Job Description Summary:

UCAR is excited to announce the opening for an Associate Scientist III – Mapping Technician with the Cooperative Programs for the Advancement of Earth System Science (CPAESS). This position will support NOAA Ocean Exploration’s (OER) mission through the collection, processing, and management of ocean mapping and environmental data. This position is part of a dynamic technical operations team and plays a vital role in conducting multidisciplinary scientific expeditions, including at-sea data acquisition aboard the Okeanos Explorer for 60–120 days per year. The CPAESS Associate Scientist III - Mapping Technician will contribute to high-quality geospatial and acoustic data products, help develop and maintain standard operating procedures, and mentor early-career interns during field deployments. The role also includes collaborative project work ashore, public data stewardship, and engaging with the broader scientific community through outreach and training efforts.

CPAESS serves the Earth System Science community in three distinct areas of service. We partner with federal agencies and businesses to hire critical scientific staff, enabling a more robust workforce. Through our scientific programs, we seek to edify new research with our postdoctoral programs, our visiting scientist and internship programs, along with our interagency support programs. We also help build the Earth system science community by convening and managing summer schools and institutes, conferences, and advisory committees.

Position Details:

Visa Sponsored Job:

No

Relocation Assistance Eligible:

No

Job Location:

Silver Spring, Maryland

Position Type & Term:

Full time, Regular

Compensation Range:

Hiring Range: $87,818 - $109,772

*Final salary and rates are based on education, experience, and skills relevant to the role.*

Application Notes

Application Deadline: This position will be posted until 11:59:59 p.m. MT on Wednesday, August 27, 2025. Applications will not be accepted past this date.

Required application materials (preferably in PDF Format): 

• Resume

• Cover Letter - Please address how your skills and experience meet the needs of this position using the following prompts as guidance:
  1. Describe experience processing or analyzing geospatial or acoustic data including tools used and how your work contributed to project success.
  2. Working aboard a vessel requires endurance, adaptability, and technical readiness. Share your experiences handling technical, environmental, and team-related scenarios on board a vessel at sea.
  3. Part of this role involves mentori interns and supporting outreach efforts. Elaborate on a time you treained or mentored someone (formally or informally) in a technical or operational skill including strategies used and the outcome.

Work Location: 

This position is open to candidates seeking in-person, hybrid (combination of in-person and remote), and/or fully remote opportunities.

UCAR requires ALL positions to be performed within the U.S., excluding U.S. Territories. CPAESS staff deployed to federal agencies must abide by their respective federal agency requirements concerning remote/flexible work arrangements.

Background Checks: Federal screens and UCAR background checks are conducted for candidates selected for hire. Learn more.

What You Will Do

Here is a summary of what one would expect to be generally responsible for in this role.

Key Responsibilities

Geospatial Data Processing & Hydrographic Analysis

Acquiring and processing mapping and environmental data using sonar systems, GIS tools, and related sensors.

• Process and quality control multibeam sonar and other acoustic data (e.g., single-beam, sub-bottom profiler), removing anomalies and ensuring fidelity across datasets.

• Apply geospatial tools (e.g., ArcPro, Qimera) to synthesize pre-cruise datasets and prioritize survey areas in under-mapped regions.

• Maintain and organize mapping data archives and databases to ensure continuity and accessibility of products and metadata.

• Generate data pr