Water Data Engineer

Our Mission

The Center for Geospatial Solutions (CGS) is a nonprofit geospatial technology enterprise established at the Lincoln Institute of Land Policy. Founded to help bridge the gap between policy and practice, our mission is to enable people and the planet to meet the pace of change by expanding access to new technologies for more sustainable and equitable outcomes for all. 

Our award-winning team brings decades of applied expertise and end-to-end GIS capabilities to liberate and connect key information across sectors, crafting innovative solutions for mission-focused organizations. By embracing whole-system thinking with state-of-the-art technology, our work enables better decision-making and unlocks the power of land, water, and people. Using tools like satellite data and artificial intelligence, CGS accelerates positive change in key focus areas, including Ecosystem Conservation, Water Scarcity & Quality, Social Equity, and Sustainable Infrastructure.

CGS was founded at the Lincoln Institute of Land Policy, which seeks to improve quality of life through the effective use, taxation, and stewardship of land. A nonprofit private operating foundation whose origins date to 1946, the Lincoln Institute researches and recommends creative approaches to land as a solution to economic, social, and environmental issues. Through education, training, publications, and events, the Lincoln Institute integrates theory and practice to inform public policy solutions worldwide and has office locations in Cambridge, Massachusetts; Washington, DC; Phoenix, Arizona; and Beijing, China.

Internet of Water Overview

In the United States, water data has been collected by hundreds of federal, state, and local agencies for decades, yet we are still unable to answer fundamental questions about our water systems in a timely way: How much water is there? What is its quality? How is it used? Because the data have been collected by different agencies, for different purposes, at different scales, and are scattered across multiple platforms with different standards, they are rarely used beyond their original purpose.

The Internet of Water (IoW) is a bold vision to modernize the nation’s water data infrastructure and fundamentally transform water management. Since 2022, CGS has led this transformation, spearheading efforts to modernize public water data infrastructure by driving adoption of the IoW principles and mobilizing the water data community. Working alongside public agencies, nonprofit organizations, and the private sector, the IoW team at CGS is entrusted with setting the standard for best practices and delivering critical technology, support, and services to ensure public water data becomes more discoverable, accessible, and actionable for all.

Position Overview

You will build databases and, in some cases, build data visualizations from your built databases. The Water Data Engineer will work with a team of software developers and water science/policy experts to develop and implement data-based solutions to complex water resource concerns. The successful candidate will have a strong background in water science, water-resources engineering, or water policy, and be experienced in finding, analyzing, and communicating water data using modern data analysis and visualization technologies and techniques. You will interact with water stakeholders along the “data-to-solutions pipeline” to ensure that data-based insights are effectively translated into actionable solutions.

What You’ll Do

• Find, analyze, and share water data in programmatic ways
• Create data schemas to harmonize water data from various sources and disciplines
• Collate, standardize, and visualize water data from multiple sources to address complex water resources concerns, using frameworks including but not limited to Tableau, Power BI, QGIS, ArcGIS Online/Enterprise, Leaflet, Shiny, plotly, etc.
• Connect with water stakeholders along the “data-to-solutions pipeline”
• Ensure that data-based insights are effectively communicated to IoW colleagues, clients, partner agencies, and collaborators
• Collaborate with and iterate feedback from a team of scientists, engineers, and policy experts
• Stay updated with the latest developments in water science, data analysis, and policy
• Conduct stakeholder engagement regarding water data collection, management, and visualization approaches
• Identify and engage with key stakeholders in the water resource sector
• Gather and incorporate stakeholder input into data collection, management, and visualization strategies
• Provide and deliver oral and written presentations to relay project information to target audiences; travel to meetings, conferences, and donor solicitations, and deliver formal presentations as appropriate.
• Develop and deliver presentations and workshops to educate stakeholders on data-based approaches and solutions
• Foster long-term relationships with stakeholders to ensure ongoing collaboration and support

What You’ll Need

• 5+ years of experience in water science, water resources engineering, water policy, or a related field
• 2+ years of experience using federal and state water resources, water quality, and water infrastructure databases
• Demonstrated success in developing and implementing data-based solutions to complex water resource concerns through finding and analyzing water data to address scientific, management, or policy questions.
• Proficiency in data analysis tools and programming languages (e.g., Python, R, SQL), interacting with federal and state water data via web APIs, and familiarity with codebase management and version control
• Experience with visualizing geospatial and water data using tools such as ArcGIS, PowerBI, Tableau, Shiny, Plotly, etc.
• Experience developing and delivering training and workshops related to water data and data-based solutions
• Experience interacting with water stakeholders along the data-to-solutions pipeline
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team to deliver project deliverables
• Passion for solving complex water resource concerns
• Experience in stakeholder engagement and facilitation
• Knowledge of best practices in water data collection, management, and visualization
• Ability to effectively communicate complex technical information to diverse audiences
• Proven track record of successful stakeholder engagement and collaboration

Compensation Overview

The salary market range for this Senior Analyst level role is $80,000-92,000 depending on level of education, years of experience, and level of proficiency with various tools.

Our Benefits

Include but are not limited to (a) 3x employer contribution towards retirement matching your employee contribution up to 15%, (b) health insurance, (c) dental insurance, (d) vision insurance, (e) 100% reimbursement of the health care deductible through a health reimbursement account, (f) short-term disability coverage, (g) long term disability coverage, (h) paid parental leave, (i) voluntary insurances such as accident insurance, (j) health care flexible spending, (k) dependent care flexible spending, (l) paid time off for holidays, vacation, personal, sick, bereavement, and jury duty, (m) office closure between December 24 – Jan 1 each calendar year, (n) flexible schedule and option for a compressed 4 day workweek, (o) tuition and staff development reimbursement, (p) pet insurance, and (q) Employee Assistance Program. 

Application Process

Please submit a cover letter and resume. The cover letter should succinctly describe your interest to join the team; why you are qualified; and what relevant expertise and experience you offer. 

Compensation Overview

The salary market range for this role is posted above and dependent on level of education and years of experience. We value internal and external equity and encourage those who may be missing qualifications to submit their materials still.

Our Values

We support a culture of forthright feedback, initiative, cooperation and teamwork, diversity, equity, and inclusion, and accepting responsibility.

Equal Opportunity Employer

The Lincoln Institute of Land Policy is dedicated to creating an inclusive work environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. Individuals seeking employment at the Lincoln Institute of Land Policy are considered without regards to race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), ancestry, citizenship status, gender identity or expression, genetic information, marital or domestic/civil partnership status, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Please note, we are registered to employ individuals who reside in one of the following states: AZ, DC, MA, NC, NH, TX, VA, WY

Pay Transparency Nondiscrimination Provision

Lincoln Institute of Land Policy will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor’s legal duty to furnish information.

Non-Smoking Organization

Lincoln Institute of Land Policy is a Non-Smoking organization. Smoking and the use of tobacco products are prohibited at all times and on all property owned, leased, or under the control of Lincoln Institute of Land Policy at all times, including, but not limited to indoor and outdoor grounds, walkways and sidewalks, parking lots, company vehicles, and private vehicles parked on Lincoln Institute of Land Policy property.

It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.