Field Technician II- Domain 1-Fitchburg, MA
Overview
The National Ecological Observatory Network
(NEON) is a $430 million dollar observatory
project dedicated to understanding how changes in
climate, land use and invasive species impact
ecology. For the next three decades NEON will
collect a comprehensive range of ecological data
on a continental scale across 20 eco-climatic
domains representing US ecosystems. NEON will use
cutting edge technology including an airborne
observation platform that will capture images of
regional landscapes and vegetation; mobile,
re-locatable, and fixed data collection sites
with automated ground sensors to monitor soil and
atmosphere; and trained field crews who will
observe and sample populations of diverse
organisms and collect soil and water data. A
leading edge cyber-infrastructure will calibrate,
store and publish this information. The
Observatory will grow to 300+ personnel and will
be the first of its kind designed to detect and
enable forecasting of ecological change at continental scales.
Summary:
The Field Technician II will perform a variety of
technical and scientific tasks. The Field
Technician II is the technical lead performing
routine maintenance, field calibration, and
repair of scientific instruments and associated
infrastructure. After initial instrument
installation, the Field Technician II will have
primary responsibility for instruments and
infrastructure at tower/aquatic sites.
The Field Technician II will also assist with
seasonal and/or periodic sampling activities.
Seasonal field sampling is conducted with the
assistance of temporary field crews. The Field
Technician will provide guidance to temporary
field crews and perform field and laboratory
activities as assigned by the Manager Field
Operations. This position reports to the Manager Field Operations.
Must have permanent authorization for US employment.
Location:
Fitchburg, MA
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
Operations duties
Perform routine inspection, calibration,
maintenance and repair of atmospheric and aquatic
sensors on towers, soil arrays, lakes, streams and groundwater wells.
Perform basic testing, troubleshooting and
operation of instruments and calibration equipment.
Perform routine maintenance to assure quality
of data acquisition and equipment connectivity.
Perform inspection and routine maintenance of
site infrastructure, including boom arms, sensor
mounts, towers, boardwalks, and instrument huts.
Perform inspection and maintenance of laboratory and field equipment.
Follow established, standardized field
procedures for periodic collection, handling,
processing, verifying accuracy of, and shipping
of field samples including dust, soil, and water samples.
Operate laboratory equipment including Wiley
Mill, drying oven, analytical balance, centrifugal mill, and ultra-low freezer.
Assist the Field Operations Manager with materials planning and ordering
Seasonal duties
Assist the Field Operations Manager with
recruiting and training of seasonal field personnel.
Provide technical guidance to seasonal field personnel.
Assist with plot establishment by locating
plots with GPS navigation system, measuring and
marking plots, and placing and setting traps.
Assist the Field Operations Manager with field activity audits.
Follow established, standardized field
procedures for sample collection; record and
verify accuracy of data from sample collection;
process samples in the domain lab; and send
samples to external analytical labs.
Field sampling activities include the following
observation and specimen collection activities:
Small mammal abundance
Small mammal-borne disease (i.e. Hantavirus)
Breeding bird population counts
Ground beetle abundance and diversity
Mosquito phenology, diversity, and disease (i.e. West Nile Virus)
Plant phenology observations
Soil and water sample collection for microbial
diversity and biogeochemical analysis
Terrestrial and aquatic vegetation diversity
and primary productivity measurements
Aquatic invertebrate and fish diversity and abundance
Stream morphology mapping
Record activities and completed work according to Field Operations protocol.
Perform field assignments in a variety of
conditions (e.g., weather, terrain, diverse assigned biomes).
Carry, move and lift field supplies (pack
weighing up to 40 lbs.) to assigned field site (diverse and uneven terrain).
Follow NEON safety and Field Operations policy and procedures.
Required Education, Experience, Knowledge, Skills:
Bachelors Degree in Environmental Sciences or
related scientific discipline. Equivalent
education and experience may be considered.
Two (2) or more years experience maintaining
scientific instruments (e.g. aquatic, meteorological or atmospheric sensors).
Two (2) or more years experience performing
scientific data entry and data management.
Ability to perform troubleshooting,
calibration, and repair of scientific instrumentation.
Ability to organize and execute multiple activities and priorities.
Very effective problem solving skills and the
ability to act on changing priorities in a fast paced dynamic environment.
Very effective leadership skills and the ability to motivate others.
Proven ability to ensure safety and operational standards are met.
Willingness to adopt new technologies as needed.
Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite (e.g., Word, Excel).
Ability to travel frequently within the local domain.
Kneeling, bending, stooping ; hand dexterity
Ability to perform in strenuous outdoor
activity, carry field equipment and endure
different outdoor field conditions including cold
and wet winter weather and extreme heat.
Depending on assignment, current and valid
State issued drivers license with clean
Department of Motor Vehicle record (parking
violations, minor driving offenses excluded) as
determined by NEONs insurance provider.
Depending on site assignments, ability to
travel/ hike/walk on uneven terrain to work site.
Ability and willingness to work varied field
operations schedules (up to 12+ hours per day),
including split-shift, part-time, pre-dawn early
mornings, evenings and weekends.
Ability to hike off-trail for long distances
carrying field equipment, for extended periods of time.
Ability to work in variable weather conditions,
at remote locations, on difficult or hazardous terrain.
Ability to ascend and descend multiple flights
of stairs on instrument towers.
Ability to work on towers ranging in height
from 24 feet to 300 feet and at altitudes of up
to 11,000 feet (depending on assigned Domain).
Ability to withstand exposure to fumes, dust, and noise.
Work environment is 80 90% outside;
Possible West Nile-infected mosquitoes;
Blood-borne pathogens;
Paradichlorobenzene 99.90%;
Small electric motors and 6V sealed lead-acid batteries;
Through handling of mammals possible exposure
to Hantavirus, Sin Nombre virus (SNV) and plague;
Slip/trip;
Animal bites and scrapes;
Insects, plants (allergies and prickly things).
Preferred Education, Experience, Knowledge, Skills:
Previous experience leading and performing
ecology related laboratory and field activities.
Previous experience performing ecology related
field activities in multiple ecosystem.
Familiarity with performing field quality assurance procedures.
Prior experience leading staff in field conditions.
CPR/First Aid or Wilderness First Aid certification or training.
Familiarity with field and laboratory safety guidelines.
Familiarity with aquatic biological sampling and organisms.
Experience working in streams or lakes of North America.
PLEASE APPLY AT: WWW.NEONINC.ORG
NEON Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
Women, Minorities, Veterans and Disabled Persons are encouraged to apply.
Bridget A. Sorget
Sr. Technical Recruiter
NEON, Inc.
(National Ecological Observatory Network)
1685 38th Street, Suite 100
Boulder CO 80302
www.neoninc.org
Phone: 720.330.1570
Cell: 720.839.5016
