CIRES/ NOAA NCEI Junior DevOps Engineer

Job Summary

The Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental Sciences (CIRES) at the University of Colorado in Boulder has an immediate opening for a Professional Research Assistant, Junior DevOps Engineer supporting NOAA’s National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI), 325 Broadway, Boulder, CO. As a software engineer focused on DevOps activities supporting the NCEI Ocean and Coastal Mapping Team (OCM), the successful candidate will work to enhance, monitor, maintain, troubleshoot, automate, and otherwise augment systems used in the management of bathymetric data. Bathymetry is defined as the measurement of the depth of water in oceans, seas, or lakes. The successful candidate will play a critical role in our multidisciplinary team of software engineers, data managers, and scientists dedicated to the research, development, archival, and dissemination of NOAA’s seafloor mapping data. This effort directly supports the National Strategy for Mapping, Exploring, and Characterizing the United States Exclusive Economic Zone (NOMEC), as well as the Nippon Foundation-GEBCO Seabed 2030 project.

The University of Colorado Boulder is committed to building a culturally diverse community of faculty, staff, and students dedicated to contributing to an inclusive campus environment. We are an Equal Opportunity employer, including veterans and individuals with disabilities.

Who We Are

CIRES conducts collaborative research with NOAA on the archive, analysis, and processing of data that describe the seafloor and subsurface. This includes developing consistent, quality controlled data sets, applying analytical tools to assess and monitor changes in the coasts and oceans, and developing internally and externally peer-reviewed scientific products that support informed decision-making and aid in the understanding of coastal and ocean conditions and their impact on the environment, economies, and societies. Data management at NCEI is focused on standards-based commercial and in-house data management tools, including spatially-enabled relational database management systems that drive web services.

This position is located at the NOAA David Skaggs Research Center, 325 Broadway, Boulder, Colorado, and supports the CIRES Research Theme of Advance Modeling and Observing Systems. NCEI is a part of the U.S. Department of Commerce (DOC), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), National Environmental Satellite, Data, and Information Service (NESDIS). NCEI’s mission is to provide scientific stewardship of and timely access to global geophysical data from satellites and other sources to promote, protect, and enhance the Nation’s economy, security, environment, and quality of life.

What Your Key Responsibilities Will Be

• Optimize, monitor, troubleshoot, and assist in the enhancement of systems used to ingest, archive, maintain, visualize, and disseminate bathymetric datasets.
• Maintain relational databases to enable discovery and access to data.
• Assist in the archiving of increasingly complex bathymetric datasets with an eye towards future automation of the ingest of similar marine geophysical data. Modify scripts to accept new data formats as needed by the mapping community.
• Resolve discrepancies or issues discovered during ingest, archiving, or documentation.
• Identify and help implement additional improvements that will enhance the utilization of bathymetric datasets.
• Participate in regular meetings as needed, and present results at conferences/meetings as appropriate.
• Other duties as determined by management.

What You Should Know

• Due to the requirement to access export-controlled data and information, only U.S. citizens, lawful permanent residents (green cards), or other protected individuals (i.e., persons designated as an asylee, refugee, or a temporary resident under amnesty provisions) may apply.
• This position will be rostered in CIRES at the University of Colorado Boulder but will be physically situated in the David Skaggs Research Center, 325 Broadway, Boulder, CO 80305. If selected as the finalist, you will be required to pass a federal laboratory background clearance for site access.

What We Can Offer

• We can offer a competitive salary and a comprehensive benefits package. Salary is commensurate with education and experience and determined based on CIRES internal career track classification.
• The annual hiring salary range for this position is $55,000- $85,000.
• Relocation expenses are available for this position following CIRES and the University of Colorado’s relocation processes and procedures.

Benefits

The University of Colorado offers excellent benefits , including medical, dental, retirement, paid time off, tuition benefit and ECO Pass. The University of Colorado Boulder is one of the largest employers in Boulder County and offers an inspiring higher education environment. Learn more about the University of Colorado Boulder .

Be Statements
Be ambitious. Be impactful. Be Boulder.

What We Require

• B.S. in Computer Science, Physical Science, Engineering, or similar technical field.
• Experience with scripting and object oriented programming languages with the willingness to learn new languages as needed.
• Experience using version control (Git) and issue tracking.

What You Will Need

• Excellent problem-solving skills and attention to detail.
• Excellent English verbal and written communication skills.
• Flexible and proactive attitude combined with an ability to work independently and with other team members to simultaneously make progress on multiple projects.
• Demonstrated ability to complete tasks in a timely manner with good quality.

What We Would Like You To Have

• Experience with Python, Groovy, Bash, and Java programming languages
• Familiarity with (or willingness to learn about) cloud services and efficient migration of systems from non-cloud environments into cloud-based systems.
• Familiarity with (or willingness to learn about) SQL and Oracle relational databases. Knowledge or experience with spatial data and databases
• Experience troubleshooting complex software systems that run in mixed environments including Linux and Windows.
• Familiarity with metadata and data exchange standards, e.g. ISO and NetCDF.
• Experience documenting standard operating procedures for technical tasks.
• General understanding of marine geology and geophysics and collection techniques for marine bathymetric data.

Special Instructions

To apply, please submit the following materials:

1. Resume or CV
2. Cover letter addressed to the Search Committee briefly describing your qualifications, professional goals, and specific interest in this position.
3. List of contact information for 3 references who may be contacted on your behalf. You don’t need to include letters of recommendation with your application. If you are selected as a finalist for this role, we will use Skillsurvey to check references further along in the hiring process. SkillSurvey is an online automated reference check solution. This information will be kept confidential and viewable only by the search committee.
4. If you are selected as the finalist, your degree will be verified by the CU Boulder Campus Human Resources department using an approved online vendor. If your degree was obtained outside of the United States, please submit a translated version as an optional attachment.

Position will remain posted until filled. Applications will be reviewed as they are received.

Note: Application materials will not be accepted via email. For consideration, applications must be submitted through CU Boulder Jobs .

Posting Contact Information

Posting Contact Name: Georgianna Zelenak

Posting Contact Email: Georgianna.Zelenak@noaa.gov