With world attention on both the environment and the economy, Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) is where policymakers and business leaders turn for win-win solutions. By focusing on strong science, uncommon partnerships and market-based approaches, we tackle urgent threats with practical solutions. We are one of the world’s largest environmental organizations, with more than two million members and a staff of approximately 700 scientists, economists, policy experts, and other professionals around the world. We operate in 22 geographies with unique projects running across four programs. You will be part of a vibrant workplace where innovation and results are a way of life.

EDF envisions a world in which people from all backgrounds and experiences feel connected to the environmental challenges we face and are engaged in creating durable, equitable solutions. We seek talented candidates who share our Core Values of Respect, Results, Innovation, Optimism, and Integrity, and support our Commitment to Diversity.  

Senior Data Analyst, Petrochemicals

Location - Any US Office, Remote

This is an 18-month term position reporting to the VoLo Senior Environmental Data Scientist

Overall Function

EDF is seeking a Senior Data Analyst to conduct scientific research and analysis on large datasets related to toxic air emissions from the petrochemical industry. The Senior Analyst’s primary responsibility will be to generate data science insights that advance the EDF petrochemical strategic initiative - to improve the wellbeing of communities living within industrial corridors through community driven solutions. The Senior Data Analyst will be a key team member in EDF’s Office of the Chief Scientist, joining a data science team working on a variety of projects, sharing knowledge, and building data capacity and community across EDF. The location is flexible and can be remote or based in EDF’s U.S. offices.

Key Responsibilities

• Inventory and collect available air toxics monitoring (including from satellite instruments e.g. TROPOMI), modeling (e.g. EPA RSEI), and permitting and emissions (e.g. TCEQ air permits, EPA TRI) datasets associated with petrochemical facilities.
• Quality control, transform, query and analyze collected petrochemical data to characterize the data, identify gaps and generate scientifically defensible, geospatial and statistical insights to address science and policy questions.
• Compare the location, timing and magnitude of observed peak air toxic concentrations to their potential petrochemical facility sources and impacted communities.
• Curate and visualize data in a variety of user-friendly, compelling formats, including as maps of results from geospatial analyses.
• Facilitate access to data and insights for stakeholders, including those most impacted by the outcomes, and request feedback to guide analysis plan.
• Communicate research products across EDF programs and levels of expertise.
• Help develop reports, fact sheets, blog posts, and other materials for general and specific audiences on topics relevant to the petrochemicals initiative.
• Participate in advancing EDF DEI goals in which people from all backgrounds and experiences feel connected, included, and empowered to address the environmental and organizational challenges in alignment with EDF values

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a quantitative field (e.g., mathematics, statistics, engineering, physics, computer science, data science) with 4 or more years of work experience or Master’s degree in an environmentally relevant data or science field.
• Strong programming skills in a scripting language, Python or R preferred.
• Proficiency working in databases (e.g. PostgreSQL, Google BigQuery, Microsoft SQL Server or Access) and ability to write queries in SQL.
• Proficiency in spatial analysis with ability to access and analyze geospatial data sets programmatically (e.g., R, Python) and/or in databases (e.g., PostGIS, BQ, arcpy) allowing for analysis of large (100s of GB) data sets.
  • Strong quantitative analysis skills and knowledge in statistics.
• Ability to work independently, manage time efficiently, and collaborate effectively with diverse colleagues in a fast-paced environment.
• Excellent problem solving and multi-tasking skills.
• Ability to communicate complex ideas in writing and orally to multiple stakeholders with different levels of expertise.
• An interest and commitment to solving environmental problems through collaborative projects based on rigorous science and solutions-focused advocacy.
• Demonstrates self-awareness, cultural competency and inclusivity, and ability to work with colleagues and stakeholders across diverse cultures and backgrounds.

Preferred

• Familiarity with cloud computing platforms (e.g. GCP, AWS, Azure) and services (e.g. virtual machines, containers, cloud functions, cloud storage)
• Experience working with satellite datasets
• Background or strong interest in air pollution, toxic substances, VOCs, or petrochemical industry