Data Lifecycle Management Technician (Hourly)
Illinois Natural History Survey
Prairie Research Institute
JOB DESCRIPTION
The Illinois Natural History Survey is seeking an hourly technician to provide research support by developing a relational database to query and analyze biological and spatial relationships between a wide range of biological data and to assist in the automation of data management tasks throughout the data lifecycle for Survey.
Duties and Responsibilities
- Design and develop relational database tables and identify key relationships.
- Assist biologists, data managers, and GIS professionals in designing and developing relational databases to store historic, current, and future biological field data as well as interact with GIS databases.
- Analyze problems or roadblocks to data workflows and develop solutions in cooperation with key staff and users.
- Develop training materials for new tools and processes.
- Streamline workflows, and automate the cleaning, proofing, management, documentation, and archiving of field data on plant, vertebrate, and invertebrate species in Illinois.
- Create and implement scripts or tools to automate and standardize the process of organizing and cleaning existing field data to prepare the data for analysis, mapping, and archiving.
- Address issues with “messy” data files by developing consistent file and folder naming conventions, standardizing variable names, and data structure and organization.
- Perform other duties as needed to further the mission and goals of the Survey, PRI, and the University of Illinois.
- Keep abreast of developments in this discipline.
Qualifications
- Must have a minimum of a bachelor’s degree in a relevant field of study.
- Individuals who have or are working towards a master’s degree are preferred.
- Must have experience with relational database management, including design and development, with a primary focus on MYSQL.
- Experience writing scripts with thorough documentation, including comments in code, using a common programming language (python preferred, others would be considered).
- Experience with file and folder naming standards, organization, and management.
- The following are not required but are preferred:
- Experience working with biological data related to major vertebrate, invertebrate, and botanical taxonomic groups.
- Experience with data wrangling, including data from different sources and in different formats.
- Experience in collaborating with professionals from different disciplines, with various levels of technical skills and levels of understanding.
Salary: $20 - $22/hour, minimum of 10 hours per week and up to 40 hours per week.
Available: As soon as possible for Spring, Summer, and Fall employment with possible extension depending on funding and programmatic need.
To Apply: Please email as attachments, a cover letter addressing the requirements of this position, a resume/CV covering your experiences, and the contact information for three professional references to Peg Gronemeyer at mag6@illinois.edu. Reference “Hourly Technician” in the subject line). For full consideration, applications should be received by March 17, 2025, but the position may be filled sooner when a suitable candidate is found.
The U of I is an EEO Employer/Vet/Disabled http://go.illinois.edu/EEO that participates in the federal E-Verify program and participates in a background check program focused on prior criminal or sexual misconduct history.