Data System Specialist

Position Details

Position Information

Department Forest Ecosyst & Society (FOR)

Position Title Specialist 2-IT Res

Job Title Data System Specialist

Appointment Type Professional Faculty

Job Location Corvallis

Benefits Eligible Full-Time, benefits eligible

Remote or Hybrid option? Yes

Job Summary

The Department of Forest Ecosystems and Society is seeking a Data System Specialist. This is a full-time (1.00 FTE ), 12-month, professional faculty position.

Funding for this position lasts through 2028, and has the possibility of being renewed.

The Data System Specialist leads the design, implementation, and management of comprehensive data collection systems for the Elliott State Research Forest ( ESRF ) in the Southern Oregon Coast Range. This position plays a pivotal role in establishing and maintaining the digital infrastructure that will support long-term research initiatives and environmental monitoring across this 82,000-acre living laboratory.

The position coordinates the full data lifecycle, from initial collection through long-term preservation, ensuring alignment with OSU’s IT infrastructure and compliance standards while respecting tribal data sovereignty requirements. Key responsibilities include developing secure database systems, implementing real-time data streaming capabilities, creating web-based data portals, and establishing robust backup and disaster recovery protocols. The incumbent will ensure that data systems meet both immediate research needs and support long-term data preservation beyond the initial three-year grant period. This position develops and maintains secure data sharing protocols that balance open science principles with the need to protect sensitive environmental and cultural data.

Working at the intersection of technology and environmental monitoring, this role collaborates with a diverse group of collaborators including researchers, faculty, tribal communities, and public agencies. The incumbent works closely with the ESRF Instrument Specialist to integrate field instrumentation with data systems, ensuring seamless data flow from collection to analysis. This position leads the design and management of custom relational and spatial databases, performs geographic information systems ( GIS ) analysis, and develops software tools to support regional-scale vegetation modeling and mapping.

Why OSU?

Working for Oregon State University is so much more than a job!

Oregon State University is a dynamic community of dreamers, doers, problem-solvers and change-makers. We don’t wait for challenges to present themselves — we seek them out and take them on. We welcome students, faculty and staff from every background and perspective into a community where everyone feels seen and heard. We have deep-rooted mindfulness for the natural world and all who depend on it, and together, we apply knowledge, tools and skills to build a better future for all.

FACTS :

• Top 1.4% university in the world
• More research funding than all public universities in Oregon combined
• 1 of 3 land, sea, space and sun grant universities in the U.S.
• 2 campuses, 11 colleges, 12 experiment stations, and Extension programs in all 36 counties
• 7cultural resource centers () that offer education, celebration and belonging for everyone
• 100 undergraduate degree programs, 80 graduate degrees plus hundreds of minor options and certificates
• 35k students including more than 2.3k international students and 10k students of color
• 217k alumni worldwide
• For more interesting facts about OSU visit :

Locations :

Oregon State has a statewide presence with campuses in Corvallis and Bend, the OSU Portland Center and the Hatfield Marine Science Center on the Pacific Coast in Newport.

Oregon State’s beautiful, historic and state-of-the-art main campus is located in one of America’s best college towns. Corvallis is located close to the Pacific Ocean, the Cascade mountains and Oregon wine country. Nestled in the heart of the Willamette Valley, this beautiful city offers miles of mountain biking and hiking trails, a river perfect for boating or kayaking and an eclectic downtown featuring local cuisine, popular events and performances.

Total Rewards Package :

Oregon State University offers acomprehensive benefits package () with benefits eligible positions that is designed to meet the needs of employees and their families including :

Future and current OSU employees can use theBenefits Calculator () to learn more about the full value of the benefits provided at OSU .

Key Responsibilities

60% Data Management and Instrumentation Integration

Design a comprehensive data management plan to capture baseline terrestrial and aquatic conditions across the ESRF .

Design a data structure and standards that accommodates real-time data streaming, quality assurance, and long-term archiving including Data Security and Access Control.

Responsible for data quality and that specific data rules are developed and applied.

Ensures metadata is structured and validated to conform to standards.

Design, populate and manage spatial and relational databases. Design management structures to provide intuitive and secure access in a multi-user environment.This responsibility includes integrating new data into existing data structures, managing complex permissions to provide areas for sensitive information and ensuring updates to databases are handled by resolving conflicts and informing users.

Acquire data and perform quality assurance.

Distribute spatial and tabular data to researchers.As the primary distribution contact, this responsibility involves responding to user requests and questions, performing analysis if required and documenting the distribution. It is also important to understand the various technologies and methods for data transfer.

Plan for Business Continuity and Disaster Recovery

Design, implement and communicate results of spatial analyses using geographic information system ( GIS ) software.

15% Information System Design and Web Portal

Develop a web-based data portal accessible to researchers, stakeholders, and the public.

Plan for the overall information system architecture including data and metadata schema.

Ensure web pages are designed and updated; and that web application programs are developed and implemented.

10% Collaboration

Collaborate with tribes, OSU faculty and staff, Department of State Lands ESRF staff, and others on equipment type and placement and data access.

Works with scientists, cooperators, and others in designing databases for dynamic access on the web and archival, or for determining other technical solutions to research questions.

Continual interaction is necessary with the researchers while study data sets are being developed to assure appropriate metadata (experimental designs, methods, abstract) is provided, and that data quality is assured.

Work closely with the Instrument Specialist to ensure data and instrumentation are seamlessly integrated.

5% Training, Documentation, and Reporting

Develop and maintain comprehensive documentation for all data systems, including technical specifications, user manuals, and standard operating procedures

Create instructional materials and user guides for web-based data portals and tools

Maintain detailed documentation of system configurations, custom code, and operational procedures

Prepare and submit regular grant reports documenting technical progress and system implementation

Generate metrics and analytics reports on system usage and data collection activities

10% – Supervision

What You Will Need

Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, or related field; OR Bachelor’s degree in Natural Resources, Environmental Science, or related field plus 3 years of experience in research data systems management

2 years of experience with database management systems ( MSSQL , PostgreSQL, etc.)

Experience with database design and management

Demonstrate experience in web application development

Experience with data quality control and validation procedures

Proficiency in at least one programming language (Python, R, or similar)

Knowledge of metadata standards and data documentation

Experience with version control systems

Strong written and verbal communication skills

Proven ability to effectively communicate and collaborate with individuals from a variety of backgrounds and experiences.

This position is designated as a critical or security-sensitive position; therefore, the incumbent must successfully complete a criminal history check and be determined to be position qualified as per University Standard : 05-010 et seq. Incumbents are required to self-report convictions and those in youth programs may have additional criminal history checks every 24 months.

This position requires driving a university vehicle or a personal vehicle on behalf of the university; therefore, the incumbent must successfully complete a motor vehicle history check, possess and maintain a current, valid driver’s license in their state of residence, be determined to be position qualified and self-report convictions as per University Policy 05-030.

What We Would Like You to Have

Master’s degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, or related field

Advanced coursework in natural resources or environmental science

Experience with GIS software and spatial data management

Experience working with environmental or ecological research data

Previous experience in academic research settings

Experience with tribal data governance and sovereignty considerations

Experience with cloud computing platforms (e.g. AWS , Azure)

Knowledge of data visualization tools and libraries

Experience with automated testing and continuous integration

Experience with real-time data streaming and sensor networks

Demonstrated experience in cross-cultural communication

Project management experience

Experience training and mentoring others in technical skills

Track record of successful collaboration with individuals from a variety of backgrounds and experiences.

Experience writing technical documentation and user guides

Working Conditions / Work Schedule

Some field work is required, along with travel to the ESRF site. Ability to drive on forest roads, to conduct field work in rough / uneven terrain and inclement weather. Some evening and weekend work may be required.

Pay Method Salary

Pay Period 1st through the last day of the month

Pay Date Last working day of the month

Recommended Full-Time Salary Range $78,000-$103,000

Link to Position Description

Posting Detail Information

Posting Number P08874UF

Number of Vacancies 1

Anticipated Appointment Begin Date 05 / 01 / 2025

Anticipated Appointment End Date

Posting Date 02 / 27 / 2025

Full Consideration Date 03 / 13 / 2025

Closing Date 03 / 27 / 2025

Indicate how you intend to recruit for this search Competitive / External - open to ALL qualified applicants

Special Instructions to Applicants

To ensure full consideration, applications must be received by March 13, 2025.Applications will continue to be accepted after the full consideration date, until a sufficient applicant pool has been achieved or the position is filled. The closing date is subject to change without notice to applicants.

When applying you will be required to attach the following electronic documents :

A resume; and

A cover letter indicating how your qualifications and experience have prepared you for this position.

You will also be required to submit the names of at least three professional references, their e-mail addresses and telephone numbers as part of the application process.

For additional information please contact :

Katy Kavanagh

katy.kavanagh@oregonstate.edu

OSU commits to inclusive excellence by advancing equity and diversity in all that we do. We are an Affirmative Action / Equal Opportunity employer, and particularly encourage applications from members of historically underrepresented racial / ethnic groups, women, individuals with disabilities, veterans, LGBTQ community members, and others who demonstrate the ability to help us achieve our vision of a diverse and inclusive community.

OSU will conduct a review of the National Sex Offender Public website prior to hire.

OSU is a fair chance employer committed to inclusive hiring. We encourage applications from candidates who bring a wide range of lived experience including involvement with the justice system. This job has “critical or security-sensitive” responsibilities. If you are selected as a finalist, your initial job offer will be contingent upon the results of a job-related pre-employment check (such as a background check, motor vehicle history check, sexual misconduct reference check, etc.). Background check results do not automatically disqualify a candidate. Take a look at ourBackground Checks () website including thefor candidates () section for more details. If you have questions or concerns about the pre-employment check, please contact OSU’s Employee and Labor Relations team atemployee.relations@oregonstate.edu.

Supplemental Questions

Read More at :

OSU commits to inclusive excellence by advancing equity and diversity in all that we do. We are an Affirmative Action / Equal Opportunity employer, and particularly encourage applications from members of historically underrepresented racial / ethnic groups, women, individuals with disabilities, veterans, LGBTQ community members, and others who demonstrate the ability to help us achieve our vision of a diverse and inclusive community.

Salary : $78,000 - $103,000