|
The Tropical Ecology Assessment and Monitoring (TEAM) Network is a long-term monitoring network that is continually collecting data throughout tropical forests to understand the effects of climate change and land use change on tropical biodiversity and use this information to inform conservation policy. The TEAM Technical Coordinator is a critical service position for the TEAM Network, providing a variety of technical and support functions for the TEAM Network, including TEAM site managers, Technical Liaisons from core partners, external information technology (IT) partners and TEAM Coordinating Unit staff. The Technical Coordinator will report to the TEAM Technical Director, but will also work extensively with the Director of Information Systems and other TEAM staff.
The position will provide key technical support to field and other TEAM personnel, implement processes to review and ensure data quality; complete technical documentation critical for adequate TEAM protocol implementation and smooth use of portal tools; collect and maintain ancillary data sets that complement TEAM data; provide support to implement TEAM spatial products; and assist in the design and testing of new software tools and dashboards. In addition, this position will support CI with ongoing external IT partnerships. The position is key to ensure efficient day-to-day technical operations of the TEAM network.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Network help desk: Works closely with TEAM IT partner, San Diego Supercomputer Center (SDSC), answering TEAM Network help desk tickets regarding data upload/download, report submission, sampling scheduling, site management tool use, sensor management configuration tool use, specialized data entry software (deskTEAM) and basic technical protocol implementation. In some cases, travel to the field might be required to fix technical problems.
- Data quality assurance and quality control: Analyzes incoming TEAM data to discover data errors, missing data and non-compliant data values. Helps in the design and runs automated scripts to discover and fix these issues; communicates with site managers to alert them to potential problems with sensors, instruments and/or other data collection systems (e.g. climate station power system). Helps in the design and runs data reports and summaries for TEAM site managers, Technical Liaisons, and Coordinating Unit staff.
- Help documentation / ancillary data and documents: Develops and implements a plan to close the help documentation gaps for the Network including various TEAM portal tools (e.g. sampling scheduler, deskTEAM, report generators) and key protocol documents (e.g. protocol implementation manuals, field forms). Gathers, integrates, reviews and updates external ancillary data into the current system, including local red lists of endangered mammals and birds, taxonomic authorities, and functional traits for tropical trees, mammals and birds.
- TEAM spatial data: Works with TEAM Remote Sensing Specialist in the collection, processing and management of TEAM spatial data, in particular imagery for the generation of spatial products (zone of human dynamics, land use change). This includes gathering imagery, creating composite cloud-free images, and cataloguing and running land use classification algorithms.
- Project coordination and technical assistance: Assists TEAM Director of Information Systems in managing projects with external IT partners, in particular Hewlett-Packard. Provides day-to-day coordination of communications with project and activity team(s); meetings; schedules; and monitoring of project implementation. Serves on project/activity teams tasked with developing new software applications, such as analytical engines, dashboards, metrics and data quality tools. This will include assessing user needs and software requirements and evaluating alpha and beta releases.
- Other duties as assigned by supervisor.
QUALIFICATIONS:
Required
- At least 2-3 years working experience with data and basic data analysis in environmental sciences, biology, ecology or related field.
- Demonstrated knowledge and familiarity with field monitoring methodologies, environmental sensors, general data management systems and the use of web portals.
- Demonstrated familiarity with one or several of these programming languages/tools: R, Java, JavaScript, PhP, Perl, Python.
- Basic familiarity and skills with GIS software (e.g., ArcGIS, IDIRISI, QGIS or Grass) and image manipulation techniques.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- High degree of self-motivation and ability to simplify complex problems and “think out of the box.”
- Demonstrated skills as a strong team worker.
- Willingness to learn new skills.
Work Location:
- This position is based at CI HQ in Crystal City, VA. Some travel may be required.
- This position is for currently for one (1) year, although may be renewable if additional funding is obtained.
Preferred
- Bachelors Degree (Masters preferred) in Environmental Science, Biology or related field.
- Experience with customer support environments.
- Familiarity with Campbell Scientific data loggers and other meteorological sensors (or strong motivation to learn quickly).
- International experience and demonstrated ability to successfully interact with people from different cultures.
- Basic proficiency in any of the following languages: Spanish, Portuguese or French.
|
