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Colorado State University

Research Associate II (Remote Sensing Specialist)

Colorado State University and U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service

POSITION DESCRIPTION FOR CSU RESEARCH ASSOCIATE

Position Title: Research Associate II (Remote Sensing Specialist)

Location: Cumberland Island National Seashore, Saint Marys, GA

Salary: $45,000-52,000, DOE

Closing Date: February 8, 2010

Appointment Term: Full-time for anticipated two years with the possibility of extension depending upon funding and performance. The position is funded entirely from federal sources under an NPS Cooperative Agreement with Colorado State University. If funding is exhausted or withdrawn by the NPS, the position will terminate immediately. The position is administered by the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Colorado State University. A background check is required of the successful candidate.

Overview:
The Southeast Coast Network (SECN) is part of the National Park Service, Inventory and Monitoring (I&M) Program. The I&M Program is responsible for conducting natural resource inventories and developing and implementing long-term ecological monitoring for about 270 units of the National Park Service. The Southeast Coast Network contains twenty parks, seventeen of which contain significant and diverse natural resources. In total, SECN parks encompass more than 178,000 acres of federally-managed land across North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, and Florida. For more information on the Southeast Coast Network, please see: http://www1.nature.nps.gov/im/units/secn/

This position will serve as a remote sensing specialist in support of SECN programs, under the direction of SECN staff. The incumbent will provide aerial photographic interpretation, image analysis and remote sensing, specifically to measure vegetative communities in Southeastern National Parks. The imagery will be analyzed and classified to the National Vegetation Classification System, FLUCCS and Cowardin et al. Currently, NatureServe is completing the field characterization and development of the vegetation keys.

The incumbent's primary duties will include:

• Acquire and analyze high spatial/spectral resolution data for detailed mapping of terrestrial vegetation using aerial photography or high resolution satellite imagery.
• Performing activities associated with the creation of geospatial images and vector products.
• Building databases by capturing map information from high resolution imagery.
• Independently conducting field reconnaissance, ground verification and accuracy assessment of remotely sensed data.
• Performing quantitative and qualitative image analysis, feature extraction , image processing and documentation to map vegetative communities.

• Develop and document project standards and metadata as required.

• The incumbent also works closely with the SECN ecologists, botanist and data manager on project completion.

Additional duties may include:
• Participate in conferences, training sessions and workshops related to I&M data management.
• Perform other duties related to SECN monitoring programs as assigned.

Requirements:
• B.S. in geography, remote sensing, forestry, ecology, botany, a closely related field or equivalent combined education and experience.
• A minimum of 2 years of professional remote sensing, image analysis or photographic interpretation of vegetative communities.
• Must have strong stereoscopic and monoscopic compilation skills with a variety of aerial imagery sources.
• Experience with ENVI, ArcGIS, GPS and Richards stereoscopes or equivalent is essential.
• Ability to independently travel throughout the Southeastern U.S.
• Ability to use botanical and ecological keys to identify species or ecological communities.
• Excellent organization and prioritizing skills
• Strong written and verbal communication skills

Desired Attributes:
• M.S. in geography or plant ecology with an emphasis in remote sensing science.
• Demonstrated experience in vegetation mapping and image processing using the NCVS classification and Cowardin et al.
• A background in a biological science or natural resource field.
• Extensive ArcGIS and ENVI experience.
• Ability to provide technical support via phone or e-mail.

Application Process:
Submit in .pdf or .jpg format by February 8, 2010 (1) letter of interest; (2) current resume; (3) names, addresses, and phone numbers of three references; and (4) copy of college transcripts to: Jenifer Davis (Jenifer.Davis@ColoState.EDU). Incomplete applications will not be considered.

Colorado State University does not discriminate on the basis of race, age, color, religion, national origin, gender, disability, sexual orientation, veteran status or disability. The University complies with the Civil Rights Act of 1964, related Executive Orders 11246 and 11375, Title IX of the Education Amendments Act of 1972, Sections 503 and 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Section 402 of the Vietnam Era Veteran's readjustment Act of 1974, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967, as amended, Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, the Civil Rights Act of 1991, and all civil rights laws of the State of Colorado. Accordingly, equal opportunity of employment and admission shall be extended to all persons and the University shall promote equal opportunity and treatment through a positive and continuing affirmative action program. The Office of Equal Opportunity and Diversity is located in 101 Student Services. In order to assist Colorado State University in meeting its affirmative action responsibilities, ethnic minorities, women and other protected class members are encouraged to apply and to so identify themselves.
Colorado State University is committed to providing a safe and productive learning and living community. To achieve that goal, background investigations for all final candidates being considered for employment are conducted. Background checks may include, but are not limited to, criminal history, national sex offender search, and motor vehicle history.