Research Associate - GIS Analyst at ECS Corporate Services in Fairfax, Virginia

Job Description:

ECS is seeking a Research Associate - GIS Analyst to work in our Narragansett, RI or Woods Hole, MA office. Please Note:
This position is contingent upon [contract award OR additional funding].




Job Description:


ECS is seeking a GIS Analyst to join the Offshore Wind and Ecology Branch (OWEB) at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) Northeast Fisheries Science Center in either Narragansett, RI or Woods Hole, MA. The Branch provides scientific support and expertise to our colleagues in NOAA Fisheries, such as the Greater Atlantic Regional Fisheries Office (GARFO), to ensure the protection of and to determine how OSW development affects protected species, fisheries, marine habitats, and fishing communities. Successful applicants will provide spatial analysis and GIS services to the OWEB, with the goal of providing data and expert support for marine spatial planning of NOAA's trust resources in the Greater Atlantic Region (GAR) as it relates to OSW projects to better serve marine resource managers (including fisheries, protected species, and habitat), stakeholders, and scientific partners.


Spatial analysis and GIS provides a tool to develop, maintain, and update spatially-explicit data that can be used to inform management decisions as they relate to OSW development (e.g., siting of OSW projects). The successful candidate will work with the OWEB to use GIS for a variety of spatial analysis projects that include, but are not limited to, the mapping of fishing activity and how this activity may be affected by OSW development, mapping of fish biomass or abundance over time using data collected by the NEFSC or partners, mapping of port usage over time to better understand potential shifts in port usage caused by OSW development, and mapping co-occurrence of protected species (e.g., marine mammals and sea turtles) and vessel traffic to better understand vessel collision risk. There is also opportunity for successful applicants to undertake more sophisticated modeling projects to better understand vessel collision risk to protected species from OSW development and to determine the utility of using stranding data as a metric for monitoring programs.


Tasks


Perform quality assurance and control (QA/QC) on any collected GIS data.

Identify, develop, maintain, and update needed GIS datasets and metadata.

Perform, interpret, and communicate sophisticated and relevant spatial analyses, which may include publishing results in a peer-reviewed scientific journal.

Produce appropriate documentation of conducted work, which may include technical documents, reference documents, or reports.

As appropriate, coordinate with staff at the NEFSC and GARFO to communicate findings and results relevant to OSW development.

Add metadata from new data streams to InPort, the NMFS Enterprise Data Management Program and make all public data Findable, Accessible, Interoperable and Reusable (FAIR).

Collaborate with other data providers at NEFSC to ensure proper data governance and development of standardized products.

Support GIS data collection aboard research vessels or similar (as needed).


General Requirements

Contractors will coordinate Tasks and Deliverables with the OWEB.


Location

On-site location in either Narragansett, RI or Woods Hole, MA. Both routine and situational remote work may be possible.


Need for Government supplied equipment.

Tasks to be performed will require access to NEFSC network resources so Government furnished laptop and use of tablets will be provided.


Travel

Occasional travel to collect GIS data or attend meetings, workshops, or conferences may be required.



Required Skills:

• 
  Graduate degree or equivalent experience in geography, spatial statistics, computer science, or similar.
  
• 
  US Citizen.
  
• 
  Public Trust/Sensitive security clearance.
  
• Experience using ArcGIS or compatible GIS software.
• Experience with spatial data analysis and in the design, development, and management of relational databases for scientific information.
• Advanced knowledge of a programming language, like R (preferred) or python.
• Demonstrated proficiency for the following skill sets:
• Project management for complex and technical scientific programs.
• Cooperating with diverse project teams to develop, improve, and achieve project goals.
• Communication both verbally and using written materials (including visual presentations) with a variety of audiences including technical, scientific, and the general public.
• Independent worker with strong time management skills.
• Adaptability to quickly changing priorities and strict timelines.
• Attention to detail.

Desired Skills:

• Able to travel.
• Experience with open-source software development.
• Experience working with large spatial datasets that may include environmental data or ocean model output.
• Experience with acoustic and / or satellite telemetry data.
• Experience with commercial and / or recreational fisheries data.
• Experience with marine mammal and sea turtle stranding data.
• Have demonstrated seaworthiness and be able to pass a standard swim test (as needed).

ECS is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate or allow discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, age, national origin, citizenship, disability, veteran status or any other classification protected by federal, state, or local law. ECS promotes affirmative action for minorities, women, disabled persons, and veterans.


ECS is a leading mid-sized provider of technology services to the United States Federal Government. We are focused on people, values and purpose. Every day, our 3800+ employees focus on providing their technical talent to support the Federal Agencies and Departments of the US Government to serve, protect and defend the American People.


General Description of Benefits



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