GIS Analyst

GIS Analyst

Application Deadline: 14 September 2026

Department: Technical Services

Employment Type: Permanent - Full Time

Location: Hereford

Compensation: £32,488 - £35,535 / year

Description

Location: Based in Headland Midlands & West (Hereford), South & East (Silsoe) or Yorkshire & North (Cleckheaton). Contract Type: Permanent Closing Date: 14th September 2026.

Are you fascinated by the past and looking for a career in commercial archaeology? Do you want to be part of big infrastructure schemes and work on interesting projects?

This is an excellent opportunity, if you are looking to expand your knowledge, improve your skills and be part of an excellent team.

Why Should You Apply?

• Unique knowledge and expertise. For the past 30 years, Headland has provided not only business-focused archaeology but also people-focused business. We are highly respected within our industry for our achievements in innovation, tailor-made development coaching and training, and our expertise in commercial archaeology.
• Strong pioneering spirit. Our corporate culture is characterised by a healthy appetite for originality and development.
• Stable company with excellent growth. Over the years, we have demonstrated steady, positive economic development and formed successful partnerships.
• Good work environment. You will be surrounded by colleagues who are pleasant, professional, and enthusiastic about their work.
• Opportunity to influence. You get to work in an open climate, close to decision makers and with the possibility of making a difference.
• Part of RSK group. You will have further opportunities to become involved in nationally and internationally prominent projects with exciting prospects for career development. The group has c.17000 employees and c.230 environmentally lead companies.

The Role

Headland Archaeology works on a wide range of exciting archaeological projects of all scales throughout the UK. The role of the GIS team is to ensure the smooth flow of spatial data through the lifecycle of the project. We build systems, promote skills and provide resources to make this happen. The GIS Analyst will play an integral part in implementing Headland’s GIS strategy across the business. Including supporting the GIS Infrastructure, managing larger GIS projects and providing GIS support and training to the wider company.

You will be self-driven with a positive outlook. You will be experienced in GIS drawing production work and capable of working on a number of projects at the same time, often with fast turnaround times. You must have a good working knowledge of GIS project setup as you will be asked to compile and check project constraints such as land ownership, services, ecology and access and adapt our compound and worksite designs around these. You will also have good working knowledge of building complex atlases to produce illustrations. You will be a good team worker who learns quickly, can promote new ideas and new ways of working, and help our team to deliver projects to programme and to budget.

You will be responsible for assisting with our GIS infrastructure across the company with support from our Senior GIS Officer, this will also involve using programming languages like Python and QGIS expression to automate workflows.

This role includes the application of procedures; training and support; data security and processing; quality assurance and data presentation. You will be expected to work as part of a small team of skilled technical staff. Your work will be managed and supported by the Senior GIS Officer and Technical Services Manager.

In Headland we are proud of our people. We will support you to your meet your goals and train you in specific archaeological and other skills to feel confident and succeed in your role.

Key Responsibilities

• Providing quality assurance for spatial data
• Ensure the GIS Lifecycle is followed
• Application of GIS and data management procedures, including GIS data security
• Responding quickly to GIS data quality issues with feedback and other suitable measures
• Produce GIS project setup for the Contracting team
• Process survey and spatial data as required
• Present archaeological survey and site data
• Produce GIS deliverables
• Carry out GIS analysis tasks
• Support the GIS Infrastructure, including access and training
• Seek opportunities to maximise the value of our spatial datasets

Skills, Knowledge and Expertise

Essential Key Skills

• Able to produce high quality drawings quickly in GIS
• Demonstrable understanding of GIS Project setup
• Working knowledge of utility providers and how to access and use their data
• Experience of survey data processing
• Demonstrable advanced QGIS skills, including the use of QGIS expressions
• Demonstrable experience in troubleshooting and problem resolution
• Strong logical thinking and analytical skills
• Ability to research and leverage online resources to learn independently and resolve technical issues
• Strong self-learning ability with close attention to detail
• Ability to work well under pressure and manage multiple tasks simultaneously
• Embrace inclusion and diversity
• Willingness to develop your people skills and attend mental health awareness course
• Experience of providing training, feedback and support
• Degree in relevant subject

Desirable Skills

• Basic understanding of, or a keen interest in learning, Docker, containers, daemon processes, and YAML configuration files.
• Basic understanding of, or a keen interest in learning, PostgreSQL, SQL, and PostGIS
• Basic understanding of, or a keen interest in learning, cloud server environments

Benefits

• Competitive paid subsistence when applicable
• Paid accommodation when working away
• Employee Assistance Programme (advice on finance, mental health etc)
• Use of cutting edge technology on site, e.g. paperless systems, iPads etc.
• Ongoing regular training in various areas e.g. Health & Safety, Technical areas and transferable skills
• Time off in lieu of time worked above standard hours or overtime paid
• Annual profit discretionary bonus & performance-related bonus schemes, T&Cs apply
• Annual pay review
• Monthly clothing allowance
• 30 days annual leave, rising based on service length
• Extra annual leave purchase scheme
• 5%-6% employer contribution to pension scheme
• Income Protection Policy, after a year with Headland
• Life Assurance Policy, insuring you 4 times your annual salary, after a year with Headland
• Regular performance, wellbeing & professional development check-ins
• Referral scheme with generous fee
• A support group of 30+ Mental Health First Aiders
• Regular offers through RSK Group (e.g. Tastecard, Gym membership discount, Holidays and Entertainment)
• Paid CIfA membership
• Cycle to work scheme

Headland is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and we are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. Headland Archaeology is committed to creating an inclusive recruitment process. If you have a disability or need any adjustments to enable you to take part in the interview, please contact us at so we can make suitable arrangements.