Job Description
Position Summary:
This position supports the Forest Service Research Data Archive (FS RDA), which preserves and publishes digital scientific data and related research products in alignment with federal open science policies and Forest Service directives. The role involves assisting scientists across FS Research Stations, the Forest Products Lab, the International Institute of Tropical Forestry, and the Joint Fire Science Program in preparing research data for public release. Key responsibilities include reviewing and processing diverse data types (e.g., tabular, geospatial), developing and validating metadata and documentation, and providing training or direct support to researchers to ensure data publications meet archival and usability standards. By facilitating high-quality data publication, this position helps advance forest, fire, and wood innovation research while supporting reuse of scientific data by both the research community and the public.
Forests, rangelands, and aquatic ecosystems support human societies, the environment, and the wealth of life on Earth. The Department of Forest and Rangeland Stewardship at CSU consists of foresters, range scientists, hydrologists, and social scientists that study natural environmental processes and how they interact with human systems. The Department is interdisciplinary and has an applied emphasis, particularly on questions related to the efficiency of wildland fire management. The Department offers comprehensive undergraduate and graduate programs in a wide variety of disciplines within forestry, natural resources management, and rangeland ecology.
For full consideration, please apply by November 29, 2026, 11:59 PM (MT).
Essential Job Duties:
Job Category: Research and Analysis
Percentage of Time: 90%
Duty/Responsibility:
Review, analyze, and organize a wide variety of files and documents to ensure accurate categorization and accessibility; maintain orderly digital filing system.
Review metadata (data documentation) submitted by scientists, which may also involve helping write metadata.
Verify metadata are complete, fully describe data, are compliant with the FS RDA's metadata standard, and understandable to a non-subject matter expert.
Review data submitted by scientists. Ensure data are in proper archival format and fully described in the associated metadata.
Provide assistance and/or consultation with the preparation of data and supplemental files for publication. (This includes, but is not limited to tabular data, geospatial data—which might involve processing GIS layers—sound or video files, databases, documents, image files, etc.)
Help teach scientists how to prepare data and documentation for publication, which may include one-on-one interaction or potential presentations.
Other data publishing related tasks as determined by FS staff.
Job Category: Project Management
Percentage of Time: 10%
Duty/Responsibility:
Set up timelines to deliver products.
Coordinate with other team members.
Conditions of Employment:
Must successfully pass a background check.
Must be legally authorized to work in the United States by the proposed start date.
Must comply with Colorado State University and U.S. Forest Service policies and procedures.
Ability to maintain access to federal data systems and government information resources, if required.
Occasional travel may be required.
Ability to work remotely and/or on-site as required by the project.
Minimum Qualifications:
Bachelor's degree with natural resources, environment, or geospatial specialization.
Preferred Qualifications:
Proficient with Microsoft Word, Excel, Adobe Acrobat, and text editors such as Notepad, Notepad++, or Microsoft Visual Studio Code.
Competent in ArcGIS Pro.
Working knowledge of HTML and XML, including the ability to interpret and modify code.
Demonstrated ability in developing and/or interpreting the following geospatial metadata standards: Federal Geographic Data Committee: Content Standard for…