A weekly round-up of geospatial news that didn’t make it into our normal daily coverage.

If you have a Spatial Snippet to share with our readers, please send us an email.

A few weeks ago, we brought you news of the University of Newcastle’s new hybrid surveying and spatial diploma and degree courses. If you’d like to learn more, the University will host a webinar on Thursday, 8 October, during which the flexible hybrid approach — which will combine online learning with dedicated on-campus field intensives — will be fully explained, as will the range of study options available.

Coming up in November are two short courses that will be of interest to many in the Australian geospatial sector. The first, Digital Twins and 3D Tools for Urban Planning, will introduce 3D digital models for the built environment, covering how to create, manage and visualise them, and exploring foundational theories and technical skills, including GIS, 3D modelling and database management.

The second course, Open Data Platforms and Licences for Cities, will provide a comprehensive introduction to urban big data, covering licensing, analysis, visualisation, citizen science and participatory planning.

Both courses have been designed by, and will be presented by, researchers and practitioners from the UNSW School of Built Environment and the City Futures Research Centre.

A reminder that Earth Science Week is coming up soon. This year it will run from 11 to 17 October. What will your organisation be doing to celebrate and promote geospatial’s role in understanding and preserving our planet?

There was sad news recently with the announcement that one of the founders of surveying firm Monteath & Powys, Bob Powys, had passed away at the age of 98. Bob and his co-founder, John Monteath, began their business in the NSW Hunter Region in 1950, sharing an office with the local hairdresser! We extend our sympathies to Bob’s family, friends and colleagues.

In Adelaide, a fully funded PhD scholarship opportunity has come up at Adelaide University. Titled ‘Constellation-Scale Onboard AI for Early Wildfire Detection,’ the aim of the project is to investigate how on-board AI and satellite constellations can move beyond analysing individual images towards faster, smarter and more coordinated bushfire detection. The effort, to be co-supervised by Marta Yebra, Stefan Peters, Lin Liu and Sha Lu, will build on SmartSat CRC-funded research towards operational early bushfire detection using Australian-led small satellite missions. Applications close on 30 September.

This week’s geospatial job vacancies

As mentioned in our last two Spatial Snippets, there seemed to have been a dearth of public sector geospatial jobs on offer over the past few weeks. Well, that situation certainly has changed this week! There has been a flood of new vacancies, which we will go through below.

Starting in Queensland, the Department of Transport and Main Roads is still looking for a Surveyor in Townsville. Responsibilities will include managing engineering survey projects, undertaking specialised survey projects, providing technical expertise, and ensuring operational practices and standards of service and performance comply with departmental and regional policies etc. Applications close on 18 September.

The same department is seeking a Property Officer. Duties include assisting the Principal Officer (Geospatial Info) in coaching, training and mentoring the Program Support Officers to ensure staff are adequately skilled and knowledgeable in their roles. Applications close on 1 October.

And the Queensland Department of Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation has a vacancy for a Senior Spatial Analyst to join the Biodiversity Assessment team, based in Dutton Park. Applications close on 22 September.

Moving on to New South Wales, and Transport for NSW is seeking an Engineering Surveyor to be based in Grafton. The role will involve leading, supervising and managing survey projects. Applications close on 20 September.

Transport for NSW is also seeking a Spatial Data Support officer on a temporary basis for up to 14 months. Applications close today, 16 September.

In Victoria, the Department of Transport and Planning is looking for a Manager Spatial Services to lead a team delivering geospatial services that support land use and planning across the Department. The role oversees spatial data management, analysis, mapping, reporting and web mapping services, while providing expert advice to stakeholders and Ministers on spatial issues, options and solutions. Applications close on 2 October.

The same department has a vacancy for a Vicmap Data Acquisition Specialist. The role supports procurement and contract management, working with stakeholders to understand requirements, and providing specialist advice on geospatial imaging and data. It also involves preparing project specifications, product development and service improvements. Applications close on 23 September.

There are two more roles going in the same Victorian department. The first is for a Spatial Technology Officer who will support the development, implementation and ongoing support of Vicmap systems, data, applications, web services and workflows. Applications close on 24 September. And the second vacancy is for an Asset Information Analyst, who will manage road asset data and information from end to end, including validation, processing, updates, reporting and visualisation. Applications close on 28 September.

The Victorian Infrastructure Delivery Authority needs a Specialist, Spatial Planning – Digital Build to lead the governance, implementation and continuous improvement of VIDA Health’s enterprise digital spatial planning capability, including dRofus and associated BIM and digital engineering platforms. Applications close on 27 September.

And the Victorian Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action is looking for a Specialist Planning Officer to join the Specialist Planning team in Gippsland and contribute to the planning of complex and high-priority forest and fire management activities that help protect communities, public land and the environment. Experience working with planning systems including FMS, eMAP and GIS packages is preferred. Applications close on 17 September.

Moving on to Western Australia, and the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions has a vacancy for a Research Officer (Geospatial Science). The role involves implementing and extending research into the remote sensing and spatial analysis aspects of the Forest Health Monitoring Program, including planning and gathering of field data. Applications close on 29 September.

And the WA Department of Local Government, Industry Regulation and Safety needs a Senior Geospatial Information Analyst to join WorkSafe Western Australia and lead a unique and business-critical geospatial capability supporting regulatory oversight, critical risk management and emergency response activities in the mining sector across the State. Applications close on 25 September.

In the Northern Territory, the Department of Lands, Planning and Environment is seeking Senior Remote Sensing Co-ordinator to help further develop the Darwin Harbour Mangrove Monitoring Program, leveraging advanced remote sensing, spatial analysis and modelling approaches to support ecosystem monitoring, assessment and reporting. Applications close on 24 September.

And finally, in New Zealand, the Ministry for Primary Industries is looking for an Analyst Spatial Intelligence to undertake imagery analysis, assist in developing spatial workflows, and provide sound advice to program including the Emissions Trading Scheme for forestry, land use, forestry investments, biosecurity readiness and response, and fisheries.

Phew! That’s a lot of jobs. Maybe one or more of them will be of interest to you or someone you know.

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