About the Role
GIS Foundation Specialist – Defence Geospatial
Level 2 – Practitioner | Long-Term Contract
Location: Bendigo, Victoria
Initial Contract: 12 months
Extension Options: 2 × 12 months
Expected Commencement: 19 October 2026
Security Clearance: Current or recently held TSPV required
Organisation: Australian Government – Defence / Geospatial Intelligence Environment The Opportunity An opportunity is available for an experienced GIS professional to contribute to a nationally significant Defence geospatial capability.
Working within a specialist Australian Government geospatial environment, the GIS Foundation Specialist – Level 2 (Practitioner) will support the production, maintenance and quality assurance of authoritative Foundation Geospatial data, services and products used across Defence.
Foundation Geospatial information provides the underlying geographic framework supporting Defence planning, intelligence and operational decision-making. This includes standardised datasets and products covering mapping, imagery, elevation and geographic feature information.
This is a hands-on GIS production role suited to a practitioner with strong spatial data editing, quality assurance, cartographic and data management skills who is comfortable working within structured data models, specifications and controlled production environments.
The Role
Working under general direction as part of a specialist geospatial team, you will contribute to the creation, maintenance and validation of high-quality Foundation Geospatial datasets and products.
Your work will involve GIS data production, feature extraction, spatial data editing, quality assurance, data management and cartographic production.
Depending on your experience and the assigned workflows, the position may also involve working with imagery, 2D and 3D feature extraction, photogrammetric processes and specialist geospatial imaging systems.
Key Responsibilities The successful candidate will:
Perform geospatial data capture, production, editing and maintenance in accordance with defined Defence standards and specifications.
Undertake 2D and potentially 3D feature extraction using GIS and specialist geospatial production tools.
Conduct quality assurance and validation of spatial data to ensure accuracy, completeness, consistency and compliance with established standards.
Work with structured and potentially complex geospatial data schemas and specifications.
Produce cartographic products, maps and other geospatial outputs to defined operational and technical requirements.
Support the maintenance and management of Foundation Geospatial datasets within enterprise GIS environments.
Follow established workflows, procedures, standards and governance requirements.
Identify and assist in resolving geospatial data quality issues using established tools and methodologies.
Contribute to documentation including quality reports, production records and procedural documentation.
Collaborate with GIS specialists, technical personnel and stakeholders to deliver geospatial outputs within agreed quality and timeframe requirements.
Support continuous improvement of geospatial production and quality assurance workflows.
Technical Skills & Experience
We are particularly interested in candidates who can demonstrate experience in:
Geospatial Data Production
Practical experience capturing, creating, editing and maintaining geospatial data within structured GIS environments.
GIS Technology
Proficiency with GIS software such as Esri ArcGIS and/or SOCET GXP, or equivalent professional geospatial production platforms.
Experience with feature extraction, spatial editing, data manipulation and geospatial data management will be highly regarded.
Spatial Data Quality Assurance
Experience undertaking spatial data QA/QC, validation and integrity checking, with a strong understanding of the importance of accuracy, completeness and consistency.
Data Models & Schemas
Experience working with defined geospatial schemas, specifications, attribution rules and structured data models.
Cartography & Geospatial Products
Ability to produce accurate and professional cartographic and geospatial products that meet defined technical, operational and presentation standards.
Imagery & Photogrammetry
Experience working with imagery, stereo imagery, photogrammetry or geospatial imaging systems would be advantageous. Some workflows may benefit from good stereo acuity.
Qualifications A relevant vocational or tertiary qualification in one of the following areas would be highly regarded:
Geographic Information Systems (GIS)
Geospatial Science
Surveying or Spatial Science
Geography
Remote Sensing
Geomatics
Cartography
Photogrammetry
or a related discipline.
Equivalent practical professional experience may also be considered.
Personal Attributes The role would suit someone who:
Has excellent attention to detail.
Takes pride in producing accurate, high-quality spatial data.
Can work effectively under general direction.
Is comfortable following structured production procedures and standards.
Has strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
Communicates effectively with technical colleagues and stakeholders.
Works collaboratively within a team environment.
Can manage assigned work and deliver outputs within agreed timelines.
Understands the importance of information security, governance and procedural compliance.
Previous experience within Defence, intelligence, national security or Australian Government environments would be advantageous.
Security Requirements
This position operates within a highly secure Defence intelligence environment.
Applicants must either:
hold a current Top Secret Positive Vetting (TSPV) security clearance; or
have held a TSPV clearance within the previous 12 months that has subsequently been downgraded.
Candidates will also be required to successfully complete a Defence Intelligence Suitability Assessment (DISA).
A current Defence Intelligence Agency-recognised Psychological Assessment is preferred but is not essential.
Candidates should be prepared to remain available for the DISA process following selection, which may take up to approximately three months.
The required security clearance must be maintained for the duration of the engagement.
Location & Working Arrangements The primary work location is Commonwealth premises in Bendigo, Victoria.
Working arrangements at other AGO facilities may be considered, subject to operational and security requirements.
Given the security classification of the work, this should be regarded primarily as an on-site Defence environment rather than a conventional remote GIS position.
Occasional domestic travel may also be required.
Contract The engagement is expected to commence around 19 October 2026 and initially run for 12 months.
There are two additional 12-month extension options available at the Commonwealth's discretion, potentially providing up to three years of engagement.
Candidate Selection
Candidates will be assessed primarily across five areas:
30% – Geospatial Data Production & GIS Technical Skills
GIS data capture, production, editing and maintenance; GIS technology; structured schemas and delivery against defined specifications.
25% – Quality Assurance & Data Integrity
Spatial data validation, QA/QC, data management, standards and maintaining accurate and consistent datasets.
20% – Cartographic & Foundation Geospatial Product Delivery
Production of mapping and geospatial outputs meeting technical, operational and presentation requirements.
15% – Communication, Teamwork & Delivery
Ability to work under general direction, follow established processes, collaborate effectively and deliver quality outputs within required timeframes.
10% – Qualifications, Defence Experience & Security
Relevant qualifications or equivalent experience, Defence/government exposure and ability to satisfy the required security and suitability requirements.
Who Should Apply?
This opportunity would particularly suit a GIS Analyst, Geospatial Analyst, Spatial Data Specialist, GIS Technician, Cartographer or Geospatial Production Specialist who enjoys the technical and data-production side of GIS.
It is not primarily a GIS development or software engineering position. The emphasis is on authoritative spatial data production, feature extraction, QA/QC, cartographic production and maintaining high-quality Foundation Geospatial datasets.
For someone with the appropriate security clearance and technical background, this represents an opportunity to contribute directly to geospatial information supporting Australia's Defence and national security capability.