The Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental Sciences (CIRES) at the University of Colorado in Boulder has an opening for a crowdsourced bathymetry data manager working with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI). Within NCEI, the Coasts, Oceans, and Geophysics Science Division (COGS) is globally recognized as the premier repository and provider of geophysical, oceanographic, coastal, space weather and marine ecosystem data and information. NCEI is also home to the International Hydrographic Organization Data Centre for Digital Bathymetry (IHO DCDB).
CIRES is looking for a scientist with experience managing marine datasets who is excited to join an international effort to improve the collection, discovery and use of bathymetric data collected and contributed by mariners from around the world. Vessels of all types (not just traditional survey ships) can participate in increasing our knowledge of the ocean by sharing depth measurements from navigation instruments while out at sea. These data, referred to as crowdsourced bathymetry (CSB), can be used to supplement the more rigorous and scientific bathymetric coverage done by hydrographic offices, industry, and researchers around the world.
Data management at NCEI is focused on standards-based commercial data management tools, including spatially-enabled relational database management systems that drive web services. The successful candidate will participate as part of a greater team stewarding marine geophysical data, providing discovery and access for sonar data and derived scientific products, and supply customer service to global data users. This position will support voluntary mariners and scientists throughout NOAA, academia, and other data contributors throughout the international community by stewarding crowdsourced bathymetry sonar data, developing improved ways to discover, access and use these data and striving to increase collaboration and coordination for data acquisition and sharing.
What Your Key Responsibilities Will Be
- Manage crowdsourced bathymetry data (50%)
- Manage the collection, storage, and access of crowdsourced bathymetry data
- Work with data providers around the world on preparing and transferring their data to the NCEI-hosted IHO Data Center for Digital Bathymetry
- Keep abreast of standard processes and technological advances that may need to be accommodated
- Interface between software developers and the international community to determine standard methodologies, formats, submission, discovery, and delivery capabilities
- For candidates hired at the AS2 or AS3 career track level: Act as subject matter expert for the CSB data repository housed at NCEI
- Serve as point of contact to data providers and the global user community (40%)
- Serve as the data technical lead and point of contact for the IHO Crowdsourced Bathymetry (CSB) Initiative and other campaign mapping projects (e.g.: Nippon Foundation-GEBCO Seabed 2030 Project)
- Serve on the International Hydrographic Organization (IHO) Crowdsourced Bathymetry (CSB) Working Group as representative of the NCEI-hosted IHO DCDB
- For candidates hired at the AS2 or AS3 career track level: Foster relationships with citizen scientists (both individuals and organizations) to help cultivate a network of volunteers and citizen scientists within various sectors of the maritime community.
- For candidates hired at the AS2 or AS3 career track level: In collaboration with others in the community, develop and disseminate project updates, findings, and informative content through various channels, including public presentations, reports, articles and other innovative ways to reach the widest breadth of collaborators (10%)
What We Require
- Bachelor’s degree in the Earth sciences, oceanography, information science, data science, or related field
- Experience managing marine datasets