BC Public Service - Internal Job Opportunities

The Team
The Heritage Branch, operating within the Tourism Sector Strategy Division, encourages and facilitates the recognition and safeguarding of B.C.’s cultural heritage through the development and implementation of tangible and intangible heritage policy and programs related to geographical naming, heritage capacity building, historic places recognition, fossil management and the stewardship of physical heritage resources.
The position operates with a high degree of independence and exercises considerable discretion and authority in leading complex and high-profile projects, problem solving and decision making, including the adoption of all official geographical names in B.C. The position provides subject matter advice, policy analysis, and specialized research, with respect to geographical naming. Communication with executive and senior management, various provincial and national agencies, local and Indigenous governments, communities, and various stakeholders (e.g., historians, researchers, Geographic Information System (GIS) specialists, search and rescue professionals, land developers, program interpreters, municipal representatives, is frequent. The Toponymist supervises one staff position. 

The Role
Under the broad direction of the manager, the Provincial Toponymist leads the planning and implementation of the province’s Geographical Naming Program (GNP). The sole position in the province with this responsibility, the Provincial Toponymist’s actions and decision-making authority related to official naming of geographical features in B.C. are legislated in Section 5 of the Land Act.
As the provincial subject matter expert on geographical names, the Provincial Toponymist develops geographical naming strategies, plans and policies to develop, implement and coordinate the province’s GNP and maintain all datasets and records in the public trust. The position maintains the BC Geographical Names Information System (BCGNIS), the master database of official and recorded place names, and the authoritative source of B.C. naming information for all of Canada, and where all official provincial maps originate. 

Qualifications:
Education and Experience Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree in a related field such as Linguistics, Cultural Geography, Indigenous Studies, History, Anthropology, Cultural Studies, Geomatics, GIS, Cartography AND three (3) years of *related experience, OR

• Master’s Degree in a related field such as Linguistics, Cultural Geography, Indigenous Studies, History, Anthropology, Cultural Studies, Geomatics, GIS, Cartography AND two (2) years of *related experience. 

• An equivalent combination of education and experience may also be considered.
   

*Related experience must include:

• Experience planning, implementing, administering, or maintaining cultural heritage, geographic naming, cartographic, mapping, GIS, or spatial data programs, services, datasets, or initiatives.

• Experience coordinating public engagement, consultation and outreach with Indigenous communities or in multicultural environments.

• Experience developing and implementing policies and processes and/or identifying issues requiring policy solutions.

• Experience establishing, building, and maintaining collaborative working relationships across cultures and organizations, including government officials, Indigenous partners, and community stakeholders.
   

Preference may be given to candidates with:

• Experience with GIS (Oracle, ESRI), web mapping applications, Adobe Creative Suite (Acrobat, Photoshop), Corel Draw and/or Audacity. 

• Experience planning and/or implementing cultural heritage or geographical/mapping programming (e.g. geographic naming protocols, language, intangible cultural heritage, etc.) in the public sector.
   

For questions regarding this position, please contact Roger.Tinney@gov.bc.ca 

About this Position:
This is a temporary opportunity until March 5, 2027. This position may be extended or become permanent.
An eligibility list may be established to fill future temporary and/or permanent vacancies.
Flexible work options are available; this position may be able to work from home two (2) days a week subject to an approved telework agreement.
A Criminal Record Check (CRC) will be required. 
Employees of the BC Public Service must be located in BC at the time of employment.

Working for the BC Public Service:
The BC Public Service is committed to creating a diverse workplace to represent the population we serve and to better meet the needs of our citizens. Consider joining our team and being part of an innovative, inclusive and rewarding workplace.

We are committed to ensuring that reasonable accommodations are available throughout the hiring process, including the assessment and selection stages. Please email the individual or contact listed on the posting if you require an accommodation to fully participate in the hiring process.

The Indigenous Applicant Advisory Service is available to Indigenous (First Nations [status or non-status], Inuit or Métis) applicants originating from the land now known as Canada, seeking work or already employed in the BC Public Service. Indigenous applicants can contact this service for personalized guidance on the BC Public Service hiring process including job applications and interviews.

How to Apply:
Your resume and/or cover letter must clearly show that you meet the education and experience requirements. Highlight the required qualifications and support them with specific examples, such as your responsibilities, projects you've worked on, or accomplishments. Find more information on the recruitment process, including helpful tips and videos about the application process, visit the Your Job Application page of MyHR.

Cover Letter: NO - Please do not submit a cover letter as it will not be reviewed.

Resume: YES - Ensure your resume includes your educational accomplishments, employment history including start and end dates (month and year) of your employment, and any relevant information that relates to the job to which you are applying.

Questionnaire: YES - You will need to complete a standard questionnaire (current employment status, eligibility to apply, etc.).

Applicants who are selected to move forward in the hiring process may be assessed on their knowledge, skills, abilities, competencies and other position related requirements as outlined in the Job Profile at the bottom of the posting. Applications will be accepted until 11:00 pm Pacific Time on the closing date of the competition. If you are experiencing technical difficulty applying, visit the Technical Assistance page of MyHR.