Open Source Forest Data Analyst
About The Position
This position supports the Forest Service Research Data Archive (FS RDA), which preserves and publishes digital scientific data and related research products in alignment with federal open science policies and Forest Service directives. The role assists scientists across FS Research Stations, the Forest Products Lab, the International Institute of Tropical Forestry, and the Joint Fire Science Program in preparing research data for public release. Work includes reviewing and processing varied data types, developing and validating metadata and documentation, and training or directly supporting researchers so data publications meet archival and usability standards. The role helps advance forest, fire, and wood innovation research and supports public and research-community reuse of scientific data. The position is in the Department of Forest and Rangeland Stewardship at Colorado State University, an interdisciplinary department focused on natural environmental processes and their interactions with human systems, with an applied emphasis on wildland fire management. The department offers undergraduate and graduate programs in forestry, natural resources management, and rangeland ecology.
Requirements
- Bachelor's degree with a natural resources, environment, or geospatial specialization.
- Must successfully pass a background check.
- Must be legally authorized to work in the United States by the proposed start date.
- Must comply with Colorado State University and U.S. Forest Service policies and procedures.
- Ability to maintain access to federal data systems and government information resources, if required.
Nice To Haves
- Proficiency with Microsoft Word, Excel, Adobe Acrobat, and text editors such as Notepad, Notepad++, or Microsoft Visual Studio Code.
- Competence in ArcGIS Pro.
- Working knowledge of HTML and XML, including the ability to interpret and modify code.
- Demonstrated ability to develop and/or interpret the FGDC Content Standard for Digital Geospatial Metadata (FGDC CSDGM) and ISO 19115 geospatial metadata standards.
- Strong attention to detail and ability to accurately review, edit, and update documents for consistency, accuracy, and compliance with formatting and content standards.
- Strong organizational and time-management skills.
- Ability to confidently review and interpret data in multiple formats, including tabular, geospatial, and database formats.
- Ability to read, understand, and interpret documentation, data, and terminology relevant to forest management, fire, and biological, physical, and social sciences.
Responsibilities
- Review, analyze, and organize files and documents to ensure accurate categorization and accessibility, and maintain an orderly digital filing system.
- Review and help write metadata submitted by scientists.
- Verify metadata is complete, fully describes the data, complies with the FS RDA metadata standard, and is understandable to non-subject-matter experts.
- Review scientists' data submissions to ensure they are in an appropriate archival format and fully described in the associated metadata.
- Assist or consult with researchers on preparing data and supplemental files for publication, including tabular and geospatial data, GIS layers, sound or video files, databases, documents, and image files.
- Teach scientists how to prepare data and documentation for publication through individual support or presentations.
- Perform other data-publishing-related tasks as determined by FS staff.
- Set up timelines for product delivery.
- Coordinate with other team members.
Benefits
- Robust benefits package.
- Collaborative atmosphere.
- Focus on work-life balance.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
