Human Geographer [Earth Scientist 3]
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory
**Overview**
PNNL's Earth System Science Division enables energy independence and national security through leadership in earth systems science, engineering, and decision analytics. Our work focuses on solving complex problems in the dynamic Earth system. Our interdisciplinary scientists steward a breadth of efforts that encompass research on plants to groundwater science and coastal zones, to storm prediction.
Our research focuses on understanding and mitigating operational risks at the interface of human and natural environments. This includes predicting the impacts of natural hazards and extreme climate events on Earth and human systems, along with the impacts of wildfire, flooding, sea level rise and storm surges. We focus on understanding and mitigating environmental contamination and increasing the resiliency, security and sustainability of water resources. We provide geointelligence through advanced sensing and data analytics to forecast complex system behaviors and operational performance to understand human-natural systems. This includes informed decision making and enhanced community resilience, advanced monitoring, and remote sensing of environmental systems for energy and national security. It also includes developing energy systems, including geothermal energy, sustainable oil and gas production, storage and utilization, along with carbon sequestration.
Driven by a “science-to-solutions” philosophy, we provide scientific leadership and technology to enhance national security, mitigate natural hazards and optimize disaster response. In the critical areas of energy, environment, intelligence, and defense, we deliver insights and decision support through the development of tools and solutions.
**Responsibilities**
We are seeking candidates who have been trained in and have expertise in human geography. This should involve expertise in understanding the interrelationships between people, places, and their environments and how these evolve in time and space. Experience with human cultures, anthropology, sociology, and other social sciences and understanding how these are related to spatial locations are key areas of interest for this position. Both qualitative and quantitative analytical experience is desired to leverage both qualitative social science research coupled with more quantitative physical geography research. While a solid theoretical grounding in human geography is required, the ideal candidate also has deep experience applying human geography to very applied problems and leveraging the latest in big data geospatial analytic capabilities to derive novel insights from data. We are seeking a thought leader in this discipline who can hit the ground running on projects, provide leadership and guidance as to how best to apply the discipline of human geography to the problems at hand, and be willing to engage with and mentor less experienced staff to grow the overall knowledge-base of the project team.
Studies the geosphere, hydrosphere, biosphere, atmosphere, and/or interactions of these systems with human activities. Uses scientific principles, instrument measurements, computer models, data analysis, and knowledge of policy and regulatory drivers to study the environment and/or develop solutions to environmental problems. Leverages knowledge and tools from fields such as ecology, biology, physics, chemistry, geochemistry, soil science, geology, hydrology, atmospheric science, economics, and/or integrated assessment.
Responsibilities for this position include:
+ Lead and technically contribute to multidisciplinary teams applying human-earth system science domain knowledge to address applied problems and support decision makers
+ Provide technical and business strategy insights to existing projects and programs
+ Lead the development of new projects through competitive sponsor proposals to enhance fundamental and applied research relative to human-Earth system predictability
+ Lead and contribute to peer-reviewed human-Earth system research efforts and establish collaborations both within and outside of PNNL
+ Lead complex multi-organizational research projects managing scope, schedule, and budget to deliver high quality products to sponsors
+ Mentor early and mid-career staff to foster technical and professional career growth in **human-Earth system predictability**
+ Participate in national and/or international professional societies, advisory groups, and/or external collaborations
Interface with sponsors and key stakeholders to convey project status and impact of the work.
**Qualifications**
Minimum Qualifications:
+ BS/BA and 5+ years of relevant work experience -OR-
+ MS/MA and 3+ years of relevant work experience -OR-
+ PhD with 1+ year of relevant experience
Preferred Qualifications:
+ PhD in earth, geographic, or social sciences.
+ Experience leading reports and/or manuscript preparation including data analysis, presentation, writing and editing.
+ Advanced skill in geospatial analysis using commercial and/or open-source platforms (ArcGIS, QGIS, R, etc.).
+ Proven skill with geographic data manipulation and statistical analysis of analyzing global geographic datasets (population, climate, infrastructure, etc.) using R or python.
+ Experience with understanding how societies are impacted by environmental externalities and stressors (e.g., climate change impacts, migration, urbanization-impacts, ecosystem changes) and how humans respond from both spatio-temporally and from a behavioral perspective.
+ Demonstrated problem solving by providing new perspectives to existing approaches.
+ Experience presenting scientific analysis and results
**Hazardous Working Conditions/Environment**
This position may involve business development efforts and may require travel to off-site locations.
**Additional Information**
This position requires the ability to obtain and maintain a federal security clearance.
+ U.S. Citizenship Required
+ Background Investigation: Applicants selected will be subject to a Federal background investigation and must meet eligibility requirements for access to classified matter in accordance with 10 CFR 710, Appendix B.
+ Drug Testing: All Security Clearance positions are Testing Designated Positions, which means that the candidate selected is subject to pre-employment and random drug testing. In addition, applicants must be able to demonstrate non-use of illegal drugs, including marijuana, for the 12 consecutive months preceding completion of the requisite Questionnaire for National Security Positions (QNSP).
**Note:** Applicants will be considered ineligible for security clearance processing by the U.S. Department of Energy until non-use of illegal drugs, including marijuana, for 12 months can be demonstrated.
**Testing Designated Position**
This position is a Testing Designated Position (TDP). The candidate selected for this position will be subject to pre-employment and random drug testing for illegal drugs, including marijuana, consistent with the Controlled Substances Act and the PNNL Workplace Substance Abuse Program.
**About PNNL**
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) is a world-class research institution powered by a highly educated, diverse workforce committed to the values of Integrity, Creativity, Collaboration, Impact, and Courage. Every year, scores of dynamic, driven people come to PNNL to work with renowned researchers on meaningful science, innovations and outcomes for the U.S. Department of Energy and other sponsors; here is your chance to be one of them!
At PNNL, you will find an exciting research environment and excellent benefits including health insurance, flexible work schedules and telework options. PNNL is located in eastern Washington State—the dry side of Washington known for its stellar outdoor recreation and affordable cost of living. The Lab’s campus is only a 45-minute flight (or ~3-hour drive) from Seattle or Portland, and is serviced by the convenient PSC airport, connected to 8 major hubs.
**Commitment to Excellence, Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Equal Employment Opportunity**
Our laboratory is committed to a diverse and inclusive work environment dedicated to solving critical challenges in fundamental sciences, national security, and energy resiliency. We are proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action employer. In support of this commitment, we encourage people of all racial/ethnic identities, women, veterans, and individuals with disabilities to apply for employment.
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory considers all applicants for employment without regard to race, religion, color, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, and gender identity), national origin, age, disability, genetic information (including family medical history), protected veteran status, and any other status or characteristic protected by federal, state, and/or local laws.
We are committed to providing reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities and disabled veterans in our job application procedures and in employment. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, contact us at careers@pnnl.gov .
**Drug Free Workplace**
PNNL is committed to a drug-free workplace supported by Workplace Substance Abuse Program (WSAP) and complies with federal laws prohibiting the possession and use of illegal drugs.
If you are offered employment at PNNL, you must pass a drug test prior to commencing employment. PNNL complies with federal law regarding illegal drug use. Under federal law, marijuana remains an illegal drug. If you test positive for any illegal controlled substance, including marijuana, your offer of employment will be withdrawn.
**HSPD-12 PIV Credential Requirement**
In accordance with Homeland Security Presidential Directive 12 (HSPD-12) and Department of Energy (DOE) Order 473.1A, new employees are required to obtain and maintain a HSPD-12 Personal Identity Verification (PIV) Credential. To obtain this credential, new employees must successfully complete and pass a Federal Tier 1 background check investigation. This investigation includes a declaration of illegal drug activities, including use, supply, possession, or manufacture within the last year. This includes marijuana and cannabis derivatives, which are still considered illegal under federal law, regardless of state laws.
**Mandatory Requirements**
Please be aware that the Department of Energy (DOE) prohibits DOE employees and contractors from having any affiliation with the foreign government of a country DOE has identified as a “country of risk” without explicit approval by DOE and Battelle. If you are offered a position at PNNL and currently have any affiliation with the government of one of these countries, you will be required to disclose this information and recuse yourself of that affiliation or receive approval from DOE and Battelle prior to your first day of employment.
**Rockstar Rewards**
Employees and their families are offered medical insurance, dental insurance, vision insurance, health savings account, flexible spending accounts, basic life insurance, disability insurance*, employee assistance program, business travel insurance, tuition assistance, supplemental parental bonding leave**, surrogacy and adoption assistance, and fertility support. Employees are automatically enrolled in our company funded pension plan* and may enroll in our 401k savings plan. Employees may accrue up to 120 vacation hours per year and may receive ten paid holidays per year.
* Research Associates excluded.
**Once eligibility requirements are met.
Click Here For Rockstar Rewards (https://careers.pnnl.gov/rockstar-rewards)
**Notice to Applicants**
PNNL lists the full pay range for the position in the job posting. Starting pay is calculated from the minimum of the pay range and actual placement in the range is determined based on an individual’s relevant job-related skills, qualifications, and experience. This approach is applicable to all positions, with the exception of positions governed by collective bargaining agreements and certain limited-term positions which have specific pay rules.
As part of our commitment to fair compensation practices, we do not ask for or consider current or past salaries in making compensation offers at hire. Instead, our compensation offers are determined by the specific requirements of the position, prevailing market trends, applicable collective bargaining agreements, pay equity for the position type, and individual qualifications and skills relevant to the performance of the position.
**Minimum Salary**
USD $117,100.00/Yr.
**Maximum Salary**
USD $185,100.00/Yr.
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