developing areas of expertise in spatial analysis and GIS
- Experience with remote sensing
- 3-5 years of experience working with and for Indigenous Nations and communities
- Bachelor’s degree in biology, ecology, or other relevant field
- Fluency in spoken and written English

**WHY JOIN US?**

**Firelight** offers compensation that is commensurate with skills and experiences. We provide a progressive and flexible work environment, along with the following benefits:

- Four-day work week (32 hours/week) with options for remote or hybrid work - Offices located in Vancouver, Victoria and Edmonton.
- Comprehensive Health, Dental and Vision Benefits
- Long Term Disability (LTD) and Accidental Death & Dismemberment (AD&D)
- Health Spending Account (HSA) and Wellness Spending Account (WSA)
- Parental Leave Top-up payments
- Child & Elder Care Benefit
- Paid time off and holidays
- Indigenous Cultural L