Scientific Programmer - R Language Needed

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Integrated Statistics is looking for a Scientific Programmer to work with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Social Sciences Branch of the Northeast Fisheries Science Center. The Social Sciences Branch conducts research relating to economic and socio-cultural factors of fisheries management. The Scientific Programmer will develop an R package to evaluate economic impacts of fishery operations on a spatial scale.

Federal legislation requires that fishery management actions achieve optimum yield (catch that provides the greatest overall benefit to the nation) on a continuing basis. To help specify optimum yield, we need to evaluate economic tradeoffs of fishery operations in an accurate, comprehensive, and timely manner. However, data are not often readily available in a format that facilitates such analysis. To evaluate how vessels adapt fishing strategies to dynamic fishery conditions, ecosystem dynamics, and changing access to fishing areas, there is a need to couple existing economic impact analyses with models of effort location choice.

The Scientific Programmer will develop an R package that integrates and uses existing spatial and fishery data to evaluate fishery operations in response to management actions and the associated economic impacts on fishing vessels, communities, and shoreside infrastructure. The R package will provide National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), fishery management councils, commissions, and other potential users with a common analytical approach, to improve the efficiency, timeliness, and accuracy of the economic impact analyses to support spatial management decisions such as fisheries management, ecosystem approaches, offshore wind development, and future oil and gas or aquaculture leasing.

Tasks
The Scientific Programmer will be responsible for these tasks:

Reviewing existing model code and data, and developing an understanding of the current model components.
Working closely with NMFS economists and statisticians at the Northeast Fisheries Science Center (NEFSC) and Greater Atlantic Regional Fisheries Office (GARFO) to compile/transfer existing scripts and procedures into documented functions and an R package.
Working closely with NMFS economists and statisticians at the NEFSC and GARFO to develop vignettes based on existing analytical procedures and standardized outputs, to address management needs under the National Environmental Policy Act.

The Scientific Programmer would be responsible for two deliverables:

R package, including vignettes, for performing model and non-model based spatial valuation of NMFS fisheries data.
Updated raster data for years not previously included in existing data sets.

Qualifications and Skills

The Scientific Programmer must have:

At least two years of professional R programming experience.
Demonstrated proficiency in R Markdown.
Practical knowledge and experience in generating R package structures.
Demonstrated proficiency in working with spatial data (raster and vector); knowledge of projections.
Demonstrated professional experience in data analysis, interpretation, and visual and written presentation of results.
Knowledge and experience of SQL programming.
Excellent written and oral communications skills.

Desirable Skills/Qualifications

Experience working with Oracle or other relational databases.
Experience in authoring R packages.
Knowledge of NMFS fishery management procedures and databases.
Knowledge of wind energy development processes.
Knowledge/experience with Shiny or other dashboard tools.
Knowledge of parallel processing approaches in R (e.g. snow, snowfall libraries).

The position is expected to last until March 2, 2020. The position is full-time, and the rate of pay is $35/hr. The position need not be full-time on-site, but some physical presence is required. The position is eligible for the benefits described on the Integrated Statistics website.

Integrated Statistics is an equal opportunity employer and will not discriminate against any employee or applicant on the basis of age, color, disability, gender, national origin, race, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, veteran status, or any classification protected by federal, state, or local law. Consistent with its obligations under federal law, Integrated Statistics is committed to taking affirmative action to employ and advance in employment qualified women, minorities, disabled individuals, special disabled veterans, veterans of the Vietnam era, and other eligible veterans. For assistance with accessibility of applications, posters, forms, and/or documents, please email the Integrated Statistics office.

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