JOB DESCRIPTION
Job Title:
Environmental Information Analyst (GIS)
Work Unit:
Regional Services and Information Group
Responsible To:
Team Leader Catchment Information
Responsible For:
Periodic supervision of project, contracted and temporary staff
Position Purpose:
This job exists to:
 Provide a comprehensive catchment information service,
including systems development and management, data
management, specialized analysis and information
production for a wide range of internal and external
customers.
Financial Delegated
Authority:
$100
Pay Range:
$53,635 minimum
$63,100 midpoint
Date:
August 2008
Organisation Context
Group Manager Regional
Services & Information
Manager Catchment
Information
Team Leader Catchment
Information
Catchment
Information Analysts
GIS
Catchment
Information Analysts
Application
Development
Catchment
Information
Technician
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Project Coordinator Catchment Information
Functional Relationships
External
Regional and Territorial Authorities
Research Institutes and Universities
Resource Users
Various Government Departments
State Owned Enterprises
Interest and Sector Groups
Software Developers and Suppliers
Students
General Public
Consultants and Contractors
Internal
Research
Policy
Catchment Data
Consents
Information Technology
Compliance
Emergency Management
Operations
Environmental Management
Community Relations
Key Result Areas
Jobholder is accountable for
Jobholder is successful when
1. Environmental Information Provision
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Prepare information and reports for external
clients, consent investigations, hearings,
compliance assessment, state of the environment
monitoring, policy development, land and river
management and research purposes.
Complete statistical, mathematical and GIS
analysis of catchment information as required to
produce information for specific projects and
client requests.
Identify emerging issues apparent from analysis
of environmental information.
Improve effectiveness and efficiency of
information production and delivery.
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Delivered information is timely, accurate,
robust, concise and presented in an
appropriate form for the target audience.
Continuous improvement is demonstrated
with respect to access and availability of
organisational information.
2. Environmental Data Management
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Evaluate environmental data holdings’ fitness for
purpose, adequacy of documentation,
accessibility and security.
Contribute to development of field data collection
methods, the formulation of standards and quality
assurance procedures for catchment information
appropriate to Horizons Regional Council.
Carry out quality assurance checks on data
Prepare, and submit for independent review,
audit reports on archived catchment information.
Work with other staff to overcome quality and
data management problems and recommend
improvements.
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Integrity and security of data is ensured.
Work is undertaken within ISO 9000
requirements where applicable.
Effective contribution is provided to the
evaluation, design, implementation and
maintenance of systems for processing and
archiving Horizons Regional Council’s
environmental data holdings.
Horizons Regional Council’s data collection
programmes and procedures are well
understood.
Environmental data is processed and/or
prepared for archiving to defined standards
in order to meet specific project objectives.
Staff understanding of catchment
information management and quality
assurance is improved.
Quality management issues are identified,
reported and recommendations made so
that system reliability can be improved.
Jobholder is accountable for
Jobholder is successful when
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Appropriate contribution is made to the
development of organisational objectives
Appropriate technical support is provided to
the organisation.
3. Systems Development
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Design, deliver and maintain environmental
information tools to meet business and customer
requirements.
Evaluate, design, implement and maintain
systems for processing and management of
Horizons Regional Council’s catchment
information holdings.
Advise on environmental information collection
and delivery systems that support the outcomes
of Horizons Regional Council’s long-term
environmental policy, research and public
information goals.
Evaluate and set priorities for development of
systems in conjunction with other relevant staff
Project manage applications and systems
development.
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Customer and business requirements are
met.
Systems development improves access to
and availability of reliable and relevant
information.
Information supply is effective and meets the
required outcomes.
Horizons Regional Council takes an
innovative, effective and robust approach to
environmental data management and its
use.
Information users are aware of team
services and information delivery
mechanisms that current and potentially new
technologies can provide.
4. People Management
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Supervise temporary staff.
Mentor other team members in their specialist
areas.
Plan work that can be contracted out within the
allocated budget.
Initiate, manage and review external data related
contracts.
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All Horizons Regional Council and other
relevant legal requirements are fully
complied with.
Team skills are shared and improved.
Contracted work is completed within
negotiated timeframes, to defined standard
and within budget.
5. Corporate Contribution
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Maintain own professional development.
Undertake Performance Development tasks and
responsibilities.
Undertake Health and Safety tasks and
responsibilities.
Participate in emergency management activities
as agreed.
Participate and contribute to corporate projects
and inter-departmental initiatives as negotiated.
Fulfil administration requirements (e.g.
timesheets, vouchers, reporting).
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Appropriate training and development is
undertaken as agreed.
Corporate responsibilities are undertaken
and completed accurately, meeting specified
standards and within agreed timeframes.
Contribution to projects and corporate
initiatives is effective and valued.
Administration requirements are completed
accurately and on time.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential:
 A tertiary qualification or equivalent NZ certification in a discipline, or disciplines, relating
to engineering or natural, physical or applied information sciences.
Desirable:
 Further postgraduate education in an appropriate physical, natural or applied information
science discipline (e.g. postgraduate papers in hydrology, GIS, mathematics or statistics).
Knowledge / Experience
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Proven ability to manage and analyze large volumes of spatial and temporal data,
including the ability to create macros and high level automation applications.
A high degree of competence in the use of technical software including GIS and time
series managers.
Sound knowledge of analysis techniques as applied to environmental data, and data
collection methods relating to a wide range of environmental disciplines.
An excellent understanding of the principles of good data management, systems
development and quality management.
Demonstrated ability to liaise with, relate to, secure from, and provide services to a wide
variety of people.
Demonstrated ability to apply advanced information technology and awareness of
emerging technologies.
Key Job Competencies
Expert Knowledge
Statistical and spatial environmental information analysis
A field of: natural, physical or applied information sciences
Computer applications for data management
Report writing
Information system analysis, design and development
Quality management
Advanced Knowledge
Customer focus
Information technology for data collection and information provision
Communication, facilitation and presentation skills
Time Management
Research principles and methods
GIS infrastructure administration
Working Knowledge
Resource Management Act
Local Government Act
Drainage Act
Budgeting
Health and Safety
Project Management
Policy development
Business processes
Cultural perspectives
Broader council policy
National environmental policy
Broader political environment
Emerging information technology
Awareness
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Key Competencies for Performance Development
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Customer Focus:
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Job Knowledge:
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Communication:
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Teamwork:
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Dependability and
Commitment:
Continuous
Improvement:
Organising for
Results:
Leadership:
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Developing and
Managing
Performance
commitment to meeting the needs of anyone they work for and with,
including colleagues.
have the knowledge and skills to perform the requirements of the
position.
use written and verbal language and style appropriate to the audience
and context.
work constructively with people as a team member to achieve a common
goal.
reliable and dedicated to achieving results.
adjusts to change and different perspectives, thinks proactively, pursues
opportunities and take appropriate action.
ensures work is completed effectively and within agreed deadlines.
creates a clear direction, inspires a shared commitment and leads by
example.
builds an environment that is focused on enhancing the skills and
performance of individuals and teams.
Personal Attributes:
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An organised and meticulous approach to tasks
Able to deliver good quality work within tight deadlines
Self-motivated and able to work unsupervised
Able to encourage and motivate others
Excellent problem solving skills
Able to “think outside the square”
Other Requirements
Be prepared to:
 Occasionally work outside of normal business hours
 Occasionally work in the field
 Occasionally undertake activities, when additional resources are required, as part of
Horizons Regional Council’s emergency management response
 Maintain a proactive approach to Health and Safety in relationship to your responsibilities
and ensure legislative responsibilities and codes of practice are complied with
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Declaration:
This position description is prepared on the basis of existing and foreseen duties and responsibilities. As such it
will not prejudice further specification and/or rearrangement at a later date. Also it will not prejudice a particular
incumbent’s ability to achieve personal development through a change (or partial change) in duties and/or
position.
Horizons Regional Council Core Values
Values are the essence of this organisation’s philosophy for achieving success.
They are the bedrock of our culture and our view of how Horizons Regional Council
staff should behave.
They also provide us with a common direction and guidelines for day-to-day behaviour.
Professionalism
Teamwork
Professionalism at Horizons Regional Council is
delivering what is promised in a skilled, timely
and appropriate manner.
Teamwork at Horizons Regional Council is
successfully achieving shared goals through
dialogue, co-operation, and respect for others.
Integrity
Integrity at Horizons Regional Council is being
honest with others; respectful of their race,
gender, age, beliefs or values.
Self-Responsibility
Self-responsibility at Horizons is highly valued.
All individuals are responsible for actively
managing their own behaviour, learning,
developing, and performing, including accepting
responsibility for actions.
Approved: _______________________________________ (Manager) Date: ___/___/___
Read and Understood: _____________________________ (Incumbent) Date: ___/___/___
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