Job Description:

Akima Systems Engineering (ASE) supports the Intelligence, DoD, and Science and Research communities with tools, domain knowledge, analyst teams and essential mission staffing services. We continually seek people with the skills, experience and passion to successfully leverage the complete intelligence lifecycle across America’s most critical initiatives. As an Alaska Native Corporation (ANC), 100% of our company’s profits go back to our more than 14,000 Iñupiat shareholders that have resided near and above the Arctic Circle for more than 10,000 years. Our business helps support their way of life and contributes to the survival of a culture that has thrived in a challenging environment.

The Integrated Biogeochemical Research and Assessment project within the Florence Bascom Geoscience Center (FBGC) of the U.S. Geological Survey conducts research designed to further the understanding of relationships among biogeochemical processes, ecosystems, and natural resources of the United States and areas of the National Domain to include international projects in support of other U.S. Government Agencies.  The FBGC supports a wide range of scientific programs including projects related to biogeochemical cycling and carbon sequestration supported by the Ecosystems Mission Area and the Energy and Mineral Resources Areas.  

Akima is hiring a SME II to conduct research and to design methodologies for data acquisition, analysis, and modeling for diverse applications related to interrelationships among biological and physical factors that affect forest growth and recovery from disturbance.  The work will contribute to the Integrated Biogeochemical Research and Assessment project by providing specialized data collection and statistical analysis necessary to utilize forest inventories and other datasets in biophysical models at spatial scales ranging from local plots to national syntheses.

Research tasks include data acquisition and quality control; maintenance of an integrated project database; multivariate regression and statistical analysis; and interpretative synthesis leading to hypotheses, questions, and/or specialized applications. Methodology design and oversight tasks include development and implementation of techniques for the collection of forest inventory data; integration of these data with other datasets using GIS and other ADP tools; advanced statistical analysis; and specialized applications to biophysical models at scales ranging from local plots to national syntheses.  Excellent skills in documentation, writing, text editing, and graphics preparation are required.

Duties will involve the following:

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  Provide data collection and support to ensure quality, accuracy and relevance to research and assessment goals of USGS projects and programs relevant to forest growth and recovery from disturbance.  Compile and maintain an integrated database of available quality-controlled data from diverse sources including forest inventories (primarily the United States Forest Service, Forest Inventory and Analysis program). Communicate all data concerns so that they can be transparently and efficiently addressed.

  
  


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  Develop and implement regression and statistical methods suitable for quantification of trends and uncertainties in the growth and recovery from disturbance of forests throughout the conterminous United States. Provide assistance and oversight in specialized application of these methods to biophysical models of growth and disturbance.

  
  


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  Provide accurate and thorough documentation regarding ongoing research and development of methodologies, including applications using mathematical models.  Documentation is provided for all data sources, data processing, analysis, and modeling assumptions, including equations, parameters, and software.

  
  


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  Prepare figures, statistics, charts, maps, and written summaries to communicate methods and results to diverse users of information concerning forest growth and recovery from disturbance.

  
  

Minimum Qualifications: 

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  Master's degree and at least 7 years of education and/or experience in relevant areas of expertise such as environmental science, natural resources, GIS, and statistical analysis and modeling of environmental datasets.

  
  


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  Experience in advanced regression and statistical analysis (including Bayesian methods), mathematical modeling, management and quality control of large datasets, and preparation of scientific information for communication of methodologies and research results to diverse users.

  
  


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  Extensive knowledge of forest biometrics and forest inventory analysis using software including ArcGIS, R (smatr, rjags), SQL, and SAS deployed on operating systems including Windows, macOS, and Unix.

  
  


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  Experience with scientific and technical documentation, writing, editing and presentation.

  
  

 

The duties and responsibilities listed in this job description generally cover the nature and level of work being performed by individuals assigned to this position.  This is not intended to be a complete list of all duties, responsibilities, and skills required.  Subject to the terms of an applicable collective bargaining agreement, the company management reserves the right to modify, add, or remove duties and to assign other duties as may be necessary.  We wish to thank all applicants for their interest and effort in applying for the position; however, only candidates selected for interviews will be contacted.

 

We are an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will receive consideration for employment, without regard to race, color, religion, creed, national origin, gender or gender-identity, age, marital status, sexual orientation, veteran status, disability, pregnancy or parental status, or any other basis prohibited by law.

 

We are committed to Equal Employment Opportunity and providing reasonable accommodations to applicants with physical and/or mental disabilities. If you have a physical and/or mental disability and are interested in applying for employment and need special accommodations to use our website to apply for a position please contact, Recruiting Services at job-assist@akima.com or 571-353-7053.   Reasonable accommodation requests are considered on a case-by-case basis.

 

The dedicated email and telephonic options above are reserved only for individuals with disabilities needing accessibility assistance to apply to an open position using our website. 

 

Please do not use the dedicated email or phone number above to inquire on the status of your job application.

 

In order for our company to stay compliant with government regulations, please apply on line. Please DO NOT email resumes or call in lieu of applying online unless you have a physical and/or mental disability and need assistance with the online application.

 

 

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