Job Details

CIRES / NOAA NCEI Passive Acoustic Data Analyst

Position Number: 6417944
Location: Boulder, CO
Position Type: Laboratory and Research

CIRES / NOAA NCEI Passive Acoustic Data Analyst

Requisition Number: 66069
Location: Boulder Colorado
Employment Type: Research Faculty
Schedule: Full Time
Posting Close Date: 30-Jul-2025
Date Posted:

Job Summary

The Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental Sciences (CIRES) at the University of Colorado in Boulder has an opening for a passive acoustic data analyst, supporting the NOAA Office of National Marine Sanctuaries (ONMS).

This position will support the nationally coordinated underwater sound monitoring network across the National Marine Sanctuary System (ONMS Sound Monitoring) in using marine sound data for baseline and trend evaluations in sanctuaries. This position will:

Apply and advance, in collaboration with identified NOAA supported partners (ONMS Sound, NOAA Fisheries Passive Acoustic Monitoring Strategic Initiatives and NOAA Integrated Ocean Observing System (IOOS)), scalable approaches to soundscape representation addressing management relevant objectives and ecological drivers across sanctuary settings. Participate in small teams of practitioners who meet regularly to trial methodologies. Apply and advance existing tools to generate initial web-based soundscape inventories for all ONMS Sound monitoring locations.
Work closely with ONMS Sound to link derivation and delivery of sound-informed indicators in sanctuaries to sanctuary condition reporting and web-enabled ecosystem tracking tools (e.g., Sanctuary Watch). Participate in monthly ONMS Sound national coordination meetings and quarterly or as needed data management meetings to implement linkages between data access (CIRES and NCEI), derivation of sanctuary soundscape inventory products (ONMS and CIRES) and sanctuary-focused delivery (ONMS and IOOS).

This position is anticipated to be located at the new Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary office, situated on the CalPoly San Luis Obispo academic campus, with potential working periods at NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI) located in Boulder, CO.
CU is an Equal Opportunity Employer and complies with all applicable federal, state, and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment. We are committed to creating a workplace where all individuals are treated with respect and dignity, and we encourage individuals from all backgrounds to apply, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.

Who We Are

At CIRES, more than 900 environmental science professionals work to understand the dynamic Earth system, including people's relationship with the planet. CIRES has partnered with NOAA since 1967, and our areas of expertise include weather and climate, changes at Earth's poles, air quality and atmospheric chemistry, water resources, solid Earth sciences, and more. Our vision is to be instrumental in ensuring a sustainable future environment by advancing scientific and societal understanding of the Earth system.

NOAA ONMS protects 18 underwater parks spanning over 629,000 square miles of ocean and Great Lakes waters. By investing in innovative solutions, we strengthen these iconic places to address 21st-century challenges while supporting America's commerce and tourism. These unique locations inspire people to visit, value, and steward our nation's iconic ocean and Great Lakes waters. The ONMS Sound network supports the program's understanding and protection of sanctuaries including restoration efforts, effectiveness of and compliance with regulations, quantifying sanctuary usages, and assessing human impacts.

NOAA NCEI is responsible for hosting and providing access to one of the most significant archives on Earth, with comprehensive oceanic, atmospheric, and geophysical data. From the depths of the ocean to the surface of the sun and from million-year-old sediment records to near real-time satellite images, NCEI is the Nation's leading authority for environmental information. NCEI's Boulder, Colorado office holds and preserves the Nation's marine geophysical data and information.

What Your Key Responsibilities Will Be

Work closely with ONMS Sound, CIRES and NCEI to apply existing tools to create Sanctuary Soundscape Inventories for ONMS Sound data as available via NCEI's passive acoustic data archive (40%).
Attend NOAA practitioner working group meetings focused on soundscape analysis and indicator development (10%).
Trial new methodologies advanced through NOAA practitioner working group (e.g., PAMScapes, PACM) and integrate as possible in sanctuary soundscape inventories (10%).
Work with CIRES staff to continue to advance NCEI's role in sanctuary data curation and management, and Sanctuary Soundscape Inventory web presentation (20%).
Be a member of the ONMS Sound team through regular coordination calls, opportunities to support field effort, communication/engagement at sanctuaries etc (15%).
Work with ONMS Sound and Sanctuary Watch staff to support presentation of inventories and indicator products via Sanctuary Watch (5%).

What You Should Know

Based on current funding, this appointment is anticipated to last approximately two years. Position may be extended if additional funding is identified.
Given project needs, the targeted start date for this position is September 1, 2025.
Access to the NOAA Federal Center's computers is necessary to perform the work of this position. Access is not available for individuals working in the United States through a visa or a working permit. and therefore, we are unable to consider applications from individuals on a visa or working permit or requiring visa sponsorship for this position now or in the future.
This position will be rostered in CIRES at the University of Colorado Boulder, but anticipates being physically located at the Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary office, situated on the CalPoly San Luis Obispo academic campus, with potential working periods at NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI) located in Boulder, CO.
The selected finalist will be required to pass a federal background check.

What We Can Offer

CIRES can offer a generous compensation package.
The annual hiring salary range for this position is $57,942 to $61,000.
Salary is commensurate with education and experience and determined based on the CIRES internal career track classification.
This position offers a hybrid work environment with both on-site and remote work hours.
Some relocation funds are available for this position to off-set moving expenses following CIRES and the University of Colorado's relocation processes and procedures.
CIRES and the University of Colorado Boulder offer a robust training curriculum, opportunities for professional development and a Mentorship Program.
As an employee at CU Boulder, you receive a pass allowing free access to the regional public transit system, which is an outstanding network of buses and light rail systems that provide service within Boulder and connect to Denver, the Denver airport, and surrounding communities.

Benefits

The University of Colorado offers excellent benefits, including medical, dental, retirement, paid time off, tuition benefit and ECO Pass. The University of Colorado Boulder is one of the largest employers in Boulder County and offers an inspiring higher education environment. Learn more about the University of Colorado Boulder.

Be Statements

Be effective. Be flexible. Be Boulder.

What We Require

A bachelor's degree in statistics, biology, oceanography, or related field with applicable experience processing passive acoustic data from marine environments.
Experience using scripting languages, such as R, Matlab, or Python.
Experience working directly with NOAA passive acoustic monitoring programs.

What You Will Need

Demonstrated ability to work with and organize large volumes of data, metadata, and other supporting data.
Expertise in managing and transforming large datasets.
Experience with marine soundscape analysis.
Familiarity with cloud platforms.
Ability to communicate clearly and effectively in both oral and written English.
Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
Strong networking skills to collaborate with scientists and natural resource managers.

Special Instructions

To apply, please submit the following materials:

Resume or CV.
Cover letter addressed to the Search Committee briefly describing your qualifications, professional goals, and specific interest in this position.
If you are selected as a finalist, we will request professional references at a later time.

If you are selected as the finalist, your degree will be verified by the CU Boulder Campus Human Resources department using an approved online vendor. If your degree was obtained outside of the United States, please submit a translated version (if applicable) as an optional attachment.

The position will close on July 30, 2025.

Note: For consideration, applications must be submitted through CU Boulder Jobs. Application materials will not be accepted via email.

In compliance with the Colorado Job Application Fairness Act, in any materials you submit, you may redact or remove age-identifying information such as age, date of birth, or dates of school attendance or graduation. You will not be penalized for redacting or removing this information.

To apply, visit https://jobs.colorado.edu/jobs/JobDetail/CIRES-NOAA-NCEI-Passive-Acoustic-Data-Analyst/66069