Habitat GIS and Data Specialist

Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission•Portland, OR

About The Position

Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission is recruiting a full-time, benefits-eligible Habitat GIS and Data Specialist to support its Habitat Program. The position is based in Portland, Oregon, with the possibility of working remotely from Seattle, Washington; Sacramento, California; or Newport, Oregon. The anticipated start date is January 4, 2027, and the position is expected to last up to one year, with the possibility of extension. Applicants should include a cover letter with their application materials. The specialist supports data stewardship, geospatial analysis, scientific visualization, and data communications for the PSMFC Habitat Program, the National Fish Habitat Partnership, and related conservation and restoration initiatives. The role reports to the Habitat Program Manager and works closely with PSMFC GIS Center staff, other project-funded GIS staff, program colleagues, and external partners. It helps ensure habitat and restoration data are well managed, accessible, scientifically defensible, and communicated effectively to diverse audiences. The position manages and synthesizes habitat-related datasets; conducts spatial analyses; develops maps, dashboards, web applications, and decision-support tools; and translates scientific information into products supporting conservation planning, restoration prioritization, program evaluation, and stakeholder engagement. The work includes coordinating data sharing and standards with partners; integrating biological, ecological, habitat, restoration, and environmental information; preparing reporting and communications products; and providing GIS and data-management technical support. The role may also involve responsibilities associated with Data Management Specialist positions in the natural sciences, including compiling and validating project data, maintaining datasets and archives, preparing maps and reports, developing and maintaining databases and data catalogs, documenting data handling, supporting data retrieval and user inquiries, and performing database maintenance and backups. The scope of duties varies across the position’s classification range. The work is generally sedentary, with occasional short periods of walking or standing and carrying light materials. The work area is adequately lighted, heated, and ventilated, and the work involves typical office, meeting-room, and library conditions.

Requirements

At least one year of specialized experience and four years of successfully completed education above high school in a natural science field, or an equivalent combination of experience and education.
A bachelor's or master's degree in biological, environmental, or natural resource sciences, or geographic information systems.
Proficiency with data entry, office productivity, GIS, and relational database management software, including Microsoft Excel, Access, and SQL Server.
A solid understanding of and experience working with spatially explicit environmental and natural resources data.
Knowledge of natural sciences; database, spreadsheet, and word-processing software; data-management concepts and methods; quality assurance principles; technical documentation methods; and analytical methods and common query languages.
Ability to manage and steward environmental, fisheries, habitat, or restoration datasets.
Strong GIS analytical skills, including spatial analysis, geoprocessing, cartography, and data visualization.
Knowledge of metadata standards, data-management principles, and QA/QC procedures.
Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to present technical information to diverse audiences.
Ability to work independently and coordinate effectively with multiple partners and programs.

Nice To Haves

Experience with ArcGIS Pro, ArcGIS Enterprise, and ArcGIS Online.
Experience developing web maps, dashboards, StoryMaps, and other online GIS applications.
Experience with habitat, fisheries, watershed, restoration, conservation, or other natural resource data.
Experience with Python, SQL, R, or other data automation and analysis tools.
Knowledge of West Coast marine, estuarine, and inland fisheries.
Experience with field data collection for fisheries or habitat data, or field experience with habitat restoration projects.
Excellent communication, organizational, and customer service skills.

Responsibilities

Support data stewardship for the PSMFC Habitat Program, the National Fish Habitat Partnership, and related habitat conservation and restoration initiatives.
Maintain, improve, and document systems for habitat, restoration, monitoring, and assessment datasets.
Develop and implement data standards, metadata, data-management procedures, and quality assurance/quality control protocols.
Coordinate with federal, state, Tribal, academic, and non-governmental partners to facilitate data sharing and improve dataset consistency, accessibility, and interoperability.
Compile, integrate, and synthesize habitat and restoration information for regional and national reporting.
Maintain data catalogs and repositories and develop workflows that improve data discovery, transparency, accessibility, and usability.
Conduct GIS analyses related to fish habitat, restoration, aquatic connectivity, watershed health, conservation planning, and fisheries management.
Develop, maintain, and update geospatial datasets for habitat assessments, restoration tracking, conservation prioritization, and program evaluation.
Integrate biological, ecological, habitat, restoration, and environmental datasets into GIS analytical frameworks.
Produce maps, dashboards, web applications, and data visualizations for habitat science, management, and decision-making.
Prepare spatial summaries, analyses, and reporting products in response to program and partner needs.
Translate habitat science, monitoring results, and restoration outcomes into visual and written products for technical and non-technical audiences.
Develop StoryMaps, dashboards, web maps, infographics, presentations, and other communications products.
Support technical reports, annual reports, grant deliverables, and program summaries.
Assist in developing metrics, indicators, and visualizations communicating habitat conditions, restoration progress, and program performance.
Collaborate with communications and program staff to improve the accessibility and visibility of habitat data and conservation outcomes.
Provide technical guidance on GIS best practices, cartography, spatial analysis, and habitat data management.
Support partners developing and maintaining web-based mapping tools and information products.
Participate in technical workgroups, partner meetings, program meetings, and regional or national habitat coordination efforts as needed.
Compile project data into standardized electronic formats; verify accuracy and completeness; perform data entry, transfer, editing, and error checking.
Maintain local datasets, archives, reports, reference materials, GIS location information, hydrography coverages, and metadata in accordance with applicable standards.
Train technical and general users in GIS and database applications and respond to user inquiries about data access, retrieval, query scripts, and standard reports.
Develop and integrate databases and libraries, document data handling and reporting, maintain data catalogs, perform system maintenance and backups, and restore files when required.
Prepare research and statistical reports, datasets, and summaries using analytical techniques and software tools.