Senior GIS Analyst

Would you like to use your interest in spatial data to help one of Europe's largest nature conservation charities?

What's the role about?

In this role you will be part of the team that will produce accurate and up-to-date spatial data for all RSPB nature reserves across the UK, including some of the most important nature sites in the country. In the first year you will use your advanced GIS skills to digitise new habitat maps and to turn our existing habitat maps into an accurate GIS layer. You will identify gaps and places where information needs to be updated. You will help fill those gaps and update the information with other data sources, and by using remote sensing and local RSPB staff knowledge. You will analyse the data to provide information that will help combat climate change and make RSPB nature reserves even better places for wildlife

In the second and third years you will add other features to the data, such as land management and species monitoring.

You will be part of the RSPB's Conservation Data Management Unit. Every year we help hundreds of people use data to make the most of their conservation work. You will work with colleagues who share your interest in nature and spatial data. We value learning from and supporting each other. To make the most of this, you will ideally be able to work from our UK headquarters at RSPB The Lodge nature reserve in Bedfordshire or our RSPB Scotland office in Edinburgh at least once a week.

What we need from you 

We are looking for evidence that you can do the parts of the job listed below. Your application will be easier to assess if you explicitly take each criterion and give us evidence that you have the aptitude, experience, or skills required.

Essential skills, knowledge and experience:

• Advanced GIS - digitize polygons snapped to boundaries, with no slivers or overlapping; use tools for spatial analysis and data quality checking; use ArcGIS Pro and ArcGIS Online; use scripts (such as Python notebooks and SQL) to make replicable outputs; develop standards for new feature classes
• Design data collection products - develop ArcGIS Online apps (Field Maps, QuickCapture, Survey123, or Experience Builder) for users to capture feature data
• Data management - collect and curate data according to standards; get others to do the same; knowledge of good practice
• Reporting - summarise data so that the audience can understand it
• Working with people - get data and help from busy people who may have other priorities; learn from and support others in the team
• Time management - focus on priorities when there is too much to do
• Problem solving - be clear about what needs fixing and develop innovative solutions
• Remote sensing - use aerial imagery to classify and map habitats

Desirable skills, knowledge and experience:

• Habitats - translate between Phase One, National Vegetation Classification, and UKHab classes
• Automation - develop scripts to automate reporting and maintain data integrity

Please note that, if you include evidence on how you meet these criteria in the 'Tell us about your skills, knowledge and experience' section of the application form, you do not need to fill in the 'Responsibilities' section of your employment history.

This is a fixed-term full-time role for 37.5 hours per week until 31 March 2028. The RSPB reserves the right to extend or make this role permanent without further advertising dependent on business needs at the end of the contract term.

We are looking to conduct interviews for this position on 30 June and 1 July 2025. For further information please contact [email protected] 

As part of this application process you will be asked to complete an application form including evidence that shows you have the skills, knowledge, and experience to do the essential and desirable tasks listed above. It will be easier for us to assess your application if you structure it around those tasks. For each one we will be looking for evidence of what you have done and how well you did it.

We are committed to developing an inclusive and diverse RSPB, in which everyone feels supported, valued, and able to be their full selves. To achieve our vision of creating a world richer in nature, we need more people, and more diverse people, on nature’s side. People of colour and disabled people are currently underrepresented across the environment, climate, sustainability, and conservation sector. If you identify as a person of colour and/or disabled, we are particularly interested in receiving your application. Contact us to discuss any additional support you may need to complete your application.

The RSPB is an equal opportunities employer. This role is covered by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974.

The RSPB is a licensed sponsor. This role is not eligible for UK Visa Sponsorship - the successful applicant will need to have a pre-existing Right to Work in the UK in order to be offered an employment contract.