Human Footprint Analyst
Competition No: 2732
Department: Faculty of Science - University of Alberta
Position Type: Full Time - Trust Funded
Salary Range: $62,831.16 to $85,336.08
Grade: 8
Hours: 40
This position is a part of the Non-Academic Staff Association (NASA).
This position has a term length of one year plus a day, with the strong possibility of renewal and offers a comprehensive benefits package.
Location - This position offers a flexible work arrangement, allowing for a combination of remote and/or in-office work based on work preferences. We welcome applicants from across Alberta. In the event that you need to work on-site, you may have the flexibility to attend either the Edmonton or Calgary offices based on your location and convenience. Preference will be discussed during the recruitment process.
Working at the University of Alberta
The University of Alberta acknowledges that we are located on Treaty 6 territory, and respects the histories, languages and cultures of First Nations, Métis, Inuit and all First Peoples of Canada, whose presence continues to enrich our vibrant community.
The University of Alberta is a community of knowledge seekers, change makers and world shapers who lead with purpose each and every day. We are home to over 14,000 faculty and staff, more than 40,000 students and a growing community of 300,000 alumni worldwide.
Your work will have a meaningful influence on a fascinating cross-section of people — from our students and community members, to our renowned researchers and innovators, making discoveries and generating solutions that make the world healthier, safer, stronger and more just. Learn more.
Working for the Alberta Biodiversity Monitoring Institute (ABMI)
The Alberta Biodiversity Monitoring Institute (ABMI) is dedicated to tracking changes in biodiversity across the entirety of Alberta for the next 100 years, and this resultant information provides Albertans the ability to make informed decisions about the state of their environment in ways never before possible.
Position Summary
The Human Footprint Analyst plays a pivotal role in one of ABMI’s most recognized programs—the Human Footprint Monitoring Program—tracking human land use patterns across Alberta’s landscapes over time. As part of the Geospatial Centre’s Human Footprint team, you'll work at the intersection of big data, environmental science, and land-use planning to deliver products that inform decision-making across the province. From the flagship Human Footprint Inventory (HFI) to enhanced datasets for the Oil Sands Region and historical datasets reaching back to the 1950s, your work will help monitor agriculture, energy, forestry, transportation, urban growth, and even human-made waterbodies within Alberta’s landscapes.
Stakeholders across the spectrum—from ENGOs and industry to scientists and planners—rely on these HFI datasets to understand the status and trends of human footprint in Alberta, supporting species modeling, habitat intactness reporting, and guiding land-use planning. The Human Footprint Analyst will design and implement advanced geospatial analyses, build and refine automated workflows, and ensure that ABMI’s human footprint data remains one of the best land use products in Canada, and globally.
The Human Footprint Analyst will directly supervise GIS Technicians, fostering growth through mentorship, training, and collaborative problem-solving. Technical responsibilities include process automation, overseeing QA/QC, project/task management, data analysis, troubleshooting complex geospatial issues, and helping shape efficient data pipelines capable of handling large-scale, province-wide analyses. Ultimately, this role combines technical leadership, creativity in geospatial problem-solving, and meaningful impact—contributing to ecosystem stewardship in Alberta.
Duties
- GIS tool development and automation: Design and implement GIS processing techniques and tools to support large-scale geospatial products, improving efficiency and accuracy of Human Footprint datasets.
- Photo interpretation and digitizing: Analyze, extract, interpret, and edit information from satellite imagery and derived data to update and maintain spatial datasets.
- Proactive troubleshooting and quality assurance: Anticipate and address challenges in geospatial data and workflows, and coordinate QA/QC processes to ensure reliable, high-quality products.
- Innovative geospatial analysis: Investigate and apply emerging geospatial methods for landscape and biodiversity monitoring, integrating results with ABMI’s broader environmental information.
- Leadership and training: Supervise, hire, train, and mentor GIS Technicians, set priorities, assign tasks, and develop tutorials and standard operating procedures.
- Data management and delivery: Create, standardize, catalog, and store geospatial datasets, maps, reports, and metadata, managing storage on internal servers or cloud platforms (e.g., AWS, GCS) to meet delivery timelines.
Minimum Qualifications
- Education
- Bachelor’s degree in GIS, Remote Sensing, Geography, Environmental Science, Civil Engineering, Forestry, or a related field.
- A diploma or associate degree with a GIS focus, combined with relevant experience, may also be considered.
- Experience
- Minimum of two years of applied GIS experience in geospatial datasets, land use mapping, and environmental monitoring.
- Skills & Attributes
- Proficiency in GIS digitization and interpreting land cover and land use from satellite imagery.
- Experience with platforms such as ArcGIS Pro, ArcGIS Enterprise, ArcSDE, SQL Server, and Google Earth Engine.
- Programming skills in R and/or Python, with the ability to automate geospatial workflows (vector and raster).
- Ability to lead and support a small team, including mentoring and onboarding.
- Strong project management skills, with the ability to work independently and manage shifting priorities.
- Excellent communication skills, including technical writing and documentation.
- Familiarity with environmental monitoring, land-use planning, or biodiversity applications.
- Experience with QA/QC processes and cloud-based geospatial workflows (e.g., AWS, GCS).
At the University of Alberta, we are committed to creating an inclusive and accessible hiring process for all candidates. If you require accommodations to participate in the interview process, please let us know at the time of booking your interview and we will make every effort to accommodate your needs.
We thank all applicants for their interest; however, only those individuals selected for an interview will be contacted.
All University employees have a responsibility to foster a workplace that prioritizes safety in all its forms—physical, cultural, and psychological. This is achieved by promoting a safe environment, adhering to all safety laws, policies and procedures, completing all required safety training, identifying hazards and implementing controls, reporting incidents, and contributing to a culture of inclusivity and respect, while endeavoring to ensure that all colleagues feel valued and safe to express their thoughts, perspectives and concerns.
The University of Alberta is committed to creating a university community where everyone feels valued, barriers to success are removed, and thriving connections are fostered. We welcome applications from all qualified persons. We encourage women, First Nations, Métis and Inuit persons, members of visible minority groups, persons with disabilities, persons of any sexual orientation or gender identity and expression, and all those who may contribute to the further diversification of ideas and the University to apply.
L’Université de l’Alberta s’engage à créer une communauté universitaire où chaque personne se sent valorisée, où les obstacles à la réussite sont éliminés et où des connexions enrichissantes peuvent se développer. Nous accueillons les demandes de toutes les personnes qualifiées. Nous encourageons les femmes; Premières nations, Métis et Inuits; membres des groupes minoritaires visibles; personnes handicapées; personnes ayant une orientation sexuelle ou une identité et une expression sexospécifique; et tous ceux qui peuvent contribuer à la diversification des idées et à l'université à postuler.
Note: This opportunity will be available until midnight September 17, 2025, Edmonton, Alberta local time.
