This position focuses on mapping and geospatial analysis within the Statistics & Evaluation Center (SEC) in support of intradepartmental research and strategic and tactical projects as identified by the American Cancer Society (ACS). The role requires collaboration with colleagues across ACS and in particular researchers and staff in Intramural Research and Cancer Control Departments. The research scientist is expected to support various projects to benefit research, mission, planning, initiatives and inform decision making within the society. Using GIS and other advanced quantitative methods this individual will collaborate with researchers, staff and stakeholders on processing data, assessing, testing, and implementing mapping and GIS analysis solutions for ACS.
- Support geospatial research and analysis efforts as identified by the strategic director for geospatial research
- Collaborate with colleagues from multiple Corporate Center Departments and ACS Regions in developing and conducting analyses.
- Support departmental efforts to extract and analyze ACS and other federal data and produce reports, maps and decision support tools.
- Support SEC effort in monitoring and evaluating ACS programs as directed by supervisor.
- Participate actively in research that leads to publications in peer-reviewed journals and conference presentations.
- Other miscellaneous duties as specified by supervisor.
FORMAL KNOWLEDGE:
- Strong background in geographical information systems and Statistics/spatial statistic methods
- Well versed in data gathering and pre-processing, and robust understanding of database concepts and structures, and specifically spatial databases
- Skilled in producing maps, reports and conducting advanced geospatial data analysis• Background and experience in development of web GIS applications is a plus
- Coursework, training and experience that address issues of cancer, cancer prevention, public health and community health are expected.
Demonstrates Intramural Research Competencies:
- Action oriented - Takes on new opportunities and tough challenges with a sense of urgency, high energy, and enthusiasm.
- Communicates effectively - Develops and delivers multi-mode communications that convey a clear understanding of the unique needs of different audiences.
- Drives results - Consistently achieves results, even under tough circumstances.
- Manages complexity - Makes sense of complex, high quantity, and sometimes contradictory information to effectively solve problems.
- Builds networks - Effectively builds formal and informal relationship networks inside and outside the organization.
- Cultivates innovation - Creates new and better ways for the organization to be successful.
- Optimizes work processes - Knows the most effective and efficient processes to get things done, with a focus on continuous improvement.
- Manages ambiguity - Operates effectively, even when things are not certain or the way forward is not clear.
Other Skills:
- Ability to evaluate programs, operations, procedures, policy, and data, and use these to formulate analyses that can inform decisions.
- Advanced verbal, written, and analysis skills and the ability to present effectively to small and large groups.
- Demonstrated capability to interact, collaborate, plan, and effectively communicate with individuals from multiple disciplines.
- Demonstrated ability to build consensus and to work through others in achieving desired results and objectives.
- Demonstrated ability to work with public health data to develop metrics, maps, and decision support tools for measurement of program performance, assess achievement, and identify program gaps.
- Demonstrated ability to develop work plans and timelines for large projects.
SPECIALIZED TRAINING OR KNOWLEDGE:
- Computational skills including demonstrated use of 1) GIS and mapping tools, in particular arcGIS (ERDAS-Imagine, google Earth are a plus) to support geospatial analyses and mapping. 2) Statistical software, such as SPSS, SAS, JMP, R for manipulating and summarizing large databases
- Experience with web reporting and GIS web applications such as instantAtlas, arcgisServer, arcgisonline, Tableau
- Experience with using Microsoft Office products to produce reports, tables and presentations.
- Experience in writing Object Oriented code as well as scripting languages such as python and java script is a plus.
- Knowledge of ACS organizational structure, workflow, operating procedures, and database structures.
- Experience with computing in the Microsoft Windows environment.
We are committed to providing staff with fulfilling opportunities to learn, grow and make an impact in their local communities. We offer staff a generous paid time off policy; medical, dental and retirement benefits, and professional development programs to enhance staff skills.