Science Project Manager

About @Orchard:

@Orchard is a growing Woman-Owned Small Business and federal prime contractor delivering mission-critical science, data, technology, program management, and workforce solutions. Since 2010, we have built high-performing teams and disciplined delivery systems that help federal agencies launch complex programs, sustain performance, and achieve meaningful mission outcomes.

Position Summary:

@Orchard LLC is seeking a Science Project Manager to support the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Office of Ocean Exploration.

The Science Project Manager plans and coordinates project-level scientific data activities associated with NOAA Ocean Exploration expeditions. The position supports the transition of scientific information from NOAA Ship resources to OER data storage and ultimately to NCEI, ensuring that data analysis and review activities are coordinated and completed appropriately.

The role requires an understanding of scientific data workflows and the ability to coordinate multidisciplinary teams working with large volumes of oceanographic data, including acoustic data, imagery, video, ROV data, and other expedition-generated datasets.

The successful candidate will be comfortable working with scientists and technical personnel, tracking data and analysis activities, identifying issues or gaps in the data workflow, coordinating follow-up actions, and communicating project status and findings to OER personnel.

This position will serve as an important coordination point between expedition personnel, scientists, data analysts, technical specialists, OER staff, and data management resources to help ensure that scientific data are appropriately reviewed, processed, documented, and prepared for continued use and archival.

This position is contingent upon contract award.

Mission Impact:

NOAA Ocean Exploration generates substantial volumes of scientific information during ocean expeditions. Ensuring that these data are properly reviewed, organized, documented, stored, and ultimately delivered to the appropriate NOAA data repository is essential to preserving the scientific value of each expedition.

The Science Project Manager helps connect expedition data collection with downstream scientific analysis, OER data management, and long-term archival through NCEI.

Key Responsibilities:

• Plan and coordinate project-level scientific data activities associated with NOAA Ocean Exploration expeditions.
• Coordinate the analysis and review of data collected from NOAA Ship resources.
• Coordinate the movement and progression of expedition data from shipboard resources to OER data storage and ultimately to NCEI.
• Track the status of scientific datasets as they move through collection, analysis, review, storage, documentation, and archival processes.
• Coordinate with scientists, data analysts, ROV personnel, mapping personnel, ship staff, and other technical specialists involved in expedition data activities.
• Support the review and evaluation of large volumes of expedition-generated scientific data.
• Coordinate analysis and review activities involving acoustic data, photographs, video, ROV data, and other oceanographic datasets.
• Identify data-processing, review, documentation, or workflow issues and coordinate appropriate follow-up actions.
• Help establish and maintain project-level schedules and priorities for scientific data analysis and review.
• Monitor progress of assigned data activities and communicate status, issues, dependencies, and anticipated completion dates to appropriate OER personnel.
• Coordinate with scientific subject matter experts to ensure data are appropriately reviewed and characterized for scientific use.
• Support the development of scientific products, summaries, briefings, papers, and other documentation resulting from expedition data analysis.
• Coordinate the preparation and organization of data and associated documentation required for transfer to OER data storage and subsequent NCEI delivery.
• Help ensure data products and associated documentation are complete, organized, and suitable for their intended scientific and archival use.
• Maintain documentation of data workflows, analysis activities, review status, outstanding issues, and completed actions.
• Support coordination between shipboard and shore-based personnel during and following expeditions.
• Support telepresence and remote collaboration activities when required.
• Prepare weekly status information documenting significant activities, findings, completed work, and planned activities.
• Develop and maintain project-level procedures, workflows, tracking tools, and documentation as needed.
• Identify opportunities to improve the efficiency and reliability of scientific data review and delivery processes.
• Perform other related scientific project coordination activities in support of the NOAA Ocean Exploration mission.

Required Skill and Experience:

• Bachelor's degree in Marine Science, Oceanography, Earth Science, Environmental Science, Data Science, Biology, Geoscience, or a related scientific discipline, or an equivalent combination of education and directly relevant experience. Advanced degree is preferred.
• Demonstrated experience coordinating scientific projects, research activities, or scientific data workflows.
• Experience working with scientific or oceanographic data and the processes used to organize, analyze, review, and document those data.
• Understanding of scientific data management and data lifecycle concepts.
• Ability to coordinate activities among scientists, technical specialists, analysts, and other multidisciplinary personnel.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple concurrent activities, priorities, and dependencies.
• Ability to identify issues affecting scientific data workflows and coordinate appropriate resolution.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to prepare technical and scientific documentation, status reports, briefings, and presentations.
• Ability to work effectively with Federal personnel, scientists, technical specialists, and external research partners.
• Ability to work independently while maintaining regular communication with project stakeholders.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience supporting NOAA, NOAA Ocean Exploration, or another Federal oceanographic or scientific program.
• Experience supporting oceanographic research expeditions or research vessels.
• Experience coordinating the lifecycle of scientific data from field/shipboard collection through processing, review, storage, and archival.
• Experience with oceanographic datasets, including acoustic, imagery, video, ROV, AUV, bathymetric, biological, or environmental data.
• Familiarity with NOAA's National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI) or other Federal scientific data repositories.
• Experience coordinating data associated with ROV-based ocean exploration.
• Experience working with scientists in marine biology, benthic science, geoscience, oceanography, or related disciplines.
• Experience developing scientific data-management procedures, workflows, tracking systems, or documentation.
• Familiarity with scientific data standards, metadata, data quality assurance, and data archival practices.
• Experience preparing scientific briefings, technical reports, research papers, or other scientific communication products.
• Experience with project-management or data-tracking tools.
• Experience working with large scientific datasets and coordinating multiple data-analysis activities.

Compensation: The anticipated salary range for this position depends on the candidate's qualifications, relevant scientific experience, education, and overall experience supporting similar federal programs.

What We Offer:

Competitive base salary with opportunities for advancement, career growth and professional development, work-life balance, comprehensive benefits including health, dental, vision, life insurance, 401(k), generous PTO, and paid federal holidays.

If you are looking for an opportunity to contribute to mission-driven scientific and technical work supporting NOAA's ocean exploration mission, we encourage you to apply and help expand our understanding of Earth's least explored environments!

@Orchard is an equal opportunity employer. We encourage all qualified candidates to apply, regardless of race, gender, age, disability, or other protected characteristics.

To learn more about our other exciting opportunities, visit our Jobs Page at www.atorchard.com.