Geospatial Production and Operations Support Specialist

Title:

BELONG. CONNECT. GROW. with KBR.

Around here, we define the future. We are a company of innovators, thinkers, creators, explorers, volunteers, and dreamers. But we all share one goal: to improve the world responsibly and safely.

KBR’s Science and Space division is seeking a Geospatial Production and Operations Support Specialist to support our Technical Support Services Contract (TSSC) at the United States Geological Survey (USGS) Earth Resources Observation & Science (EROS) Center (http://eros.usgs.gov/) near Sioux Falls, SD (http://www.siouxfalls.org).

The primary focus of this position is to support LANDFIRE operations by maintaining, processing, and improving spatial data, tools, and production workflows that contribute to the delivery of LANDFIRE products. This includes working with the team to manage and prepare raster and vector datasets, support QA/QC processes, maintain multiple versions of LANDFIRE products and services, and contribute to data distribution through ArcGIS Online, the LANDFIRE Data Distribution Sites, and related platforms. The position also assists with documentation, user support, metadata development, and coordination across LANDFIRE partners and programs to ensure consistent, accurate, and up-to-date geospatial products that support landscape, fire, and resource management planning.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Maintain and support LANDFIRE operational workflows, including software/hardware planning, system maintenance, and ensuring multiple versions of LF products remain available through distribution sites and services.
• Process, prepare, and manage raster and vector geospatial datasets, including QA/QC, metadata creation, and final product packaging.
• Maintain and update LF User Tools, ArcGIS Online content, Awesome Google Earth Engine data, and USGS website materials to ensure accuracy, relevance, and compliance with current technology and security standards.
• Provide professional user support by monitoring and responding to LANDFIRE Help Desk tickets and assisting with USGS Information Product Data System reviews and ScienceBase data releases.
• Contribute to process improvement by analyzing production workflows, identifying enhancements to support geospatial data production.
• Collaborate with internal teams, program partners, and external organizations (e.g., TNC, NGOs, Forest Service, NRCS, universities) to ensure coordinated, efficient production and delivery of LF products.
• Run QA/QC scripts, validate production data, generate documentation (metadata, methodology, data dictionaries), and ensure product integrity before release.
• Work with geospatial technologies (ArcGIS Pro, QGIS, Python, Jupyter Notebooks) to support production tasks and develop improved methods through testing and iteration.

REQUIRED EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE:

• Candidates must meet the requirements listed below to be considered for this position; please note required items on your resume.

• This position requires the ability to obtain and maintain a national agency check and background investigation after hire to obtain credentials for facility access and user accounts.
• Must have a minimum 3-year residency in the United States
• Education: Bachelor’s or Master’s in Geography or Geospatial Science, Computer Science, Software Engineering, Environmental Science or other relevant field
• Years of Experience: Minimum 3–5 years of recent experience working with geospatial data, production workflows, spatial data processing in GIS, or software development in a science, natural resources, or geospatial operations environment.
• Strong background in GIS analysis, raster and vector data processing, and handling complex geospatial workflows within tools such as ArcGIS Pro or QGIS.
• Experience maintaining, preparing, and preparing data—including geospatial and other dataset types—for distribution, including QA/QC validation, metadata creation, data packaging, and preparing products for web-based viewers.
• Demonstrated ability to support operational systems, maintain production tools, and keep multiple versions of products updated on distribution platforms (REST, WCS, AGOL, GEE, etc.).
• Strong communication skills, including technical writing, documentation, responding to Help Desk inquiries, and coordinating with cross-program teams and partners.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with government, contractors, partners, and external organizations to ensure consistency and efficiency across LANDFIRE production efforts.

PREFERRED EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE:

• Ability to support geospatial data quality processes by monitoring automated workflows, identifying issues, and assisting in basic script troubleshooting.
• Familiarity with cloud-based geospatial environments such as GEE or ArcGIS Online administration.
• Experience contributing to or maintaining websites, data dictionaries, metadata standards, or documentation for scientific data products.
• Background working with federal, academic, or NGO partners on multi-organization scientific or geospatial projects.
• Understanding of LANDFIRE workflows, data sources, production processes, or similar national-scale geospatial data programs.
• Experience with data publication workflows
• Knowledge of version control, error handling, and best practices in geospatial data management and product delivery.

WORK LOCATION

This position supports a coordinated team across multiple locations and offers either remote work status or a hybrid remote – onsite schedule; some travel may be required.

STANDARD KBR REQUIREMENTS:

All of KBR’s employees must be team players, able to communicate effectively with internal and external customers, able to follow safety and quality policies, able to follow company programs, processes, procedures, practices, requirements, goals, and objectives. In addition, they must also be organized, with good time management skills.

Special Requirements

• Three years of continuous U.S. residency for government security credential.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a national agency check and background investigation for government facility access.
• Experience and/or education in lieu of these qualifications may be considered.

Benefits

• Competitive benefits: 401K with match, medical, dental, vision, life insurance, AD&D, flexible spending, disability, paid time off, flexible schedule.
• Career advancement through professional training and development.
• Benefits may be aligned with partner companies for government contracting.
• More details: https://careers.kbr.com/us/en/kbr-benefits?

KBR Benefits

KBR offers a selection of competitive lifestyle benefits which could include 401K plan with company match, medical, dental, vision, life insurance, AD&D, flexible spending account, disability, paid time off, or flexible work schedule. We support career advancement through professional training and development.

Click here to learn more: KBR Benefits

KBR partners with several other companies to fulfill its requirements as a government contractor. The selected subcontracting companies align their benefits as closely as possible to those above.

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Belong, Connect and Grow at KBR

At KBR, we are passionate about our people and our Zero Harm culture. These inform all that we do and are at the heart of our commitment to, and ongoing journey toward being a People First company. That commitment is central to our team of team’s philosophy and fosters an environment where everyone can Belong, Connect and Grow. We Deliver – Together.

KBR is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, national origin, veteran status, genetic information, union status and/or beliefs, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law.