Job Description

Internal Job Number: P08874UF

Description:

The Department of Forest Ecosystems and Society is seeking a Data System Specialist. This is a full-time (1.00 FTE ), 12-month, professional faculty position.

Funding for this position lasts through 2028, and has the possibility of being renewed.

The Data System Specialist leads the design, implementation, and management of comprehensive data collection systems for the Elliott State Research Forest ( ESRF ) in the Southern Oregon Coast Range. This position plays a pivotal role in establishing and maintaining the digital infrastructure that will support long-term research initiatives and environmental monitoring across this 82,000-acre living laboratory.

The position coordinates the full data lifecycle, from initial collection through long-term preservation, ensuring alignment with OSU's IT infrastructure and compliance standards while respecting tribal data sovereignty requirements. Key responsibilities include developing secure database systems, implementing real-time data streaming capabilities, creating web-based data portals, and establishing robust backup and disaster recovery protocols. The incumbent will ensure that data systems meet both immediate research needs and support long-term data preservation beyond the initial three-year grant period. This position develops and maintains secure data sharing protocols that balance open science principles with the need to protect sensitive environmental and cultural data.

Working at the intersection of technology and environmental monitoring, this role collaborates with a diverse group of collaborators including researchers, faculty, tribal communities, and public agencies. The incumbent works closely with the ESRF Instrument Specialist to integrate field instrumentation with data systems, ensuring seamless data flow from collection to analysis. This position leads the design and management of custom relational and spatial databases, performs geographic information systems ( GIS ) analysis, and develops software tools to support regional-scale vegetation modeling and mapping.

Minimum Qualifications (Staff) / Guidelines (Faculty):

Typically requries Bachelor's degree in Computer Science or field related to research focus. 2 years' experience in design and management of IT programs and systems. Experience in research science related to program focus providing management in the area of computing systems infrastructure or web application management.

Requirements :

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, or related field; OR Bachelor's degree in Natural Resources, Environmental Science, or related field plus 3 years of experience in research data systems management
• 2 years of experience with database management systems ( MSSQL , PostgreSQL, etc.)
• Experience with database design and management
• Demonstrate experience in web application development
• Experience with data quality control and validation procedures
• Proficiency in at least one programming language (Python, R, or similar)
• Knowledge of metadata standards and data documentation
• Experience with version control systems
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Proven ability to effectively communicate and collaborate with individuals from a variety of backgrounds and experiences.

This position is designated as a critical or security-sensitive position; therefore, the incumbent must successfully complete a criminal history check and be determined to be position qualified as per University Standard: 05-010 et seq. Incumbents are required to self-report convictions and those in youth programs may have additional criminal history checks every 24 months.

This position requires driving a university vehicle or a personal vehicle on behalf of the university; therefore, the incumbent must successfully complete a motor vehicle history check, possess and maintain a current, valid driver's license in their state of residence, be determined to be position qualified and self-report convictions as per University Policy 05-030.

Type:

Some field work is required, along with travel to the ESRF site. Ability to drive on forest roads, to conduct field work in rough/uneven terrain and inclement weather. Some evening and weekend work may be required.

Additional Salary Information: $78,000-$103,000

About Oregon State University

Oregon State is a leading research university located in one of the safest, smartest, greenest small cities in the nation. Situated 90 miles south of Portland, and an hour from the Cascades or the Pacific Coast, Corvallis is the perfect home base for exploring Oregon's natural wonders. Oregon State University has always been a place with a purpose - making a positive difference in quality of life, natural resources and economic prosperity in Oregon and beyond. Through discovery, innovation and application, we are meeting challenges, solving problems and turning ideas into reality.Founded in 1868, Oregon State is the state's Land Grant university and is one of only two universities in the U.S. to have Sea Grant, Space Grant and Sun Grant designations. Oregon State is also the only university in Oregon to hold both the Carnegie Foundation's top designation for research institutions and its prestigious Community Engagement classification.As Oregon's leading public research university, with $261.7 million in external funding in the 2011 fiscal year, Oregon State's impact reaches across the state and beyond. With 12 colleges, 15 Agricultural Experiment Stations, 35 county Extension off ... ices, the Hatfield Marine Sciences Center in Newport and OSU-Cascades in Bend, Oregon, State has a presence in every one of Oregon's 36 counties, with a statewide economic footprint of $2.06 billion. Oregon State welcomes a diverse student body of over 26,000 students from across Oregon, all 50 states and more than 100 countries. They can choose from more than 200 undergraduate and more than 80 graduate degree programs, including over 30 degrees online offered through Oregon State Ecampus. Oregon State increasingly attracts high-achieving students, with nationally recognized programs in areas such as conservation biology, agricultural sciences, nuclear engineering, forestry, fisheries and wildlife management, community health, pharmacy and zoology. Oregon State also ranks high in sustainability, fourth among universities nationwide for using renewable energy and first in the Pac-12 Conference. And our students literally help power the university: 22 exercise machines at Oregon State University has always been a place with a purpose - making a positive difference in quality of life, natural resources and economic prosperity in Oregon and beyond. Through discovery, innovation and application, we are meeting challenges, solving problems and turning ideas into reality. For more information visit 400-acre main campus in Corvallis includes a Historic District, making Oregon State one of only a handful of U.S. university campuses listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The district includes such icons as Weatherford Hall, the Memorial Union and Benton Hall, the oldest building on the oldest building on campus.OSU commits to inclusive excellence by advancing equity and diversity in all that we do. We are an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity employer, and particularly encourage applications from members of historically underrepresented racial/ethnic groups, women, individuals with disabilities, veterans, LGBTQ community members, and others who demonstrate the ability to help us achieve our vision of a diverse and inclusive community.

Show more

Show less

Connections working at Oregon State University

Job Tags

Full time, Immediate start, Work from home, Afternoon shift,

Similar Jobs