Open Source Forest Data Analyst

Colorado State University; United States; Hybrid; USD 65,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

Colorado State University is seeking a Data Curation Specialist to support the FS RDA program, assisting researchers in preparing diverse data for public release and ensuring metadata quality and archival readiness.

The role involves reviewing tabular and geospatial data, developing documentation, and training researchers to publish data in compliance with federal open science policies.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in natural resources, environment, or geospatial field.
• Experience preparing metadata and data for publication.
• Familiarity with FGDC CSDGM and ISO 19115 metadata standards.

Responsibilities

• Review and organize files to ensure accurate categorization and accessibility.
• Review and help write data metadata.
• Verify metadata completeness and standards compliance.
• Review data submissions for archival format and description.
• Assist with preparing data and supplemental files for publication.
• Teach scientists how to prepare data and documentation for publication.
• Set up timelines and coordinate with team.

Education

Bachelor's degree in natural resources / environment / geospatial

Tools

ArcGIS Pro

Job description

Position Summary

This position supports the Forest Service Research Data Archive (FS RDA), which preserves and publishes digital scientific data and related research products in alignment with federal open science policies and Forest Service directives. The role involves assisting scientists across FS Research Stations, the Forest Products Lab, the International Institute of Tropical Forestry, and the Joint Fire Science Program in preparing research data for public release. Key responsibilities include reviewing and processing diverse data types (e.g., tabular, geospatial), developing and validating metadata and documentation, and providing training or direct support to researchers to ensure data publications meet archival and usability standards. By facilitating high-quality data publication, this position helps advance forest, fire, and wood innovation research while supporting reuse of scientific data by both the research community and the public. Forests, rangelands, and aquatic ecosystems support human societies, the environment, and the wealth of life on Earth. The Department of Forest and Rangeland Stewardship at CSU consists of foresters, range scientists, hydrologists, and social scientists that study natural environmental processes and how they interact with human systems. The Department is interdisciplinary and has an applied emphasis, particularly on questions related to the efficiency of wildland fire management. The Department offers comprehensive undergraduate and graduate programs in a wide variety of disciplines within forestry, natural resources management, and rangeland ecology.

Essential Job Duties

• Job Category: Research and Analysis, Percentage of Time: 90%
• Duty/Responsibility: Review, analyze, and organize a wide variety of files and documents to ensure accurate categorization and accessibility; maintain orderly digital filing system.
• Review metadata (data documentation) submitted by scientists, which may also involve helping write metadata.
• Verify metadata are complete, fully describe data, are compliant with the FS RDA's metadata standard, and understandable to a non-subject matter expert.
• Review data submitted by scientists. Ensure data are in proper archival format and fully described in the associated metadata.
• Provide assistance and/or consultation with the preparation of data and supplemental files for publication. (This includes, but is not limited to tabular data, geospatial data—which might involve processing GIS layers—sound or video files, databases, documents, image files, etc.)
• Help teach scientists how to prepare data and documentation for publication, which may include one-on-one interaction or potential presentations.
• Other data publishing related tasks as determined by FS staff.
• Job Category: Project Management, Percentage of Time: 10%
• Duty/Responsibility: Set up timelines to deliver products. Coordinate with other team members.

Conditions of Employment

• Must successfully pass a background check.
• Must be legally authorized to work in the United States by the proposed start date.
• Must comply with Colorado State University and U.S. Forest Service policies and procedures.
• Ability to maintain access to federal data systems and government information resources, if required.
• Occasional travel may be required.
• Ability to work remotely and/or on-site as required by the project.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree with natural resources, environment, or geospatial specialization.

Preferred Qualifications

• Proficient with Microsoft Word, Excel, Adobe Acrobat, and text editors such as Notepad, Notepad++, or Microsoft Visual Studio Code.
• Competent in ArcGIS Pro.
• Working knowledge of HTML and XML, including the ability to interpret and modify code.
• Demonstrated ability in developing and/or interpreting the following geospatial metadata standards: Federal Geographic Data Committee: Content Standard for Digital Geospatial Metadata (FGDC CSDGM) and International Organization for Standardization (ISO) 19115.
• Strong attention to detail with the ability to accurately review, edit, and update documents while ensuring consistency, accuracy, and compliance with formatting and content standards, and strong organizational and time management skills.
• Ability to confidently review and interpret data presented in multiple formats (e.g., tabular, geospatial, and database formats).
• Demonstrated ability to read and generally understand and interpret documentation, data, and terminology relevant to forest management, fire, and a wide range of biological, physical, and social sciences (e.g., wildlife and fisheries, hydrology, soils science, plant sciences, forest genetics, silviculture, forest products, geospatial science, various social sciences that address human interaction with forests, etc.).

Additional Information

Search Contact: Yu Wei, [e-mail]

Salary Range $65,000 - $70,000

Employee Benefits

Colorado State University is not just a workplace; it’s a thriving community that’s transforming lives and improving the human condition through world-class teaching, research, and service. With a robust benefits package, collaborative atmosphere, and focus on work-life balance, CSU is where you can thrive, grow, and make a lasting impact.

Background Check Policy Statement

Colorado State University strives to provide a safe study, work, and living environment for its faculty, staff, volunteers and students. To support this environment and comply with applicable laws and regulations, CSU conducts background checks for the finalist before a final offer. The type of background check conducted varies by position and can include, but is not limited to, criminal history, sex offender registry, motor vehicle history, financial history, and/or education verification. Background checks will also be conducted when required by law or contract and when, in the discretion of the University, it is reasonable and prudent to do so.

EEO

Colorado State University (CSU) provides equal employment opportunities to all applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

Inspired by its land‑grant heritage, Colorado State University is committed to excellence and engagement, setting the standard for public research universities in teaching, research, service and extension for the benefit of the citizens of Colorado, the United States, and the world.