Animal Conservation Data Analyst Jobs (NOW HIRING)

If you are unable to complete this application due to a disability, contact Ocean Associates at 703-388-9548 to ask for an accommodation or an alternative application process.

Ocean Associates Inc. (OAI) is seeking an applicant to provide Data Management And Analysis Support to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Southwest Fisheries Science Center (SWFSC), Ecosystem Science Division (ESD) in La Jolla, CA. OAI is a Virginia corporation established in 2003 that provides consulting and technical services to the U.S. government, non-governmental organizations, international organizations, and the private sector. We specialize in scientific program and project management, strategic planning, professional and technical services, and stakeholder engagement, supporting government contracts. 

Background

The Ecosystem Science Division (ESD) collects ecosystem observations that characterize the physical environment and organisms living therein, synthesizes ecosystem information, applies models, and collaborates broadly to provide scientific evidence that promotes sustainable fisheries and conservation of protected resources and builds resilience to change. The ESD’s work is guided by several Federal mandates, including the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act of 2007, and the Antarctic Marine Living Resources Convention Act of 1984. Several programs within the ESD conduct research to support commercially valuable fisheries, to monitor environmental parameters affecting stock productivity, to support U.S. interests related to resource management by the Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources, and to comply with recent White House executive orders and strategic objectives identified by NOAA Leadership by investing considerable effort in using autonomous technology to modernize data collection and by gathering high-resolution data to improve the responsiveness of fisheries management to real-time ocean conditions. The ESD collects ecosystem data using advanced technologies (e.g., cameras mounted on underwater gliders, aerial imaging systems, animal-borne video loggers, and remote trail cameras) to monitor marine and terrestrial environments. These technologies generate vast amounts of data, requiring automated workflows for processing. Support is needed to evaluate, modify, develop, and implement Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning (AI/ML) processing workflows for imagery data. 

Tasks

Work will be conducted in ESD workspaces to perform tasks related to developing and operationalizing AI/ML workflows for automated data analysis. Support will include but not be limited to the following:

• Develop new capabilities including data management systems and integrated workflows to increase efficiency of processing and preparing data for research projects and AI/ML model development.
• Explore various optical imagery data for the design, development, evaluation, and application of AI/ML capabilities, edge computing, and new automated analytic workflows.
• Develop or adapt software for various applications (optical imagery processing, web-based dashboards) using Python and/or C/C++.
• Work in the Google Cloud Platform to deploy models using virtual machines (VMs).
• Execute technical research projects, track progress, and present technical material in a variety of forums (weekly team meetings, conferences, working groups, program reviews, etc.).
• Monthly Progress Reports reflecting the status and progress of all tasks .

Start Date: 09/30/2026 

Location: Southwest Fisheries Science Center in La Jolla, CA. 

Travel: Some travel is possible 

Salary and Benefits: This is a full-time position with benefits. Salary, commensurate with experience, between $30.00 - $33.50 per hour.

Requirements

Applicants must have the following minimum requirements:

• Bachelor's degree, or higher, from an accredited college or university with a major in a field related to mathematics, statistics, computer science, computational science, or data science, plus four (4) years of experience in a related field or combination of such totaling eight (8) years combined education and experience. Master’s Degree in a related field plus two (2) years’ experience or Ph.D. may be substituted for experience
• Experience coding in Python, R, and C/C++ 
• Experience developing automated workflows
• Experience maintaining application software and data management tools
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to work effectively both individually and collaboratively in a team/group setting.
• Ability to receive constructive feedback and implement appropriate action.

If you are interested in being considered for this position, please APPLY THROUGH OUR ADP WEB PORTAL, AT THE LINK AT THE TOP RIGHT OF THIS PAGE.

Only qualified applicants that meet minimum experience or background requirements stated above need apply. When applying for this position you will be asked to upload your resume at the end of this online application.

Applicants should submit a resume that includes the following:

• Cover letter that briefly describes how you meet the required and preferred qualifications listed.
• Work history for past 10 years or since last full-time education.
• Education.
• Previous experience or training with similar requirements.
• Three professional references. 
• Include your name in the document file name.
• Upload your resume in readable, not scanned, PDF or Word format (PDF is preferred). 

In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States, complete the required employment eligibility verification document form upon hire, and successfully complete a federal government background check. OAI does not discriminate on the basis of any status or condition protected by applicable federal or state law. 

OAI is a government contractor and is required by law to invite applicants to voluntarily self-identify their disability status and veteran status. OAI's online application includes check boxes to either voluntarily self identify or decline to self identify. While the information is collected through your application, it is collected anonymously and is not connected to your application. OAI uses the information it collects to track its disability and veteran hiring progress, and to meet its obligations under Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act and under VEVRAA. 

Note: If you are not selected, your materials may be retained for present or future opportunities. We may use your resume in bidding on a project and if we are awarded the work, we will contact you before seeking further applicants. If you do not wish us to retain or use your resume to seek work for you, please let us know in the "Notes" section on the second page of the online application.