The Smithsonian Environmental Research Center/National Ballast Information Clearinghouse Database Quality Assurance Specialist IS 9 (starting salary $50,408 per annum plus benefits). To monitor data quality and database integrity during receipt and processing of commercial shipping data submitted to the National Ballast Information Clearinghouse
Non-federal position. Application deadline 10 August 2009. Equal Opportunity Employer: Diversity of applicants is encouraged The National Ballast Information Clearinghouse (NBIC) seeks a Data Quality Assurance Specialist to work with its members to ensure that all data receipt and processing tasks maximize efficiency and data integrity. The incumbent will work closely with database managers and analysts to develop and implement control processes for monitoring data quality and database functions. An important responsibility will be the use of stress tests, sensitivity analyses, and statistical process control techniques to track data quality and database functionality. Emphasis will be placed on early detection, quantification, and prevention of data errors and anomalies in order to minimize time lag between data receipt and data analysis. Desired Qualifications and Experience: * Bachelors or Masters level training or equivalent professional experience in biological, social, physical, or computer science, or engineering. * Demonstrated ability and experience with data quality assurance approaches, including statistical process control monitoring. * Demonstrated ability and experience with relational database design and operation. * Prior successful experience working with large data sets. * Knowledge of statistical and graphing techniques. * Ability to work as team member. * Demonstrated initiative and independence. Based at the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center (SERC) in Edgewater, MD, 26 miles east of Washington DC and 7 miles south of Annapolis. SERC is a modern laboratory and office complex on 2,650 acres of land on the western shoreline of Chesapeake Bay. The National Ballast Information Clearinghouse is a joint program of SERC http://www.serc.si.edu/ and the United States Coast Guard http://www.uscg.mil/hq/cg5/cg522/cg5224/bwm.asp that collects, analyzes, and interprets data on the ballast water management practices of commercial ships that operate in the waters of the United States. The principal aims of NBIC are to quantify the amounts and origins of ballast water discharged in US coastal systems and to determine the degree to which such water has undergone open-ocean exchange or alternative treatments designed to reduce the likelihood of ballast-mediated invasions by exotic species. NBIC was established in 1997 at the direction of the National Invasive Species Act of 1996 (NISA) http://www.nemw.org/nisa_summary.htm. Applicants must: 1. Apply by 10 August 2009 via: Email: [email protected] or Postal Mail: NBIC Data Quality Assurance Specialist Smithsonian Environmental Research Center PO Box 28, 647 Contees Wharf Road Edgewater, MD 21037 USA 2. Include a photo copy of college transcript and a resume that clearly describes your work experience, education and training as it relates to the duties of the position. 3. Include a Cover Letter that describes how your experience, education and training relate to the Desired Qualifications above. For additional information about the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center and the National Ballast Information Clearinghouse, please see: www.serc.si.edu http://www.serc.si.edu/ and http://invasions.si.edu/nbic/ Mark S. Minton, Ph.D. Ecologist Marine Invasions Research Laboratory Smithsonian Environmental Research Center 647 Contees Wharf Road Edgewater, MD 21307-0028 443-482-2307 www.serc.si.edu/labs/marine_invasions/
