Kyle Alden - Resume Spring 2024

Professional Summary

Professional Summary:
I am a recognized subject matter expert in spatial data analytics, data management, and spatial visualization in the US Government. I currently serve as a Geographer at the U.S. Agency For International Development’s (USAID) GeoCenter where I develop analytic processes and tools to inform development programming, build interactive visualizations to help USAID teams understand and interact with their data, and help define best practices and policies for managing the agency’s spatial data.


Experience

JUNE 2024 - PRESENT
United States Agency for International Development, GeoCenter | Geographer

  • Developed interactive web visualizations in Tableau and ArcGIS Online that allowed USAID programs to understand their geographic footprint and evaluate whether their current programs were reaching populations with the highest need.
  • Analyzed population-based survey data using Stata and ArcGIS Pro to find and visualize spatio-temporal trends to inform strategic planning for USAID country offices.
  • Designed and taught sessions on spatial analysis and visualization for USAID’s foreign geospatial professionals.
  • Performed the role of an Agreement Officer's Representative and activity manager-driving external analytic efforts that support the Bureau.
  • Helped USAID staff interpret and implement USAID policy for spatial data collection.

JANUARY 2021 - JUNE 2024
United States Agency for International Development, Bureau for Resilience and Food Security | Program Officer, Geospatial Specialist

  • Created, published, and trained USAID personnel in 15 countries on a GIS-based analytic tool that streamlines the selection of subnational areas for development programming.
  • Co-led evidence-based prioritization efforts to select countries to participate in the Feed the Future initiative and to inform budget allocations at the bureau.
  • Managed the bureau’s core spatial data and made it readily available to throughout USAID.
  • Performed the role of an Agreement Officer's Representative and activity manager-driving external analytic efforts that support the Bureau.
  • Calculated agrometeorological indicators--Standard Precipitation Index, Normalized Difference Vegetation Index, and Heat Stress Days-- in the Feed the Future program’s twelve focus countries’ zones of influence using Google Earth Engine and python scripts.
  • Was a core drafter of USAID’s Geospatial Streategy.

JANUARY 2019 - DECEMBER 2020
Central Intelligence Agency, Directorate of Analysis | Analytic Methodologist, Technical Lead

  • Worked in consultation with analysts across several agencies to build tailored data solutions that provide automated insights into their intelligence questions
  • Applied various spatial methods including spatial clustering and route modeling to intelligence problems using geospatial software and python
  • Scripted new processes using python and SQL for evaluating the impact of our products
  • Built and maintained Tableau dashboards allowing our team and management to keep track of key program metrics
  • Briefed senior agency and Intelligence Community leaders on our program and its impact

APRIL 2017 - JANUARY 2019
Central Intelligence Agency, Directorate of Analysis | Analytic Methodologist, Program Director

  • Starting in 2015 I helped initiate and eventually led a program that developed a geospatial web application used throughout the intelligence community
  • Defined the program’s vision and priorities to ensure that it was in line with senior management's goals and provided analytic value for working level officers
  • In collaboration with a developer, managed our python-based data ingest process to include gathering data from several APIs, data standardization, and loading data into our PostgreSQL and Oracle relational database systems
  • Developed and documented standards for publishing GIS web services, including ensuring cartographic best practices, data standards, and maintaining data provenance
  • Coordinated the work of multiple teams--including a team of front-end web developers, a team of cloud architects and developers, a team of GIS analysts, and several other analytic units--to ensure that development and analytic milestones are met
  • As a Contracting Officer’s Technical Representative, was responsible for a multi-million dollar contract with several geospatial web developers, GIS analysts, and a data librarian

MARCH 2012 - APRIL 2017
Central Intelligence Agency, Directorate of Analysis | Analytic Methodologist

  • Applied various GIS methods using the ArcGIS suite including suitability modeling, spatial statistics, and route modeling to intelligence problems
  • Created GIS web services--both to serve data and to serve analytic processes
  • Scripted new processes using python and SQL for evaluating the impact of our products
  • Wrote and contributed to analyses for senior US intelligence officials
  • Managed a GIS project across multiple agencies that used an automated analytic to update a map used in daily intelligence projects

SUMMER 2008, JUNE 2009 - MARCH 2012
Central Intelligence Agency, Open Source Center - Geographer | Geographer

  • Produced written and cartographic products using GIS data and software
  • Served a customer service role providing map products and data to requestors
  • Designed and taught a class on how to use geographic thinking and GIS data to better answer analytic questions

Education

ONGOING
University of Wisconsin Madison | MS in Cartography and GIS - GIS Development, expected graduation May 2024

FEBRUARY 2005 - JANUARY 2009
Middlebury College | BA in Geography

Skills

ArcGIS Desktop, Pro, Server, and Portal, QGIS, Python, PostgreSQL, PostGIS, Adobe Illustrator, Tableau, JavaScript; familiarity with AWS, familiarity with R, Contract Management, Strong communication skills based on extensive professional training and in writing and briefing