Research Scientist 3 (Geomatics)

The State of New York, Dept. of Environmental Conservation has a mission to conserve, improve and protect New York's natural resources and environment and to prevent, abate and control water, land and air pollution, in order to enhance the health, safety and welfare of the people of the state and their overall economic and social well-being.

DEC's goal is to achieve this mission through the simultaneous pursuit of environmental quality, public health, economic prosperity and social well-being, including environmental justice and the empowerment of individuals to participate in environmental decisions that affect their lives.

We are seeking a Research Scientist 3 (Geomatics) position for the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, Division of Lands and Forests.

Responsibilities

Under the technical and administrative supervision of the Division Direction Bureau and the Director and Assistant Director of the Division of Lands and Forests, the candidate will be responsible for the following activities:

Geospatial Research and Data System Development (50%)

• Lead the research and development of geospatial applications and data management systems to track tree planting, forest management and all associated data. This data may include but is not limited to management entity, forest owners, stewardship and harvest activities, assessment and other inventory data, research actions, and external and internal requests for services. Other related aspects may include researching predictive models and remote sensing data to understand forest growth patterns, species distribution, and biodiversity changes over time and utilizing the data and GIS to track and model the impacts of environmental changes, human activities, and climate change on forests and conserved ecosystems.
• Investigate geospatial data infrastructure that would support Division of Lands and Forests’ forest and land conservation programs and assist with their development. This includes collecting, processing, and managing spatial datasets, researching and developing standardized protocols for data sharing, and ensuring data accuracy and accessibility.
• Research and incorporate geospatial technologies, remote sensing, and GIS to design an information management structure that supports the storage, retrieval, and analysis of complex land use, ownership, and forest-related data.
• Innovate and develop data dashboards based on interpretation and evaluation of results to report on conservation efforts, enhancing the Division’s ability to meet New York State's tree planting, conservation and climate goals.
• Conduct research to optimize data fusion, standardization, and cross-referencing to integrate diverse data sources, including satellite imagery, field survey data, and historical maps, into a cohesive system to create a comprehensive spatial data infrastructure that supports diverse Division-wide needs.
• Utilize research and data to develop reports analyzing the effectiveness and impact of conservation programs, such as the 25 Million Trees Initiative and the 30x30 conservation goal.

Support Statewide Initiatives (30%)

• Contribute to New York State’s 25 Million Trees Initiative and its 30x30 conservation goal through strategic data analysis and management.
• Assist with research to estimate the carbon sequestration potential of different forest types and land uses within a region. This could involve using satellite imagery, aerial photography, and field data to accurately map and model carbon stocks, contributing to climate change mitigation strategies to support the achievement of New York State's climate objectives.
• Provide geospatial analysis and modeling support to inform policy-making and decision-making processes that leverage GIS and remote sensing data to visualize impacts of different management scenarios, assisting in the formulation of evidence-based policies.
• Formulate research questions and execute database queries and conduct analyses to drive strategic decision making within Division.
• Establish consistent and agency-aligned cartographic standards for Division maps and other reporting products involving spatial analyses to communicate research and insight to agency partners, collaborators, and the public.

Data Quality, Management and Sharing (20%)

• Oversee the creation and implementation of strategies to make data quality, management and sharing across programs more efficient, effective, and streamlined. This involves optimizing practices for quality assessment, sharing and management of data, including metadata standards, data archiving methods, and access protocols to ensure data integrity and security.
• Examine the latest methodologies and geospatial tools available to the Division, and develop training programs for Division staff, creating instructional materials and conducting workshops to enhance the geospatial competencies of the team, ensuring that staff can effectively utilize spatial data in their work.

Minimum Qualifications

• A bachelor’s degree and four years of professional research experience in the appropriate field, or a Master's Degree and three years of such experience, or a doctorate in an appropriate field and two years of such experience. Strong written and oral communication skills are required. Degrees held must be related to Geographic Information Systems (GIS), Geospatial Data Analytics, Informatics, Data Science, Remote Sensing, Software Engineering, or Geospatial Science.
• The area of specialty is Geomatics, with a preference for candidates who have academic credentials and experience in the following fields: geospatial technologies, remote sensing, geographic information systems (GIS), digital image analysis, and thematic classification.

Additional preferred qualifications include:

• Expertise with data analysis/querying software like Python, SAS, or SQL.
• Demonstrated expertise in the development and management of data and information management systems and dashboards.
• Proven ability in the collection, management, analysis, and application of geospatial data and remote sensing techniques related to environmental or forest management.
• Preferred experience: Demonstrated experience assessing greenhouse gas emissions as well as climate change impacts (climate mitigation and adaptation), statistical analysis and modeling, writing grants or grant applications, and managing funds to complete research.

Also:

• Must have a valid driver’s license or demonstrate the ability to meet the transportation needs of the position. Telecommuting may be available, will be discussed at interview.

Compensation

• Salary is from $93530 to $117875 Annually.

Benefits: We offer a work-life balance and a generous benefits package, worth 65% of salary, including:

• Holiday & Paid Time Off
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF)
• Pension from New York State Employees’ Retirement System
• Shift & Geographic pay differentials
• Affordable Health Care options
• Family dental and vision benefits at no additional cost
• NYS Deferred Compensation plan
• Access to NY 529 and NY ABLE College Savings Programs, and U.S. Savings Bonds
• And many more...

Note: For new State employees appointed to graded positions, the annual salary is the hiring rate (beginning of the Salary Range) of the position. Promotion salaries are calculated by the NYS Office of the State Comptroller in accordance with NYS Civil Service Law, OSC Payroll rules and regulations and negotiated union contracts.

The Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) is committed to fostering a culture of diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility. Our work would not be possible without the diverse backgrounds, experiences, ideas, and abilities of our employees. DEC is committed to developing a workforce which represents the diverse population of New York State. DEC embraces a diverse and inclusive work environment by encouraging all individuals, including those with disabilities, to apply to open positions at the agency.