Temporary Interactive Data Visualizations Programmer

Job Description

The School of Aquatic and Fishery Sciences, SAFS, has an outstanding opportunity for a Temporary Interactive Data Visualizations Programmer to join their team. This is a temporary, 7-month, full time position.

 

About this Opportunity

Reporting to the Research Scientist Engineer Senior, the Temporary Interactive Data Visualizations Programmer is responsible for designing and programming interactive data queries and interactive data visualizations for select tools on the Columbia Basin Research website. This position will work collaboratively with the Web Computing Specialist, Researcher/Programmer, and PI in the Gosselin Lab. The worksite will be at Columbia Basin Research (off-campus) and teleworking is possible for up to 2 days a week.

The position exists to assist with programming of interactive query tools and interactive data visualizations on the Columbia Basin Research (CBR) website (www.cbr.washington.edu) for management of river conditions and endangered salmon. These query tools and data visualizations provide decision support for fish and river resource managers, decision makers, policy makers, researchers, and ecological practitioners. Many of the data visualizations offered through the CBR website are static and need further development for interactivity, as requested by our website users and query tool collaborators. The Temporary Interactive Data Visualizations Programmer supports this work with responsibilities of developing customized interactive queries and data visualizations. 

 

At CBR, the unit’s overall operations relate to two main fields : 1) applied ecological research and 2) data and query tools and services. The Temporary Interactive Data Visualizations Programmer is engaged with the latter, and would work closely with the Web Computing Specialist, Researcher/Programmer, and PI in the Gosselin Lab. This position will help improve the UI/UX of the query tools and data visualizations, and thus make the information (data and metrics on environmental conditions and fishes, that are historical, real-time, and predicted) become more accessible to researchers, stakeholders, rightsholders, and the public through the CBR website.

 

Key Responsibilities

Programming – 60%

• Assist in developing web applications, designing, programming, testing, implementing, and supporting complex web-based software systems, which involved distributed, clint/server systems, and relational databases.
• Assess and advise on possible software frameworks/libraries pertinent to specific requests of interactive data visualizations.
• Write programming scripts for interactive query tools and interactive data visualizations.
• Develop and program query tools and data visualizations that meet Digital Accessibility requirements under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
• Perform self-directed data and script testing to develop, debug and improve products.
• Document development of scripts, processes, and procedures in GitHub.

Human-centered design – 20%

• Design compelling visuals that create a clear narrative with UI and UX for intended users and audiences, and that meet ADA Digital Accessibility requirements.
• Identify most suitable visual representations of metrics, including interactive, customized graphs, maps, and text outputs.
• Work closely with team of researchers and programmers to transform complex data sets and model outputs into clear visualizations for decision support tools.

Collaboration – 20%

• Provide guidance to team members, including Principal Investigator, Web Computing Specialist, and Researcher/Programmer.
• Assist Web Computing Specialist and Researcher/Programmer with development of query tools and data visualizations.

 

Required Qualifications

To be considered for this opportunity your application must demonstrate you meet both the minimum qualifications and additional qualifications listed below. Equivalent education and/or experience may substitute for minimum qualifications except when there are legal requirements, such as a license, certification, and/or registration.

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Data Science, Data Analytics, or Data Visualization Engineer, and two years programming experience related to interactive online query tools and interactive data visualizations, or relevant experience.

Applicants who do not meet these qualifications will not be forwarded to the Hiring Manager

 

Additional Qualifications

• Working knowledge and experience with High charts, JavaScript, React.js, D3.js, Python, R, Shiny apps, and/or other programming languages and software frameworks/libraries for data queries and data visualizations.
• Experience with Git/GitHub or other version control systems.
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate closely with team members and with excellent communication skills.
• Ability to establish and maintain positive, ethical, and professional interpersonal relationships.

 

Preferred Qualifications

• Interest in supporting the scientific process leading to insights and understanding of natural resources and ecological processes to help with conservation, fishery management, research, and collaboration with communities.
• Ability to develop dynamic map-based web content.
• Ability to work with team members and website users to assess issues and develop solutions to meet work needs, train other staff effectively, and write usable documentation for internal and end-user use.
• Ability to learn quickly and adapt to changing organizational processes.
• Outstanding interpersonal skills, including team ethic and relationship building.
• Ability to establish and maintain positive, ethical, and professional working relationships with UW community and other professional contacts from a wide variety of backgrounds in the region—including members of racial, ethnic, and sexual minority populations—and be respectful of individual and cultural differences.

 

Working Conditions

• Office with desk, chair, and computer
• In the office suite of Columbia Basin Research (off-campus in downtown Seattle)

About the Team

Columbia Basin Research (CBR) is an interdisciplinary research center in the School of Aquatic and Fishery Sciences at the University of Washington whose mission is to provide quantitative approaches to issues involving endangered salmonid stocks in the western United States. CBR provides accessible environmental and fish data, science-based real-time forecasts of fish survival and migration, and quantitative tools and interpretation for conservation and management of endangered fish populations in regulated rivers.

The ecological research and data science teams, under the direction of Dr. Gosselin, help address data-knowledge-action gaps related to endangered fish species in regulated rivers and the Pacific Ocean.

• The research team works on retrospective, process-based, and forecast modeling to assist fish and river managers' decision-making in the Pacific Northwest and California. Through ecosystem models, they integrate effects of habitat conditions on the ecology, physiology, behavior, and ultimately survival of salmonids over the life cycle. They aim to identify underlying mechanisms through field and laboratory studies and in context of a changing climate.
• The data science team works on database management, value-added data visualizations, and interactive online queries through the CBR website. The team integrates multiple databases into a secondary repository system for new tools that facilitate knowledge and regional coordination. The products and services complement the work from the original data owners and support prediction models developed internally and from third parties. 
• undefined Together, the ecological research and the data science teams strive for robust science and relevance to support management, decision-making, and coordination among diverse practitioners, managers, policy makers, stakeholders, and rightsholders.

Compensation, Benefits and Position Details

Pay Range Minimum:

$76,008.00 annual

Pay Range Maximum:

$86,400.00 annual

Other Compensation:

-

Benefits:

For information about benefits for this position, visit https://www.washington.edu/jobs/benefits-for-temporary-per-diem-and-less-than-half-time/

Shift:

First Shift (United States of America)

Temporary or Regular?

This is a temporary position

FTE (Full-Time Equivalent):

100.00%

Union/Bargaining Unit:

Not Applicable

About the UW 

Working at the University of Washington provides a unique opportunity to change lives – on our campuses, in our state and around the world.  

UW employees bring their boundless energy, creative problem-solving skills and dedication to building stronger minds and a healthier world. In return, they enjoy outstanding benefits, opportunities for professional growth and the chance to work in an environment known for its diversity, intellectual excitement, artistic pursuits and natural beauty. 

Our Commitment 

The University of Washington is committed to fostering an inclusive, respectful and welcoming community for all. As an equal opportunity employer, the University considers applicants for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, citizenship, sex, pregnancy, age, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, disability, or veteran status consistent with UW Executive Order No. 81.

To request disability accommodation in the application process, contact the Disability Services Office at 206-543-6450 or [email protected]. 

Applicants considered for this position will be required to disclose if they are the subject of any substantiated findings or current investigations related to sexual misconduct at their current employment and past employment. Disclosure is required under Washington state law.