Position/Project Specifics:

This full-time position with the Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission (PSMFC) involves in-person work at the PSMFC office, coordinating with program staff and external partners on data management and accessibility. The Data Management Specialist will primarily focus on the Recreational Fisheries Information Network (RecFIN) and the Salmon Data Discovery Tool projects. Established in 1992, the RecFIN Program integrates recreational fishery sampling efforts from California, Oregon, and Washington into a single database and is currently modernizing its system and exploring cloud solutions. The Salmon Data Discovery Tool, a new system under development, aims to improve access to diverse salmon information across all habitats and life cycles.

The Specialist will assist with other data systems, both legacy and newly developed, to support Tribal, Federal, and State partners. Responsibilities include data compilation, entry, script-based uploads, user testing, help desk support, and content updates on collaborative platforms and websites. The role also involves data versioning, documentation, electronic data transfer, legacy data migration, QA/QC, and enhancements to data queries and web visualization. Tasks will include system maintenance, script development, application testing and implementation, technical documentation, and user interface design.

Working within a team environment, the Specialist will compile data from various sources, ensure data meets exchange standards, update program websites, and develop draft products such as documents, presentations, and spreadsheets. The role supports the development of data systems and user tools, organization and implementation of program committee and team meetings, and participates in regional meetings like the Emerging Technologies Information Sessions. Assignments are planned and executed independently under general guidance from senior team members and the Senior Program Manager.

The successful candidate will demonstrate proficiency in data management and entry/query tools (e.g., Google Sheets, Google Forms, Access, SQL databases) and Microsoft Office. Familiarity with, or the ability to learn, tools such as GitHub for documentation and versioning, ArcGIS online tools like ESRI Dashboards, data extraction/transformation/loading scripts, and platforms like SharePoint and WordPress is essential. The candidate must be adaptable, capable of handling multiple tasks, reprioritizing work, and collaborating respectfully. Experience or the ability to learn database design management, data security and integrity standards, data validation, and software solutions for data processes is required. The position demands independent thinking, self-learning, and self-motivation to complete tasks with minimal supervision, and the ability to develop and maintain working relationships with diverse colleagues and partners in natural resources and data systems.

Essential Functions:   

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, verifying its accuracy and completeness, performing data entry, electronic data transfer, editing, and error checking.
• Extract relevant data presented in various text and numeric formats, reports, tables, graphics, or figures.
• Maintain local versions of datasets per established regional database exchange formats and standards.
• Maintain a local archive of current and historical reports and documents. Coordinate the regular transfer of reference materials to archives and libraries.
• Train technical and general users in the use of database applications like Access and Google Forms through individual instruction and/or group presentations.
• Create queries, summaries, and/or maps in response to requests for customized data using tools like SQL databases and ESRI Dashboards.
• Prepare and manipulate various data and graphic outputs for use in reports, presentations, and internet applications using standardized retrieval scripts.
• Knowledge, or ability to learn to maintain content on websites, such as WordPress.

At the upper end of the range, employees:

• Develop and implement databases and libraries, integrating new data with historical databases and spreadsheets. Custom interface tool use 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.
• Document data handling and reporting processes to ensure consistency and validity of data between and within sites. Files may come from sources that use different computer hardware, software systems/protocols, and different communication packages.
• Maintain and update data catalogs, directories, and metadata.
• Perform system maintenance and backups, including routine database checkpoints, checkpoint verification, tuning, data-process merges, and user account management. Restore files when required.
• Perform Help Desk functions, responding to online user inquiries about database access, data retrievals, query script execution, and standard report programs.

Supervisory Controls: 

Work is assigned based on project goals, objectives, priorities, and sometimes specific tasks. At the lower end of the range, the employee exercises initiative in solving common technical and procedural problems, referring unusual issues to a supervisor or higher-graded employee for consultation or review.

At the upper end of the range, the employee plans and carries out assignments independently, guided by experience and knowledge to complete objectives. Assistance is sought only for the most unusual issues. Planning, execution, and accuracy of the data produced are typically accepted without detailed review, even for customized assignments.

Physical Demands:

The work is generally sedentary, with some nominal walking or standing for short periods and occasional carrying of light loads such as papers, books, or reports that require only moderate physical ability and exertion.

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).

An equivalent combination of experience and education is also qualifying, such as a B.S. in Computer Science with a Minor in a Natural Science-related degree.

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.

Knowledge Required by the Position: The employee must have knowledge of:

• Natural sciences.
• Computers and software applications for databases, spreadsheets, and word processing (e.g., Microsoft Office, Google Docs).
• Data management concepts, principles, and methods, including quality assurance.
• Technical documentation methods and procedures.
• Analytical methods and common query languages.

The employee should demonstrate experience and ability to:

• Acquire, verify, edit, and compile data from multiple sources into standardized formats using tools like Microsoft Excel and Google Sheets.
• Integrate data into shared databases, perform data entry, document processes, and capture metadata.
• Identify and implement solutions for data accessibility and quality as part of a team.
• Organize and support meetings, workshops, and symposia, including data extraction and presentation using SQL databases and ESRI Dashboards.
• Communicate effectively with PSMFC staff and external partners for information sharing and problem resolution.
• Collaborate respectfully with fish management, research staff, database designers, and programmers.
• Maintain and refine ETL systems, visualizations, and QA/QC reports.
• Develop, maintain, and test scripts, queries, validation rules, and data exchange processes, including API and web-based forms.
• Prepare data and graphic outputs for reports, presentations, and internet applications.
• Produce written reports, data sets, and summaries using various analytical techniques and software tools.
• Document data handling and reporting to ensure consistency and validity.
• Maintain and update data catalogs, directories, and metadata.
• Perform Help Desk functions, responding to inquiries about database access, data retrievals, query script execution, and standard report programs.

Additional skills include:

• Assisting design and testing of new data acquisition processes/software.
• Assisting design and testing of data entry, retrieval, and display software applications.
• Creating technical documentation, ER models and data flow models.
• Clear and effective communication, both orally and in writing.
• Interacting effectively with diverse individuals and groups to translate their needs into custom reports and improved software functionality.

Additional Mandatory Skills:

• Experience with database query languages such as MS SQL Server, PostgreSQL, Oracle
• Knowledge of web publishing languages and tools such as WordPress, HTML/CSS, JavaScript.
• Experience with project management and documentation applications such as Trello, Jira, Git, GitHub.
• Knowledge of or experience with the following tools are an asset, but not required: R Script, WordPress Elementor plugin, Oracle APEX, Node.JS

PSMFC is an EEO/AAP Employer and maintains a drug-free workplace.