Data Management Student Assistant II
This position supports the archival and processing of meteorological datasets collected from national and international scientific field projects supported by the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) Earth Observing Laboratory (EOL).
Gathers, documents, and archives scientific datasets and metadata using EOL data management tools. Works with staff to improve Field Data Archive (FDA) content and improve dataset functionality and capabilities.
Creates web content for current and past field projects using a Content Management System (CMS).
Job Location: Boulder, CO
Job Location Type: Hybrid ( Some or all of the work in this position description may need to be performed on-site at UCAR campuses and/or remote field sites that are domestic and/or international. )
Position Type & Term: This is a 1-year term position. (this position is required to work up to 20 hours per week during the school session, and up to full-time during school breaks. Total hours may not exceed 1,000 hours worked during any 12-month period)
Hourly Rate: $21.57
Application Notes:
- Application Deadline: The position will be posted until December 7, 2022
- Required application materials: RESUME
- Work Authorization: UCAR/NCAR will not sponsor a work visa (e.g., J-1, H-1B, etc.) for this position. U.S. Citizenship, Permanent Residency, or another protected status under 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3) is required for this position
- Relocation Assistance: Relocation assistance is not available for this position
- Pre-employment screenings are conducted for selected candidates; background checks are also conducted for risk-based positions. Learn more.
Commitment to Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
Our organization is committed to creating a diverse, equitable, and inclusive work environment and fostering a culture where everyone feels welcome and supported. To learn more about these efforts, visit the Office of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Strategic Plan and our Diversity & Inclusion: A Welcoming Workplace site.
Research shows that women and people of color are less likely to apply for a position if they do not meet almost 100% of the desired skills and experience. Please note this is not necessary! If you meet the minimum requirements and have a passion for the work, you are encouraged to apply. We can provide on-the-job training for the rest!
HOW YOU WILL MAKE AN IMPACT AT UCAR
Here is a brief outline of what one would expect to be responsible for in this role.
Key Responsibilities
Gather, Document, and Archive Scientific Datasets
Responsible for archiving, documenting, and tracking scientific field project datasets using existing web-based software. This includes:
- working with staff and data providers to gather data and metadata for archival, and writing a dataset description, as required;
- creating and/or using existing scripts to organize, migrate to the archive location, and load the data and metadata into the EOL Field Data Archive (FDA) database;
- using existing dataset tracking tools to document communications and work;
- applying other existing functionality (e.g., plotting, subsetting) appropriately to datasets with staff support and creating permanent Digital Object Identifiers (DOIs);
- Place FDA dataset test orders to confirm proper, public dataset access per field project requirements.
Improve FDA Content and Dataset Functionality and Capabilities
Works with higher-level associate scientists and software engineers to make overall FDA system improvements to metadata and to increase data set functionality (e.g., data subsetting, and data plotting).
Assist in creating and updating content using the EOL CMS, including adding field project description pages and other web-based documentation as requested by the Data Management Lead or supervisor.
Other
Performs periodic publication searches for field projects and adds new publications to project publication web pages.
Performs other data management support tasks such as utilizing existing software tools to collect, read, reformat and archive data sets from operational and research observing systems. May monitor existing, ongoing data ingest scripts.
WHO WE’D LOVE TO JOIN OUR TEAM
Successful candidates will ensure their application materials speak to the following criteria:
Education & Experience REQUIRED:
- Currently enrolled in an accredited secondary school or post-secondary school, college or university, or in a trade school that has received a Certificate of Approval from the Colorado State Board for Community Colleges and Occupational Education.
Education & Experience Desired but NOT Required:
- Enrolled in one of the following majors: computer science, engineering, math or science, or a related discipline, including library science.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Preferred:
Technical:
- Skill using a PC &/or MAC.
- Skill using common tools such as MS Word, Excel, and Acrobat to create and edit documents and spreadsheets.
- Ability to use virtual communication tools (e.g., Zoom, Google Meet).
- Ability to use Unix/Linux operating system.
- Knowledge of Linux shells (e.g., tcsh, bash) and shell scripting.
Non-Technical:
- Strong time management and organizational skills.
- Good written and oral communication skills.
- Skill in performing multi-step tasks accurately with attention to detail.
- Willingness to ask questions for clarification and to seek feedback.
- Willingness to work and collaborate with staff from diverse backgrounds and disciplines, and interest in encouraging diversity and inclusion.
- Working knowledge of programming &/or scripting languages such as Perl or Python.
- Skill using common Google tools such as Gmail and Google Drive.
- Working knowledge of using Content Management Systems such as Drupal.
- Ability to create web pages using HTML.
- Skill in working with scientific datasets.
SOME FINAL CONSIDERATIONS
Flexible Work
At UCAR, we are committed to supporting our mission by giving staff the flexibility to find the schedule and location that works best to maintain their own work-life circumstances and reach their full potential as professionals. Many positions within our organization are eligible for fully on-site, hybrid, fully-remote and/or flexible work schedules.
Employee Well-Being & Vaccines
In support of the health of our employees and their families, as well as visitors and the community, all UCAR employees are required to comply with UCAR’s COVID-19 vaccination policy, which requires staff to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19, subject only to legally required accommodations implemented by HR, prior to their start date.
Where You Will Work:
The Earth Observing Laboratory (EOL) is one of the seven laboratories of NCAR, the National Science Foundation’s Federally Funded Research and Development Center. The mission of EOL is to provide leadership in observing facilities, field project support, observational research and data services needed to advance the scientific understanding of the Earth system.
EOL manages the majority of NSF’s Lower Atmosphere Observing Facilities (LAOF) and deploys them in support of observational field campaigns, ranging from single investigator projects to large complex campaigns that involve multiple investigators, agencies, and platforms, nationally and internationally. EOL deploys its systems for research by scientists from universities, NCAR, and government agencies. An integral part of EOL’s mission is to develop the next generation of LAOF and to provide management and archive of data from past supported campaigns.
To ensure progress in the atmospheric sciences, EOL supports a wide range of research areas within the Earth system science, ranging from microscale to mesoscale to climate process studies, and deploys LAOF platforms and systems that reach from the surface of the Earth to the lower stratosphere and beyond.