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GIS Planner - Job Opportunity at Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board

Mississauga, Canada
Full-time
Mid-level
Posted: June 10, 2025
On-site
CAD 79,042–98,640 per year

Benefits

Permanent full-time position providing exceptional job security in the public education sector with strong union protections and comprehensive pension benefits
Employment with one of Ontario's largest school boards offering extensive professional development opportunities and career advancement pathways
Access to comprehensive public sector benefits package typically including extended health coverage, dental benefits, and generous vacation entitlements
Opportunity to work in a diverse, mission-driven organization serving over 84,000 students across multiple municipalities
Professional development support including conferences with other school boards and best practices sharing initiatives

Key Responsibilities

Lead strategic geographic information system management for one of Ontario's largest school boards, directly impacting educational planning decisions for over 84,000 students across 149 facilities
Drive data-driven decision making through advanced statistical analysis and visual presentation of demographic trends, enrollment projections, and facility utilization patterns that inform multi-million dollar capital investment decisions
Spearhead development and maintenance of critical planning tools including online school locator systems and interactive mapping platforms that serve trustees, staff, government agencies, and the general public
Execute comprehensive socio-demographic impact analysis incorporating EQAO results, population distribution, immigration patterns, and birth rates to forecast educational service demands and resource allocation needs
Provide expert consultation on municipal development applications across Peel Region and Dufferin County, ensuring educational infrastructure keeps pace with community growth and development
Support high-stakes boundary reviews and Pupil Accommodation Reviews that directly affect thousands of families and millions of dollars in facility investments
Collaborate with Executive Council, trustees, and Ministry of Education officials to develop Long-Term Facilities Master Plans and Education Development Charges By-Laws that shape the future of Catholic education in the region

Requirements

Education

University Degree and/or Diploma in the field(s) of Geographic Information Systems, Urban and Regional Planning, Geography, Environmental Sciences, or a related field with emphasis on GIS or equivalent combination of education and experience

Experience

Minimum of five (5) years' practical work experience in GIS applications

Required Skills

Advanced knowledge of GIS and application development software packages, such as (ArcGIS Online, ArcGIS Pro) Ability to access, evaluate and synthesize large data sets in an array of formats and mediums from various information sources Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite Record-keeping and data-entry skills, attention to details and accuracy, with ability to work in a confidential manner Excellent critical thinking, communication, analytical problem solving, and interpersonal skills Experience in data collection and analysis, with specific emphasis on actual student enrolment, projected student enrolment, facility utilization, and school capacity data Ability to exercise considerable independent judgment, tact, and sensitivity in dealing with internal and external contacts Excellent time management skills and ability to prioritize and successfully complete projects with conflicting deadlines and urgency Excellent report writing and presentation skills Ability to work in a team environment as well as independently

Certifications

Valid driver's license and access to a vehicle Criminal background check (CBC) including Vulnerable Sector Screening (VSS)
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Sauge AI Market Intelligence

Industry Trends

Educational institutions are increasingly adopting sophisticated GIS technologies to optimize resource allocation and facility planning, driven by budget constraints and growing enrollment pressures. School boards across North America are investing heavily in data-driven decision making tools to justify capital expenditures and improve operational efficiency. The integration of demographic analysis with educational planning has become critical as communities experience rapid population changes, immigration patterns, and urban development. This trend is particularly pronounced in the Greater Toronto Area where diverse population growth requires sophisticated enrollment forecasting and boundary planning. Public sector organizations are prioritizing transparency and public engagement through interactive mapping tools and online databases, creating demand for GIS professionals who can develop user-friendly platforms for community stakeholders and government reporting requirements.

Salary Evaluation

The posted salary range of CAD 79,042–98,640 annually is competitive for mid-level GIS positions in the Canadian public sector, particularly in the Greater Toronto Area. This range aligns well with similar municipal and educational sector GIS roles, offering strong value when combined with comprehensive public sector benefits, pension contributions, and job security.

Role Significance

The role likely operates within a small specialized planning team of 3-5 professionals, collaborating closely with research department staff, facilities managers, and senior administrators. The position serves as a technical specialist supporting broader organizational planning initiatives.
This is a mid-level professional role with significant independent responsibility and direct impact on strategic organizational decisions. The position reports to management level but operates with considerable autonomy in technical decision-making and serves as the primary GIS expert for a large educational organization.

Key Projects

Long-Term Facilities Master Plan development involving multi-year capital investment strategies Boundary review processes affecting thousands of students and families across multiple municipalities Education Development Charges By-Law development requiring complex demographic modeling and financial projections Pupil Accommodation Reviews involving facility consolidation or expansion decisions

Success Factors

Technical expertise in advanced GIS applications combined with strong understanding of educational planning principles and municipal development processes Exceptional communication skills to translate complex spatial analysis into actionable insights for diverse stakeholders including trustees, parents, municipal officials, and Ministry representatives Strategic thinking ability to connect demographic trends with long-term facility planning and resource allocation decisions Project management capabilities to handle multiple concurrent initiatives with varying timelines and stakeholder groups Collaborative approach to work effectively with internal teams while maintaining productive relationships with external agencies and municipalities

Market Demand

Demand for GIS professionals in educational planning is moderate but stable, with particular strength in large urban school boards experiencing growth pressures. The specialized nature of educational GIS applications creates a niche market with limited competition but consistent opportunities.

Important Skills

Critical Skills

Advanced ArcGIS proficiency is essential as the primary tool for all spatial analysis, mapping, and database management functions. The complexity of educational boundary analysis and demographic modeling requires expert-level capabilities in spatial analysis and geoprocessing Data synthesis and analysis skills are crucial for integrating diverse datasets from Statistics Canada, municipal sources, student information systems, and demographic forecasting services. The ability to identify patterns and trends across multiple data sources directly impacts planning accuracy Communication and presentation abilities are vital for translating technical analysis into clear recommendations for non-technical stakeholders including trustees, parents, and community groups. The public nature of educational planning requires exceptional clarity in both written reports and public presentations

Beneficial Skills

Municipal development review experience would provide valuable context for understanding how residential and commercial development impacts school enrollment patterns and facility needs Experience with statistical software beyond GIS platforms would enhance demographic modeling capabilities and support more sophisticated enrollment forecasting Project management certification would support the complex, multi-stakeholder nature of boundary reviews and facilities planning initiatives French language skills would be valuable given the bilingual nature of Ontario's education system and potential collaboration with French Catholic school boards

Unique Aspects

Opportunity to work at the intersection of education, urban planning, and demographic analysis in one of Canada's most dynamic growth regions
Responsibility for developing and maintaining public-facing tools that directly serve thousands of families making school choice decisions
Direct involvement in high-profile boundary reviews and facility planning decisions that generate significant community interest and media attention
Collaboration with multiple levels of government and diverse stakeholder groups including Catholic school communities, municipalities, and provincial agencies
Professional development opportunities through inter-board collaboration and specialized educational planning conferences

Career Growth

Career advancement typically occurs within 3-5 years with demonstrated success in complex projects and expanded responsibilities. The specialized nature of educational GIS creates pathways into senior planning roles or specialized consulting opportunities.

Potential Next Roles

Senior GIS Analyst or GIS Manager positions within larger school boards or municipal governments Planning Manager roles overseeing broader facilities and enrollment planning functions Consulting positions specializing in educational facilities planning for private sector firms Senior Policy Analyst roles with provincial Ministry of Education focusing on capital planning and demographic analysis

Company Overview

Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board

Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board is one of Ontario's largest educational organizations, serving over 84,000 students across 149 facilities in some of the province's fastest-growing municipalities. The board operates in a complex urban-suburban environment encompassing Mississauga, Brampton, Caledon, and Orangeville, requiring sophisticated planning capabilities to manage diverse demographic pressures and development patterns.

As one of Ontario's largest school boards, DPCDSB holds significant influence in provincial educational policy and serves as a model for other large urban school systems. The organization manages substantial capital budgets and maintains strong relationships with municipal governments and provincial agencies.
The board's territory covers some of Canada's most dynamic growth areas, including major urban centers and expanding suburban communities. This geographic scope provides exposure to diverse planning challenges from urban intensification to rural school sustainability, making it an excellent platform for comprehensive GIS experience.
The organization emphasizes collaborative decision-making, community engagement, and data-driven planning within a Catholic educational mission framework. The work environment balances public sector stability with the dynamic challenges of managing growth in one of Canada's most rapidly developing regions.
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