The Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission (PSMFC) has an immediate opening for a GIS Specialist to support the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s National Marine Fisheries Service (NOAA Fisheries) role in promoting responsible development of offshore wind energy (OWE). NOAA Fisheries is responsible for the stewardship of the nation’s ocean resources and their habitat. OWE is a relatively new use of marine waters, and requires thorough and thoughtful scientific and regulatory review to ensure that OWE projects are compatible with other ocean uses. The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) is the federal agency responsible for OWE siting and leasing, and NOAA Fisheries is a consulting agency.

 

NOAA Fisheries is focused on minimizing the impacts of OWE to ocean resources, critical habitat and fishing opportunities throughout all phases of OWE including planning, siting, development, and decommissioning. As such, we provide baseline information, analysis and scientific guidance on ocean conditions and affected environments. We also consult with BOEM and other federal agencies to meet the requirements of the Marine Mammal Protection Act, the Endangered Species Act and the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act. Lastly, we provide data and scientific products to BOEM, other federal agencies, our state and tribal partners, and interested stakeholders on fisheries operations and the potential socioeconomic impacts of OWE projects on fishing communities.

 

The GIS Specialist serves as a member of the NOAA Fisheries West Coast Offshore Wind Energy Coordination (OWEC) Team and Offshore Wind Energy Science (OWES) Subteam. The position reports to the OWES NWFSC Co-Lead and collaborates with members of OWEC, OWES and the Offshore Wind Energy Regulatory (OWER) Subteam to provide technical support, assist with data management and development efforts, produce GIS content including analysis and visualization, and broadly support OWE related projects and tasks. The GIS Specialist will work collaboratively with other GIS specialists, data managers, IT staff, OWES and OWEC members to identify, curate, and share data and scientific products that will inform NOAA Fisheries’ role for environmental review of OWE projects. The position will use GIS and database management software to create, document, synthesize and share data products with colleagues, project partners, and end-users of NMFS West Coast spatial data products.

 

This project incorporates a wide range of topics and technical areas. The position requires excellent technical skills and experience in data discovery, GIS workflows, spatial analysis, data visualization, and sharing of GIS services. A successful candidate will demonstrate both proficiency in one or more technical skills and the ability to work both independently and to collaborate with partners from outside of their own discipline(s).

The position will be full-time (40 hours/week) for one year with the possibility of an extension, and pay will be commensurate with experience.

Specifically, this position will carry out the following tasks:

• Perform a variety of tasks related to Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and data management that may include geo-referencing biological or habitat data, designing databases, and maintaining and sharing GIS data layers.
• Create queries, summaries, maps, and graphs and other visualizations in response to information requests.
• Identify, curate and share spatial data layers, visualizations and other products, adhering to NOAA Fisheries mandates, directives and standards on the sharing of geospatial data and metadata.
• Stay informed on the latest trends and developments related to natural resources applications of GIS technology, and advise project staff on their potential benefits to the project.
• Maintain and update data catalogs or repositories designed to facilitate the sharing of well-documented data among project partners.
• Assist with developing data visualizations and other science communication products.
• Assist projects with designing and hosting interactive web applications including map viewers, story maps, and dashboard applications.
• Attend monthly OWEC and OWES meetings, and regular meetings with OWES NWFSC Co-Lead, join other staff meetings for OWE projects that are leveraging project data or have spatial analysis and mapping needs.
• Communicate results of spatial analysis to project staff, managers, partners and stakeholders.
• Provide input and interim data products or written reports to OWEC staff and other resource managers that informs comment letters, consultations and National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) reviews.

Essential Functions:

(The functions listed below are characteristic of the type and level of work associated with this group and pay band. They are not all-inclusive. Individual positions may perform some or all, as well as other similar work.)

• Organize and compile project data into standardized electronic data formats. This includes performing data entry, electronic data transfer, editing, and error checking.
• Extract relevant data from many different text and numeric formats, reports, tables, graphics, or figures.
• Develop and implement databases and/or geodatabases as necessary, including reviewing and extracting data from previously created or historical databases or spreadsheets and integrating them into new databases.
• Maintain and update data, metadata, data catalogs, and local and online data archives in accordance with established agency database exchange formats and standards.
• Perform a variety of tasks related to Geographic Information Systems (GIS) using ArcGIS Pro and ArcGIS Online. Tasks may include georeferencing biological and habitat data, maintaining location information and attributes, editing and updating features and attributes, data analysis, map preparation, and publishing feature and map services.
• Create queries, summaries, maps as requested. Prepare and manipulate various data and graphical outputs for use in reports, presentations, and internet applications.
• Produce written research and statistical reports (including graphs, tables, maps, and text), data sets, and data summaries using a variety of analytical techniques and software tools.
• Document data handling and reporting to ensure consistency and validity of data products.
• Complete required training including annual cybersecurity awareness.
• Adhere to all policies of NOAA Fisheries on data management, data quality, data dissemination, data confidentiality, and fundamental research communications.

Knowledge Required by the Position:

Required Skills:

• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Ability to work both independently, with minimal oversight, and in groups.
• Experience with collaboration and creating an open, welcoming and honest environment.
• Understanding of data management concepts, principles, and methods.
• Proficiency in GIS, spatial analysis, and structured query language (SQL).
• Proficiency in using ArcGIS Pro including the automating workflows using Python and Model Builder.
• Experience publishing and curating content (feature layers, map images, web maps, story maps, dashboards, etc.) in ArcGIS Enterprise and/or ArcGIS Online.
• Experience documenting analytical workflows and articulating clear and concise functional requirements.
• Ability to effectively communicate across science disciplines and with a variety of data stewards and resource managers.

Desired skills:

• Experience with project management principles, independently managing projects, balancing priorities, and integrating multiple perspectives.
• Experience preparing and presenting both written and oral briefings, reports, scientific manuscripts, project needs, and concerns.
• Experience using and editing relational databases and documenting technical procedures.
• Knowledge of database design principles and familiarity with relational database software (e.g., PostgreSQL, Oracle, SQL Server).
• Experience using project management/collaboration tools (e.g., JIRA, Github).
• Experience in common scientific programming languages (e.g. Python, R, R Markdown, R Shiny, Matlab).
• Experience working with fisheries data and information related to natural resources management.
• Knowledge of U.S. West Coast marine fisheries.

Work Environment:

The works area is adequately lighted, heated, and ventilated. The work involves the common risks or discomforts typical of offices, meeting rooms, libraries, and the like.

Qualifications and Education Requirements

A range of experiences and education may be presented. Candidates must present one year of Specialized Experience[1] AND four years of successfully completed education above high school in natural sciences (biology, fishery biology, environmental science, aquatic science, geography, geology, chemistry, physics, mathematics). An equivalent combination of experience and education is also qualifying.

 

• Bachelor’s Degree or Master’s Degree in Biological, Environmental, Natural Resources Sciences or Geographic Information Systems.
• Proficiency with data entry, office productivity, GIS, and relational database management software, including Microsoft Excel, Access, SQL Server, PostgreSQL, and/or Oracle, and ArcGIS Pro, ArcGIS Online and/or ArcGIS Enterprise.
• A solid understanding of and experience working with spatially explicit environmental and natural resources data.

 

[1] Specialized Experience is an experience that equips the applicant with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position and is typically in or related to the work of the position being filled. To be creditable, Specialized Experience must have been equivalent to at least the next lower level in the normal line of progression for the position being filled.

Travel Requirements:

Very occasional travel may be required for meetings or presentations at regional/national/international scientific conferences.

Location

NMFS NWFSC Seattle, WA; PSMFC Portland (Sellwood), OR

NMFS NWFSC Seattle

12 months or more

Full-Year

Up to 10%

Full-Year Employees working at least 30 hours a week are covered by the Company’s Life, LTD and AD&D plan. They are eligible to enroll in medical, dental and vision insurance, as well as short term disability, voluntary Life, LTD and AD&D insurance, flexible spending and deferred compensation. An employee receives up to 120 hours of vacation during their first three years of service. After that, the amount of vacation increases every three years of service up to a maximum of 192 hours per year.

None

$26.39 – $41.97/hr

2024-10-20T19:00:00Z