Air Quality and Data Scientist - PSRS II

The Work Unit:

The Air Toxics and Ozone Precursor Program [ATOPs] exists within the Air Pollution Control Division [APCD], a division within the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment [CDPHE], to provide technical ambient air monitoring support for both mobile and stationary air toxics, ozone precursor, and special projects monitoring. The Data and Quality Assurance [DAQ] unit develops and applies rigorous data standards to all ambient air monitoring data collected within ATOPs to ensure that all data products across the section are thoroughly quality checked and assured prior to dissemination. This work unit manages, maintains, and develops the air toxics monitoring database; investigates, evaluates, and develops new analysis methodologies to clearly communicate data to stakeholders; and drives the development of any/all public facing data dissemination platforms that pertains to ambient air monitoring within ATOPs.

What You Will Do:

The purpose of this position is to function as a scientific researcher that develops and applies data quality standards to ambient monitoring data collected in other units within ATOPS; designs and develops standardized data analysis tools and data products used for dissemination; supports the integration and use of new air toxics monitoring instrumentation; assists with managing maintaining the air toxics database; and collaborates with other CDPHE team members to develop and manage data dissemination platforms.

Key Responsibilities:

 Develop and Apply Data Quality Standards to ATOPs Monitoring Data 
Develop, perform, and document quality control and quality assurance tasks for analytical systems within ATOPs. Assist with the development of quality assurance project plans (QAPPs) for new analytical methods, protocols and procedures. Ensure that all quality control metrics and procedures are in adherence with the project’s quality assurance project plan and prescribed analyzer maintenance intervals.

Manage and Maintain the Air Toxics Database  
Work with ATOPs staff, other CDPHE staff, and external contractors to build and maintain a cloud-based database for all ATOPs data. Facilitate the management of  all data generated from analytical systems and special projects within ATOPs using this database, including proper data formatting, naming, processing and archiving. This will include integrating procedures to ensure data integrity and data validity into the function of the new database. Support the ongoing use of the database to ingest, QC, QA, and store the ATOPS data.

Develop and Maintain Data Analysis and Reporting Tools  
Collaborates with measurement scientists within ATOPs to design, develop, and write methods/code for data analysis tools; research and investigate new analysis tools/methods that can be implemented to better communicate data to the public; and coordinate projects related to stakeholder data dissemination, which could include written reports, websites, and figures used in presentations. Perform data processing, data analysis, hypothesis testing and reporting of scientific findings, using the application of theory and scientific principles in support of air quality research projects and associated deliverables. Write reports for mobile air monitoring systems and special projects.

Design, Develop, and Maintain Data Dissemination Platforms 
Designs, develops, and maintains data dissemination platforms for publicly communicating all analytical system data within ATOPs. This will include building and maintaining data dashboards (for internal staff and/or the general public), supporting the development of reports, helping to manage the air toxics website and data access features (i.e., the air toxics data repository and the ATMD public data access), all of which will also contain guidance and context related to the data.

Facilitate the Use of New Air Toxics Monitoring Instrumentation 
Identifies ways in which new and novel instrumentation or projects can support and enhance ATOPS monitoring activities.  Collaborates with measurement scientists within ATOPs, and potentially external partners, to evaluate new technologies and integrate them into ATOPs operations through initial testing, developing SOPs, developing QA/QC procedures, and optimizing the utility of the data through the database and data dissemination platform. 

Other Duties as Assigned
Attends meetings, serves on task forces or teams, completes projects, and performs other duties as assigned by the supervisor.

Residency Requirement:

This posting is only open to residents of the State of Colorado at the time of submitting your application. 

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: 

NOTE: An applicant may meet the minimum qualifications for this job in one of two ways: They may qualify through their work experience alone or through a combination of education and work experience.
Experience Only:

Six (6) years of relevant experience in the atmospheric sciences or environmental data management and programming.

OR

Education and Experience:

A combination of related education and/or relevant experience in air quality management, atmospheric sciences, or environmental engineering equal to six (6) years

**This experience must be substantiated within the Work Experience section of your application. "See Resume" will not be accepted. In addition, part-time work will be prorated.**

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

In addition to the minimum requirements, the successful candidate in this position will have the following highly desirable experience and competencies:  

• Relevant experience with the State of Colorado 
• Experience in scientific data processing, reporting, and analyses
• Experience with scientific programming
• Experience with data analysis and visualization (e.g., using python, R, and/or similar languages)
• Experience using cloud databases (esp. Amazon Web Services) to manage environmental data
• Experience using visualization tools (e.g., python and Tableau) to communicate environmental data and build dashboards
• Experience using APIs to manage data access and ingestion
• Experience with statistical analysis and/or modeling
• Experience managing data processing tools and/or data dashboards to support users 
• Experience drafting user guides and leading trainings on technical topics
• Familiarity with air quality or environmental monitoring
• Experience working on diverse teams (e.g., including individuals with IT, scientific, and project management expertise)
• Strong work ethic
• Team player with good people skills

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT:

• A pre-employment background check will be conducted as part of the selection process.
• TRAVEL:  2 - 5 days per month, may be required occasional travel to field sites and/or to meetings/conferences.
  
  

Appeal Rights: (Updated)

An applicant who has been removed from an employment list or removed from consideration during the selection process may request a review by the State Personnel Director.

As an applicant directly affected by the results of the selection or comparative analysis process, you may file a written appeal with the State Personnel Director.

Review of the completed, signed and submitted appeal will be timely on the basis of written material submitted by you, using the official appeal form signed by you or your representative. This form must be completed and delivered to the State Personnel Board by email at dpa_state.personnelboard@state.co.us within ten (10) calendar days from your receipt of notice or acknowledgement of the Department’s action.

For further information on the Board Rules, you can refer to 4 Colorado Code of Regulations (CCR) 801-1, State Personnel Board Rules and Personnel Director's Administrative Procedures, Chapter 8, Resolution of Appeals and Disputes, at spb.colorado.gov/board-rules.

A complete application packet must include:

• Completed State of Colorado application.
• COVER LETTER: describing how your professional/supervisory experience aligns with the preferred qualifications of this position
• If using education to qualify for this position a copy of your transcripts (unofficial acceptable) or diploma must be provided with application. Transcripts must be attached to your colorado.gov/jobs application.
• If you are a veteran, a copy of your DD214 must be attached to your colorado.gov/jobs application.

The Selection Process:

• All applications that are received by the closing of this announcement will be reviewed against the Minimum Qualifications in this announcement. Candidates who meet the minimum qualifications proceed to the next step.
• Colorado Revised Statutes require that state employees are hired and promoted based on merit and fitness through a comparative analysis process.
  • Part of, or all of, the comparative analysis for this position may be a structured application review, which involves a review of the information you submit in your application materials by Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) against the preferred qualifications.
• A top group, up to six candidates, will be invited to schedule an interview with the hiring manager.

E-Verify: 

CDPHE uses e-Verify, an Internet-based system, to confirm the eligibility of all newly hired employees to work in the United States. Learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities.

ADAAA Accommodations:

The State of Colorado believes that equity, diversity, and inclusion drive our success, and we encourage candidates from all identities, backgrounds, and abilities to apply. The State of Colorado is an equal opportunity employer committed to building inclusive, innovative work environments with employees who reflect our communities and enthusiastically serve them. Therefore, in all aspects of the employment process, we provide employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, medical condition related to pregnancy, creed, ancestry, national origin, marital status, genetic information, or military status (with preference given to military veterans), or any other protected status in accordance with applicable law. The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, our agency will assist individuals who have a disability with any reasonable accommodation requests related to employment, including completing the application process, interviewing, completing any pre-employment testing, participating in the employee selection process, and/or to perform essential job functions where the requested accommodation does not impose an undue hardship. If you have a disability and require reasonable accommodation to ensure you have a positive experience applying or interviewing for this position, please direct your inquiries to our ADAAA Coordinator at cdphe_benefits@state.co.us or call 303-692-2060, option 5.