If you are looking to be an instrumental part of a growing, employee and customer-focused company working on exciting issues in environmental science and other marine/coastal resources, we want to hear from you!
OCS is mandated by Congress to collect, manage, and compile data and information necessary to maintain the national suite of more than 1,000 nautical charts. In addition, OCS conducts hydrographic surveys that measure water depth and produces coastal maps and vector shoreline series and historic maps and charts. These products support commercial shipping, the fishing industry, United States Navy and Coast Guard operations, state and local governments, geographic information system (GIS) users, and recreational boaters throughout the United States.
The OCS’s Coast Survey Development Laboratory (CSDL) manages the development and improvement of charting, hydrographic, and oceanographic systems used by OCS, the Center for Operational Oceanographic Products and Services, and other NOS offices/programs. CSDL reviews and interacts with research and development programs in private industry, universities, and government, both nationally and internationally. Based on its awareness of state-of-the-art technical developments, CSDL recommends and develops future methods and systems to enhance NOAA and the quality and usefulness of its products. The Coast Survey’s National Bathymetric Source (NBS) team within CSDL is charged with building the national bathymetry. The NBS is a “one-stop” database of curated, regularly maintained hydrographic data collected by NOAA and other Federal providers. The Scientist IV position will provide overall support to this team and assist in the design, development, and improvements of all NBS infrastructure and workflows.
Baseline Responsibilities:
- Conduct advanced scientific research and analysis to solve physical problems.
- Analyze, design, and document complex computer applications used for scientific projects.
- Design, develop, and test complex instruments for scientific measurements.
- Contribute to scientific papers to be published in refereed scientific publications and/or presented at scientific conferences.
- Convert scientific, engineering, and other technical problem formulations to formats that can be processed by computer
Key Responsibilities:
- Define, develop, code, test, and implement a model for interpolation coverage and uncertainty from existing bathymetry derived from different types of surveys and sensors.
- Build, test, and maintain product pipeline workflows, revolving around bathymetric data, models, and products and determining spatial and temporal extents of final model results.
Required Skills /Education/ Certifications & Qualifications:
If you lack a “Required Skill/Education, etc.” but believe you have equivalent credentials, please justify this belief in your cover letter or the application. Applicants with required items will be eligible for higher pay than those less qualified.
- Bachelor’s in engineering, oceanography, Geographic Information Systems, hydrography, or closely related discipline and a minimum of 8 years of directly related experience; or 2 years of college + 10 years of experience relative to the specific position; or 12 years of experience;
- Expertise and knowledge in working with hydrodynamic models;
- Expertise and knowledge in the field of hydrographic surveying and ocean mapping, including, but not limited to, acquisition of hydrographic survey data using sonar equipment and hydrographic software,
- Experience exercising independent judgment, as well as a high-level of analytical skill, in solving non-routine technical problems;
- Experience converting scientific, engineering, and other technical problem formulations to formats that can be processed by computer;
- Expertise with Microsoft Office applications and Google’s collaboration suite (e.g., Docs, Sheets, Slides);
- Strong written and verbal communication skills, including a demonstrated ability to convey complex scientific information clearly and succinctly;
- Excellent organizational skills;
- Strong attention to detail, ensuring that all work is complete, timely and accurate according to policy guidance and standard operating procedures;
- Demonstrated ability to self-manage workload and meet variable (but often short) deadlines for multiple concurrent tasks;
- Excellent interpersonal skills, particularly the ability to work independently as well as with others to develop, revise, and share information;
- Ability to work effectively both individually and collaboratively in a team/group setting; and
- Ability to receive constructive feedback and implement appropriate action.
analyzing/processing raw data, and creating intermediate charting products;
Location: Work may be performed at one of the NOAA Facilities in Silver Spring, Maryland (NOAA Headquarters); Seattle, Washington; or Norfolk, Virginia. If necessary or found feasible by the government, contract staff may also be located at other NOAA facilities. Remote work may be approved on a case-by-case basis.
Start Date: as soon as possible
Salary and Benefits: Full time. Salary commensurate with experience, $39 to $45 per hour. Generous employee benefits.