Oceanographic Tech Specialist 1 - Datums and Tidal Zoning Supt

NOTE: If you are unable to complete this application due to a disability, contact Ocean Associates at 703-388-9548 to ask for an accommodation or an alternative application process.  

Ocean Associates Inc. (OAI) is seeking a full-time Oceanographic Technical Specialist to support the Products Services Branch of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), National Ocean Service (NOS) Center for Operational Oceanographic Products and Services (CO-OPS). CO-OPS is the authoritative source for accurate, reliable, and timely tides, water levels, currents, and other coastal oceanographic and meteorological information and products. OAI is a Virginia corporation established in 2003 that provides consulting and technical services to the U.S. government, non-governmental organizations, international organizations, and the private sector. We specialize in scientific program and project management, strategic planning, professional and technical services, and stakeholder engagement, supporting government contracts. 

A well-qualified candidate will have an educational background in a Marine Science discipline, a working knowledge of MATLAB, Python, and/or ArcGIS and will be able to provide analytical support for the generation and delivery of tidal datum products and services. If you are looking to be an instrumental part of a growing, employee and customer-focused company working on exciting issues in environmental science and other marine/coastal resources, we want to hear from you!

Key Responsibilities:

Requirements include, but are not limited to:

• Assist in coordinating across NOS offices to help advance tidal datum products and services, which support marine boundary delineation, coastal engineering, and other uses.
• Retrieve and analyze physical oceanographic and geodetic data and metadata to assess the quality and quantity of information required to support NOS oceanographic and geodetic product development.
• Support the computation, maintenance, and publication of updated tidal datums and related products for new, existing, and historic water level stations. This work involves the review and analysis of tidal observations, water level station metadata, and sensor and bench mark network stability.
• Provide detailed information or troubleshooting support of tidal datum products using database queries, metadata source investigations, or other in-depth analyses.
• Identify deficiencies in datasets and metadata required to calculate tidal datums.
• Assist in the development of revised tidal datum determination procedures, including an error budget analysis.
• Support Bipartisan Infrastructure Law-funded project to expedite the transition of Microwave Water Level (MWWL) Technology for National Water Level Observation Network (NWLON) Stations. 
• Assist in guiding stations through the transition pipeline. 
• Conduct data analyses and comparisons between operational sensors.
• Investigate and resolve data discrepancies.
• Offer scientific coding and GIS support for the MWWL transition process.
• Assist with ongoing research within the MWWL Working Group and a partnership with Old Dominion University.

Salary: Full-time. Pay range $23 to $27/hr commensurate with experience. Generous employee benefits. 

Location: Telecommute / remote.

Required Skills /Education/ Certifications & Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in oceanography, meteorology, hydrology, physics, physical science, geophysics, civil engineering, or a closely related discipline. 
• Knowledge of basic physical oceanographic principles, especially tides and tidal currents.  
• Knowledge of oceanographic principles, theories, and practices sufficient to review and analyze data as required.
• Must be proficient in using the Microsoft Windows operating system, Microsoft Office applications, and Google’s Collaboration Suite (e.g., Docs, Sheets, and Slides) for analyzing data and developing and editing documents and presentations.
• Strong oral and written communication skills, as well as a demonstrated ability to work well independently and as part of a team, are required.
• Ability to work effectively both individually and collaboratively in a team/group setting.
• Ability to receive constructive feedback and implement appropriate action.

If you are interested in being considered for this position, please APPLY THROUGH OUR ADP WEB PORTAL, AT THE LINK AT THE TOP RIGHT OF THIS PAGE.

Only qualified applicants that meet minimum experience or background requirements stated above need apply. When applying for this position you will be asked to upload your resume at the end of this online application.

Applicants should submit a resume that includes the following:

• Cover letter that briefly describes how you meet the required and preferred qualifications listed.
• Work history for past 10 years or since last full-time education.
• Education.
• Previous experience or training with similar requirements.
• Three professional references.  
• Include your name in the document file name.
• Upload your resume in readable, not scanned, PDF or Word format (PDF is preferred).  

In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States, complete the required employment eligibility verification document form upon hire, and successfully complete a federal government background check.  Ocean Associates Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of any status or condition protected by applicable federal or state law. 

OAI is a government contractor and is required by law to invite applicants to self-identify their race, gender, national origin, disability status and veteran status. OAI is required to use the information it collects as part of its future affirmative action efforts in hiring. The information is collected anonymously by computer and is not connected to your application. You will see a place to check certain boxes in OAI's online application. Even though the information is anonymous, self-identification is voluntary. You can always check the box that says you decline to self-identify. 

Note:  If you are not selected, your materials may be retained for present or future opportunities. We may use your resume in bidding on a project and if we are awarded the work, we will contact you before seeking further applicants. If you do not wish us to retain or use your resume to seek work for you, please let us know in the "Notes" section on the second page of the online application.