Academic Computing Specialist

Description

Staff - Non Union

Job Category

M&P - AAPS

Job Profile

AAPS Salaried - Information Systems and Technology, Level A

Job Title

Academic Computing Specialist

Department

Administrative Support | Department of Geography

Compensation Range

$4,688.67 - $6,754.00 CAD Monthly

The Compensation Range is the span between the minimum and maximum base salary for a position. The midpoint of the range is approximately halfway between the minimum and the maximum and represents an employee that possesses full job knowledge, qualifications and experience for the position. In the normal course, employees will be hired, transferred or promoted between the minimum and midpoint of the salary range for a job.

Posting End Date

March 24, 2023

Note: Applications will be accepted until 11:59 PM on the day prior to the Posting End Date above.

Job Summary

We seek a staff member in research computing who will help deliver distributed computational infrastructure services and geographical programming support for the Department of Geography's research and education missions. Knowledge and interest in the breadth of areas of research and education in Geography is an asset. We seek someone to help us leverage a paradigm of distributed geospatial computing in which we will make greater use of remote resources of, e.g., the Digital Research Alliance of Canada’s cloud and batch systems, as well as shared servers in the department allowing for interactive remote visualization and analysis. We anticipate this colleague will have an interest in geospatial programming. Candidates are not expected to have knowledge of all of the areas listed under ‘Work Performed’ below, but our future colleague will be learning every day and proactively helping us identify promising new paths to take in contemporary geographical computation within an academic context integrating diverse approaches to knowledge and inquiry.

Organizational Status

The Academic Computing Specialist reports to the Administrator and takes guidance from the System Administrator.  This position requires extensive contact with faculty, staff, and students as well as partner organizations.

Work Performed

-    Supports researchers in the evaluation and implementation of cloud, server, web-based and other remote services; learns about and advises researchers on use of related research software tools, databases, visualizations, platforms and workflows.

-    Coding assistance potentially to include:

• Scripting to acquire and process large datasets in different formats
• Advising on and assisting in the design and implementation of interactive visualizations such as interactive maps written using JavaScript libraries.
• Geospatial programming using languages such as Python or R
• Creating or modifying Jupyter Notebooks

-    Advises on and assists in data management, including systems for backing up and sharing data, organizing and maintaining large datasets (e.g. simulation model output, geospatial data, video data).

- Provides user support to departmental members through the IT support group. Collaborates with research computing services on campus (e.g. UBC ARC’s Sockeye) in support of department members’ use of domain-specific research platforms, tools and software.

-  Implements and manages server and cloud-based approaches to multi-user and virtualized computing environments (e.g. Linux servers on campus or Amazon Web Services). Sets up and manages servers to deliver graphically intensive computing to laptops/desktops. Researches, implements, and helps manage server-based computing services, e.g., RStudio Server, ArcGIS Enterprise, or digital humanities database platforms such as Omeka S.

-  Provides technical expertise, training, and consultation to other staff, faculty, and students. Writes public-facing documentation that allows others in the Department to learn to use facilities and platforms. Curates links to relevant training resources.

-  Provides support to CFI funded labs.

-  Performs other related duties as required.

Consequence of Error/Judgement

Progress of teaching and research activities will be affected.

Supervision Received

Reports to Administrator.  Works under the direction of the Computing Committee and as part of a team of Geography faculty conducting teaching and research who should be informed of the status of work in progress.  Must be able to work independently and carry out work to completion.

Supervision Given
Functional supervision of graduate students working with the research and teaching mission, including giving technical instructions of a procedural nature to ensure safe and appropriate use of equipment.

Minimum Qualifications

Undergraduate degree in a relevant discipline. Minimum of one year of related experience, or the equivalent combination of education and experience.

Preferred Qualifications

in-depth knowledge of research applications and the requirements supporting them. Ability to work effectively and independently and in a team environment.  Effective interpersonal skills, creative thinking and problem-solving skills.  Ability to analyze problems, identify key information and issues, and effectively resolve.  Ability to adapt to changing priorities, multitasking and meeting deadlines and priorities. Passion for geography and its many areas and modes of inquiry.