Marine GIS Analyst in Silver Spring MD

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CSS, Inc. seeks a full-time Marine GIS Analyst with experience in coastal science and marine resources management, spatial ecology, and oceanography for a full-time contract position with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science (NCCOS). NCCOS’ Harmful Algal Bloom (HAB) Forecast Branch conducts collaborative projects with partner agencies such as NASA, CDC, and NOAA’s IOOS, Oceans & Human Health, and National Marine Sanctuary Programs. These projects analyze and model satellite and other remotely sensed oceanographic and meteorological data to develop products that can support monitoring and forecasts of HABs, water clarity, and water depth to inform coastal managers and the public. The successful candidate will develop and use computer programs to streamline satellite data processing steps that produce NCCOS’ experimental products; provide support in python and other open-source languages in implementation of algorithms;  collect, process, and analyze field radiometry data to help validate experimental HAB forecasts; provide ArcGIS support; review scientific literature on water quality parameters and HABs; and help transition experimental forecast products into automated Operational Forecast Systems.

Responsibilities:

• Developing processing capabilities for testing and implementing products from satellite data
• Coordinate collection of water quality and radiometry data in freshwater or riverine systems
• Develop streamlined storage and processing system for field radiometry, to allow for easier analysis and distribution of the data.
• Assemble and review water quality and phytoplankton data from in situ samples and assist in the validation of remotely-sensed image products
• Provide scientific support for NOAA annual HAB Cyst Cruises
• Conduct statistical analyses of water quality, radiometry, and satellite data to help develop forecast bulletins for HAB blooms
• Assemble and distribute weekly experimental HAB Forecast Bulletins to track the development of Microcystis blooms in Lake Erie
• Create computer programs (e.g., python) to transition the procedures for creating HAB Forecast Bulletins into ArcGIS or cloud computing and produce georeferenced PDFs with accessible metadata for dissemination to users
• Assist with manuscript preparation (reports and peer review publications), basic statistical analysis, poster & presentation development
• Assist with outreach and education activities to engage coastal resource managers and enhance their experience with using HAB Forecast Bulletins

Qualifications

Required:

• M.S. in Biology, Ecology, Geography, Oceanography, or related field, or B.S. degree with 3 or more years of relevant work experience
• At least 3 years of experience working in both LINUX and Windows operating system environments
• Demonstrated use of Python, HTML, or other computer programming language; Geomatica, Matlab, R, or similar statistical packages; Cloud computing, ArcGIS, GIS web services, and ArcGIS tools; and satellite imagery processing software.
• Ability to organize and manage GIS data and create relevant metadata for GIS data products
• Familiarity with science data formats and compliance requirements (e.g., geoTIFF, netCDF) and satellite data storage architecture
• Experience with preparing scientific journal articles and NOAA technical reports
• Strong oral and written communication, team collaboration skills, along with an ability to work independently in a self-directed environment
• Ability to pass a National Agency Check (NACI)

Preferred:

• Advanced skills in creating and maintaining efficient scripts compatible with various software packages for GIS visualization (VBS, python)
• Understanding of ecological forecasting, notably HAB forecasting, coupled bio-physical models, and hydrodynamic models, and operational modeling environments

CSS-Dynamac is an Equal Opportunity Employer, which includes providing equal opportunity for protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.