Data Scientist – Earth Observation Analyst

The Data Scientist – Earth Observation Analyst at Environment Platform Wales in Jackson, MS, will lead and support various Earth Observation (EO) projects, enhancing EO skills within the team. Responsibilities include project management, EO analysis using tools like R and Python, and engaging with partners to meet customer needs. The role also involves providing technical advice for enforcement work and building relationships to support Natural England's programs.
Higher Data Scientist – Earth Observation Analyst

Reference:
Please mention Stopdodo/Environment Jobs in your application.

Sectors:
Including Mitigation, Science & Management

The Chief Scientist Directorate (CSD) provides scientific and evidence leadership services and support to help Natural England operate as an evidence-led organisation. The Data Science Services (DSS) Team, within the Analysis Team of CSD, provides access to evidence through the provision and management of data and digital systems, and through application of data science, statistics and geospatial analysis to maintain and expand our evidence base.

This role will lead and support delivery of a range of Earth Observation (EO) projects, and the wider development of EO skills in the team and across Natural England. They will help the team act as a centre of excellence within the organisation for developing and integrating EO. A wide breadth of EO work is undertaken, including drone data capture and processing, monitoring dynamic coastlines, wildfire mapping and habitat mapping.

This work is undertaken using data from drone, manned aircraft and satellite platforms, from a range of different sensors such as Aerial Photography, Multispectral, LIDAR and RADAR.

We are seeking a technical EO analyst for this position, with significant capability in applying EO techniques. The role will support delivery of a range of EO projects, and the wider development of EO skills in the team and across Natural England. Initially, the post-holder will be involved in and help lead a variety of projects to support Natural England’s programs.

These may include analysis of sand dunes and coastal habitats, monitoring geomorphological change and developing projects with other teams on the use of drones, manned aircraft and satellites, such as for agri-environment monitoring.

The role may also encompass providing technical advice and support in relation to NE's Enforcement work, to include analysing and evaluating data and producing evidence to support enforcement appeals, enforcement notices and court cases. This could involve providing written witness statements and verbal evidence to help the court understand complex or technical issues.

The post holder will:
• Lead EO projects - Through reporting on project progress, helping to design projects, functionally lead work and if required oversee equipment/software resources and financial aspects.
• Contribute to EO Analysis. Develop and run EO analysis, including through data acquisition, handling, manipulation, integration, and analysis using a variety of tools including standard EO software, R and Python scripting, including AI techniques, on different platforms including cloud computing environments.
• Maintain and develop relationships with customers and partners. Engage with partners and end users to share knowledge on EO approaches and products, build partnerships on common problems and understand customer needs for EO data products/support.
• Support capability building, documentation and quality assurance. Work to help build and deliver technical skills training and create reproducible analytical pipelines and standardised products, including through documentation of methods and quality assurance approaches.

Where appropriate, the post-holder will do this through identifying, understanding and following the instructions, policies, procedures and standards relevant to their work. They will manage and deliver their workload to meet agreed targets and deadlines and also consider the value for money and return on investment of activities, including when to seek income from our products and services. Communication of results of this work is then vital, and the postholder will be expected to develop, present and share clear messages about their data/evidence, using language and techniques appropriate to the audience so the dataset's implications are understood and it can be used effectively.

As an Earth Observation lead, the postholder will also be expected to help train, coach and mentor others in the use of Earth Observation-derived evidence.

Competence 1:
Professional competency

Technical Skills and Knowledge

Highly…