Solutions Designer - Senior

In this role, the successful candidate will be required to support GIS infrastructure solution designs for multiple projects under the Geospatial Ontario IT Program (please see attachments for more information). You will work in collaboration with the Program Manager, Project Managers, other FTE and FFS Solution Designers, IT Architects, Business Analysts, technical teams and vendor supplied subject matter experts.

 

  1. GIS Delivery Platform Modernization FY24-25 (16.7) % allocation or 10 days of effort)
    1. This is an ad hoc modernization project for the GIS Delivery Platform (GDP). Work this fiscal will focus on analyzing platform monitoring, analytics, and operational management modernization requirements, then implementing recommendations.
  2. LIO Modernize Data Maintenance (LIO Editor) (33.3% allocation or 20 days of effort) 
    1. This project aims to review the data editing and maintenance requirements of users and data owners across the province. Results should be combined with the discovery outcomes of items 204, and 205 to design a replacement for the legacy LIO Editor/Mapper/Reporter toolset; i.e., recommend new Geospatial Ontario data maintenance solution(s).
  3. Providing Access to OPS GIS to LIO Warehouse (25% allocation or 15 days of effort) 
    1. This project aims to review the Geospatial Ontario Warehouse (authoritative geospatial data database) data access solutions against the needs of their users. The objective is to identify solutions available for decommissioning, design recommended solutions for development, as well as, inform the development of new data modelling standards, and/or the new data maintenance solution(s) (LIO Editor/Mapper/Reporter replacement).
  4. LIO Data Modelling Standards (25% allocation or 15 days of effort) 
    1. This project aims to understand data owner required data model control, what, and how those data models need to change, and how those changes can support future user data access, and data maintenance (LIO Editor/Mapper/Reporter replacement) solutioning.

 

The GDP is a comprehensive suite of interconnected GIS related infrastructure. It includes the hardware, software, and networking components required to deliver corporate applications, web services, data, and geomatics tools. 

 

As of June, 2024, LIO, or Land Information Ontario, is now known as GEO, or Geospatial Ontario.

 

All Geospatial Ontario IT Program projects are composed of both IT Source Fee-For-Service and Full Time Employee resources.

Projects will maintain independent, as well as, Program, and Corporate level governance.

 

Responsibilities:

 

  • Undertakes the design of hosting technology solutions based on the client's service specifications, standards, policies, best practices and cost models, in order to meet client application business requirement and project/initiative deliverables.

 

General Skills:

 

  • Knowledge of Esri-based geospatial solutions, ArcGIS Portal, ArcGIS Online, ArcGIS Server, ArcGIS Image Server, GIS infrastructure, middleware, maintenance, services, applications, databases, monitoring, and tools.
  • Knowledge of integrated networking technologies, Microsoft Azure, Oracle Spatial, MS Fabric, midrange server, enterprise storage, and personal computer system technologies.
  • Knowledge of related best practices, standard infrastructure/architecture management, service delivery processes, infrastructures policies, procedures and direction, cost models, and procurement processes.
  • Ability to gather client business requirements; corporate I&IT information mandates, client information technology strategic plans, environment and standards.
  • Ability to participate in the development of solutions and provide advice on short/long term solution service development activities.
  • Knowledge of leading edge technologies design criteria, security and recovery procedures, preparation of technical specifications for installation, testing and performance of integrated, multi-services systems.
  • Ability to assess performance and capacity of existing systems making recommendations for improving performance and develop technical documentation.
  • Experience planning, migrating, implementing and sustaining large complex system development projects.
  • Knowledge of technology developments, trends and new products to support short and long term technology requirements.
  • Conceptual and analytical skills to assess and evaluate client needs and conduct cost/benefit analyses for new technology requirements in planning and designing solutions.
  • Experience designing and developing large, complex, highly available, mission critical server applications.
  • Experience with systems evaluation to assess conditions, technical performance and capacity of existing systems and determine need and feasibility of expansion, renovation or replacement.
  • Excellent analytical, problem-solving and decision-making skills, verbal and written communication skills, interpersonal skills and negotiation skills, team work skills .
  • A team player with a track record for meeting deadlines.

 

Remote and Hybrid work arrangements are supported.

Successful candidates may report to either the Peterborough or Toronto MNR offices.

  1. 300 WATER STREET, NORTH TOWER, FLOOR 4, PETERBOROUGH, ONTARIO
  2. 40 ST CLAIR AVENUE WEST, FLOOR 11, TORONTO, ONTARIO
Skills
 
Experience and Skill Set Requirements

IT Solution Design Experience - 40

  • Experience designing solutions based on business analysis discovery outcomes, OPS standards, policies, and best practices
  • Experience guiding the development of new solutions and planning for long-term maintenance
  • Experience developing modern IT solutions, recommending performance improvements, and presenting cost/benefit analysis of new technologies
  • Experience rapidly and succinctly documenting solution designs

 

Technical Experience - 35

  • Experience supporting the design of Esri-based geospatial solutions, ArcGIS Portal, ArcGIS Online, ArcGIS Server, ArcGIS Image Server
  • Experience supporting IT Infrastructure modernization, maintenance and the development of new solutions (services, tools, applications, databases, data access solutions, applications, etc.)
  • Experience with multiple spatial and non-spatial database technologies e.g., Oracle Spatial, Azure SQL DB, MS Fabric, PostgreSQL
  • Experience with Microsoft Azure infrastructure e.g., virtual hardware, scaling, middleware, gateways, storage, and levels of highly available deployments

 

Communication Experience - 20

  • Experience communicating technical concepts to lay audiences
  • Experience negotiating to achieve consensus
  • Experience developing and delivering presentations to provide knowledge-sharing and skill-building concerning standards, methods, and specific solution design projects
  • Excellent oral and written communication skills to manage diverse business relations
  • Experience providing written and verbal instructions and advice to clients on re-engineering solutions
  • Experiencing preparing reports, and providing recommendations to senior management and clients, and ensure documentation is clear for users who are not specialists in solution design

 

IT Public Sector Experience - 5

  • Experience supporting IT discovery projects in the public sector
  • Experience navigating within the public sector to efficiently and successfully engage with multi-discipline stakeholders
  • Experience supporting the discovery, and leading the design of new IT solutions within the public sector
 

Notes to vendors:

  • Willing and able to work remotely (Successful candidates may choose to work in the Peterborough or Toronto MNR office. Alternatively, working from home is accepted)
  • Laptop will be sent to them
  • No leaves, resource expected to be available for the full length of contract
  • Open to Ontario residents only
  • Accept only 3 to 5 page applications 11 or 12 pt font (includes resume and cover letter)

 

Interviews will happen in the week of 6 Jan 2025, Please make sure the candidates are available during that period of time.

 

Must haves

  • Experience developing modern IT GIS- based solutions, recommending performance improvements, and presenting cost/benefit analysis of new technologies
  • Experience guiding the development of new solutions and planning for long-term maintenance
  • Experience supporting IT Infrastructure modernization, maintenance and the development of new solutions (services, tools, applications, databases, data access solutions, applications, etc.)

 

 

Nice to have:

  • Experience supporting the design of Esri-based geospatial solutions, ArcGIS Portal, ArcGIS Online, ArcGIS Server, ArcGIS Image Serve