Climate Data Scientist

 
About The New York Climate Exchange 
 

The New York Climate Exchange (The Exchange) is a new nonprofit that unlocks climate solutions at speed and scale by activating a broad, multi-stakeholder model. Our diverse coalition of partners — committed and prepared to collectively disrupt the status quo — incorporates local and global perspectives on climate change from academia, the private sector, and community-level organizations; this multidisciplinary coalition speaks to the collaboration necessary to unlock integrated and scalable approaches to climate change. While The Exchange will be headquartered at a dedicated campus on Governors Island, its spirit and influence extends beyond the Island into New York City and across the country and world. 

 
Position Summary 

The Exchange is seeking an experienced Climate Data Scientist to lead technical work within its Climate Data focus area, which works to make climate data more accessible and actionable across sectors — from public health and disaster preparedness to business forecasting. You will bring deep domain expertise in climate science and a strong data science and management skill set to translate complex climate datasets into tools and insights that partners and communities can act on.  
 

Position-related Qualifications 

• Advanced degree (or equivalent professional experience) in data science with a proven expertise with climate data, including atmospheric, oceanographic, and environmental data 

• 8+ years of relevant experience in data science or engineering with a strong focus on climate data 

• Established expertise working with climate and earth observation data (e.g., remote sensing, in-situ networks, integrated datasets) 

• Strong quantitative and programming skills (Python. Fortran, and/or R), experience with geospatial and time-series analysis (e.g., xarray, GeoPandas, rasterio), and AI models 

• Clear experience working with business users and subject matter experts, including less technical audiences, to understand, articulate, and develop collaborative and equitable approaches to address data access and usability needs. 

• Experience translating climate science for non-technical audiences, including policymakers, businesses, or community organizations 

• Demonstrated ability to lead projects and work with less-senior researchers or data scientists, data engineers, software engineers, as well as staff with expertise in non-technical disciplines 

• Experience with climate risk modeling, downscaling techniques, or attribution science 

• Prior experience working across academic, nonprofit, government, and private-sector partnerships 

• Familiarity with New York City or regional climate resilience, adaptation, or public health contexts 

• Experience securing grant funding or contributing to research proposals 

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English, including ability to communicate complex issues to a wide range of audiences. 

• Exceptional interpersonal skills with the ability to build, foster, and maintain positive professional relationships with colleagues, organizational partners, and external constituencies. 

• Must have the ability to work with people from diverse backgrounds in a culturally  

• responsive manner. 

• Must be able to work independently and collaboratively on complex tasks with tight deadlines. 

• Commitment to The Exchange Staff Core Competencies. 

New York Climate Exchange Staff Core Competencies 
 

• Develops and implements solutions that show understanding of how partners and/or own work achieves results that are financially, environmentally, and socially sustainable. 

• Shares new insights based on in-depth understanding of clients/partners and recommends solutions for current and future needs of clients/partners. 

• Initiates collaboration across boundaries and broadly across The Exchange, partner organizations, and other relevant institutions. 

• Makes choices and sets priorities with The New York Climate Exchange corporate perspective in mind. 

• Helps others to understand problems, partner and client needs, and the underlying context. 

• Recognizes the value of diverse perspectives and lived experiences and applies a critical lens to systemic sources of bias and discrimination. 

• Applies critical thinking and seeks input and experience from others to recommend a course of action consistent with The Exchange’s strategy. 

• Evaluates risk and anticipates the short- and long-term implications of decisions. 

• Commits to a decision and acts once it has been reached. 
   

Compensation & Benefits 

Salary Range: $165,000–$210,000 commensurate with qualifications and experience. 

The Exchange offers a competitive benefits package, including medical, dental, vision, retirement benefits, paid time off, wellness programs, professional development opportunities, and Summer Fridays. 

Additional Information 

Location: New York City (Hybrid) 

Reporting Relationship: Director of Data Innovation 
 

Equal Employment Opportunity 

The New York Climate Exchange is an Equal Opportunity Employer. 

The Exchange provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to unlawful considerations of race, color, creed, religion, gender, sex, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, genetic information, military or veteran status, age, physical or mental disability, or any other classification protected by applicable local, state, or federal laws. 

Due to the high volume of applications received, The Exchange is unable to provide individual feedback. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. 
 

A Note to Prospective Applicants 

Research indicates that men tend to apply for jobs when they meet approximately 60% of the criteria, while women and people from other marginalized groups may be more likely to apply only when they meet all of the stated qualifications. 

If you are passionate about The Exchange’s mission and believe you have the skills, experience, judgment, and potential to be successful in this role even if you do not check every box we encourage you to apply. We would appreciate the opportunity to consider your application.