Data Manager job at PSMFC

PACIFIC STATES MARINE FISHERIES COMMISSION POSITION DESCRIPTION

Title:  Data Management Specialist 2 (Natural Sciences)- PMEP Assessments    

Anticipated Start Date:  June 2, 2014

Position/Project Specifics:

The Pacific Marine and Estuarine Fish Habitat Partnership (PMEP) and its assessment partners (Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission, National Marine Fisheries Service, The Nature Conservancy, and National Fish Habitat Board) are conducting habitat assessments for fish that use estuaries and nearshore environments on the Pacific Coast. These assessments require the collection of data that come from various fish sampling and habitat monitoring programs, which have been collected by a diverse group of scientists from a variety of organizations, including governments, tribes, consultants, nonprofits, independent investigators, and universities. Data on impacts to fish habitat in the estuary and nearshore will also need to be collected.

The PMEP seeks the services of a self-directed Data Management Specialist to contact individuals, discuss the purpose of the assessments and impact information and how the compilation of data may benefit these scientists, discuss and obtain their datasets, and assist in the compilation and geo-referencing of those datasets relevant to fish and habitat sampling. The position will be full-time (40 hours/week) for 12+ months, and pay will be commensurate with experience. The Data Management Specialist will work in close cooperation with assessment partners at the PSMFC Main Office in Portland, OR.

Specifically, the Data Management Specialist will carry out the following tasks: 

• Conduct phone interviews with scientists and managers across the region which will explain the purpose of the assessments and gather the necessary information to develop metadata on fish and habitat datasets.
• Track individual datasets from interview to assembly stages.
• Communicate with each individual scientist that provides data to update each on project progress at about the halfway point of the project and at the end of the project to assure that each contributing scientist is informed of the availability of the final product and thanked for their contribution.
• Compile project data into standardized electronic formats. This includes accessing information and verifying its accuracy and completeness, identifying data gaps, performing data entry, electronic data transfer, error checking and record level metadata creation.
• Perform a variety of tasks related to Geographic Information Systems (GIS) that may include geo-referencing biological or habitat data, maintaining location information tables, and maintaining GIS data layers.
• Create queries, summaries, maps and graphs in response to custom information requests.
• Set up conference calls or other means to scope out the information sources for fish habitat impact information from the PMEP technical committee and PMEP partners. 
• Acquire and synthesize data on impacts to fish habitat, including water quality datasets by estuary or region as appropriate, gathering appropriate metadata.
• Maintain and update data catalogs or repositories designed to facilitate the sharing of well documented data among project partners.
• Work closely with PMEP partners at the Northwest Fisheries Science Center, University of Washington, and Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission as well as PMEP Steering Committee members and the PMEP Coordinator.

Essential Functions:  (The functions listed below are characteristic of the type and level of work associated with this group and pay band.  They are not all-inclusive. Individual positions may perform some or all, as well as other similar work.)

At the lower end of the range, Data Management Specialists (Natural Sciences):

• Compile project data into standardized electronic data formats. This includes accessing filed information and verifying its accuracy and completeness, performing data entry, electronic data transfer, editing, and error checking.
• Extract relevant data which may be presented in many different text and numeric formats, reports, tables, graphics, or figures.
• Maintain local versions of datasets in accordance with established regional database exchange formats and standards.
• Maintain a local archive of current and historical reports and documents. Coordinate the regular transfer of reference materials to archives and libraries.
• Perform a variety of tasks related to Geographic Information Systems (GIS) that may include map preparation, geo-referencing biological and habitat data, maintaining location information tables, editing and updating hydrography GIS coverages, and maintaining metadata for data sets and GIS coverages.
• Train technical and general users in the use of database applications through individual instruction and/or group presentations.
• Create queries, summaries, and/or maps in response to requests for customized data.
• Prepare and manipulate various data and graphic outputs for use in reports, presentations and internet applications using standardized retrieval scripts.

At the upper end of the range, employees:

• Develop and implement databases and libraries. Includes acquiring new data as well as taking previously created or historical databases or spreadsheets and integrating them. Data sources vary in format including database, spreadsheet, and survey data sets. Custom interfaces may be required.
• Produce written research and statistical reports (including graphs, tables, maps, and text), data sets, and data summaries using a variety of analytical techniques and software tools. This involves the master-level use of database retrieval scripts.
• Document data handling and reporting to ensure consistency and validity of data between and within sites. Files may come from sources that use different computer hardware, software systems/protocols, and different communication packages.
• Maintain and update data catalogs, data catalog directories, and metadata.
• Perform system maintenance and backups. This includes routine database checkpoints, checkpoint verification, tuning, data-process merges, and user account management. Restore files when required.
• Perform Help Desk functions, responding to on-line user inquiries about access to the database and data retrievals, the execution of query scripts, and standard report programs.

Mandatory Skills and Experience

• Proficiency with data entry, office productivity and relational database management software, including Microsoft Excel, Access and SQL Server.
• Demonstrated communication and organizational skills.
• Demonstrated ability for self-directed and independent work.
• A solid understanding of and experience working with spatially explicit environmental and natural resources data.

Desirable Skills and Experience

• Experience with interviews and strong interpersonal skills.
• Knowledge of West Coast marine and estuarine systems.
• Coursework or working knowledge of data management concepts and GIS.
• Experience working with fisheries data and information associated with West Coast estuaries.
• Demonstrated experience compiling estuary data.
• Experience using and editing relational databases and documenting technical procedures.
• Experience using online data repositories and project management/collaboration tools.
• Experience working with the ArcGIS geography platform.

Physical Demands:
The work is generally sedentary, although there may be some nominal walking or standing for short periods of time, or carrying of light loads of papers, books, reports, etc. that require only moderate physical ability and physical stress.

Work Environment:
The works area is adequately lighted, heated, and ventilated.  The work involves the common risks or discomforts typical of office, meeting rooms, libraries, and the like.   

Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer and welcomes all qualified applicants. Applicants will receive fair and impartial consideration without regard to race, sex, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, genetic data, or other legally protected status.

If you have a disability and need assistance completing the application form, you may call the PSMFC human resources office at (503) 595-3100 between the hours of 8 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. PST, Monday-Friday. Reasonable accommodations for interviews will be provided upon request to individuals with disabilities.We maintain a drug-free workplace.

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