Satellite Image Interpretation Assistant
Mission:
Woodwell Climate Research Center (Woodwell Climate) conducts science for solutions at the nexus of climate, people, and nature. We partner with leaders and communities for just meaningful impact to address the climate crisis.
Woodwell Climate is a rapidly growing, top-ranked, independent non-profit climate research institute whose mission is to advance science-based climate policies through scientific research and outreach. Our world-leading research and impact helps individuals, organizations, corporations, communities, and nations understand the realities of climate change, recognize the impact on our planet, and embrace the urgent action needed to safeguard the future of life on Earth.
Summary
Join Woodwell Climate as a part-time Satellite Image Interpretation Assistant to assist in on-screen sample data collection for a Verra-funded project focused on estimating deforestation area in nine tropical countries. This role involves interpreting satellite imagery to classify land cover and land-use changes with an emphasis on deforestation dynamics. The intern will contribute to the creation of high-quality data that will be used in evaluating and crediting projects participating in the voluntary carbon market. This work is a collaboration between Woodwell Climate and Chloris Geospatial, an industry-leading provider of high-resolution data on aboveground forest biomass. The intern will work closely with remote sensing scientists from both organizations to meet project objectives. Training on all data collections protocols will be provided.
Responsibilities include but not limited:
- Review and interpret high-resolution satellite imagery for land/forest cover classification
- Use Collect Earth Online (CEO) platform together with Google Earth to collect, label, and validate stratified random samples
- Ensure data quality and accuracy by adhering to established protocols for sample data collection
- Collaborate with the project team to resolve ambiguities in image interpretation
- Maintain detailed records of sample collection progress and issues encountered
- Provide feedback to improve interpretation guidelines and processes
Must have the Following Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
- Strong attention to detail and ability to follow data collection protocols accurately
- Familiarity with satellite imagery, remote sensing concepts, and geospatial tools (Collect Earth Online/Google Earth)
- Ability to interpret land/forest cover and land-use changes from high-resolution imagery
- Effective communication and problem-solving skills
- Ability to work independently and meet deadlines in a virtual work environment
- Ability to focus on and complete repetitive tasks
- Must have the ability to work remotely with reliable access to internet
Qualifications:
- An undergraduate or graduate student, or person with commensurate experience, with a focus in GIS, remote sensing, data science, geography, tropical/forest ecology, or other relevant fields.
- Recent graduates are welcome to apply
Physical Requirements:
In the office:
- Ability to tolerate sustained periods of standing and/or sitting
- Ability to communicate
- Ability to use phone and computers
- Ability to perform repetitive tasks over extended periods
Application review will be ongoing
Desired Start Date: February 2025
Fixed-term: 90 days
Classification and Compensation: This is a part-time, hourly, non-exempt position, the hourly is up to $20.00/hour dependent on qualifications/experience. This position does not have benefits.
Location: Remote
Application Instructions: To apply, please send your cover letter addressing your experience and qualifications in relation to the responsibilities of this position and curriculum vitae as a single PDF to our career’s portal.
Please visit Woodwell's website to learn more about Woodwell’s work.
Located on a 10-acre campus near the village of Woods Hole, the Woodwell Climate Research Center (Woodwell) is a private, non-profit research center. Woodwell is a leading source of climate science that drives the urgent action needed to solve climate change. Woodwell has 100+ staff members and is excited to welcome new employees to this work.
Woodwell Climate is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, mental, or physical disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, familial status, veteran status, or genetic information. Woodwell is committed to providing access, equal opportunity, and reasonable accommodation for all individuals in employment practices, services, programs, and activities.
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at Woodwell
WE NEED ALL VOICES IN THE FIGHT AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
Climate change is the greatest challenge of our lifetimes. Woodwell Climate Research Center (Woodwell) understands that the climate crisis—from causes to consequences—is inextricably linked with persistent social injustice. Effectively addressing either requires addressing both. The climate crisis demands that we bring to bear all of the knowledge, expertise, innovation, and creativity that we can collectively muster, and those who have been marginalized and disproportionately impacted must be heard.
The work Woodwell Climate does—the questions we ask, the ways we seek answers, and the strategies we put forward—is stronger when shaped by a diversity of knowledge, perspectives, and experiences. We strive to welcome, respect, and amplify differing voices. We value individuals as they are, with all their differences in race, age, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, religious beliefs, language, and mental and physical abilities.
Woodwell Climate acknowledges that our organization, and the scientific community more broadly, have a long way to go in living up to these ideals. We approach the work of improving our organization with the same ambition and commitment to systemic change that we bring to addressing climate change.
We will inevitably make mistakes, but we will continue to listen, learn, and do this critical work. We understand that this work requires an ongoing commitment from each and every one of us. We are actively engaged in building and sustaining an equitable and inclusive culture within our organization, and in fostering greater diversity in climate science.