Assistant Data Scientist

Colorado State University•Fort Collins, CO

6d•$61,111 - $68,138•Hybrid

About The Position

The Center for Environmental Management of Military Lands (CEMML) at Colorado State University (CSU) is seeking applicants to work with the National Park Service (NPS), Inventory and Monitoring Division as assistant data managers/data scientists. This role will coordinate and participate in a team focused on many aspects of the data life cycle, assisting with data management activities across 2-3 network offices. The position involves a full-time, 40-hour/week schedule and is expected to last approximately two years, depending on technical needs, funding, and performance. The role will support staff in creating and maintaining tools for data collection, management, visualization, and publication, with a focus on the data publication process. Data collected pertains to topics such as hydrology, vegetation, large mammals, climate, and birds. Assistance may include designing and entering data using apps like ESRI Survey 123 and Field Maps, writing scripts for data quality issues and automation, preparing metadata, and creating visualizations in R, Power BI, AGOL dashboards, and other approved platforms. Data publication tasks involve creating scripts using R, R Markdown, and Python to generate EML metadata, machine-readable datasets, and reports.

Requirements

BS or BA degree in computer science, information technology, geographic information systems, geography, biology, ecology, environmental science, or a related field.
Experience programming in the R statistical computing software or Python.
Experience creating metadata, conducting QA/QC of ecological inventory & monitoring data, and documenting procedures to meet open data/open science requirements.
Strong communication skills when working with various external and internal partners.
Experience creating data visualization and data dashboards.
Must have a valid driver’s license or the ability to obtain a driver’s license by employment start date.
Legally authorized to work in the U.S. by the proposed start date; CEMML will not provide visa sponsorship for this position.

Nice To Haves

One year of related work experience.
Experience using and managing relational databases (Access, SQL Server).
Experience utilizing geospatial data and GIS (ArcGIS Pro and ArcGIS Online).
Experience working in natural resources or with ecological data.
Demonstrated verbal and written communication skills to communicate and document workflow status and process with program staff.
Demonstrated ability to ascertain the essence of an issue and effectively collaborate in a professional manner with an interdisciplinary team of data managers, ecologists, and park staff to develop and implement solutions.
Self-motivated with acute attention to detail.
Experience working in a collaborative environment.
Experience working in a highly structured organization.

Responsibilities

Visualizing data includes creating graphs and other visualizations in R, Python, and dashboards.
Represent NPS and CSU during work travel.
Interact as a positive team member contributing to network and Divisional goals.
Author and update metadata to describe data content and products.
Perform data quality assurance and quality control, including data entry validation, data integrity, review, correction, and documentation.
Create and upload data packages and other products to the NPS DataStore repository.
Data publication tasks include creating scripts to generate EML metadata, machine readable datasets, and reports using tools such as R, R Markdown and Python.
Navigate, manage/maintain, and create relational databases.
Document and maintain data management workflows, manuals and instructional materials, scripts, user guides, and standard operating procedures.
Assist in preparing and delivering project status updates for various NPS teams and communities.