GIS Data Manager

Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (Cefas)

Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (Cefas)

Data Science
Lowestoft, UK · Weymouth, UK
Posted on Thursday, August 15, 2024

Contents

This vacancy can be based at our Lowestoft or Weymouth site.

Job summary

An opportunity exists for a GIS Data Manager in Geographic Information Systems and Science (GISS) Team. The purpose of the role is to provide data management and governance to Cefas’ ArcGIS Enterprise, with the rest of the role involving spatial data delivery.

The post holder will be pivotal in creating and maintaining a catalogue of spatial data and content published in ArcGIS Enterprise. This includes the governance of an ever-increasing number and variety of geospatial datasets that are critical to Cefas for diverse internal and external uses. The post holder must follow best practice data governance (e.g. quality control, standard protocols, metadata, terms of use, access restriction) to ensure data is findable, accessible, interoperable, and re-usable, adhering to the FAIR data principles and UK Geospatial Commission geospatial standards

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/uk-geospatial-data-standards-register/national-geospatial-data-standards-register ).

The successful applicant will collaborate internally across Cefas teams as well as externally with a range of other government and advisory bodies (e.g. Defra-Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs, ICES- International Council for the Exploration of the Sea).

The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see the Civil Service People Plan and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy.

Welcome to Cefas (youtube.com)

Job description

Your main duties and responsibilities will include, but are not limited to:

  • Collaborate with colleagues to establish a spatial data governance framework in ArcGIS Enterprise and its components.
  • Manage the ArcGIS Enterprise content, including spatial data services and web solutions to ensure high quality GIS services.
  • Ensure spatial data cataloguing and traceability, and application of Q-FAIR principles (data Quality, Findable, Accessible, Interoperable and Reproducible).
  • Implement the existing organisational governance policies, standards and management tools (e.g. Cefas Data Portal, Defra DSP, etc.).
  • Work with GIS Analysts and Data Managers to define spatial data workflows, data and systems’ governance at each stage of the data life cycle (e.g. data inputs, development, data analysis, visualisation, sharing).
  • Create, maintain and publish technical documentation, communicate these to the rest of the staff and provide training.

In addition, Cefas reserves the right to ask staff to take on additional duties and responsibilities which are commensurate with their grade. Team Leaders and management will have a discussion with staff to explain the changes that are to be made. A new job description will be issued if required.

Person specification

The following are essential criteria required for this role and you must be able to demonstrate your skills and experience in the following areas:

  • Demonstrable experience with data management processes, data and metadata standards and policies.
  • Basic understanding of data life cycle stages (data collection, storage, analysis, outputs, sharing, communication etc).
  • Good knowledge of data storage, management system and data workflows (e.g. Database servers, cloud storage solutions).
  • Basic understanding of legal and ethical issues surrounding data.
  • Familiarity with variety of spatial data formats (e.g. raster, vector, NetCDF).
  • Understanding of core GIS concepts such as spatial data types, projections, typologies.
  • Familiarity with the ArcGIS Enterprise or ArcGIS Online components and web services.
  • A degree in GIS, Geography or Computer Science and/or equivalent qualification will be considered, as will equivalent relevant work experience and demonstrating meeting the criteria in this person specification.

Behaviours

We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

  • Changing and Improving
  • Delivering at Pace
  • Working Together

We only ask for evidence of these behaviours on your application form:

  • Changing and Improving

Technical skills

We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:

  • Experience in working with GIS software (preferably ArcGIS Pro or QGIS) and different formats of geospatial data.
  • Familiarity with ArcGIS Enterprise or ArcGIS Online platform.
  • Experience with spatial data and metadata creation and its management.
  • Knowledge of geospatial metadata standards (e.g. INSPIRE, UK GEMINI ).
Alongside your salary of £31,825, Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science contributes £8,592 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.
  • Generous annual leave entitlement – Cefas offers 25 days' annual leave on entry (rising to 30 days over first 5yrs) for full-time new entrants to the Civil Service Employees receive 8 public holidays a year, plus an additional day to mark the King's birthday
  • Access to learning and development tailored to your role
  • A working environment that supports a range of flexible working options
  • A working culture which encourages inclusion and diversity
  • Eligible to join the Civil Service Pension scheme – more information can be found on the CSP website http://www.civilservicepensionscheme.org.uk/
  • Staff recognition vouchers
  • In-year award scheme

Selection process details

This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours, Experience and Technical skills.

Application Process

As part of the application process you are asked to provide a CV (job history, qualifications, past skills and experience), a 750-word Personal Statement on how you meet the essential criteria as stated in the person specification section, and a 250-word statement on how you meet the advertised lead behaviour – Changing and Improving

Further details around what this will entail are listed on the application form.

  • For guidance on Civil Service Success Profiles, this video tells you what you’ll need to provide throughout the assessment process with supporting guidance on each step. Link – Success Profiles
  • For guidance on how to construct your CV, you are encouraged to visit Civil Service Careers. Link - CV
  • For guidance on how to construct your personal statement, you are encouraged to visit Civil Service Careers. Link – Statement
  • For guidance on how to construct your lead behaviour statement, you are encouraged to visit Civil Service Careers. Link – Behaviours

Sift

The sift panel will use the information in your CV and Personal Statement to assess your experience and how you meet the essential criteria as stated in the person specification section. The sift panel will also assess the lead behaviour statement – Changing and Improving.

Should a large number of applications be received, an initial sift may be conducted using the lead behaviour – Changing and Improving. Candidates who pass the initial sift may be progressed to a full sift or, progressed straight to assessment/interview.

Sift and interview dates to be confirmed.

Interview

If successful at application stage, you will be invited to interview where you will be assessed on the three advertised behaviours, four advertised technical skills and your experience (as stated in the person specification section) . You may also be asked to prepare a presentation or undertake an exercise. If this is the case, you will receive further information with your invitation to interview.

Please be aware that at this time, interviews will be held in person at either our Lowestoft or Weymouth site.

If scores are equal following interview, an assessment of the lead behaviour – Changing and Improving will be used by the panel.

Your interview will be conducted face to face. You will be notified of the location if you are selected for interview.

Location

Please be aware that this role will be contractually based at Lowestoft or Weymouth. The successful candidate is required to carry out all their duties from a UK location and cannot do so from an overseas location at any time.

As part of the pre-employment process for this post, successful candidate(s) will be able to agree a contractual workplace from those locations listed in this advert. The agreed contractual workplace is then the substantive and permanent place of work for the successful candidate(s)

Where the location is ‘National’ the successful appointee should discuss and agree an appropriate contractual location in line with both Defra’s location policy and site capacity, prior to proceeding with pre-employment processes.

Successful applicants currently employed by the hiring Defra organisation for this post may choose to remain in their current contractual location or may choose to change contractual location to one of those listed above. This should be discussed and agreed prior to proceeding with pre-employment processes.

The agreed amount of time spent at a workplace for this post will reflect the requirement for Civil Servants to spend at least 60% of their working time in an organisation workplace with the option to work the remaining time flexibly from home. Working time spent at a workplace may include time spent at other organisational locations including field-based operational locations, together with supplier, customer or partner locations. This is a non-contractual agreement which is consistent with common Civil Service expectations.

Travel costs to non-contractual workplaces will be subject to departmental travel and subsistence policies. Travel costs to contractual workplaces are the responsibility of the employee.

The successful candidate is required to carry out all their duties from a UK location, and cannot do so from an overseas location at any time.

Defra includes the core department, APHA, RPA, Cefas and VMD.

Please be aware that this role is based at our main location in Lowestoft/Weymouth

Reserve List

A reserve list may be held for a period of 12 months from which further appointments can be made.

Merit Lists

Where more than one location is advertised, candidates will be posted in merit order by location. You will be asked to state your location preference on your application.

Salary

New entrants are expected to start on the minimum of the pay band.

Visa Sponsorship Statement

Please take note that Defra does not hold a UK Visa & Immigration (UKVI) Skilled Worker License sponsor and are unable to sponsor any individuals for Skilled Worker Sponsorship.

Reasonable Adjustment

If a person with disabilities is put at a substantial disadvantage compared to a non-disabled person, we have a duty to make reasonable changes to our processes.

If you need a change to be made so that you can make your application, you should:

  • Contact Government Recruitment Service via defrarecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk as soon as possible before the closing date to discuss your needs
  • Complete the “Assistance required” section in the “Additional requirements” page of your application form to tell us what changes or help you might need further on in the recruitment process. For instance, you may need wheelchair access at interview, or if you’re deaf, a Language Service Professional

Accessibility

If you are experiencing accessibility problems with any attachments on this advert, please contact the email address in the 'Contact point for applicants' section.

Criminal Record Check

If successful and transferring from another Government Department, a criminal record check may be carried out.

In order to process applications without delay, we will be sending a Criminal Record Check to Disclosure and Barring Service on your behalf. However, we recognise in exceptional circumstances some candidates will want to send their completed forms direct. If you will be doing this, please advise Government Recruitment Service of your intention by emailing Pre-EmploymentChecks.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk stating the job reference number in the subject heading.

Internal Fraud Database Check

Applicants who are successful at interview will be, as part of pre-employment screening subject to a check on the Internal Fraud Database (IFD). This check will provide information about employees who have been dismissed for fraud or dishonesty offences. This check also applies to employees who resign or otherwise leave before being dismissed for fraud or dishonesty had their employment continued. Any applicant’s details held on the IFD will be refused employment.

A candidate is not eligible to apply for a role within the Civil Service if the application is made within a 5-year period following a dismissal for carrying out internal fraud against government.

Childcare Vouchers

Any move to Defra from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. You may however be eligible for other government schemes, including Tax Free Childcare. Determine your eligibility at https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk



Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.
People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

Nationality requirements

This job is broadly open to the following groups:

  • UK nationals
  • nationals of the Republic of Ireland
  • nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
  • nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
  • nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
  • individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
  • Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service
Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window)

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.

We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window).
The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.
The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.

Diversity and Inclusion

The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see the Civil Service People Plan (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window).
This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans (opens in a new window) initiative.
The Civil Service welcomes applications from people who have recently left prison or have an unspent conviction. Read more about prison leaver recruitment (opens in new window).
Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.

Contact point for applicants

Job contact :

  • Name : Cefas Resourcing Team
  • Email : resourcing@cefas.go.uk

Recruitment team

  • Email : defrarecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk

Further information

If you feel your application has not been treated in accordance with the Recruitment Principles and you wish to make a complaint, in the first instance, you should contact:
Government Recruitment Services via email: defrarecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk

If you are not satisfied with the response you receive from the Department, you can contact the Civil Service Commission: Click https://civilservicecommission.independent.gov.uk/contact-us/ to visit Civil Service Commission.