EZEMVELO KZN WILDLIFE - BIODIVERSITY DATA ENGINEERING SCIENTIST

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PURPOSE OF THE JOB: 
In summary, Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife seeks to appoint a Data Engineering Scientist to build and maintain biodiversity data systems. The successful incumbent will be responsible for, amongst other things, managing and making it readily available in a suitable electronic format, Scientific Services biological, spatial and other; developing, archiving and maintaining datasets, improving current metadata access; aligning data systems with the needs of the Organisation; developing appropriate administrative and regulatory protocols, advise on hard- and software requirements, liaising with Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife’s partners with respect to data sharing, and ensuring compliance with relevant legal provisions
The successful applicant will be based at Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife’s Head Office and must be able to travel to and work in various protected area settings. Be capable of building systems that connect protected area databases, consolidate, oversee and enhance existing biodiversity databases throughout Scientific services, manage and convert and present existing data into a stable, reliable and usable format for Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife’s scientists, planners and its partners for scientific analysis.
 
QUALIFICATIONS
 Degree in Data Engineering or equivalent NQF level 8 qualification. Relevant postgraduate qualifications will be an added advantage. 
 A valid Code B Drivers Licence. 
 Relevant registration with a legislated Professional Regulatory Body. 
 
EXPERIENCE
;A minimum of two years’ experience as a data engineer or in a similar role. 
 
KEY PERFORMANCE AREAS 
 Manage large quantities of digital and paper-based data. 
 Construct end-to-end data service solutions. 
 Build, test, and maintain biodiversity database pipeline architectures, including importing data from various devices (i.e. dataloggers, smartphones, tablets, etc.) used in the field. 
 Cleaning data and structuring and integrating data from multiple sources to provide a complete and accurate corporate dataset for scientific intelligence (SI), data analysis and other applications. 
 Collaborate with Head-Office and Regional scientists, Conservation Planners, Protected Area, and District Conservation Management to set in place database pipelines and improve the efficiency and accuracy of data collection. 
 Employ a variety of languages and tools (e.g, scripting languages) to marry systems together. 
 Recommend and implement ways to improve data reliability, efficiency, and quality. 
 Develop and/or direct the development of databases to ensure that the architecture (including archiving, backup and restoring data) is current. 
 Create new data validation methods and data analysis tools. 
 Creation of user interfaces allowing staff and external researchers to upload their data into relevant databases. 
 Develop algorithms to transform data into useful and usable information. 
 Acquire datasets that align with Ezemvelo’s needs. 
 Data Warehousing. 
 Recommend Use and apply open-source data platform software to reduce costs. 
 
KEY COMPETENCIES REQUIRED 
 Data Engineering as described in ‘DUTIES’ below. 
 A working understanding of legislation, legal processes, and legal framework in relation to data and its use. 
 Contribute to developing and ensuring compliance with data governance and security policies. 
 Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English. 
 Demonstrable experience in developing and implementing database pipeline architectures. 
 Working proficiency in Microsoft, Word, Excel, Access, NoSQL, SQL, relational database management systems, and programming languages (i.e. Python scientific stack, data structures, and algorithms). 
 Generate professional reports. 
 Supervise staff. 
 Ability to collaborate remotely with a diverse set of team members and stakeholders. 
 Be motivated, productive, and organised in a dynamic corporate and field-based working environment. 
 Ability to travel to Ezemvelo’s protected areas and other conservation agencies in South Africa. 
 Undertake and publish relevant research.

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DIRECTIONS TO APPLYING CANDIDATES: 
The following mandatory documents must be submitted; 
a) Please note that only a fully completed application form will be accepted, hence incomplete forms will not be considered. 
b) Certified copies of your qualifications and Identity Document (ID). All submitted certified copied should not be older than three (3) months from date of submission and should not be copies of certified copies. 
 
The appointment to the post is subject to positive outcome obtained from all verifications in relation to the position advertised. 
 
Applications to be posted to: 
Recruitment Section, Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife, P O Box 13053, Cascades 3202. 
 
APPLICATIONS MAY ALSO BE HAND DELIVERED TO: 
Recruitment Office at Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife (Head Office); Queen Elizabeth Park; 1 Peter Brown Drive; Montrose, Pietermaritzburg 3201. 
Faxed/ Emailed applications will not be accepted. 
 
For any queries relating to this job-application please contact the Recruitment Office on 033 845 1761 during office hours. 
 
Closing Date: 07 July 2023 
 
Applications received after the closing date will not be considered. Applicants not contacted within 30 days of the advertisement closing date should consider their applications unsuccessful. 
Selection will be made in terms of the Organization’s Employment Equity Plan and Preference will be given to members of designated groups. Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife reserves the right not to make the appointment towards this post.