Geospatial Data Analyst w/ University of Alaska (Fairbanks, AK)

https://careers.alaska.edu/cw/en-us/job/517868/geospatial-data-analyst

Summary:
The Geographic Information Network of Alaska (GINA) within the Geophysical Institute seeks a geospatial analyst to support our near real-time satellite remote sensing operations. GINA serves products via public data portals to serve the forecasting and research needs of scientific users across Alaska; we are looking for a team member to assist with robust delivery of these products, accompanied by innovative visualizations. This position also includes the opportunity to support research projects that analyze historical remote sensing data with application to environmental change and natural resource management. The successful candidate will perform geospatial scientific data analysis using GIS tools and Python, increase the visibility and impact of our data products through GINA data portals, directly collaborate with our operations and research partners, and have the opportunity to present GINA’s projects at conferences and seminars. GINA has a flexible office environment and collaborates with multiple groups at the University of Alaska Fairbanks.

Duties:
Advise and train GINA team members on current GIS tools. When GINA is onboarding new team members, provide information and training as needed on GINA GIS projects. Create relevant training materials for GINA staff. Present project work and skills at seminars and conferences. Perform technical training and outreach with project partners and collaborators. As opportunities arise, develop training materials that could be utilized for online courses or training workshops at GINA, GI, UAF. Adherence to industry best-practice standards and participation in geospatial communities. Keep up to date with cutting edge geospatial technologies and methodologies. Work with the GINA team and/or UAF collaborators to develop project ideas and contribute to proposal submissions. Serve as project manager or co-manager on projects, tracking status, deadlines, and resources required to complete the project. Manage daily work schedule that has multiple projects with overlapping and sometimes conflicting issues and deadlines. Resolve and reconcile issues through both independent analysis and in consultation with team members and supervisor. Create project workflows that can be presented in scientific journals and in online environments. Record and report project tasks and frameworks in formats accessible to team members and collaborators, and that will serve as a long-term record of project activities. Attend regular coordination meetings with GINA and UAF-GI personnel to coordinate research and operational activities. Produce and publish visualizations for GINA and University of Alaska Fairbanks (UAF)-Geophysical Institute (GI) social media platforms. Act as a primary spatial analysis expert, consulting across Geographic Information Network of Alaska (GINA) projects, including determining appropriate spatial analysis methods, analytical approaches, and appropriate visualizations of geospatial outputs. Create and maintain user-oriented applications; prepare application requirements and design specifications. Plan, design, develop, and implement information systems with relational databases, client-server relationships, and multi-platform environments. Prepare and assemble complex data into scientifically relevant visualizations. Advise on best practices for display parameters and how best to highlight metrics of interest. Independent spatial analysis of complex data utilized in GINA projects, including assessment of past methodologies, improvement of current analytical approaches, and highlighting uncertainties. Produce, publish, and manage metadata for datasets for GINA projects. Assist with data distribution via web portals, cloud-based storage and Linux systems.
***US CITIZENSHIP IS REQUIRED FOR THIS POSITION. TO BE CONSIDERED FOR THIS POSITION, PLEASE LIST YOUR CURRENT CITIZENSHIP STATUS IN EITHER YOUR COVER LETTER OR RESUME***

Internal Posting Verbiage:
This recruitment is open internally to current UA employees or those otherwise eligible to apply to internal postings.

Salary Information:
This position is a full-time, term-funded, exempt Grade 80, 12-month position complete with a competitive salary and UA employee benefits package.

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities/Experience:

• Excellent verbal and technical writing communication skills
• Demonstrated advanced analytical problem solving, troubleshooting, and critical thinking skills.
• Advanced technical knowledge of spatial analysis methodology, analysis, and applications
• Experience working with spatial analysis and photogrammetry software packages such as ArcGIS, ENVI, ERDAS IMAGINE, Pix4D
• Data organizational skills, including basic capabilities to navigate and manage data flows on Windows and Linux systems

PREFERRED but not required:

• Experience scripting in Python or shell-languages
• Experience with remote sensing applications
• Experience with wildland fire, meteorology, or climatology

Required Education and Experience:

• Bachelor's degree in information technology, computer science, geography, or physical science/natural science plus three years progressively responsible experience, or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.
• As a public, regional, comprehensive university, UAF is committed to building a culturally diverse and inclusive organization and strongly encourages women, minorities, individuals with disabilities, and veterans to apply.

Application Process:
YOU MUST BE A US CITIZEN AND PROVIDE THIS CONFIRMATION IN YOUR RESUME OR COVER LETTER. Remote work is not available for this position. Please also indicate in your cover letter if you live in Fairbanks or are willing to relocate. To apply for this position, please provide a cover letter, resume, and contact information for three professional references with your application.

To be considered for this position, please submit by 09/23/2021, at 11:55 PM Alaska Time. The initial review will begin on 09/24/2021. This posting will be closed once the position is filled.

If you need assistance applying to this posting, please contact GI - Office of Human Resources at 907-474-6498. Applicants needing a reasonable accommodation to participate in the application and screening process should contact the UA Human Resources office at 907-450-8200.

Term Position:
This position is a term-funded position and is reviewed annually for contract renewal at the University's discretion.

Reasonable Accommodation Statement:
The University of Alaska (UA) is responsible for providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities throughout the applicant screening process. If you need assistance in completing this application or during any phase of the interview process, please contact UA Human Resources by phone at 907-450-8200.

Affirmative Action Statement:
UA is an AA/EO employer and educational institution and prohibits illegal discrimination against any individual: www.alaska.edu/nondiscrimination

Background Check:
The successful applicant is required to complete a background check. Any offer of employment is contingent on the background check.

Probationary Period:
Pursuant to University Regulation 04.07.020, new employees of the University are employed in an at-will probationary status for the first six months of employment. During the probationary period, employment may be terminated for no reason or any reason. Promoted employees also serve a probationary period with limited rights of retreat.

Public Disclosure Statement:

• Your application for employment with the University of Alaska is subject to public disclosure under the Alaska Public Records Act.
• University of Alaska is a Drug-Free Workplace.
• University of Alaska campuses are Tobacco-Free.

Training Policy:
It is the policy of the University of Alaska (UA) that all employees are required to complete training to meet the requirements of the positions they hold, and to complete the required training within a specified period to remain employed at the UA.