The UT School of Natural Resources is seeking a highly motivated Data Manager with strong programming and coding skills to support research, education, and outreach activities. This position will lead data infrastructure efforts, manage large environmental and natural resource datasets, and support faculty and U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service Forest Inventory and Analysis (FIA) scientist’s research through database development, software development, and data analytics. FIA is responsible for collecting, analyzing, and reporting on data pertaining to forest land and the forest products sector across the United States.

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The UT School of Natural Resources is seeking a highly motivated Data Manager with strong programming and coding skills to support research, education, and outreach activities. This position will lead data infrastructure efforts, manage large environmental and natural resource datasets, and support faculty and U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service Forest Inventory and Analysis (FIA) scientist’s research through database development, software development, and data analytics. FIA is responsible for collecting, analyzing, and reporting on data pertaining to forest land and the forest products sector across the United States.

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Required Qualifications:

• Education:

  • A bachelor's degree in data science, computer science, environmental science, natural resources, or a related field.

• Experience:

  • One year of experience in data management or a related field.

• Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities:

  • Proficiency in database systems (e.g., SQL), spreadsheets, and data visualization tools (e.g., Tableau, Power BI).

  • Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills.

  • Proven experience in programming (Python, R, SQL, etc.) for data wrangling, analysis, and visualization.

  • Strong understanding of database management systems (e.g., PostgreSQL, MySQL).

  • Experience with data version control (e.g., Git/GitHub).

  • Familiarity with geospatial data formats (e.g., raster, shapefile) and tools (e.g., QGIS, GDAL, ArcGIS).

  • Excellent communication and organizational skills.

  • Ability to create dashboards, data visualizations, or web-based tools for internal and public use, and collaborate with faculty, FIA analysts, and other university research partners on data-intensive research.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Education:

  • A master’s degree in data management, computer science, or related field

• Experience:

  • Two or more years of experience in data management or related field

• Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities:

  • Experience with cloud computing or HPC environments, e.g., AWS, Google Earth Engine, SLURM.

  • Knowledge of ecological or environmental datasets, e.g., remote sensing, field observations, climate data.

  • Familiarity with statistical analytic techniques for spatial data.

  • Experience developing APIs or web-based interfaces for data access and visualization.

  • Experience working in a higher education or research environment.

  • Familiarity with data privacy laws and best practices in academic data stewardship.

Work Location:

• This is an onsite position stationed in Knoxville, Tennessee, on the UT Research Park campus, in the office of the U.S.D.A. Forest Service. A federal government security clearance is required for this position.

Compensation and Benefits:

• UT market range: MR12
• Anticipated hiring range: $85k-$109k
• Find more information on the UT Market Range structure here
• Find more information on UT Benefits here

Application Instructions:

To express interest, submit the below noted attachments. To be assured of full consideration, completed applications with all requested materials should be submitted on or before January 15, 2026.

• Resume outlining relevant education, training, and experience
• One-page Cover Letter
• Full contact information of three professional references

About The School:

The School of Natural Resources is the comprehensive natural resources program in the state of Tennessee, consisting of 35 teaching, research, and extension faculty, 16 professional staff members, 9 administrative staff members, and more than 350 students. The school’s mission is to advance the science and sustainable management of natural resources to promote their health, utilization, and appreciation in Tennessee, the region, and beyond, through programs in teaching, research, Extension and outreach.

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Responsibilities of this position include:

• Developing scripts and tools in R, Python, or other languages to automate data processing and quality control.
• The Data Manager is responsible for generating and updating documentation (metadata) for FIA's National Resource Use Monitoring (NRUM) database procedures and data processing packages.
• Ensuring data integrity, backup, and security protocols are followed.
• Managing data sharing and compliance with data policies, e.g., Findable, Accessible, Interoperable and Reusable (FAIR) principles
• Developing machine learning algorithms for forestry applications.
• Developing and implementing data management policies to ensure data accuracy, completeness and consistency.
• Creating dashboards, data visualizations, or web-based tools for internal and public use.
• Collaborating with faculty, FIA analysts, and other university research partners on data-intensive research.