Subject Matter Expert V

Cherokee Federal•Saint Petersburg, FL

3d•Onsite

About The Position

Cherokee Federal is seeking a Subject Matter Expert V in St. Petersburg, Florida. This position supports coastal and marine research focused on geologic, geophysical, geomorphic, oceanographic, and landscape-ecology processes affecting coastal environments. A government contract requires that this position be restricted to U.S. citizens or legal permanent residents. You must provide documentation that you are a U.S. citizen or legal permanent resident to qualify.

Requirements

Proficiency using MATLAB for numerical modeling, scientific analysis, visualization, and data processing required.
Proficiency using Esri ArcGIS software for geospatial data management, mapping, analysis, and visualization required.
Experience compiling, processing, analyzing, and interpreting coastal, marine, oceanographic, geologic, geomorphic, or geospatial datasets required.
Ability to independently develop research approaches, evaluate complex data, interpret results, and communicate defensible scientific conclusions.
Strong scientific writing skills, including the ability to clearly describe research methods, data, results, interpretations, and conclusions.
Knowledge of sedimentologic methods, core-processing methods, laboratory analysis techniques, and associated quality-control practices required.
Demonstrated ability to create publication-quality figures, graphs, maps, and visual data products required.
Ability to prioritize assignments, manage multiple research tasks, meet project deadlines, and maintain high standards for scientific integrity and data quality.
Doctoral degree in geology, marine science, environmental science, coastal science, oceanography, geomorphology, or a closely related field required.
Multiple years of post-graduate research experience in coastal, marine, geologic, geomorphic, oceanographic, or related environmental research required.
Demonstrated specialized knowledge of coastal morphology and morphodynamics required.
Experience planning and conducting coastal or marine fieldwork required.
Ability to travel and safely perform fieldwork in coastal, marine, and barrier-island environments.
Ability to successfully complete a Federal background investigation and maintain required access credentials.
Ability to work independently with limited oversight while collaborating effectively with scientists, technical staff, and research partners.
Must be a US Citizen.
Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer; may occasionally require standing or moving about the office for extended periods.
Must pass pre-employment qualifications of Cherokee Federal.

Nice To Haves

Familiarity with Python packages for scientific computing, numerical modeling, data processing, geospatial analysis, or automation preferred.
Experience using RTK-GNSS equipment for field surveying, elevation data collection, or geospatial data acquisition preferred.
Experience supporting ground-penetrating radar surveys or processing marine/coastal geophysical data preferred.
Familiarity with scientific-data documentation, metadata development, data-release processes, and Federal scientific-review standards preferred.

Responsibilities

Conduct advanced coastal and marine research supporting projects, including Southwest Florida, Hurricane Ian supplemental, and other funded research initiatives.
Independently plan, execute, analyze, and document research and development activities using sound scientific judgment and established methods.
Develop, apply, calibrate, and interpret numerical models of shoreface, barrier-island, and coastal landscape evolution under varying environmental scenarios.
Model barrier-island landscape change under differing conditions of sediment supply, sea-level rise, storms, sediment transport, and other relevant physical processes.
Conduct research involving coastal morphology, morphodynamics, sedimentary systems, geomorphology, and near-surface geologic frameworks.
Compile, process, analyze, and interpret oceanographic, sedimentologic, geomorphic, geophysical, and geospatial datasets.
Plan and conduct field investigations at barrier-island and coastal study sites, including locations in southwest Florida and other approved field locations.
Collect sediment samples using percussion coring, sand augers, and other approved sampling methods.
Conduct Real-Time Kinematic Global Navigation Satellite System (RTK-GNSS) surveying and support ground-penetrating radar surveys, as assigned.
Process, analyze, interpret, and document sediment cores, sand-auger samples, and other geological materials using standard and emerging laboratory methods.
Develop geomorphological models and design corresponding field, laboratory, and modeling investigations.
Use Geographic Information System (GIS) tools to analyze and interpret coastal, marine, geologic, geomorphic, and spatial datasets.
Create, manage, document, and support the release of scientific datasets, metadata, figures, graphs, maps, and other research products.
Develop publication-quality figures, graphs, visualizations, and supporting materials for scientific reports, data releases, presentations, and manuscripts.
Provide technical input to USGS data releases and ensure products meet applicable documentation, quality, and scientific-review requirements.
Lead or co-lead the preparation of technical reports, scientific publications, peer-reviewed journal manuscripts, and other written research products.
Clearly document field methods, laboratory methods, numerical-modeling methods, analytical processes, interpretations, results, and conclusions.
Collaborate with scientists, project teams, Federal and state partners, and other research collaborators to discuss project progress, findings, and technical needs.
Participate in project meetings, technical reviews, field planning activities, and research discussions.
Maintain organized research records, datasets, model files, analytical scripts, laboratory records, quality-control documentation, and project files.
Follow established standard operating procedures, field protocols, laboratory protocols, applicable permits, and Federal and state requirements.
Comply with all applicable Federal information-security, privacy, safety, property-protection, and facility-security requirements.
Submit required status reports, technical updates, travel documentation, and other deliverables in accordance with project schedules and Task Order requirements.
Travel as required to support approved fieldwork, research activities, meetings, and project needs.
Perform other job-related duties as assigned.

Benefits

Up to a 6% 401(k) company match to help you build long-term financial security
Paid time off as part of our comprehensive benefits package, so you have the flexibility to rest, recharge, and enjoy what matters most
Medical, dental, and vision insurance, plus prescription drug coverage
Basic life and AD&D insurance, with supplemental life options
Short-term and long-term disability coverage
Paid holidays
Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
Flexible Spending Account (FSA) and Health Savings Account (HSA) options
Professional development, training, and certification support
Voluntary benefits including accident, critical illness, and identity theft protection