Research Foundation - Data Engineer (Senior Research Support Specialist) - College Of Environmental Science And Forestry

Job Description:

Title: Senior Research Support Specialist

Campus Title: Data Engineer

Unit: Sustainable Resources Management

Position location: ESF's Syracuse campus

Salary: $55,000 - $64,000, depending on qualifications

Position Description: The CAFRI Data Engineer is responsible for managing and operating the CAFRI data infrastructure, which houses and provides access to a large and growing library of geospatial and tabular data, processing tools and workflows, custom code, and cloud-hosted databases.

The Data Engineer has two equally important roles: 1) to manage the components of the CAFRI data infrastructure and all the information it contains, and 2) to operate this infrastructure to provide efficient data access for both internal and external end-users. As part of the manager role, the Data Engineer will troubleshoot problems and identify opportunities to improve database schema and workflows to make routine queries more efficient. The position will also oversee release of new/updated data products, generate standardized metadata, track product versions and curate data archives.

The operational role includes working with CAFRI personnel and/or external partners (such as NYS DEC) to define and execute custom queries based on target variables, period, area of interest and other parameters; duties may also involve providing 'back-end' database support for user-facing visualization/mapping applications. The position reports to the CAFRI Director but will frequently interface in a service capacity with a variety of data end-users, including students, faculty, agency staffers, and others.

Job Duties:

• Oversee management and operations of the CAFRI data infrastructure, which includes relational databases, an 'in-house' data retrieval system and various archives hosted on virtual servers (AWS).

• Work with CAFRI personnel and partners to fulfill internal and external data requests, including custom queries as well as incorporation of new/updated data sources and products as needed.

• Utilize existing - and improve or develop new - computational workflows and tools to increase overall efficiency of data management and access, such as by automating routine queries.

• Work with CAFRI personnel to assemble, finalize, and release new/updated CAFRI data products, including metadata, version tracking, and archival storage.

• Support 'back-end' database connections with user-facing data visualization/mapping applications.

Requirements:

Required Qualifications:

• A bachelor's degree (preferably BSc) in computer science, data science, geographic information systems, information management, library sciences, or related disciplines.

• Proficiency with Project R and other programming languages and open-source software environments including Python, SQL, Postgres, Google Earth Engine, etc.

• Experience in compiling, managing, querying, analyzing and documenting multiple types of data, especially geospatial (map) products and their metadata.

• Demonstrated ability to work remotely and independently with minimal direct day-to-day supervision, while actively seeking feedback/guidance when necessary.

• Demonstrated ability to be responsive to multiple requests, to manage and prioritize tasks, and to work productively with end-users that request CAFRI data, e.g., students, faculty, agency staff, etc.

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

Additional Information:

SUNY-ESF and the Broader Community

ESF is a specialized college within the 64-campus SUNY system, and a Carnegie R2 "High Research Activity" Institution that consistently earns high rankings in US News and World Report, Forbes, Princeton Review, and other national college guidebooks. With a total enrollment of about 2,200 undergraduates and 400 graduate students, combined with the immediate proximity of Syracuse University and Upstate Medical University, ESF provides an intimate, small-college atmosphere within a vibrant, large-university setting. ESF's extended campuses include more than 25,000 acres of forest properties, both close to Syracuse and across the Adirondack Park, which provide numerous opportunities for experiential coursework, research, and public outreach.

Located on the eastern edge of the Finger Lakes region, Syracuse is a small city in a rural region offering a diversity of natural and cultural amenities, a low cost of living, and a high quality of life - ranking among the top 10 percent of "Best Places to Live" in "The Places Rated Almanac." Syracuse is situated with easy access to New York City, the Adirondack Park, Lake Ontario, and many other points of interest in the eastern United States and Canada.

In accordance with the "Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act" institutions of higher education are required to prepare an annual report containing information on campus security policies and campus statistics. This report includes statistics for the previous three years concerning reported crimes that occurred on-campus; in certain off-campus buildings or property owned or controlled by SUNY-ESF; and on property within, or immediately adjacent to and accessible from the campus. The report also includes institutional policies concerning campus security, such as policies concerning sexual assault, and other matters. You can obtain a printed copy of this report by contacting SUNY-ESF University Police at 315-470-6667 or by accessing the following web site: https://www.esf.edu/safety/annual-security-reports.php https://www.esf.edu/safety/annual-security-reports.php

SUNY ESF is a Smoke and Tobacco Free campus and is dedicated to providing a healthy and safe environment for the entire campus. For more information you can visit our Tobacco and Smoke Free Policy at https://www.esf.edu/employees/policies/policy-smoking.php

As an Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action Employer, The Research Foundation for SUNY will not discriminate in its employment practices due to an applicant's race, color, creed, religion, sex, pregnancy-related conditions, reproductive health decisions, childbirth or related medical conditions, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, transgender status, age, national origin or ancestry, marital status, familial status, citizenship, physical and mental disability, prior arrest or conviction record, genetic characteristics/genetic information, predisposition or carrier status, domestic violence victim status, military status or service, veteran status, or any other characteristics protected under federal, state or local law.

The Research Foundation for The State University of New York offers exceptional benefits such as healthcare, dental, vision, pension plans, competitive pay, generous paid time off, life insurance and long-term disability insurance.

The Research Foundation for the State University of New York is not an agency or instrumentality of the State of New York. Employees of the Research Foundation for the State University of New York are not state employees, do not participate in any state retirement system, and do not receive state fringe benefits. The Research Foundation for the State University of New York operates under a contract with The State University of New York and receives no directly appropriated state funding.

Application Instructions:

Application Deadline: Although applications will be accepted until the position is filled, candidates should submit their application by June 20, 2024 for optimal consideration.

Application Procedure: Application materials are required to be submitted on-line.

Please include a resume and a brief cover letter that 1) outlines their reason(s) for applying to the position and 2) provides contact information for 2-3 professional and/or academic references. Candidates selected for further consideration will be notified prior to any references being contacted.