Data Mgmt. Spec. 2 - Climate and Communities Social Scientist (Temp.)

Group Definition: Data Management Specialists (Social Sciences) use a background in the social sciences as they assist in the population, maintenance, enhancement and distribution of databases. They locate, obtain, standardize, enter, verify, and correct various data sets related to project goals and work plans.

Position/Project Specifics:

This position will assist on a project that will be developing a holistic assessment of Gulf of Alaska fishing community vulnerability and climate adaptation planning. The position will assist in conducting interviews and workshops to determine risk and impact of numerous potential climate hazards and intersections with socioeconomic vulnerabilities and assets. The work will include compiling results of the vulnerability assessment, conducting visioning exercises, and facilitating adaptation workshops. Therefore, the individual should have experience conducting independent research and the ability to conduct facilitation work with communities.

Essential Functions: (The functions listed below are characteristic of the type and level of work associated with this group and pay band. They are not all-inclusive. Individual positions may perform some or all, as well as other similar work.)

At the lower end of the range, employees:

• Conduct outreach to fishing community residents to compile vulnerability assessment.
• Compile assessment results for public input.
• Compile adaptive strategies across community planning documents and examine plan alignment.
• Work with local member of each study community to ensure broad, representative participation.
• Assist with conducting participatory workshops, taking meeting notes, and analyzing results.
• Compile project data using social science data techniques and software.
• Extract relevant data which may be presented in many different text and numeric formats, reports, tables, graphics, or figures.
• Create queries and summaries for reports.
• Prepare and manipulate various data and graphic outputs for use in reports, presentations and internet applications.

At the upper end of the range, employees:

• Develop and implement databases and libraries of social science data. Includes assistance with coding of participatory workshop outputs.
• Assist in developing summary graphics and outputs of vulnerability assessment.
• Assist in producing written research and statistical reports (including graphs, tables, maps, and text), data sets, and data summaries using a variety of analytical techniques and software tools.
• Assist in communicating research findings and
• Participate in project team meetings including with external partners.

Knowledge Required by the Position:

The employee must have knowledge of:

• Social sciences and qualitative methods including for example focus groups, semi-structured interviews, participatory methods, or others
• Fisheries management regimes in the U.S., especially Alaska.
• Qualitative and quantitative data evaluation including for example use of grounded theory for coding, basic regression models, qualitative network models
• Personal computers and software packages and applications for databases, spreadsheets, and word processing
• Data management concepts, principles, and methods
• Technical documentation methods and procedures including for peer reviewed literature

Additional Mandatory Skills:

• MS Excel
• MS Word
• oral communication skills including giving oral presentations at scientific conferences
• writing technical documentation including peer reviewed literature

Additional Desirable Skills:

• MAXQDA or other qualitative data analysis software

Physical Demands:

The work is generally sedentary, although there may be some nominal walking or standing for short periods of time, or carrying of light loads of papers, books, reports, etc. that require only moderate physical ability and physical stress.

Work Environment:

The work area is adequately lighted, heated, and ventilated. The work involves the common risks or discomforts typical of office, meeting rooms, libraries, and the like.

Work Location

Work location is open to anywhere in Alaska, Washington, or Oregon and can be conducted fully remotely. The PI on the project is based in Juneau, Alaska.

Minimum Qualification Requirements:

A range of experience and education may be presented. Candidates must present one year of Specialized Experience** AND four years of successfully completed education above high school in anthropology, economics, statistics, or any other field that provides the same knowledge. An equivalent combination of experience and education is also qualifying.

**Specialized Experience is experience that equips the applicant with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position and is typically in or related to the work of the position being filled. To be creditable, Specialized Experience must have been equivalent to at least the next lower level in the normal line of progression for the position being filled.