Ocean Career: Ocean Associates Inc. Oceanographic Data Support GIS Analyst

GIS Analyst III

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 GIS Analyst III position will provide overall support to this team and assist in the design, development and improvements of all NBS infrastructure and workflows.

Baseline Responsibilities:

• Explore programming and modeling methodologies for combining ensemble model results and covered data.
• Build, test, and maintain product modules, components, subsystems, and product pipeline workflows.

Key Responsibilities:

• Develop and code automated cartographic solutions using open-source software and driven by NBS raster elevations, uncertainty, and source information raster attribute tables.
• Provide senior subject matter expertise in systems engineering, GIS design and development, IT infrastructure, Python and SQL, and automated solutions.
• Create cartographic objects in concert with each other, including: soundings, contours, depth areas, and M_QUAL.

Required Skills /Education/ Certifications & Qualifications

• Master's degree in engineering, oceanography, Geographic Information Systems, hydrography, or closely related discipline and a minimum of 4 years of directly related experience; or a Bachelor's degree plus a minimum of 6 years of directly related experience; or 12 years of experience relative to the specific position.
• Experience developing oceanographic models, Geospatial programming as it directly relates to ocean model development, or developing processes related to oceanographic model assimilation.
• An in-depth understanding of programming techniques such as python and experience with programs like MATLAB and Fortran.
• Understanding of how to establish requirements for data dissemination platforms and resolve complex issues related to cloud native platforms.
• An understanding of the design and development of tidal datum transformations within US territorial waters.
• Experience with OSCMesh software (preferred).
• 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.
• Ability to receive constructive feedback and implement appropriate action.

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, 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, $35 to $41 per hour. Generous employee benefits.