STEP PositionUSGS/ Patuxent Wildlife Research
Center, North American Bird Phenology Program
Part- Time Computer Programmer
Summary:
Widespread impacts of Global Climate Change are
suspected for most plant and animal groups.
However, in most cases past information on
abundance and distribution of these groups is
lacking and consequently, comparisons of current
to past circumstances cannot be made. The USGS
possesses 6 million cards collected by its agency
predecessors since the 1880s on when birds arrive
and depart in the spring and fall. These
phenological measurements are unique in both
their quantity, length of time, and geographical
scope and are the best available dataset for
analyzing changes in bird migration phenology in
the world. Unfortunately, it exists, until
recently only as paper copies in archived files.
Recent work at Patuxent Wildlife Research Center
has begun to develop scanning, processing, and
entry procedures for these data using web
interfaces and public data entry for what is now
called the North American Bird Phenology Program
(BPP), <http://www.pwrc.usgs.gov/bpp/>www.pwrc.usgs.gov/bpp/.
Statement of Work:
1. Types of services required: Currently,
volunteers from around the MD/DC/VA area come
into the BPP office to sort and scan all of the
migration cards. The scanned images are then
loaded onto the web where volunteers online
transcribe them and send them into a program
database for analysis. Tasks will include but
will not be limited to: track the number of cards
scanned, run scanning scripts to upload cards to
the development and production server, create
charts and graphs for the BPP website, work on
interface changes to the BPP website and data
entry page, and assist in database development.
2. Required expertise/skills:
a. Applicants must be majors in computer science,
environmental science or similar field.
b. Applicants must be able to communicate
effectively in English both verbally and in writing.
c. Experience in Client and Server side database
development, manipulation, and programming.
Knowledge of PHP, HTML, SQL, AJAX, Visual Basic
and Windows environment programming is needed.
Applicants must have knowledge of computer
software used to summarize and visualize data
(i.e. Excel, Access and SQL Server) and preferred
working knowledge in Adobe Dreamweaver and
Photoshop, with a strong interest in learning more.
d. Knowledge of the distributions and natural
histories of North American birds is not required, but considered a plus.
3. Eligibility requirements: To be eligible
applicants must be either a currently enrolled
student or a recent graduate (within one year of graduation date).
Individuals must have IT-related experience
demonstrating each of the four competencies listed below.
· Attention to Detail - Is thorough when
performing work and conscientious about attending to detail.
· Customer Service - Works with clients and
customers (that is, any individuals who use or
receive the services or products that your work
unit produces, including the general public,
individuals who work in the agency, other
agencies, or organizations outside the
Government) to assess their needs, provide
information or assistance, resolve their
problems, or satisfy their expectations; knows
about available products and services; is
committed to providing quality products and services.
· Oral Communication - Expresses information (for
example, ideas or facts) to individuals or groups
effectively, taking into account the audience and
nature of the information (for example,
technical, sensitive, controversial); makes clear
and convincing oral presentations; listens to
others, attends to nonverbal cues, and responds appropriately.
· Problem Solving - Identifies problems;
determines accuracy and relevance of information;
uses sound judgment to generate and evaluate
alternatives, and to make recommendations.
· Successful completion of a full 4 year course
of study above high school leading to a
bachelor's degree in computer science,
information science, information systems
management, mathematics, statistics, operations
research, or engineering, or course work that
required the development or adaptation of
computer programs and systems and provided
knowledge equivalent to a major in the computer field.
· **OR responsible IT experience in all of the competencies listed above.
4. Description of working conditions: Work will
be performed in an office environment located
near the USGS Patuxent Wildlife Research Center
campus in Beltsville, Maryland. Extended periods
of computer use will be required. This is not a field or laboratory position.
5. Compensation: Commensurate with experience (no
holiday or leave benefits). Student is
responsible for all costs of transportation to
and from the principal duty station location. The
Government does not provide housing, meals or
other living expenses while working at the
principal duty station. Travel away from the duty station is not expected.
6. Principal Duty Station: Beltsville
Agricultural Research Center, Center Road,
Building 308, Room 105. Student contractors may
enter the building only during business hours or
when project manager is present.
7. Additional information: Number of students
required is one. Estimated number of hours for
the position is 15 hours per week for part time
position or 40 hours per week for full time
(short term) position. The approximate start date
is October 1, 2011. There is some flexibility in
start and end dates to accommodate variations in academic calendars.
8. How to apply: Send resume and cover letter to
Jessica Zelt via email (jz...@usgs.gov).
Applications must be received on or before August
31, 2011. In your cover letter include an
explanation of how you meet the eligibility
requirements, your expected graduation date, and
discuss your experience as related to sections 1 and 2 above.
Jessica Zelt
Program Coordinator
North American Bird Phenology Program
USGS-PWRC
BARC-East, Bldg 308, Room 105
Ph: 301-497-5745
Fax: 301-497-5694
<file:///C:/Users/DAVIDI~1/AppData/Local/Temp/www.pwrc.usgs.gov/bpp/>www.pwrc.usgs.gov/bpp/
