Senior Geospatial Specialist
Date: 5 May 2025
Location: AU
Company: Department of Parliamentary Services
Job Details
Job Title: Senior Geospatial Specialist
Employment Type: Ongoing/Non-Ongoing
Classification: Parliamentary Service Level 6
Closing Date: 11:30pm AEDT, 21 May 2025
Contact: Christopher Giuliano, 0262772483, christopher.giuliano@aph.gov.au
The Opportunity
The Department of Parliamentary Services (DPS) is recruiting for a Geospatial Specialist for the Statistics and Mapping Section of the Parliamentary Library Research Branch.
The Parliamentary Library supports Australia's democracy by providing high-quality, impartial and confidential information, analysis and advice to Parliamentarians and their staff. By providing high-quality responses to clients, the Parliamentary Library supports informed policy debates and decisions. The work is diverse and challenging and includes writing publications with analysis of policy, budgets and legislation, often within tight deadlines.
The Section provides a wide range of statistical and mapping advice to Parliamentarians covering a wide range of topics including federal election results, economic and social statistics such as taxation, inflation, labour markets, housing, health, age profiles by a range of geographic areas.
Who we are looking for
The Statistics and Mapping Section is seeking researchers with strong technical and data skills who can:
• Create a bespoke map for Parliamentarians using Mapinfo Pro on such topics as election results and output from the Census of Population and Housing, and
• Contribute to the development of section expertise and resources including geospatial data workflows and data management practices
Skills in geospatial mapping and data analysis would be highly valued. For example, experience in using GIS software such as ArcGIS Pro, QGIS, MapInfo Pro or FME. You must possess tertiary qualifications in a relevant discipline or have hands-on mapping experience and be able and willing to work across a range of areas relevant to the section and to develop knowledge in new areas.
Our ideal candidate writes clearly and succinctly, has sound judgement, and can work independently to tight deadlines. You must be able to quickly find and provide accurate and relevant information in an impartial manner to parliamentary clients. You must possess a strong client service ethic, be well-informed, motivated and fast to learn. Communication skills—both oral and written—must be of a high order.
At times, you may be helping the work of Senior Researchers, as well as working independently and under limited supervision in a collaborative environment.
This is are ongoing position. Any merit pool created from this recruitment process may be used to fill ongoing or non-ongoing positions that may arise over the next 18 months.
Job Specific Requirements:
• Tertiary qualifications in a relevant discipline or hands-on experience.
• The successful applicant will be required to obtain and maintain a Baseline Vetting (Protected/Restricted) security clearance.
At DPS, we are committed to building a diverse and inclusive workplace that ensures all our people can contribute to our shared purpose. We encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, people with disability, people with caring responsibilities, people who identify as LGBTQIA+, people from cultural and linguistically diverse backgrounds, people who identify as neurodivergent, and mature aged people.
Duty Statement
Classification: Parliamentary Service Level 6
Branch: Research
Section: Statistics & Mapping
Immediate supervisor: Director, Statistics and Mapping
The Parliamentary Librarian is required by the Parliamentary Service Act 1999 to, among other things:
“… provide high quality information, analysis and advice to Senators and Members of the House of Representatives in support of their parliamentary and representational roles.”
The Act requires the Parliamentary Librarian to perform this function:
• in a timely, impartial and confidential manner; and
• maintaining the highest standards of scholarship and integrity; and
• on the basis of equality of access for all Senators, Members of the House of Representatives, parliamentary committees and staff acting on behalf of Senators, Members or parliamentary committees; and
• having regard to the independence of Parliament from the Executive Government of the Commonwealth.
Against this background, the Parliamentary Library is seeking to fill the position of Senior Geospatial Specialist in the Statistics and Mapping Section of its Research Branch. We are looking for a suitably qualified and motivated person with high level geospatial skills and knowledge, preferably in MapInfo Professional to prepare customised election results, census and other adhoc mapping requests for our clients.
The duties will include, but are not limited to, the following:
1. Respond directly, or as part of a team, to parliamentarians’ requests for print and electronic geospatial products, including the preparation of materials for general distribution to the Parliament.
2. Contribute to the development of section expertise and resources including geospatial data workflows and data management practices. Where required, assist with the development and technical supervision of section members.
3. Maintain the Library’s mapping platform and resolve systems issues through engagement with DPS ICT and mapping software vendors.
4. Manage the Library’s spatial data warehouse that includes election results data, Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) Census data and other thematic and special interest datasets.
5. Maintain professional geospatial community networks and an awareness of developments in geospatial standards and practices.
6. Contribute to corporate activities, including the provision of administrative and technical support to senior officers within the organisation.
Employees of DPS are required to be able, and to be seen to be able, to provide professional advice and services to all Senators and Members without favour or prejudice.
Selection Criteria
1. Demonstrated experience and skills in the following:
• The use of Geographic Information Systems and a high level of understanding of geospatial concepts and geoprocessing methods. Experience with MapInfo Professional would be highly regarded.
• High level understanding of spatial data formats and the ability to manage, query and value-add datasets for map production.
• Creation of hard copy and digital mapping products in response to client requests using a wide range of datasets, e.g. Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS), Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) and other thematic and special interest data themes.
• Experience in the maintenance of mapping platforms and the resolution of systems issues through engagement with ICT teams and mapping software vendors.
2. Ability to perform complex research and analysis
• conducts high-quality research and analysis, and provides advice on complex mapping and data issues
• uses diverse information and database services, including online mapping Services
• works quickly while maintaining accuracy
3. Cultivates productive working relationships
• develops internal and external relationships to support work objectives
• facilitates cooperation and works collaboratively
• values individual differences and diversity
• works constructively to resolve conflict
4. Personal and professional qualities
• works under limited supervision and manages competing priorities
• possesses a strong client service ethic
• demonstrates probity and accountability, initiative, resilience and good judgement
• prepared to develop new areas of expertise, and is committed to professional development
5. Communication skills
• strong written skills, including correspondence with parliamentary clients and conveying technical concepts, when resolving mapping issues
• able to communicate clearly and appropriately, including listening, understanding and adapting to the audience
• negotiates persuasively
• tailors responses according to client requirements
6. Understanding of the parliamentary and political environment
• knowledge of the context, role and operations of Parliament
• understands the role and function of key parliamentary bodies and processes
• deals sensitively, impartially and objectively with controversial issues
Eligible Qualifications and/or other requirements
• Applicants should have relevant tertiary qualifications or experience.
How to apply
Please upload a pitch (750 words maximum) describing how your skills and experience would contribute to the role and work of the department.
Your pitch is an opportunity to tell us why you want to work at DPS, why you are interested in the role and what you can offer in the role. Frame your pitch around the role description and relevant ILS Profile. Make sure to use relevant examples and accomplishments that demonstrate your ability to perform the role.
For additional guidance when crafting you application, please refer to the the DPS Recruitment Candidate Information Pack, which provides helpful tips on how to structure your pitch and highlight your most relevant skills and experience effectively.
Our purpose and values
We proudly provide innovative, unified, and client-focused services to the Australian Parliament and parliamentarians. We are a values driven department, placing our values at the heart of everything we do; from our service offerings and decision making to our interactions with stakeholders and each other.
Our people are employed in a broad and unique range of professional, customer service and trade-based roles, all joined by a shared purpose: to make an enduring contribution to Australia’s parliamentary democracy. We have an inclusive workplace that reflects the diversity of the community we serve. While we come from all walks of life, we share a commitment to care for and protect our iconic workplace.
Every year, almost one million people visit Australian Parliament House to experience the parliamentary process, the building’s architecture, nationally significant art collections, events, tours, and food and dining experiences – all made possible by our people, who are active participants in an environment where no two days are the same.
What we can offer
Join our community based on innovative, unified, and client-focused services, where your skills and development will be nurtured. You will also enjoy:
• access to flexible work arrangements
• ongoing opportunities to learn and develop new capabilities
• a competitive remuneration package
• free secure underground parking
• free gym membership and access to recreational facilities
• on-site childcare, banking services, post office, value-for-money dining options and more.
Salary
Currently, the salary range for this position is $97,841 - $109,967 per annum.
Conditions of Employment
Employment opportunities at Department of Parliamentary Services are subject to a range of conditions prescribed in the Parliamentary Service Act 1999 which include:
• Australian citizenship – to be eligible for employment with DPS, applicants must be an Australian Citizen.
• Security clearance and character clearance – the preferred applicant will be required to obtain and maintain a security clearance at the level specified, as well as complete and be deemed suitable through a Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Check.
• Health assessment – a pre-employment health assessment will be required where there are physical or medical requirements for the role.