Database and Applications Developer –Level III

Saltwater Inc.; Alaska; On-site; USD 55,000 - 76,000; Full time

Job summary

Saltwater Inc. is seeking a Database and Applications Developer – Level III to lead the integration of legacy data into a centralized enterprise data environment.

The role includes designing database architectures, building ETL pipelines, and developing secure internal and external web interfaces for data input and validation. As Level III, you’ll implement complex PL/SQL procedures, enforce RBAC, and produce technical documentation and data dictionaries.

Qualifications

• MS Degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, Engineering or equivalent with five years of relevant experience.
• Ability to translate real-world scientific processes into logical data models (ER diagrams).
• Ability to write complex PL/SQL for business logic and edit-approval workflows.
• Knowledge of RBAC to differentiate access.
• Experience creating technical docs, data dictionaries, and user manuals.
• Proficiency with Oracle RDBMS and Oracle APEX; familiarity with Python, Java, or .NET.
• Experience with ETL tools and scripting like Python, PL/SQL, Informatica or FME.
• Front-end tech: HTML5, CSS3, JavaScript; Version control with Git.

Responsibilities

• Build pipelines to centralize survey data and design scalable database architectures.
• Develop secure internal and external web apps for data input, queries, and edits.
• Implement staging and commit workflow with review gates and audits.
• Support PEMD/SEFSC surveys and prepare data analyses and publications.

Skills

Entity-Relationship Diagrams

PL/SQL

RBAC

Technical documentation

Data modeling

Front-end: HTML/CSS/JS

Git

Python/Java/.NET

Education

MS Degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, Engineering

BS Degree in CS/IS/Engineering + 5 years experience

Tools

Oracle RDBMS

Oracle APEX

PostgreSQL

SQL Server

Informatica

FME

Git

Job description

Database and Applications Developer – Level III

We are currently recruiting for Database and Applications Developer –Level III. See below Requirements for each Level. These Survey Support positions will work as a contractor for NOAA’s Southeast Fisheries Science Center (SEFSC) Population & Ecosystems Monitoring Division (PEMD) providing support for the below Tasks.

Please note that we are recruiting proactively and do not yet have this position available. If awarded the work, this will be a full-time position. The Contractor shall work at the SEFSC Laboratory in Pascagoula, MS. The Contractor may also be required to work on NOAA Ships, charter vessels, and/or small boats to carry out required duties and responsibilities. The contract has a one-year base period with a potential of three option periods.

TASKS:

A. Database and Applications Development: Bring together scientific and administrative data currently fragmented across various legacy platforms, file formats, and isolated silos as part of a critical enterprise data management initiative. Duties include (but are not limited to) building pipelines to centralize data from plankton and groundfish surveys; designing the database architecture to house the centralized survey data; and developing front-end applications that allow internal staff and external partners to securely manage and validate the data.

• Enterprise Data Ingestion and Migration (ETL)
• Analyze disparate data sources (flat files, .db3, Access databases, legacy SQL, APIs) and design automated workflows to extract, transform, and load (ETL) data into a centralized Oracle Enterprise environment.
• Develop parsing algorithms to handle inconsistent data formats and ensure data integrity during the migration process.
• Implement data validation rules to flag anomalies during ingestion.
• Database Architecture and Management
• Design and maintain normalized relational database schemas that support complex fishery survey and oceanographic data structures.
• Optimize database performance through indexing, partitioning, and query tuning.
• Ensure strict adherence to federal data security standards and PII protection protocols.
• Application Development (Internal and External)
• Internal interface: develop a user-friendly web application allowing internal NOAA staff to input, query, and edit live data records.
• External partner workflow: create a secure portal for external partners to view and input data and propose edits.
• Approval logic: engineer a “staging and commit” workflow where external edits are held in a review queue (edits do not affect the production database until reviewed and approved by the Database Manager or appropriate data steward).

B. Support for Other Research Activities: Support other Trawl and Plankton Branch, PEMD, and SEFSC surveys, including but not limited to:

• Provide support for data analyses and prepare data summaries.
• Assist with the development of data reports, publications, and presentations, as needed; adhere to SEFSC publication procedures prior to publication of any abstracts or manuscripts.

C. Outreach and Education: Participate in public outreach and education efforts, as needed.

D. Scientific Meetings: Contractor may be required to prepare for and present, facilitate, or participate in various workshops, scientific meetings, symposiums, and public forums.

Saltwater Inc. is proud to be an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or protected veteran status.

LEVEL III Essential Qualifications:

• MS Degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, Engineering, or a related field of study; or BS Degree in one of these disciplines, five (5) years of relevant experience.
• Ability to translate real-world scientific processes into logical and physical data models (Entity-Relationship Diagrams).
• Ability to write complex stored procedures, triggers, and packages (PL/SQL) to handle business logic and the “edit-approval” workflow.
• Knowledge of implementing Role-Based Access Control (RBAC) to differentiate between different use and access requirements..
• Skill in creating technical documentation, data dictionaries, and user manuals.
• Software proficiency includes, but is not limited to:
  • Database Engines: Expert-level proficiency in Oracle RDBMS (12c/19c or later). Knowledge of PostgreSQL or SQL Server is a plus.
  • Development Frameworks: Proficiency in Oracle APEX (Application Express) is highly desired for rapid development of data-centric web apps. Alternatively: Java (Spring Boot), Python (Django/Flask), or .NET.
  • ETL & Scripting: Python (Pandas/NumPy), PL/SQL, Informatica, or FME.
  • Front End: HTML5, CSS3, JavaScript, and AJAX techniques for responsive user interfaces.
  • Version Control: Git/GitHub/GitLab.

Level III Desirable Qualifications:

• Documented experience working with geospatial data (GIS, Oracle Spatial, ArcGIS).
• Documented experience in database development and administration
• Documented experience building workflows with approval gates/audit trails
• Ability to communicate with fishery scientists to understand their data needs and translate them into technical specifications.
• Previous experience supporting NOAA or other Federal Agencies.

Compensation

Salary range is $40 – $55 per hour, dependent upon experience.

EOE Culture

Saltwater Inc. is proud to be an equal opportunity employer and a VEVRAA Federal Contractor and does not discriminate based on race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, parental status, veteran status, or disability status. We strive to create an inclusive workplace culture to attract the best talent and allow each member of our team to achieve their full potential and maximum productivity. Furthermore, Saltwater Inc. highly encourages qualified individuals with disabilities and protected veterans to apply for positions for which they are qualified and to notify us if there are any needs for accommodation throughout the application process and/or upon hire.

We will honor all requests for application confidentiality.