Python Job: Remote Sensing Scientist

The Department of Regional NSW is seeking applications for a Remote Sensing Scientist within the DPI Forestry branch to join their team on an ongoing basis!

• Ongoing, full-time role
• Preferred Location – Parramatta (Regional locations will also be considered)
• Salary range of $109,371 to $130,553 p.a + superannuation

Diversity and inclusion are core values of the Department of Regional NSW. We encourage applications from people with a range of backgrounds, experiences and perspectives. This includes differences in culture, gender, sexual orientation, language and disability status or other attributes.

The Department of Regional NSW is a workplace where everyone is able to contribute and participate to their full potential, and we are proud to have a team that reflects the richness and complexity of the regional NSW communities we serve.

About Us

The Department of Regional NSW (DRNSW) was formed in 2020 as a central agency for regional issues. The Department has responsible for building resilient regional economies and communities, strengthening primary industries, managing the use of regional land, overseeing the state’s mineral and mining resources and ensuring government investment in regional NSW is fair and delivers positive outcomes for local communities and businesses.

The NSW Department of Primary Industries (NSW DPI) supports the development of profitable primary industries that create a more prosperous NSW and contributes to a better environment through the sustainable use of natural resources.

Within NSW DPI, Forestry Land Reform (DPI Forestry) provides nationally and internationally recognised expertise in forest science; is responsible for forestry policy development; and provides regulatory services under the Plantations and Reafforestation Act 1999.

About the role

The role collects, processes, evaluates and models spatial information. In particular, remotely sensed data including spectral and LiDAR data acquired from satellite, aerial and terrestrial platforms related to forested landscapes in NSW. The role develops and applies spatial modelling and statistical techniques to the assembled datasets to provide meaningful deliverables for current and proposed research projects undertaken by the Forests Science research group.

Working as a Remote Sensing Scientist, you will;

• Undertake forest monitoring research and data collection to contribute to reporting requirements and inform forest management.
• On occasion you will need to be able to work in remote rugged terrain, often walking for several kilometres, to collect ground-based data in development and verification of spatial models
• Analyse and model spatial data at multiple spatial and temporal scales using a suite of GIS, remote sensing, statistical and coding packages
• Develop and apply statistical/machine learning modelling techniques to remotely sensed datasets including LiDAR data
• Contribute to and lead the reporting, publishing, and dissemination of research results
• Contribute to the preparation of externally funded project proposals and subsequent delivery of all funded projects, including assisting management of external researchers and contractors
• Work collaboratively with scientists within NSW DPI Forest Science and more broadly across the government and academic sectors to deliver beneficial outcomes for NSW forests
• Comply with work standards according to the level of appointment in the Professional Officer Progression Criteria (1-4) scale in the Crown Employees (NSW Department of Industry) Professional Officers.

What you need to be successful in this role:

• Degree and/or post graduate experience in spatial sciences.
• Experience working with remotely sensed data of the natural environment
• Demonstrated knowledge and experience in spatial modelling including machine learning techniques and statistical software packages that can handle spatially explicit datasets (e.g. GEE, Python, R )
• Experience with 3D point cloud data processing software (e.g. LASTools,)
• Strong knowledge and application of statistics (e.g. sampling design), experience with cloud computing and manipulation of large datasets.
• Current NSW Driver Licence

Why work for Department of Regional NSW?

The Department of Regional NSW brings together under one super-charged umbrella the skill, insights, expertise, and authority to shape a dynamic future for the state’s regional areas.

• The groups within our cluster work hard to identify obstacles, map solutions and drive outcomes for the people of regional NSW
• We are the only central government agency devoted solely to people in regional areas. With nearly 80 percent of our staff living in the community we serve, we are strategic thinkers, problem solvers, and the friend on the ground in good times and bad.
• Our evidence-based, collaborative approach is building thriving communities across regional NSW for generations to come
• We’re here for regional NSW, for the long term

Apply Now;

All applications must be submitted online and should include your current resume and a cover letter outlining your suitability for this position.

If you would like to hear more about this role, please contact John Samuel via [email protected]. You can also view the role description.

Applications close 11:55pm Monday 6th March 2023