Scientist UNEP GRID

This individual will participate as a member of the USGS EROS Data Center's United Nations Environment Programmer/Global Resource Information Database (UNEP GRID) Sioux Falls Team as an employee of SGT. The position requires good verbal and written communication skills to convey scientifically based information on the state of the global environment to both technical and non-technical audiences using the latest GIS and Remote Sensing technologies. In support of UNEP projects, the successful candidate will:

-- Provide support for the development of UNEP's Global Environmental Alert Service (GEAS) monthly bulletin to be distributed to worldwide audiences
-- Communicate early warning information on an emerging environmental issue from credible sources, and other Earth Observation (EO) data products-primarily remote sensing imagery;
-- Produce additional content from USGS EO data and available scientific resources for use on the UNEP website, Google Earth, and future versions of the UNEP Atlas of Our Changing Environment series, as applicable;
-- Provide technical content for UNEP-Live by leveraging USGS data and expertise
-- Assist environmental scientists to learn methods, technologies and data sources for application of remote sensing and Geographical Information System (GIS) to national and global environmental problems;
-- Assist UNEP in the preparation of hardcover (and/or electronic) publications of country atlases of environmental change using USGS land remote sensing data and GIS technology;
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-The incumbent will be performing the following specific duties pertaining to UNEP atlases, UNEP assessment reports, Global Environmental Alert Service (GEAS), UNEPLive and other related tasks in a cooperative team environment amidst changing priorities:

-- Work closely with UNEP officials located in Nairobi, Geneva and Washington DC.
-- Provide on-demand training in the use of GIS, cartographic design, and image processing, as well as applications of remote sensing data to environmentalists from developing countries;
-- Collect/assemble environmental data using Landsat Data and other high resolution datasets to support the findings;
-- Conduct research from several sources and geospatial activities and thoroughly review literature for compiling assessment reports, UNEP GEAS bulletins and UNEP atlases, and other relevant documents;
-- Identify and verify environmental change sites, and prepare the environmental hotspots for uploading on Google Hotspot webpage and UNEP layer in Google Earth;
-- Prepare remote sensing image change pairs, where necessary, for assessment reports; Overlay remote sensing images with map layers for environmental hotspots, where necessary;
-- Create relevant maps using ESRI software and Adobe suite;
-- Assist UNEPLive team with technical and consulting support towards the development of UNEPLive;
-- Perform other related activities within the scope of the project.
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Requirements:
Must have demonstrable expertise in image interpretation with hands-on experience using Remote Sensing data processing and GIS software (e.g. ERDAS, ArcGIS, Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator) and must be proficient in the methods for acquiring, evaluating, creating, manipulating, and integrating geospatial data in preparation for map creation and analysis. Must be able to work as a member of a team and possess the ability to communicate effectively with technical and scientific staff members, project partners and customers.
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-Strong writing skills and a working knowledge of Microsoft office tools are desirable for reporting and documentation of processes and procedures.
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Education & Experience:

Education:

MS required in Environmental Science field or a related discipline such as Earth Sciences/ Geography; remote sensing and GIS coursework is essential. PhD preferred.
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-Experience:
A minimum of four years of directly-related professional experience in supporting scientific research activities is highly desirable. A strong publication and presentation record in peer-reviewed scientific literature or scientific symposia is highly desirable. Experience in Information Technology a plus.
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