Finnish Toponymist (Geospatial Linguist) Public Trust

The National Security Sector at Leidos currently has an opening for a Finnish Toponymist (US citizenship required) to work remotely in the Washington D.C. Metro Area.

This is an exciting opportunity to apply expertise in foreign languages and romanization policies to maintain the federal government’s official repository of foreign geographic names information, the Geographic Names Database (GNDB), on behalf of the U.S. Board on Geographic Names (BGN), Foreign Names Committee (FNC).

Primary Responsibilities:

• Analyze and provide conflated information associated with Foundation feature data listed within the Geographic Names Database (GNDB) and other data repositories, while working closely with customer geographic names experts.

• Use BGN and customer guidance and policies to respond to questions concerning the proper and correct application of names, various romanization systems, and the treatment of descriptive information on map products. These services will use the FG Modernization Geographic Names Processing System (GNPS), charts, imagery, and geospatial tools to refine names information for use in all types of geospatial products and to respond to user questions.

• Accurately enter and maintain data to update the GNDB. Geographic names are provided by Toponymists for use by the federal government and other U.S. and foreign users. Their accuracy and reliability are essential to the missions of these users.

• Research, order, scan, and geo-reference hydrographic and topographic sources, supporting textual sources, and commercial imagery to enhance toponymic and geographic accuracy. Georeferenced maps and imagery must be conflated with the GNDB. Spelling and other metadata shall be verified.

• Interpret and apply policies governing the treatment of names as well as general guidelines emanating from the BGN, the Department of State (DoS), North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and other related organizations.

• Research using ArcGIS Pro and QGIS software as well as common office business software (e.g., word processing, spreadsheets, e-mail, and internet browsers) and utilize internet and other general research tools. Sources regularly used include: native maps, secondary source maps, historic maps used for extraction and comparison, textual documents, Internet sources and imagery at various resolutions. Services will result in the creation of shapefiles, geo-databases, and data retrieval/storage.

• Research and recommend native maps or data for acquisition to use as new source material for production. This includes identifying the producer of the native map or data and where to obtain it.

Basic Qualifications

• Proficient in Finnish at the minimum level of ILR 2/2 as delineated on the Defense Language Proficiency Test (DLPT)

• Typically requires Bachelors' degree or equivalent experience and less than 2 years of prior relevant experience.

• US Citizenship required and must be able to obtain and maintain Public Trust clearance

• Demonstrated experience with GIS software to include ArcGIS Pro and QGIS.

• Basic understanding of application of Geographic Names collection methodologies.

• Demonstrated experience to produce GEOINT products.

• Ability to operate successfully in a fast-paced and dynamic environment as a team-member and as an independent analyst.

• Experience in research and information gathering.

• Knowledge of GEOINT Sources.

• Experience with native maps, secondary source maps, historic maps used for extraction and comparison, mapping imagery for stereo and mono extraction at various resolutions.

• Experience creating shapefiles, geo-databases, and features including data retrieval/storage.

• Demonstrated experience at communicating with clarity and accuracy both verbally and written in English.

• Although the position does allow for telecommuting, the candidate will be required to attend occasional meetings locally in the DMV area. Candidate must be local to the Washington, DC metro area.

Preferred Qualifications.

• Proficiency in Python Scripting.

• Regional Geographic proficiency in the geographies of the analyst’s area of responsibility.

Original Posting Date:

While subject to change based on business needs, Leidos reasonably anticipates that this job requisition will remain open for at least 3 days with an anticipated close date of no earlier than 3 days after the original posting date as listed above.

Pay Range:

The Leidos pay range for this job level is a general guideline only and not a guarantee of compensation or salary. Additional factors considered in extending an offer include (but are not limited to) responsibilities of the job, education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities, as well as internal equity, alignment with market data, applicable bargaining agreement (if any), or other law.