Habitat GIS and Data Specialist

Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission is recruiting candidates to fill the role of a Habitat GIS - Data Management Specialist 2 based in Portland, Oregon. This a full-time, benefits-eligible position with an anticipated start date of January 4th, 2027 and is expected to last for up to one year with the possibility of extension. While this position is based in Portland, there is a possibility of working remotely from Seattle, WA, Sacramento, CA, or Newport, OR. 

To be considered, please include a Cover Letter with your application materials.

Position/Project Specifics:

The Ecosystem GIS and Data Specialist supports the Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission (PSMFC) Habitat Program by assisting with data stewardship, geospatial analysis, scientific visualization, and data communications efforts. The position reports to the Habitat Program Manager and works closely with PSMFC’s GIS Center staff (GIS Manager & GIS Specialist) and other project funded GIS staff. The position also collaborates with external partners including researchers, restoration practitioners, fisheries managers, and partner organizations to ensure habitat and restoration data are effectively managed, accessible, scientifically defensible, and communicated to a wide range of audiences.

This position serves as a key resource for managing and synthesizing habitat-related datasets, conducting spatial analyses, developing maps and decision-support tools, and translating scientific information into products that support conservation planning, restoration prioritization, program evaluation, and stakeholder engagement. The successful candidate will possess advanced GIS capabilities, strong data management skills, and experience working with natural resource, fisheries, or aquatic habitat data.

The position requires excellent communication, collaboration, and project management skills, with the ability to work effectively across multiple programs and with diverse partners.

Specifically, this position will carry out the following tasks:

Data Stewardship and Management

• Support data stewardship activities supporting the PSMFC Habitat Program, National Fish Habitat Partnership, and related habitat conservation and restoration initiatives.
• Maintain, improve, and document systems for managing habitat, restoration, monitoring, and assessment datasets.
• Develop and implement data standards, metadata, data management procedures, and quality assurance/quality control protocols.
• Coordinate with federal, state, Tribal, academic, and non-governmental partners to facilitate data sharing and improve consistency, accessibility, and interoperability of habitat datasets.
• Support the compilation, integration, and synthesis of habitat and restoration information for regional and national reporting efforts.
• Maintain data catalogs and repositories that facilitate discovery, access, and long-term stewardship of habitat-related information.
• Develop workflows that improve data transparency, accessibility, and usability across partner programs.

GIS Analysis and Spatial Data Development

• Conduct GIS analyses related to fish habitat, habitat restoration, aquatic connectivity, watershed health, conservation planning, and fisheries management.
• Develop, maintain, and update geospatial datasets supporting habitat assessments, restoration tracking, conservation prioritization, and program evaluation.
• Integrate biological, ecological, habitat, restoration, and environmental datasets into GIS-based analytical frameworks.
• Produce high-quality maps, dashboards, web applications, and data visualizations that support habitat science, management, and decision-making.
• Create spatial summaries, analyses, and reporting products in response to programmatic and partner needs.
• Support development and maintenance of geospatial data products used to assess habitat conditions, restoration outcomes, and conservation investments.

Science Communication and Reporting

• Translate habitat science, monitoring results, and restoration outcomes into effective visual and written products for technical and non-technical audiences.
• Develop StoryMaps, dashboards, web maps, infographics, presentations, and other communications products that highlight habitat program accomplishments and impacts.
• Support preparation of technical reports, annual reports, grant deliverables, and program summaries.
• Assist with developing metrics, indicators, and visualizations that communicate habitat conditions, restoration progress, and program performance.
• Collaborate with communications and program staff to improve the accessibility and visibility of habitat data and conservation outcomes.

Collaboration and Technical Support

• Work closely with Habitat Program staff, NFHP partners, and PSMFC programs to identify emerging data, GIS, and reporting needs.
• Provide technical guidance on GIS best practices, cartography, spatial analysis, and habitat data management.
• Support partners in developing and maintaining web-based mapping tools and information products.
• Stay informed of emerging geospatial technologies, habitat science initiatives, data management practices, and conservation assessment tools.
• Participate in technical workgroups, partner meetings, habitat program meetings, and regional or national habitat coordination efforts as needed.

At the lower end of the range, Data Management Specialists (Natural Sciences):

• Compile project data into standardized electronic data formats. This includes accessing filed information and verifying its accuracy and completeness, performing data entry, electronic data transfer, editing, and error checking.
• Extract relevant data which may be presented in many different text and numeric formats, reports, tables, graphics, or figures.
• Maintain local versions of datasets in accordance with established regional database exchange formats and standards.
• Maintain a local archive of current and historical reports and Coordinate the regular transfer of reference materials to archives and libraries.
• Perform a variety of tasks related to Geographic Information Systems (GIS) that may include map preparation, geo-referencing biological and habitat data, maintaining location information tables, editing and updating hydrography GIS coverages, and maintaining metadata for data sets and GIS coverages.
• Train technical and general users in the use of GIS and database applications through individual instruction and/or group presentations.
• Create queries, summaries, and/or maps in response to requests for customized
• Prepare and manipulate various data and graphic outputs for use in reports, presentations and internet applications using standardized retrieval scripts.

At the upper end of the range, employees:

• Develop and implement databases and libraries. Includes acquiring new data as well as taking previously created or historical databases or spreadsheets and integrating them. Data sources vary in format including database, spreadsheet, and survey data sets. Custom interfaces may be required.
• Produce written research and statistical reports (including graphs, tables, maps, and text), data sets, and data summaries using a variety of analytical techniques and software tools. This involves the master-level use of database retrieval scripts.
• Document data handling and reporting to ensure consistency and validity of data between and within Files may come from sources that use different computer hardware, software systems/protocols, and different communication packages.
• Maintain and update data catalogs, data catalog directories, and
• Perform system maintenance and backups. This includes routine database checkpoints, checkpoint verification, tuning, data-process merges, and user account management. Restore files when required.
• Perform Help Desk functions, responding to on-line user inquiries about access to the spatial data resources and data retrievals, the execution of query scripts, and standard report

Knowledge Required by the Position:

The employee must have knowledge of:

• natural sciences
• computers and software packages and applications for databases, spreadsheets, and word processing
• data management concepts, principles, and methods
• quality assurance principles
• technical documentation methods and procedures
• analytical methods and common query languages

Additional Desirable Knowledge and Skills:

• Experience with ArcGIS Pro and ArcGIS Online
• Excellent communication, organizational and customer service
• Knowledge of West Coast marine, estuarine and inland fisheries
• Demonstrated experience managing and stewarding environmental, fisheries, habitat, or restoration datasets.
• Advanced proficiency with ArcGIS Pro, ArcGIS Enterprise and ArcGIS Online.
• Strong GIS analytical skills, including spatial analysis, geoprocessing, cartography, and data visualization.
• Experience developing web maps, dashboards, StoryMaps, and other online GIS applications.
• Knowledge of metadata standards, data management principles, and QA/QC procedures.
• Experience working with habitat, fisheries, watershed, restoration, conservation, or natural resource data.
• Experience with Python, SQL, R, or other data automation and analysis tools preferred.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills and experience presenting technical information to diverse audiences.
• Ability to work independently while coordinating effectively with multiple partners and programs.
• Experience with field data collection for fisheries or habitat data and/or field experience with habitat restoration projects.

Physical Demands:

The work is generally sedentary, although there may be some nominal walking or standing for short periods of time, or carrying of light loads of papers, books, reports, etc. that require only moderate physical ability and physical stress.

Work Environment:

The works area is adequately lighted, heated, and ventilated.  The work involves the common risks or discomforts typical of office, meeting rooms, libraries, and the like.   

Minimum Qualification Requirements:

A range of experience and education may be presented. Candidates must present one year of Specialized Experience** AND four years of successfully completed education above high school in the natural sciences (biology, fishery biology, environmental science, aquatic science, geology, chemistry, physics, mathematics). An equivalent combination of experience and education is also qualifying.

• Bachelor's Degree or Master's Degree in Biological, Environmental, Natural Resources Sciences or Geographic Information Systems.
• Proficiency with data entry, office productivity, GIS and relational database management software, including Microsoft Excel, Access and SQL Server.
• A solid understanding of and experience working with spatially explicit environmental and natural resources data.

**Specialized Experience is experience that equips the applicant with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position and is typically in or related to the work of the position being filled. To be creditable, Specialized Experience must have been equivalent to at least the next lower level in the normal line of progression for the position being filled.