Environmental Data Scientist - Environmental Data & Governance Initiative

Multiplier is seeking an Environmental Data Scientist for the Environmental Data & Governance Initiative. This remote, full-time role involves developing strategies for archiving federal environmental data and creating automated data collection systems. The ideal candidate should have experience in GIS, data management, and programming languages like Python and R. Responsibilities include managing data workflows, interfacing with stakeholders, and supporting innovative data tool development focused on environmental justice.
Environmental Data Scientist - Environmental Data & Governance InitiativeDepartment: Environmental Data & Governance InitiativeEmployment Type: Permanent - Full TimeLocation: RemoteCompensation: $90,000 - $100,000 / yearDescriptionPosition Description The Environmental Data Specialist will develop and implement strategies and practices to archive federal environmental data and support the development and deployment of independent copies of federal data tools. The Environmental Data Specialist may participate in innovative data tool development, particularly related to geospatial analysis. This role combines software engineering, database management, data acquisition, GIS, and environmental science. Additional responsibilities may be developed collaboratively. The Environmental Data & Governance Initiative (EDGI) is a research collaborative with a mission to advance the environmental right to know. We are a horizontally organized community of caring and committed members, mostly volunteer, from multiple academic institutions and non-profit organizations. EDGI focuses on issues of environmental justice, data justice, information accessibility, and corporate and government accountability. We expect all staff to adhere to EDGI's policies and procedures including our Code of Conduct and support EDGI's mission, vision, and values, which include justice; environmental and human health; intersectionality; anti-facism, anti-racism, and anti-oppression; accessibility; participatory knowledge-making; and responsivity and proactivity. There will be an employee review approximately three months after the start date to ensure mutual satisfaction. Primary ResponsibilitiesCore Responsibilities: Design and implement automated data collection systems for environmental datasets using standard technologiesCreate metadata documentation for acquired datasetsManage data publication workflows to repositories (such Zenodo, Dataverse, Internet Archive)Interface with stakeholders to understand data requirements and prioritiesReverse engineer web interfaces to optimize data access Collaboratively deploy data tool clones from agency open source code Support the development of innovative data science tools for laypersons The Ideal CandidateDesired Technical SkillsData repository management (such as Zenodo, Dataverse, Internet Archive)Code repository management and metadata documentationExperience with GIS software and analysis (including ESRI, ArcGIS Online, and QGIS platforms)Geospatial data processing and web servingOnline GIS application development, maintenance and user experience Environmental science backgroundFamiliarity with Python, R, SQL and other programming tools with focus on data acquisition Information management and collaborative coordination of complex projects Web scraping methodologiesEnvironmental data standards to optimize access and accessibility Desired Domain KnowledgeEnvironmental justice movement background, priorities, values, and advocacy needs Environmental data structures and formatsExpertise in geospatial data and formats Data documentation and metadata standardsRepository submission requirementsScience communication and literacyKnowledge of environmental data and science needs from diverse stakeholders such as community based organizations and advocates, academic researchers, science and justice teachers and lawyersSupport of Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK) and indigenous priorities for federal environmental data supportKey CompetenciesIndependent problem-solvingStakeholder communicationTechnical documentationProcess optimizationData quality assessmentProject management Strong organizational skills with the ability to multitask and meet deadlinesAbility to take initiative and anticipate team needs, working without a managerComfort working both independently and in teams; able to lead initiatives as well as take direction from othersAbility to work collaboratively and non-hierarchicallyAdherence to policies and procedures; support for EDGI's mission, vision, and values, which include justice; environmental and human health; intersectionality; antifacism, anti-racism, and anti-oppression; accessibility; participatory knowledge-making; and responsivity and proactivityWorkplace and CompensationCompensation: $90,000-100,000 annual salaryExpected hours: 40 hours per week; flexible scheduleLocation: Fully remote About EDGIEDGI is a distributed collaboration operating under the fiscal sponsorship of the non-profit Multiplier, with volunteer members across North America. EDGI works to:Investigate and analyze the inner workings of federal environmental policy, through interviewing of agency staff, as well as data and documentary collection and analysis;Monitor and analyze changes to, web-based information about the environment, energy, and climate provided by the federal government;Develop new ways of making federal environmental data more accessible to the public;Imagine, conceptualize, and move toward environmental data justice;Advocate for improved federal data and information governance policies and practices; Prototype new organizational structures and practices for distributed, collective, effective work rooted in justice. For more information about EDGI, please see our website.