About the Social Planning Council of Ottawa
The Social Planning Council of Ottawa (SPCO) is a community-based organization committed to advancing social and economic wellbeing in Ottawa through research, policy analysis, community development, data,leadership, and capacity building. SPCO works with community organizations, grassroots groups,governments, institutions, and residents to support informed decision-making and strengthen equity-focused responses to local social issues.
SPCO is also the lead organization for the Ottawa and Region Community Data Consortium and plays a key role in supporting data access, analysis, mapping, and knowledge mobilization for the voluntary and social services sector.
Position Summary
The GIS Technician and Data Analyst will provide strong technical support for SPCO’s GIS, mapping, data analysis, visualization, and neighbourhood-level research work. This position is strongly focused on spatial data analysis, geoprocessing, database management, Census and community data analysis, and the production of high-quality maps, dashboards, charts, tables, and technical data products.
The successful candidate must have strong hands-on experience using GIS software and data analysis tools. This is a technical role that requires the ability to clean, manage, analyze, interpret, and visualize complex datasets from multiple sources, including Statistics Canada, municipal open data, community data, administrative data, and internal project data.
The role will support major SPCO data projects, including the Ottawa Neighbourhood Equity Index, Census 2021 and future Census analysis, community wellbeing reporting, neighbourhood profiles, and other thematic GIS projects related to poverty, housing, food insecurity, employment, immigration, health equity, transportation, and social determinants of wellbeing.
While community-based research knowledge is an asset, the primary focus of this role is technical GIS analysis, data analysis, data visualization, and evidence-based reporting.
Key Responsibilities
GIS and Spatial Analysis
● Conduct spatial analysis using GIS software such as ArcGIS, ArcGIS Pro, QGIS, or similar platforms.
● Perform geoprocessing tasks, including joins, buffers, overlays, clipping, spatial queries, geocoding, network analysis, and neighbourhood-level spatial analysis.
● Prepare, clean, format, and maintain spatial datasets, shapefiles, geodatabases, and other GIS data layers.
Social Planning Council of Ottawa | Job Posting
SPCO - GIS Technician and Data Analyst
● Work with boundaries such as census tracts, dissemination areas, neighbourhoods, wards, postal codes, service areas, and custom community geographies.
● Create accurate, accessible, and visually strong maps for reports, presentations, dashboards, community profiles, and public communication.
● Support updates and technical analysis related to the Ottawa Neighbourhood Equity Index and other neighbourhood-level mapping tools.
● Ensure GIS outputs follow strong cartographic design principles, including clear legends, scale, labelling, accessibility, and data accuracy.
Data Analysis and Data Management
● Clean, organize, merge, validate, and analyze large datasets from multiple sources.
● Work with quantitative datasets, including Census data, community data, program data, administrative data, survey data, and open data.
● Conduct descriptive statistical analysis and prepare tables, charts, graphs, indicators, and summary
findings.
● Use tools such as Excel, Power BI, Tableau, R, Python, SPSS, SAS, SQL, or similar platforms to support data analysis and visualization.
● Develop and maintain organized databases, spreadsheets, coding structures, metadata, and documentation.
● Support indicator development and comparative analysis across neighbourhoods, populations, and time periods.
● Translate complex data into clear, practical insights for reports, grant applications, policy briefs, and community planning tools.
Data Visualization and Reporting
● Produce high-quality data visualizations, including maps, dashboards, graphs, charts, infographics, and tables.
● Support the preparation of technical reports, community profiles, data briefs, PowerPoint presentations,and public-facing knowledge products.
● Ensure data products are accurate, visually clear, accessible, and useful for community partners,
funders, policymakers, and residents.
● Document data sources, methods, assumptions, limitations, and analysis steps clearly.
● Support knowledge mobilization by turning technical findings into accessible materials for community
organizations and decision-makers.
Project Support and Collaboration
● Work closely with SPCO’s research, data, communications, and project teams.
● Provide regular updates to supervisors and project leads on progress, challenges, timelines, and deliverables.
● Support meetings, presentations, and consultations with community partners where needed.
● Contribute to SPCO’s broader work in equity, inclusion, community development, and evidence-informed planning.
● Work responsibly with sensitive data and follow ethical data management practices.
Required Qualifications and Skills
The ideal candidate will have strong technical skills and demonstrated experience in GIS, spatial analysis, and data analysis. Required qualifications include:
● Strong hands-on experience using GIS software such as ArcGIS, ArcGIS Pro, QGIS, or similar tools.
● Strong experience with spatial data analysis, geoprocessing, cartographic design, and GIS data management.
Social Planning Council of Ottawa | Job Posting
SPCO - GIS Technician and Data Analyst
● Strong data analysis skills, including cleaning, merging, analyzing, interpreting, and visualizing large datasets.
● Advanced Excel skills, including formulas, pivot tables, charts, data cleaning, lookup functions, and
structured spreadsheets.
● Experience using data analysis or visualization tools such as Power BI, Tableau, R, Python, SQL,
SPSS, SAS, XLSTAT, or similar platforms.
● Experience working with Statistics Canada Census data, open data, administrative data, survey data, or
neighbourhood-level indicators.
● Ability to work with geographic boundaries such as census tracts, dissemination areas, neighbourhoods,
wards, postal codes, and service areas.
● Strong ability to prepare clear maps, charts, tables, dashboards, and technical documentation.
● Strong attention to detail and ability to verify data accuracy.
● Ability to identify patterns, trends, disparities, and geographic inequities using data.
● Strong writing skills for technical documentation, methodology notes, reports, and presentations.
● Ability to manage multiple datasets, deadlines, and deliverables.
● Relevant education in GIS, geography, data science, statistics, urban planning, public policy, social
sciences, computer science, or a related field; or equivalent professional experience.
Assets
The following would be considered assets:
● Experience with web-based mapping, interactive dashboards, or online data platforms.
● Experience with database management, SQL, APIs, or automated data workflows.
● Experience with Python or R for data cleaning, analysis, mapping, or visualization.
● Experience developing indicators, indexes, composite measures, or neighbourhood equity tools.
● Experience working with Census data and community-level data in the Ottawa context.
● Understanding of social determinants of health, poverty, housing, immigration, employment, food
insecurity, equity, and neighbourhood wellbeing.
● Experience supporting policy research, community planning, program evaluation, or knowledge
mobilization.
● Experience working with social service organizations, grassroots groups, or community-based
stakeholders.
● Ability to work in both English and French.
Core Competencies
● Strong analytical thinking and problem-solving skills.
● High level of technical accuracy and attention to detail.
● Ability to translate complex data into clear, useful, and accessible information.
● Strong organization, time management, and documentation skills.
● Commitment to equity, inclusion, anti-racism, and community-based approaches.
● Respect for community knowledge, lived experience, and grassroots leadership.
● Reliability, professionalism, flexibility, and willingness to learn new tools and approaches.
● Ability to balance technical data work with community-facing communication.
Key Deliverables
● Cleaned, validated, and organized datasets.
● GIS maps and spatial analysis products.
● Charts, tables, dashboards, and visual summaries.
Social Planning Council of Ottawa | Job Posting
SPCO - GIS Technician and Data Analyst
● Census and neighbourhood-level data visualizations.
● Research summaries and data briefs.
● Technical documentation and methodology notes.
● PowerPoint presentations and community-facing communication materials.
● Contributions to SPCO reports, community profiles, and knowledge mobilization products.
● Data tools and visual products that support community planning, advocacy, and decision-making.
Application Process
Interested applicants are invited to submit a cover letter and resume to:
Social Planning Council of Ottawa
Email: [email protected]
Subject line: GIS Technician and Data Analyst Application
SPCO regrets that only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.
Equity Statement
The Social Planning Council of Ottawa is an equal opportunity employer and encourages applications from members of equity-seeking groups, including Indigenous peoples, Black and racialized communities, immigrants and newcomers, persons with disabilities, women, 2SLGBTQIA+ communities, and people with lived experience of poverty, housing insecurity, and other forms of systemic exclusion.
SPCO values diverse forms of knowledge, including lived experience, community leadership, academic training, and professional experience.
Pay: $30.00 per hour
Benefits:
- Casual dress
- Dental care
- Extended health care
- Mileage reimbursement
- On-site gym
- On-site parking
- Paid time off
- Vision care
- Work from home
Work Location: In person
