Environmental Data Specialist

East Central University; Ada (OK); On-site; USD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

East Central University in Ada, Oklahoma seeks an Environmental Data Scientist to support water research, land stewardship, and sustainable communities. The role combines environmental science with quantitative analysis, modeling, coding, and data management to support science-based decision-making.

The ideal candidate will have a strong foundation in environmental sciences and experience with Python, R, SQL, GIS, and related platforms to develop models, automate analyses, and visualize results

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Environmental Science, Environmental Engineering, Water Resources, Hydrology, Natural Resources, Ecology, Geography, Geospatial Science, or a closely related field.
• Strong understanding of environmental science principles and the ability to interpret environmental data within physical and ecological systems.
• Experience analyzing environmental or related scientific datasets.
• Experience using GIS for spatial analysis, environmental assessment, mapping, or development of map-based tools.
• Experience with quantitative/statistical analysis or environmental modeling.
• Experience with structured datasets and data documentation/quality-control practices.
• Proficiency with Python, R, SQL for environmental analysis and workflow automation.
• Experience developing/calibrating/applying environmental/geospatial models.

Responsibilities

• Conduct quantitative analysis of environmental datasets related to water resources, watershed conditions, land management, climate, and related projects.
• Develop, apply, and evaluate environmental models to understand processes, assess conditions, evaluate scenarios, and support decisions.
• Develop scripts and automated workflows using Python, R, SQL to process, analyze, model, and visualize environmental data.
• Assist teams with selection, interpretation, and refinement of modeling approaches.
• Integrate datasets from field observations, GIS, remote sensing, and public sources.
• Apply GIS and spatial analysis to evaluate conditions and support modeling.
• Create maps, figures, dashboards, and reports to communicate results.
• Maintain organized, reproducible datasets, workflows, code, and metadata.

Skills

Environmental data analysis

Modeling

Programming

Scripting

Education

Master’s degree in Environmental Science or closely related field

Ph.D. in Environmental Science or related field (preferred)

Tools

GIS

Python

R

SQL

Job description

FLSA Status:Exempt
Grade: 11

Position Summary

The Environmental Data Scientist supports interdisciplinary projects across water research, land stewardship, water
planning and policy, and sustainable communities. This position combines environmental science, quantitative analysis,
modeling, coding, and data management to help Oka’ staff and project partners better understand complex
environmental systems and support science-based decision-making.

The ideal candidate will have a strong foundation in environmental sciences and the technical ability to analyze, model,
and interpret environmental data using tools such as Python, R, SQL, GIS, and related analytical platforms. This position
will work across Oka’s focus areas to develop models, automate analytical processes, evaluate environmental datasets,
support research and field activities, and translate technical results into useful information for researchers,
communities, resource managers, and decisionmakers.

Essential Job Duties

• Conduct quantitative analysis of environmental datasets related to water resources, watershed conditions, land
  management, climate, infrastructure, and other Oka’ research and community projects.
• Develop, apply, and evaluate environmental models to better understand environmental processes, assess
  conditions, evaluate scenarios, and support project management decisions.
• Develop scripts, analytical tools, and automated workflows using Python, R, SQL, or similar programming
  languages to process, analyze, model, and visualize environmental data.
• Assist project teams with the selection, application, interpretation, and refinement of environmental and
  statistical modeling approaches.
• Integrate environmental datasets from multiple sources, including field observations, laboratory results, GIS and
  remote sensing products, monitoring networks, databases, and publicly available datasets.
• Apply GIS and spatial analysis techniques to evaluate environmental conditions, identify spatial patterns,
  develop project tools, and support environmental modeling.
• Develop maps, figures, dashboards, reports, and other visualization products that clearly communicate
  environmental conditions, analytical findings, model outputs, and project results.
• Maintain organized and reproducible datasets, analytical workflows, code, model documentation, and metadata
  so that technical work can be understood and used by other project staff.
• Other duties as assigned by Supervisor or designee.

Omission of specific statement of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position.

Qualifications

REQUIRED

• Master’s degree in Environmental Science, Environmental Engineering, Water Resources, Hydrology, Natural
  Resources, Ecology, Geography, Geospatial Science, or a closely related field.
• Strong understanding of environmental science principles and the ability to interpret environmental and natural
  resource data within the context of physical and ecological systems.
• Experience analyzing environmental, water resource, natural resource, or related scientific datasets.
• Experience using GIS for spatial analysis, environmental assessment, mapping, or development of map-based
  project tools.
• Experience with quantitative analysis, statistical analysis, environmental modeling, or other computational
  approaches used to evaluate environmental systems.
• Experience working with structured datasets and applying appropriate data organization, documentation, and
  quality-control practices.
• Proficiency with Python, R, SQL, or similar programming languages for environmental analysis, modeling,
  scripting, and workflow automation.
• Experience developing, calibrating, validating, or applying environmental, hydrologic, watershed, ecological,
  statistical, or geospatial models.

PREFERRED

• Ph.D. in Environmental Science, Environmental Engineering, Water Resources, Hydrology, Natural Resources,
  Ecology, Geography, Geospatial Science, or a closely related field.
• Familiarity with tools i.e. SQL, Python, or R for scripting and automation.
• Experience applying artificial intelligence or machine learning tools to environmental or scientific applications,
  including data analysis, predictive modeling, pattern identification, classification, automation, or decision
  support tools.
• Familiarity with integrating AI-assisted tools into scientific workflows while maintaining appropriate data quality,
  documentation, validation, and human review.
• Current FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate or must obtain certification within 90 days of employment.

Licenses/Certifications

• Current FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate or must obtain certification within 90 days of employment.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to tailor messaging for different audiences
• Excellent organizational skills, attention to detail, and ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously
• Advanced communication skills with ability to effectively coordinate outreach initiatives
• Evidence of field-based work and data collection.
• Must have a strong work ethic and lead by example
• Must be a professional, credible and respected representative of the institution internally and in the community
• Demonstrated willingness and ability to act ethically and socially responsible
• Ability to communicate in a courteous manner

Physical Demands

Regularly required to walk and traverse uneven terrain, stand, bend, or climb over natural features
Ability to tolerate exposure to heat, smoke, dust, insects, and variable weather conditions for extended periods
Frequently required to sit, speak, and operate field instruments or computers
Frequently required to communicate effectively with diverse populations Regularly performs tasks that involve repetitive wrist and finger movement
Regularly operates a computer and other standard office equipment

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounter while
performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with
disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The work environment is a mix of office work and frequent field visits to farms, ranches, burn sites, and partner locations in southern Oklahoma, with regular regional trave. The position requires occasional travel, including overnight stays, with potential exposure to various outdoor weather conditions during field activities.

Supervisory Responsibility

None

East Central University, in compliance with all applicable Federal and State laws and regulations, does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, religion, disability, marital status, genetic information, or status as a veteran in any of its policies, practices, or procedures. This includes but is not limited to admission, employment, financial aid, and educational services. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies: Employment Services Director, 1100 E. 14th St., Danley Hall 111, Ada, OK 74820,[phone].