PacFIN Data Management Specialist

Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission is recruiting candidates to fill the role of a Data Management Specialist 2 based in Portland, Oregon. This is a full-time, benefits-eligible position working within the Pacific Fisheries Information Network (PacFIN) project. PacFIN is a regional program that consolidates and supports the collection, processing, analysis, and reporting of fisheries statistics for West Coast fisheries. PacFIN integrates this information into a single data management system using consistent methods and standardized formats.

More specifically, PacFIN reports catch data, harvest and value from commercial fisheries using the best available data from the data source agencies. Once data are incorporated into its system, PacFIN reports information from several critical perspectives to analyze impacts of changes in fishery management. These include species, area, gear, vessel, processor, community, and fishery participants by season.

Position/Project Specifics:

• Day-to-day responsibilities include:

  • Respond to data requests:
    • Develop SQL scripts for data retrieval and validation procedures
      • Write documentation defining the purpose, business rules, data dictionary, and data caveats.
      • Communicate with data requestor
  • Produce written research and statistical reports
  • Analyze and define database requirements based on user needs
  • Plan and complete assignments that create new database objects (views and related retrieval objects) so users can retrieve PacFIN data in consistent, reusable ways.
  • Participate in team and 1-on-1 meetings.
  • Communicate issues and needs to source agency technical and non-technical staff.
  • User Account Requests:
    • Manage confidentiality signatures and data access methods
    • Create and manage database accounts
    • Manage account information, roles, and policies

Supervisory Controls:

Work is assigned in terms of project goals, objectives, priorities, and, at times, specific tasks.  At the lower end of the range, the employee will exercise initiative in solving common technical and procedural problems.  Unusual issues are referred to the supervisor or higher-graded employee for consultation or review. 

At the upper end of the range, the employee plans and carries out assignments with independence, guided by experience and knowledge to complete the objective.  He/she seeks assistance only on the most unusual issues. Sufficiency of planning and execution, and accuracy of the data produced are normally accepted without detailed review, even for customized assignments.

Guidelines:

Guidelines include PSMFC standards and policies; project work plans; data submission protocol documents; established database structures, data definitions, and data standards; and various hardware and software manuals. 

At the lower end of the range, the guidelines are clear and provide little room for deviation, except as provided in documented precedents or suggestions for alternative data entry and retrieval strategies.  New or revised job requirements or requests for data that cannot be processed within the existing guidelines are discussed with the supervisor or higher level employee.

At the higher end of the range, the employee reviews each work request and selects and interprets guidelines to achieve the desired end product.   

Complexity:

At the lower end of the range, the employee decides what to do by identifying the data content and information structure needed for each processing request and selecting the appropriate routine to set up and format each job. 

At the higher end of the range, data will be in any number of formats.  Computerized data may not be in a form that matches user needs exactly and therefore requires translation into a common format.  Data may be missing or in a format that requires conversion to defined standards.

Scope and Effect:

A high quality, consistent set of biological and geographical data is necessary for effective policy setting, planning, management and research.  Data must be provided in an efficient and timely manner, and in a format that meets the needs of users.

Personal Contacts:

Contacts are with employees in PSMFC; federal, state, or tribal agencies; university researchers, private/non-profit organizations, and the general public.

Purpose of Contacts:

The purpose of the contacts is to exchange information and insure that project goals are being met through coordination, planning, and mutual support.  Communication between contacts resolves problems with data; affords the exchange of information, ideas, and concepts; and allows for the acquisition of products and information. 

Physical Demands:

The work is generally sedentary, although there may be some nominal walking or standing for short periods of time, or carrying of light loads of papers, books, reports, etc. that require only moderate physical ability and physical stress.

Work Environment:

The works area is adequately lighted, heated, and ventilated.  The work involves the common risks or discomforts typical of office, meeting rooms, libraries, and the like.

Desired Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree
• Strong computer skills
• Strong communication skills
• Working knowledge and experience with SQL and various software packages used for data analysis (including Access and Excel) and proficiency in data manipulation with a statistical software package such as R.

Preferred Skills and Experience:

• Experience with state or national-level commercial fisheries data.
• Proficiency in working with large, complex data sets and the use of information systems.