Principal Geospatial Scientist (Data Acquisition and Collection)
Position Summary
The Principal Geospatial Scientist (Data Acquisition and Collection) will lead the design, execution, and oversight of geospatial data acquisition and collection initiatives in support of mission-critical operations. This role will manage end-to-end processes for sourcing, validating, and integrating geospatial datasets, ensuring compliance with federal standards and supporting geospatial intelligence initiatives. The incumbent will collaborate with stakeholders to deliver high-quality, authoritative geospatial data products.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead planning, execution, and management of geospatial data acquisition and collection efforts.
- Oversee quality assurance/quality control (QA/QC) processes for all incoming geospatial datasets.
- Develop and maintain data acquisition strategies and methodologies aligned with program goals.
- Coordinate with data providers, federal agencies, and other stakeholders to source authoritative datasets.
- Ensure compliance with federal geospatial standards, metadata requirements, and data governance policies.
- Integrate collected datasets into enterprise geospatial systems for analysis and dissemination.
- Support geospatial architecture and systems engineering efforts related to data ingestion.
- Develop and implement data lifecycle management processes, including archival and retrieval protocols.
- Prepare and deliver technical reports, briefings, and recommendations to leadership and stakeholders.
- Mentor junior scientists and provide technical guidance to multidisciplinary teams.
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor’s master’s or Ph.D. in Geography, Geospatial Sciences, Remote Sensing, or related field.
- 12+ years of progressive experience in geospatial data acquisition, collection, and management.
- 16+ years of Geospatial Data Acquisition, collection, and management without a degree.
- Expert knowledge of geospatial data standards, metadata, and QA/QC processes.
- Proven experience leading large-scale geospatial data acquisition projects.
- Proficiency in Esri ArcGIS software, remote sensing tools, and spatial databases.
- Familiarity with DHS geospatial programs, HIFLD, and other federal geospatial initiatives.
- Strong leadership, stakeholder engagement, and project management skills.
- Ability to obtain and maintain a security clearance as required by the program.
Desired Skills
- Experience with UAV, satellite, and aerial data collection methods.
- Advanced statistical and geospatial analysis techniques.
- Knowledge of cloud-based geospatial data management platforms.
- Experience in developing geospatial acquisition SOPs and best practices.
- Strong presentation, technical writing, and documentation skills.
- Experience working with interagency or multi-jurisdictional data sharing agreements.
