Software Engineer (at the State Weather Risk Communication Center)

Software Engineer (at the State Weather Risk Communication Center)

About University at Albany:

Established in 1844 and designated a University Center of the State University of New York in 1962, the University at Albany's broad mission of excellence in undergraduate and graduate education, research, and public service engages a diverse student body of approximately 17,000 students in nine schools and colleges across three campuses.

Located in Albany, New York, New York State's capital, the University is convenient to Boston, New York City, and the Adirondacks.


Job Description:

This position within the New York (NY) State Weather Risk Communication Center (SWRCC) will serve as the primary developer of all SWRCC web products such as websites, APIs, Dashboards, (etc), which will be created for the benefit of external partners as well as internal team members. Additionally, this position will work closely with other SWRCC staff members to best translate products or tools that are not currently web-based or not sufficiently dynamic to a more functional web-based platform where needed. While not required to be a meteorologist, their work will improve the meteorological services the SWRCC provides to critical state and other public sector stakeholders. Most NY agencies and authorities do not possess hired meteorologists, which makes the process of preparing for-, responding to-, and examining impactful weather events challenging. This position will work to fill this gap alongside operational weather forecasters and other domain experts and will contribute to the greater educational and research environment at UAlbany where appropriate. The SWRCC appointments are for 10 months per year recurring annually, with the remaining two months filled by externally funded research. Where no research funding is available, the UAlbany Center of Excellence in Weather & Climate Analytics will support these two months. This is a 12-month position, split between 10 months of state-funded SWRCC salary and 2 months of Research Foundation salary.

Primary Responsibilities during the SWRCC 10-month appointment only:

• The primary function of this position will be to build and maintain the SWRCC website, which will include:
  • Creating dynamic web-based applications which incorporate a variety of weather data in maps or dashboards
  • Incorporating non-meteorological datasets of interest such as infrastructure, population, socioeconomic status, etc
  • Basic information about the Center
• Develop weather-themed APIs for SWRCC stakeholders
• Work collaboratively with the SWRCC Weather Product Developer, Risk Communication Scientist, and other SWRCC employees to create responsive web-based applications well-suited to both external and internal stakeholders
• On occasion, assist the SWRCC team with basic computer needs where they concern weather products that may be incorporated into the SWRCC website
• On occasion, present to both external and internal stakeholders on the functionality of the websites and tools this position creates
• Organize and maintain GIT code repositories
• Coordinate with ASRC's computing supervisor on maintaining and updating SWRCC's servers as needed
• Occasionally mentor student interns if they are assisting with this position's functions

During the Center of Excellence in Weather & Climate Analytics and/or Research-funded 2 months:

• Participate in website construction, API development, or other substantially similar activities for the project in question using a similar skillset to that applied during the normal 10-month SWRCC appointment.

Functional and Supervisory Relationships:

• This position reports to the Director of the SWRCC

Requirements:

Minimum Qualifications:

• A bachelor's degree or equivalent with course work in Computer Science or a related field, OR 2+ years of work in this field, which may include advanced degrees
• Experience in data analysis and product development using Python
• Fluent in standard command-line Linux utilities
• Applied skills in modern HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and SQL
• Ability to work with a team and with minimal supervision
• Experience with web design tools such as React, Vue, and/or other similar frameworks
• Experience with using modern version control systems such as GIT
• Knowledge of netCDF, JSON, and CSV data formats
• Applicants must demonstrate an ability to develop inclusive and equitable relationships within our diverse campus community
• Applicants must demonstrate an ability to support diversity, equity, access, inclusion, and belonging relative to their role

Preferred Qualifications:

• Demonstrated history of designing and implementing a modern, responsive, accessible, and interactive website or application using React, Vue, and/or other similar frameworks
• Evidence of working with stakeholders on website or product design
• Familiarity maintaining and upgrading applications to meet industry standards and security practices
• 1+ year of demonstrated experience working as a professional Software Engineer
• Basic experience with machine learning
• Experience in containerization software and job management, such as Docker, Kubernetes, and/or SLURM
• Knowledge of GIS concepts such as map projections, raster datasets, and vector datasets
• Experience in creating APIs using PHP, Python, and/or Node
• Experience with relational database management systems, including knowledge of SQL statements and database design
• Experience with mapping utilities such as OpenLayers, Leaflet, and/or Mapbox

Working Environment:

• A typical individual office with standard M-F work hours
• Rare but occasional weekend or evening work if a critical website or tool crashes

Additional Information:

Professional Rank and Salary Range: SL3, $70,000-$75,000

Special Notes: Visa sponsorship is not available for this position. If you currently need sponsorship or will need it in the future to maintain employment authorization, you do not meet eligibility requirements.

The Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act, or Clery Act, mandates that all Title IV institutions, without exception, prepare, publish, and distribute an Annual Security Report. This report consists of two basic parts: disclosure of the University's crime statistics for the past three years; and disclosures regarding the University's current campus security policies. The University at Albany's Annual Security Report is available in portable document format [PDF] by clicking this link http://police.albany.edu/ASR.shtml

Pursuant to NYS Labor Law 194-A, no State entity, as defined by the Law, is permitted to rely on, orally or in writing seek, request, or require in any form, that an applicant for employment provide his or her current wage, or salary history as a condition to be interviewed, or as a condition of continuing to be considered for an offer of employment, until such time as the applicant is extended a conditional offer of employment with compensation, and for the purpose of verifying information, may such requests be made. If such information has been requested from you before such time, please contact the Governor's Office of Employee Relations at (518) 474-6988 or via email at info@goer.ny.gov .

THE UNIVERSITY AT ALBANY IS AN EO/AA/IRCA/ADA EMPLOYER

Please apply online via http://albany.interviewexchange.com/candapply.jsp?JOBID=184191


Application Instructions:

Applicants MUST submit the following documents:

• Resume/CV
• Cover letter stating all the required minimum qualifications and any of the applicable preferred qualifications
• Contact information for three professional references

Note: After submitting your resume/CV, the subsequent pages give you instructions for uploading additional documents (i.e. cover letter etc.).

See the FAQ for using our online system. Please contact us if you need assistance applying through this website.

Returning Applicants - Login to your UAlbany Careers Account to check your completed application.

A review of applications will start on January 13, 2025 and the search will remain open until the position is filled.