Studentship Vacancies at CSIR

Studentships (two positions)
Closing date: 4 March 2012
http://www.csir.co.za/vacancies/pdf/2012/Ref_4914_Studentship_EDITED_March%202012x.pdf

The ICT for Earth Observation Research Group (ICT4EO) at the CSIR Meraka Institute conducts research and development in earth observation information and communications technologies that have societal benefit. ICT4EO is currently engaged in the development of Open Standards compliant services and interfaces for earth observation sensory resources in support of the South African Earth Observation Strategy. Advances in sensing technologies and distributed computing, coupled with the development of open standards that facilitate sensor and sensor network interoperability, are contributing to the emergence of a phenomenon known as the Sensor Web. ICT4EO has two MSc studentship opportunities for the research and development of ICTs for Sensor Web Enablement. Incumbents will be members of an experienced inter-institutional team directed to develop technologies for provisioning of earth observation products, services and interfaces. See http://ict4eo.meraka.csir.co.za/ for further details.


Key responsibilities:
· Acquire knowledge about the technologies necessary to contribute to the outputs of the Sensor Web Enablement project.
· Acquire knowledge about open geospatial standards for web enabled sensor services and products
· Develop and implement open standards compliant services and interfaces for earth observation sensory data sets and products
· Develop algorithms for provisioning services using service oriented architecture (SOA) or other protocols.
· Develop a mature understanding of the earth observation domain, including concepts of Sensor Web Enablement, Geomatics and Remote Sensing.
· Participate in team activities and contribute to the generation of technical documents and software outputs as required

GIS Technician job, City of Tshwane

I came across this job today for anybody that might be interested. Please note this job is advertised directly by City of Tshwane, not Latitude Resource.

>> Professional >> GI TECHNICIAN Job Reference Number CPRS065/2012 Job Title: GI TECHNICIAN Department: CITY PLANNING Division: City Planning and Development Section: Land Use Legislation and Application Management - Land Use Compliance and Information Management Number of Positions Available: 1 Application Closing Date: 2/3/2012 Remuneration: Scale: R 164 844 - 268 152.00 per annum Estimated remuneration package: R 209 980.49 - 341 575.59 per annum Appointment requirements: A three year tertiary qualification (Diploma or degree) in the field of Geomatics Relevant GIS experience in a LIS environment Computer literacy Personal attributes / competencies: Analytical thinking; decision making; organizing; delegation; communication in various ways; ability to compile presentations in various forms; to adapt to a fast changing work environment; IT and spatial literacy (GIS related software certificates, ARC 9); Valid Code EB driver’s license; ability to see colour Duties: To maintain and use the GIS database (For creating maps) and maintain Amendment Scheme Documentation (in accordance with relevant legislation) of the sub-section Land Use Compliance and Information Management. The maintenance of the Town Planning Scheme maps on the GIS database; generation of various maps from the GIS database; assist with the implementation of the new uniform Town Planning Scheme for the CoT; assist with the client service and information regarding the Town Planning Scheme (s) ; the provision of computer presentations and other documents Contact person: AC Walker (012 358 4679) SAP number: S61018718

Potential GIS Interview Questions

The following GIS interview question examples, that you might find useful during interview preparation, were posted on the osgeo forum today:

• What is GIS?
• Application of GIS?
• Sources of GIS data?
• Differentiate between Raster and Vector Data?
• What are the characteristic of a good map?
• What is projection?
• What are different projection systems and what is the difference between projected coordinate systems and geographic coordinate system
• What is a scale?
• What is geocoding?
• What is reverse geocoding?
• What is geo-referencing?
• What is geo-processing?
• What is ArcSDE?
• What is GPS ?
• Explain steps required to establish a GIS platform for an organisation (if it does not already exist in a organisation)?

A few more technical database and software development orientated questions:

• Define versioning and list its main events?
• What is Callback in ArcGIS Server?
• Explain security model employed in ArcGIS Server?
• How do you load data into SDE?
• How tol create a SDE view?
• What is difference between queryfilter and querydef?, when to use?
• Difference between IFeatureLayer and Layer?
• What is generic class used to hold a set of properties for database connection?
• Give few command line ArcSDE commands?
• Difference between personal geodatabase and enterprise geodatabase?
• What is BLOB?
• What is difference between overriding and overloading?
• Difference between abstract class and interface?

Please note that these are only a few typical questions, of course many more exist.

DOPE (Dove, Owl, Peacock, Eagle) Personality Test

Some employers will test your personality during an interview by letting you complete a personality test like this one: http://richardstep.com/dope-personality-type-quiz/

"The following test will help you to get a fun, high-level look at your preferred personality type by assigning you a bird that most closely matches your answers to the test questions.

There are four main birds type for this test:

• Dove – peaceful and friendly.
• Owl – wise and logical.
• Peacock – showy and optimistic.
• Eagle – bold and decisive.

Use the resulting information as a guide, only, and try to improve your life based off of the findings."

Luckily there is no right or wrong, it all depends on what the potential employer is looking for.


What percentage of your personality is Dove, Owl, Peacock or Eagle? 

Urgent Vacancy - Senior Supervisor, GIS Projects - Ref: LR2015

JOB PURPOSE 

The development and maintenance of the Geodatabase system;
To support the development and maintenance of spatially referenced information systems in support of projects in the Client environment;
To provide support for development of spatially aware and enabled property operational systems;
To support spatial planning initiatives through the provision of information;
To create and maintain an inventory of all spatial development plans (SDPs) in Client.

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE

Unless the applicant can demonstrate that he/she has gained the necessary competencies through experience, a minimum qualification required is an honours qualification (four yearDegree) or equivalent in GIS or IT;
At least 3 years experience in a position relating to the development and maintenance of databases, GIS and information systems;
Experience in Geodatabase design and implementation is relevant and will be an added advantage;
Registration with the South African Council for Professional and Technical Surveyors (PLATO) will be an advantage;
Experience in a management, leadership and/or administrative position is relevant.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES

Develop and maintain the Geodatabase system;
Develop and maintain databases of all spatial data owned by Property Services in a project environment;
Develop and maintain an inventory of spatial development plans in Client and develop value-added data services in support of spatial planning objectives;
Execute spatial data analysis to support organisational decision-making;
Manage GIS support to Client Projects;
Support the achievement of the objectives of the Manager: GIS and SP;
Ensure effective implementation of GIS quality assurance methodologies in the Client projects environment;
Ensure proper functioning of all required hardware and software in the Client projects environment.

KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS

Sound knowledge of geodatabase development and maintenance;
Sound knowledge of mapping techniques; 
Knowledge of the process of developing and managing spatially referenced information systems;
Fundamental knowledge and skill in the operation of GIS equipment;
Spatial data manipulation and analysis;
Image processing knowledge, particularly  with regard to aerial photography;
Data publishing and publishing techniques; 
Knowledge of computer network technology;
Working knowledge of ESRI GIS software including ArcMap, ArcCatalog, ArcGIS Server and ArcSDE;
Working knowledge of Oracle and/or MS SQL;
Database development ability particularly in MS SQL;
Interpersonal skills;
Results and customer focused;
Literacy in Microsoft Windows based programs;
Ability to work on multiple projects simultaneously;
Demonstrated expertise/enthusiasm.

 CLOSING DATE: 15 February 2012

I received this email notification regarding a Climate Change App Competition via the "osgeo" email list yesterday. I am sure GIS or spatial technologies will form a big part of this app..............

Applications for Climate Competition The Apps for Climate Competition is sponsored by the World Bank.  The competition encourages scientists, software developers, development practitioners and others to create applications (for instance, websites, mobile apps, Facebook apps, etc) that leverage open data to help address climate challenges in some way, with cash prizes for winning entries. The submission deadline is 16 March 2012, and winners will be announced in June. The competition is open to individuals, teams and organizations.  More information, including criteria, official rules, and updates, is available at http://worldbank.org/appsforclimate or on Twitter at #apps4climate. On February 14th there will be an online "live chat" event, in which World Bank climate and data experts will field questions about specific data sets, the competition, using the application programming interfaces (APIs), etc. We'll be set up to field questions in English, Spanish, French, Portuguese, and Arabic. Answers will be given online in real time, and the complete transcript will be available immediately after the event.  For more information, go to http://bit.ly/appsforclimatehelpdesk. You can also post questions in advance. If you have any questions please contact Tim Herzog, Open Data Specialist, World Bank at therzog1@worldbank.org, Tel: +1 (202) 473-1701.  

Current Vacancies - 02.02.2012

- Senior Photogrammetrist, Johannesburg

- Spatial Web Developer, Port Elizabeth

- GIS Technician, Gauteng

- GIS Project Manager, Gauteng

- Account Manager x 2, Gauteng

- Business Analyst, Gauteng

- Senior Business Developer, Johannesburg

- GIS & Photogrammetry Processers x 5, Cape Town

- Junior GIS Software Developer (C#, .NET), Pretoria

- LiDAR Aerial Survey Operator, Gauteng/Africa 

- GIS Software Developer (C#, .NET), Cape Town

- GIS Software Developer (C#, .NET), Johannesburg

- Lidar Processing Specialist, Pretoria

- GIS Web Developer, Pretoria

- GIS Business Developer, Gauteng

- Geospatial Software Developers, Cape Town & Johannesburg