Assistant Data Scientist (NPS, Mojave Desert Inventory & Monitoring Network)

The Research Associate Program at GBI, in cooperation with NPS at Mojave Desert Inventory and Monitoring Network (MOJN), is recruiting one (1) Assistant Data Scientist to assist with a variety of data science and data management duties across the entire data life cycle, including data collection, quality control, publication, and visualization.

The position will be part of a cohort of several assistant data scientists placed throughout the NPS Inventory and Monitoring Program and will include opportunities to learn and interact with peers performing similar work.

Under the supervision of the MOJN Data Scientist, this position will assist Inventory & Monitoring Division staff at MOJN, Upper Columbia Basin Network (UCBN), and Sierra Nevada Network (SIEN) in creating and maintaining the tools that are used to collect, manage, visualize, and publish data, with a special emphasis on the data publication process. These data relate to a diverse list of topics and may include hydrology, vegetation, wildlife, climate, and more. Data collection assistance could involve designing and testing custom data collection apps using platforms such as ESRI Survey 123 and Field Maps. Data management tasks include writing scripts to look for data quality issues, automating tasks, and preparing metadata. Visualizing data includes creating graphs and other visualizations in R, AGOL dashboards and other approved platforms. Data publication tasks include creating scripts to generate EML metadata, machine readable datasets, and reports using tools such as R, R Markdown and Python.

Although this position is primarily office-based, there will be opportunities to participate in fieldwork in multiple national parks.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Author and update metadata to describe data content and products;
• Perform data quality assurance and quality control, including data entry validation, data integrity, review, correction, and documentation;
• Create and upload data packages and other products to the NPS DataStore repository;
• Data publication tasks include creating scripts to generate EML metadata, machine readable datasets, and reports using tools such as R, R Markdown and Python;
• Contribute to scripts and workflows to automate data management and data analysis tasks;
• Author and update instructional materials, documentation, and standard operating procedures; and
• Assist in preparing and delivering project status updates for various NPS teams and communities.

Timeline:

• October 2025 – October 2027, 104 weeks;
• Full time (40 hours/week); and
• Schedule: M-F, 8 hours/day (flexible/alternate work schedule negotiable with supervisor approval).

Location:

The duty station for this position is negotiable. Potential office locations include:

• Full or partial remote work;
• Boulder City, NV (Mojave Desert Network);
• Three Rivers, CA (Sierra Nevada Network); and
• Fort Collins, CO (Inventory & Monitoring Division Central Support Office).

Remote workers must provide their own stable internet connection and must have access to a workspace that is free of noise and distractions. Remote workers must also have transportation to visit a DOI credentialing center at the start of their employment in order to receive an ID/access card. Regardless of work location, NPS will provide a laptop and any necessary peripherals.

Compensation and Benefits:

Compensation: $30 per hour for the first year, with an increase to $31 per hour in the second year;

Benefits:

• Company-paid comprehensive medical, dental (with option to upgrade in coverage), and vision insurance;
• $25,000 Basic Life & AD&D insurance at no cost;
• Competitive PTO accrual and paid holidays;
• Eligible for 401(k) retirement savings with up to 4% GBI match; and
• Access to Pro Deals.

Housing: Will not be provided and the selected participant will be expected to procure housing on their own.

Travel: Up to $4000 reimbursement per year for qualified travel expenses.

Required:

• A combination of coursework and/or professional experience in one or more STEM fields, at a level approximately equivalent to a bachelor's degree;
• Demonstrated ability to communicate and collaborate with colleagues across a wide range of disciplines, experience, and backgrounds;
• Experience working on technical projects in a collaborative environment, including planning, setting goals and deadlines, tracking progress, testing, and documentation;
• Experience writing reusable scripts and functions in R or Python;
• Experience writing documentation or tutorials for technical tools and workflows;
• Experience creating clear, polished data visualizations and summaries;
• Experience working with scientific data (e.g. data collection, management, or analysis); and
• Successful applicants must complete a Department of Interior (DOI) Background Investigation (BI) or submit paperwork to NPS human resources indicating an active and fully adjudicated BI has already been completed prior to beginning position. If you already have a fully adjudicated BI, please let us know in your application.

Preferred:

• One year of related work experience;
• Creative problem-solver with acute attention to detail;
• Experience creating metadata and conducting QA/QC of scientific data;
• Interest in learning and implementing best practices in a variety of disciplines such as programming, open data/open science, and science communication;
• Experience using Git and GitHub (or other version control systems) in programming projects for change tracking and collaboration;
• Experience developing packages/libraries in R or Python;
• Experience using and managing relational databases (Access, SQL Server);
• Experience utilizing geospatial data and GIS (ArcGIS Pro and ArcGIS Online);
• Experience working in natural resources or with ecological data; and
• Provide a valid driver’s license and possess a clean driving record.

Physical Demands:
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable employees with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, use hands, stand, walk, bend, and have specific vision abilities to include close and distance vision, and ability to adjust focus working with computer business equipment and other job/industry specific equipment. The noise level in the work environment is usually low.

The overall nature of the position is sedentary, requiring little physical effort and occasional light exertion. There is occasional exposure to environmental conditions such as heat, cold, and temperature changes. If the participant so chooses, they may participate in fieldwork and travel to visit other I&M networks.

How to Apply:

Please apply online through this application link by submitting an up-to-date resume, one-page cover letter that details your interest in the position, and any qualifications not fully described in your resume, contact information for three professional and/or academic references. Be sure to complete any preliminary questions prompted in the application and sign your application.

Public Land Corps Hiring Authority:

This project is federally funded through the Public Land Corps Hiring Authority. Participants serving under this authority may be eligible for the PLC non-competitive hiring status and certificate. The PLC Authority requires all applicants meet the age and US Citizen requirements. Additional information regarding the PLC can be found on the GBI website under the Research Associate Programs FAQ.

Notes:

This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive. Employees may perform other related duties as negotiated to meet the organization's ongoing needs.

All offers of employment are contingent upon the successful completion of a pre-employment background check.

Disclaimer:

Although the organization has attempted to accurately and thoroughly describe this position, GBI reserves the right to change the same, including to change, add to or subtract from the duties outlined, within the sole discretion of the organization, at any time, with or without advance notice.