Environmental Contaminants Data Lead - IT Data Management--Journey - Permanent - *12299-23
FULL-TIME/PERMANENT
ENVIRONMENTAL CONTAMINANTS DATA LEAD
IT DATA MANAGEMENT - JOURNEY
Information Technology Services – Fish Program
Olympia, Washington – Thurston County
Provide WDFW Fish Program, Fish Management Division with technical support, maintenance, and development of data applications, including fish metric and contaminants databases, electronic field-data collection forms, mobile communications applications, web services, technical consultation, and geographic information systems (GIS) map products and applications.
Prioritize, plan, coordinate, and implement all data collection, data management, and application development associated with the Toxics Biological Observation System (TBiOS) team data, and facilitate data use and analysis.
Beach seining for juvenile Chinook – Photo Credit: Robert J Fisk, WDFW
In this dynamic role, you will work closely with other staff to track toxic contaminants and their harmful effects in Puget Sound organisms for the purpose of guiding the recovery of Puget Sound ecosystem health.
With your experience, you will perform appropriate verification, validation, and quality control to ensure data integrity of end products.
We are seeking a candidate to support WDFW’s mission by leading data collection, management, and curation of Toxics Biological Observation System (TBiOS) long-term contaminant monitoring data.
Krill sample – Photo Credit: Robert J Fisk, WDFW
Here is some of what you will be doing:
Design, develop, maintain, and enhance data applications, web services and databases. The final products/outcomes are highly functional databases that provide efficient access to end users and improved data accuracy:
- Consult with subject-matter experts and application users (e.g., TBiOS Biologists and Research Scientists) to translate current data needs and legacy systems into modern data frameworks (collection, editing, viewing, analysis, reporting and storage). This includes the creation of conceptual, logical, and physical designs to ensure that applications, services, and databases meet identified team needs.
- Uses programming languages to develop and maintain applications for data collection, editing and viewing during field surveys. Builds custom (mobile or browser-based) solutions for TBiOS (especially within a spatial (ESRI’s ArcGIS) environment) for use during field surveys.
- Write and maintain code to automate workflows using programming languages (e.g., R, Python, SQL) and implement transformation/translation of source data into agency-compatible formats. Monitors, maintains, and documents code using established best management practices and with version control software such as Git.
- Programs stored procedures, views, and triggers to append/update records for enterprise SQL server databases and applications.
- Serves as the database systems knowledge expert in the TBiOS unit.
- Develop or customize front-end interfaces to allow users to display, query and extract data.
- Helps TBiOS staff access data by developing complex SQL queries.
Manages, processes, and performs advanced spatial and/or temporal analyses of and reporting on toxic contaminants in Puget Sound biota:
- Manages, analyzes, and reports on TBiOS contaminant data. Uses custom scripts (using e.g., R, SQL, Python, etc.) to compile source data, incorporate follow-up survey results, and update status and trends estimates that inform the Toxics in Aquatic Life Vital Sign Indicators.
- Manages ArcGIS Online hosted feature services and ArcGIS Server (feature and map services), spatial views and web maps.
- Performs spatial analyses on TBiOS contaminant data using ArcGIS software and Python scripts.
- Creates custom statistical and geostatistical processing models, scripts, and ArcGIS tools for use by TBiOS staff to process or analyze project data.
- Creates maps, figures and reports of spatial data using ArcGIS software, R and Python scripts in support of reporting TBiOS contaminant data.
- Creates technical documentation (metadata) for data products that details sources, limitations of use and processing steps.
Provides technical training, documentation, and support to TBiOS scientists on the use of specialized software and hardware and TBiOS data:
- Works with TBiOS staff to gather requirements, provides recommendations on solutions, and creates products that meet program and/or project needs.
- Develops and maintains “user help” documentation on SQL server and GIS software, tools, and scripts, geostatistical processes, and hardware.
- Authors and maintains technical documentation for the team including data management protocols and procedures.
- Provides training and consultation to end users (internal and external) so that they easily understand how to use the products (data products, applications, etc.) and tools that are available to them.
- Troubleshoots and resolves system issues and technical problems for TBiOS systems/databases.
WORKING CONDITIONS:
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Work Setting, including hazards:
- Duties are primarily performed in an office setting. Position requires extensive computer use.
- Occasional field work in an outside, natural environment to support species surveys. Field studies may involve working on boats, or walking along Puget Sound shorelines, sometimes at night or during inclement weather.
- May be asked to lift heavy objects (e.g., ice-filled coolers). Hazards of field operations may include motion sickness, slipping and falling on boat decks, shoreline rocks, and injury from handling fish and invertebrates possessing spines or claws.
- Must be able to negotiate water in emergency situations.
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Schedule:
- Duties are typically performed from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm Monday through Friday.
- Requires flexibility in work schedule in order to respond to dynamic project requirements and/or priorities.
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Travel Requirements:
- Some travel is required to participate in training, field work, and professional conferences.
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Tools and Equipment:
- Extensively uses computer hardware and software with an emphasis on geographic information software, enterprise database systems, and mobile data collection applications.
- May be required to assist with sampling fish, macro invertebrates, or plankton, using nets or other sampling devices.
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Customer Interactions:
- TBiOS staff.
Qualifications
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:
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Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in one or more of the following areas:
- Computer Science.
- Information Technology.
- Geographic Information Systems.
- Natural Resource Science.
- Ecology.
- Biology.
- Chemistry.
- Closely related field.
And
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Four (4) years of professional or volunteer Information Technology experience such as:
- Data management.
- Programming and analyzing data using scripting languages such as Python or R.
- JavaScript.
- Maintaining geographic information systems using ESRI ArcGIS product suite or similar GIS software.
- Other closely related experience.
Please note:
- A master’s degree in a related field may substitute for one (1) year of experience.
- A Ph.D. in a related field may substitute for two (2) years of experience.
Knowledge of:
- Relational databases and querying records using Structured Query Language (SQL).
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
- Master’s Degree (MS) or Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Quantitative Ecology, Computer Science, Environmental Toxicology or similar.
Experience in/with:
- ArcGIS Server map and feature services, web-based data entry and editing, ArcGIS REST API, and ArcGIS API for Python, and JavaScript frameworks such as Angular.
- Wide range of Esri desktop software and COTS including ArcGIS Pro, ArcGIS Online (AGOL), AGOL web maps, AGOL hosted applications, Survey123, Field Maps, etc.
- Standard field data collection activities, survey techniques, and sampling protocols with focus on data management.
- Mobile devices including smartphones, tablets, ruggedized computers, Global Positioning Systems (GPS) units, radio-telemetry GPS collars, and other data logging devices.
- Environmental toxicology data and analysis (e.g., mixed effects models, geospatial analyses, time trends, Bayesian statistics).
Supplemental Information
Please note: Failure to follow the instructions below may lead to disqualification.
Experience and education selected, listed, and detailed in the Supplemental Questions must be verifiable in the application.
In order to successfully apply for this position, you MUST complete your profile at www.careers.wa.gov and attach the following to your profile before completing the online application:
- A cover letter describing how you meet the qualifications of this position (Generic cover letter will not be accepted).
- A current resume.
- Three professional references.
IMPORTANT NOTE:
All new employees must complete an Employment Eligibility Verification Form (I-9 Form) on their first day of work. If hired for this or any position at WDFW, you will be required to provide documentation proving you are eligible to work in the United States. For a list of acceptable documents, please use the following link: https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents
JOIN THE WDFW TEAM:
Learn about our agency and the perks of working for WDFW!
The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife has some of the most talented people in the natural resource field. We celebrate and value diversity, appreciating that a workforce composed of those from different backgrounds and experiences creates an inclusive environment, strengthens positive relationships with the local community, and brings new perspectives and approaches to fulfilling the agency’s mission. We value demonstrated skill in living WDFW values of Accountability, Service, Professionalism, Integrity, Respect, and Empathy (ASPIRE).
WDFW employees may be eligible for the following:
Medical/Dental/Vision for employee & dependent(s), Public Employees Retirement System (PERS), Vacation, Sick, and other Leave*, 11 Paid Holidays per year*, Public Service Loan Forgiveness, Tuition Waiver, Long Term Disability & Life Insurance, Deferred Compensation Programs, Dependent Care Assistance Program (DCAP), Flexible Spending Arrangement (FSA), Employee Assistance Program, Commute Trip Reduction Incentives (Download PDF reader), Combined Fund Drive, SmartHealth.
UNION - WAFWP:
This position is in the bargaining unit represented by the Washington Association of Fish & Wildlife Professionals and is subject to the terms of the Collective Bargaining Agreement between the State of Washington, Department of Fish & Wildlife, and the Washington Association of Fish & Wildlife Professionals.
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Employer
VETERAN PREFERENCE NOTICE:
To take advantage of veteran preference, please do the following:
- Email a copy of your DD214 (Member 4 copy), NGB 22, or USDVA signed verification of service letter to Cheri.Weld@dfw.wa.gov.
- Subject line must include recruitment number, position, and Vet (for example: #10155 Biologist 1 – Veteran)
- Include your name as it appears on your application in careers.wa.gov.
MILITARY SPOUSE PREFERENCE NOTICE:
To take advantage of military spouse preference, please do the following:
- Notify us of your military spouse status by email at Cheri.Weld@dfw.wa.gov.
- Subject line must include recruitment number, position, and MS (for example: #10155 Biologist 1 – MS)
- Include your name as it appears on your application in careers.wa.gov.
Note: Please blackout any PII (personally identifiable information) data such as social security numbers.
As part of WDFW’s efforts to advance respectful and inclusive work environments, the Agency expects inclusivity as part of our professional interactions and communications. Therefore, we want to ensure that all individuals feel welcome, are treated fairly and respectfully. All staff are empowered to fully contribute to serving their work unit, Agency, and the citizens of Washington.
The Department of Fish and Wildlife is an equal opportunity employer. We strive to create a working environment that includes and respects cultural, racial, ethnic, sexual orientation and gender identity diversity. Women, racial and ethnic minorities, persons of disability, persons over 40 years of age, disabled and Vietnam era veterans and people of all sexual orientations and gender identities are encouraged to apply.
Persons needing accommodation in the application process or this announcement in an alternative format please contact Jayme Chase by phone 360-902-2278 or email JaymeChase@dfw.wa.gov, or the Telecommunications Device for the Deaf (TDD) at 800-833-6388.
If you are having technical difficulties creating, accessing, or completing your application, please call NEOGOV toll-free at (855) 524-5627 or support@neogov.com.
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