Spatial Technician - INTERNAL

To apply for this job you must be an employee of Kirklees Council for the duration of the recruitment process – up to and including the start date - and have successfully completed your probationary period.

Please note that if you work for an Academy you are not an employee of the Council.

About the role

Kirklees Council recognises the importance of robust decision-making, informed, and supported by insights generated from geospatial activities, including data collection, management, analytics, and visualisation. This role, as part of the Data and Insight Service Spatial Data Team, will be instrumental in supporting the development and delivery of improved geospatial data and solutions across the council.

This role will support futureproofing the council’s statutory and public responsibilities through delivering innovative and impactful analytics, improving geospatial knowledge, increasing accessibility through platforms and consistency, and enhancing resilience to support the council in navigating the financial and place-based challenges that we face.

The role will primarily focus on developing and embedding the council’s geospatial analytical capability. Spatial data has been identified as essential in supporting and evidencing robust decision making in complex, multidisciplinary environments. The council needs to establish resilience in this area to assist the continued development and provision of geospatial data solutions and provide stronger place-based evidence for decision making.

The role will facilitate a more comprehensive and impactful use of spatial data through analytics, and support delivery of information through establishing new standards and ways of working in relation to Desktop GIS and Web GIS tools. Additional opportunities to support with data collection and improving existing datasets and automated processes are also a key feature of this role.

About you

We are looking for someone who is passionate about working with geospatial data. Specifically, those who are analytical, and solution minded and keen to use their skillsets to develop robust and scalable geospatial tools and products to meet the unique needs of the council.  

You will have proven experience of using GIS methods in a multidisciplinary environment, be able to demonstrate a strong understanding of spatial data types, sources, appropriate uses, and limitations including the value of metadata and updating data regularly. This extends to within both desktop and web GIS environments, including the importance of visualisation, training, communication, and integration with other business tools. You will have a proven record of problem solving in a geospatial environment.

You will be confident in understanding where geospatial data can be better utilised and analysed, including national data sources and associated legislation. Demonstrating an understanding of the different platforms and tools available across the data lifecycle, from data collection to provision and how these facilitate and support geospatial analytics.

You will demonstrate an ability to approach workflows in an agile and iterative manner, communicating with technical and non-technical colleagues and stakeholder engagement, translating this into developing appropriate solutions. You will be committed to continuous improvement and have a desire to succeed – individually and as part of a team.

If you are looking for a role that is challenging and hugely rewarding, and you have the skills and ambition we are looking for, we would love to hear from you.

About us

Kirklees is set in the heart of beautiful West Yorkshire and has a growing population of c440,000. With the two major centres of Huddersfield and Dewsbury, it also encompasses several smaller towns. It is well served by both rail and road networks and is in close proximity to Leeds and Manchester.

We are a modern and progressive council, committed to family friendly, flexible and agile ways of working - as well as offering many other benefits including a generous pension scheme and annual leave entitlement of 27.5 days a year (plus public holidays). We’re committed to staff development and continuous improvement.

For an informal discussion about the role, please contact Rachael Reynolds (Data Management and Engineering Strategic Lead) at rachael.reynolds@kirklees.gov.uk

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of vulnerable adults and children and young people and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.