Metadata Specialist

Job Title: Metadata Specialist
Clearance Required: Public Trust
Work Location: Remote or near one of the following locations: Silver Spring, MD; Stennis, MS; Boulder, CO; Asheville, NC

Alpha Omega is recruiting to staff the recent award for the NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI) Data Stewardship Division (DSD), which works with NOAA and the broader community to provide and maintain the core tools, systems, services, policies, and procedures that enable long-term information preservation, dissemination, and service delivery in a cost-effective, efficient, and reliable manner. Its four branches, Data Operations, Archive, Software Engineering, and Data Access, ensure conformance with the principles, activities, and responsibilities of an Open Archival Information System (OAIS) Reference Model Archive (Consultative Committee for Space Data Systems, 2012; ISO 14721); follow established NOAA, Department of Commerce, and Executive Office policies; and maintain a reliable and effective infrastructure of hardware, software, processes, and procedures to ensure the long-term preservation of NOAA’s information products and services. 

The Metadata Specialist will work with a team of test engineers, software developers, and data analysts to maintain the availability and integrity of meteorological, climatological, and environmental, geospatially-referenced data in several electronic formats for use by customers worldwide. 

Key Responsibilities: 

• Archive Documentation:
  • Utilize standard templates to document new or revised archive projects.
  • Provide weekly status reports on the progress of archive projects.
• Coordination and Communication:
  • Coordinate Archive Implementation and Maintenance requirements with geographically diverse internal and external stakeholders.
  • Translate and communicate project requirements to subject matter experts and operators.
  • Support Data Set Readiness Reviews (DSRR) to ensure NCEI is prepared to ingest, archive, and provide access to new and updated archive requests.
  • Assist in assessing the completeness and appropriateness of new data archive requests in alignment with NOAA mission priorities.
• Project Management:
  • Operate project management tools (Jira, Google Docs and Sheets) for task status, issue tracking, and scheduling.
  • Follow established processes to plan and execute various projects.
• Advanced Planning and Support:
  • Ensure provider metadata adherence to accepted Federal and international standards for data storage, accessibility, metadata, interoperability, and long-term preservation.
• Digital Object Identifiers (DOIs) and Metadata:
  • Mint and maintain Digital Object Identifiers (DOIs) using automated and manual methods.
  • Develop, create, and maintain metadata for data granules and collection metadata records.
• Data Stewardship and Best Practices:
  • Develop, create, and maintain Data Stewardship Maturity Model assessments, related metadata, and Data Stewardship Maturity Reports (DSMR).
  • Identify and document best practices and implementation strategies for standards related to collection and granule metadata.
• Guidance and Support:
  • Support data providers and managers by providing guidance on archive-related tools, templates, checklists, standards, and processes.
• Operational Archive Records:
  • Assist NCEI data managers with requests to update operational archive records. 

Required Qualifications:

• Education:
  • Bachelor's degree (BS/BA) in a related field or equivalent practical experience.
• Experience/Skills:
  • 2 to 4 years of experience in a related area.
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
  • Knowledge of data formats e.g., XML, JSON, NetCDF.
  • Experience using Microsoft Windows and Google’s G-Suite applications. 

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience working with metadata, specifically metadata standards such as ISO 19115.
• Knowledge of Agile development methodologies.
• Experience using Amazon Web Service (AWS).
• Experience with Atlassian Jira and Confluence.
• Experience in scripting languages (e.g. Python or command line scripting) for metadata processing.
• Experience in cloud migration projects, with expertise in metadata translation and mapping to cloud-based metadata schemas. 

Benefit Information:

Joining the Alpha Omega team entitles you to participate in all retirement benefits, plans of deferred compensation, health and insurance benefits, and other such benefits as set forth in the company’s policy and benefits manuals. See below, to name a few:

PTO including paid parental, military, and bereavement leave
Eleven (11) paid Federal holidays, five of which are floating holidays (as designated by the company’s holiday schedule each year)
Health and Dental Insurance (including 100% employer paid premiums for employee coverage under the HDHP health plan)
Life Insurance, STD/LTD term disability coverage, with employer paid premiums
401 (k) plan with a match that is 100% vested after you complete two years of service
FSA/DFSA/HSA flexible benefit plans
Annual Tuition & Professional Development Reimbursement benefit

We regularly review our Total Rewards package to ensure our offerings are competitive and reflect what our employees have told us they value most.

Culture and Values:

Alpha Omega's Core Values are (H) harmony, (E) engagement, (A) accountability, (R) resourcefulness, and (T) tenacity - collectively they are an acrostic reminder of the values that guide the work we do. We have H.E.A.R.T.!

We foster a culture that recognizes and rewards hard work. Our H.E.A.R.T. program invites colleagues and managers from across the organization to recognize each other for living out our core values. Spotlighted employees enjoy a detailed nomination about their core-values-aligned actions which are then shared with their manager.

Our Company:

Alpha Omega is an award-winning Federal IT Solutions provider. Since our inception in 2016, we have grown our revenues to $140 million and our employee population to almost 500 people located across the U.S.

At the heart of Alpha Omega’s mission lies a comprehensive approach to addressing the most critical domains shaping our world today. Through strategic partnerships and cutting-edge technology, the company is committed to delivering mission-enabling solutions that transcend boundaries and propel progress in key areas. We deliver mission-focused solutions in our domain areas of national security, foreign affairs and climate science leveraging our expertise in cybersecurity, data and AI, and digital modernization.

Our consistent growth has fostered a series of accolades including Inc. 5000 and Washington Technology’s Fast 50 awards for five consecutive years, Virginia Business Best Places to Work seven years in a row, and USA Today and Washington Post Top Workplaces. 

Alpha Omega places significant emphasis on bolstering national security efforts in collaboration with key government agencies such as the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Through our National Security domain, we provide innovative solutions and strategic partnerships, the company is committed to safeguarding America’s safety and prosperity. From implementing advanced cybersecurity protocols to strengthening critical infrastructure resilience, Alpha Omega’s contributions are instrumental in defending the nation against evolving threats. Furthermore, our dedication extends to protecting the interests of our service members within the Coast Guard, recognizing their integral role in the broader national security framework. This comprehensive approach underscores Alpha Omega’s unwavering commitment to ensuring the safety and security of the United States.

Climate Science is integral to our national security strategy, as it provides crucial insights into environmental threats that can destabilize regions, exacerbate conflicts, and compromise vital resources essential for the safety and stability of our nation. Moreover, Alpha Omega recognizes the urgency of addressing climate change and its far-reaching implications. Through initiatives like the integration of advanced climate modeling within National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and supporting agricultural production and conservation efforts within the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), the company actively contributes to the fight against climate crisis. By leveraging technology to drive sustainability and resilience, Alpha Omega underscores its commitment to preserving our planet for future generations.

In addition to its domestic endeavors, our Foreign Affairs domain is deeply engaged in navigating complex foreign affairs and promoting U.S. diplomacy on the global stage. Through collaboration with the U.S. Department of State and other international partners, the company advances national interests while fostering cooperation and mutual understanding. By leveraging technological innovation, Alpha Omega strengthens America’s position as a global leader and promotes stability in an increasingly interconnected world.

Alpha Omega Integration, LLC (Alpha Omega) is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or veteran status, or any other protected class. We are committed to the development of a creative, diverse, and inclusive work environment. Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC), LGBTQIA, women, people over 40, and differently abled individuals are strongly encouraged to apply.

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