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NOAA CO-OPS Oceanographic Technical Specialist II
Ocean Associates
IT, Operations
Posted on Dec 20, 2024
Note: If you are unable to complete this application due to a disability, contact Ocean Associates, Inc. at 703-388-9548 to ask for an accommodation or an alternative application process.
Ocean Associates, Inc. (OAI) seeks a full-time Oceanographic Technical Specialist II to support National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA’s), National Ocean Service’s (NOS) Center for Operational Oceanographic Products and Services (CO-OPS) in Silver Spring, MD by providing operational engineering and operational oceanography support for the State of Alaska. CO-OPS is the authoritative source for accurate, reliable, and timely tides, water levels, currents, and other coastal oceanographic and meteorological information.
The Alaska Water Level Watch (AWLW) is leveraging collaborative partnerships across governmental and non-governmental entities to make water level data and products more accessible and to expand the capacity for coastal water level observations along Alaska’s coastline. NOS partnered with the AWLW to expand water level monitoring capabilities and test new technologies for operations in Arctic conditions. These activities supplement CO-OPS’ National Water Level Observation Network (NWLON) by providing more localized conditions that feed into the regional network.
Specifically, NOAA CO-OPS will work with the AWLW and the State of Alaska to enhance VDatum coverage in Alaska and supplement the observational capacity of the NWLON. Together, Alaska, AWLW, and NOAA will conduct reconnaissance, installation, operation, maintenance, removal, and data processing of short-term (minimally 30 days) and real-time long-term water level gauges. The results of this work will enhance the coverage and accuracy of VDatum transformations in Alaska while also supplementing CO-OPS’ observational data collected through the NWLON. There are two priorities for this collaborative effort:
● Priority 1 – Using data derived from short-term water level gauging and NOAA-specific tools and applications, generate data products that enable the expansion of VDatum coverage to areas of Alaska not yet included.
● Priority 2 – Fill gaps in the availability of real-time observations by supporting new water level gauging stations that are considered NWLON alternatives and make improvements to the visualization and accessibility of data based on feedback received from users of the AWLW data portal.
If you are looking to be an instrumental part of a growing, employee and customer-focused company working on exciting issues in environmental science and other marine/coastal resources, we want to hear from you!
Key Responsibilities:
Specific tasks that CO-OPS requires include, but are not limited to:
- Documentation and Data Input: Support the submission, review, and input of metadata for water level, meteorological, and oceanographic sensors, ensuring all data aligns with CO-OPS standards and standard operating procedures.
- Data Stability and Datum Assurance: Monitor and assess the stability of water level stations and ensure they are correctly on datum, performing necessary adjustments and updates to maintain accuracy.
- Data loading and Quality Assurance: Load preliminary data into the database as needed and conduct quality assurance and quality control checks on water level data to detect and resolve discrepancies.
- Data Product Development: Produce essential data products such as hourly heights, highs and lows, monthly means, tidal and geodetic datums, harmonic constituents, and tidal predictions.
- Geospatial Data Product Development: Compile and deliver tidal and geodetic relationships based on bench mark elevations to help update VDatum. Perform geospatial analyses to assess the need for additional data collection to improve model inputs. Provide technical expertise and support to CO-OPS and its partners and customers in areas of geospatial data development and applications. Support, create, and maintain data-manipulation, spatial analysis, decision- support, and data distribution tools in a geospatial framework.
- Data Tracking and Project Updates: Track data throughout the metadata and data pipeline, providing regular updates to project and partnership leads regarding the status and progress of data handling.
- SOP and Guide Updates: Assist in updating standard operating procedures and guides when necessary to align with evolving practices and technologies.
Specific task requirements may include, but are not limited to:
- Comprehensive reviews, analyses, and quality-controlled outputs formatted to match existing CO-OPS standards of water level gauge metadata and data, including documented identification and resolution of deficiencies in datasets and metadata.
- Operational water level data products such as 6-minute data, hourly heights, highs and lows, monthly means, tidal datums, harmonic constituents, tidal predictions, and tidal zoning formatted to match existing CO-OPS standards.
- New or updated standard operating procedures, manuals, and technical documentation to support consistent and accurate processes (e.g. metadata records reviews, water level data processing, datums, harmonic constituent, & tidal predictions generation, and generation of tidal zoning).
- A Gantt chart or equivalent project timeline documenting the progression of water level metadata and data products for each station through the data pipeline, highlighting milestones and dependencies.
- Geospatial data analyses and geospatial data products/tools tailored to support the development or refinement of VDatum models.
- Documented scientific and technical expertise contributions, including written summaries or reports, provided for project teams, working groups, and operational meetings.
Salary: This is a full-time position. Wage range is $35.38 to $40.38 per hour. Overtime is not anticipated. Comprehensive benefits package.
Location: Telecommute to Silver Spring, MD (preferred) or remote.
Required Skills /Education/ Certifications & Qualifications:
- Master’s degree in oceanography, meteorology, hydrology, or a closely related discipline and four (4) years of relevant experience in hydrodynamic modeling on high-performance computing systems (preferred), or a Bachelor’s degree and six years of experience relevant to the position or 12 years of experience relevant to the position.
- Must be proficient in using the Microsoft Windows operating system, Microsoft Office applications, and Google’s Collaboration Suite (e.g., Docs, Sheets, and Slides) for analyzing data and developing and editing documents and presentations.
- Strong oral and written communication skills, as well as a demonstrated ability to work well independently and as part of a team, are required.
If you are interested in being considered for this position, please APPLY THROUGH OUR ADP WEB PORTAL, AT THE LINK AT THE TOP RIGHT OF THIS PAGE.
Only qualified applicants that meet minimum experience or background requirements stated above need apply. When applying for this position you will be asked to upload your resume at the end of this online application.
Applicants should submit a resume that includes the following:
- Cover letter that briefly describes how you meet the required and preferred qualifications listed.
- Work history for the past 10 years or since the last full-time education.
- Education.
- Previous experience or training with similar requirements.
- Three professional references.
- Include your name in the document file name.
- Upload your resume in readable, not scanned, PDF or Word format (PDF is preferred).
In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States, complete the required employment eligibility verification document form upon hire, and successfully complete a federal government background check. Ocean Associates Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of any status or condition protected by applicable federal or state law.
OAI is a government contractor and is required by law to invite applicants to self-identify their race, gender, national origin, disability status and veteran status. OAI is required to use the information it collects as part of its future affirmative action efforts in hiring. The information is collected anonymously by computer and is not connected to your application. You will see a place to check certain boxes in OAI's online application. Even though the information is anonymous, self-identification is voluntary. You can always check the box that says you decline to self-identify.
Note: If you are not selected, your materials may be retained for present or future opportunities. We may use your resume in bidding on a project and if we are awarded the work, we will contact you before seeking further applicants. If you do not wish us to retain or use your resume to seek work for you, please let us know in the "Notes" section on the second page of the online application.