Data Science Intern

River Partners•San Diego, CA

1d•$18 - $20•Onsite

About The Position

River Partners brings life back to California rivers. We’ve revitalized more habitat along impaired California rivers than any other entity in the western U.S., having led hundreds of projects across nearly 20,000 acres throughout California. We restore thriving native forests and ecosystems that support imperiled wildlife, improve flood safety, boost the state’s climate resilience, replenish and improve freshwater resources, create open space for communities, and build stronger local economies. Since 1998, we have pioneered an innovative, entrepreneurial approach to conservation, combining modern farming, cutting-edge science, and diverse partnerships. We are meeting the urgent need this decade to restore our riverways and seek passionate team members to help us grow our restoration footprint at an unprecedented pace and scale.

Requirements

Enrollment in the Data Science and Analytics (MSDSA) Master’s program at Chico State.
Strong analytical skills with a passion for solving real-world problems through data.
Familiarity with data analysis tools and programming languages such as Python, R, SQL, etc.
Excellent communication skills and the ability to work both independently and collaboratively.
Proficiency in MS Office applications.
Basic understanding of statistics and experimental design.

Nice To Haves

Coursework or experience in machine learning, statistical modeling, or data visualization is a plus.
Interest in California plants, riparian ecology, hydrology, soils, wildlife, and/or in cultural uses of native plants.
Basic understanding of ecological concepts.
Ability to collaborate with diverse team members with poise and respect.
Excellent verbal, analytical, organizational, and written skills, including data visualization to technical and non-technical audiences.
Integrity and ethics beyond reproach.

Responsibilities

Collaborate with cross-functional teams to analyze and interpret complex data.
Apply statistical models, machine learning algorithms, and data visualization techniques to generate actionable insights.
Contribute to various projects and assist in designing and optimizing data pipelines, which may include integrating remote sensing techniques into restoration monitoring and analyzing operational field data across project sites.
Develop scripts and dashboards to analyze monitoring data and provide insights into wildlife activity and vegetation patterns across restoration sites.
Gain experience with industry-standard tools and software, including Python, R, SQL, ArcGIS, etc.
Assist the Data Manager with: Development of data analytics and dashboard systems (Metabase, R Shiny, etc.) for use by staff for project analysis and report writing
Integration of ArcGIS Pro with a field data collection software to ensure a streamlined workflow. Perform diagnostic and maintenance checks for multiple databases, including ArcGIS and the Natural Resources Database System.
Developing processes for integrating project management software with field collection data to track equipment use, and costs associated with seed collection and other field activities.
Increase workflow efficiency by creating processes and designing digital tools for collecting, analyzing, and presenting data.
Create templates for reports and maps to share data and other key project information with partners and funders.
Support the research component of habitat restoration projects, which may include working with various types of data and performing analyses using tools such as ArcGIS Pro, R, Python, as well as climate and habitat suitability models.
Integration of various remote sensing data techniques into the restoration monitoring process.
Create scripts for analyzing camera trap and acoustic recording unit data to better understand wildlife use of restoration sites.
Cultivate partnerships with conservation organizations, research scientists, and local, state, and federal agencies to proactively identify new spatial data products to improve restoration design and implementation.
Troubleshoot workflow issues to improve efficiency across teams.
Communicate across teams to promote a collaborative and innovative work environment focused on utilizing data to improve restoration practices and enhance project outcomes.
Collaborate with the Communications team to enhance River Partners’ storytelling through incorporating creative data visualization into our media and outreach.
At the direction of your supervisor, choose from a provided list and complete an individual special research project related to restoration science and practice. While guidance will be provided, the project is self-directed and it will be the responsibility of the Data Scientist Intern to ensure timely completion of data collection, analysis, and creation of the presentation and report.
Cleary communicate individual research project outcomes to the organization in a final presentation and project report.