NEON Hiring - Field Technician I, II, III - Instrumentation (Tower) Technician
COMPANY 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. JOB LOCATION The Domain 06 Field Technician's primary work location is near Manhattan, KS. This position supports sites in the Prairie Peninsula Domain. Prairie Peninsula candidate sites are located at Konza Prairie Biological Station near Manhattan, KS and at the University of Kansas Field Station near Lawrence, KS. The Prairie Peninsula Domain includes parts of Kansas, Nebraska, southern Minnesota, Iowa, Missouri, southern Wisconsin, Illinois and Indiana. JOB SUMMARY The Field Technician reports to the Field Operations Manager and will be hired as a Field Technician III level depending on skills, experience, and education. Field Technician I - The Field Technician I is a biological sampling lead performing seasonal and periodic sampling activities and sample processing. Seasonal field sampling is conducted with the assistance of temporary field crews under the guidance of the Field Technician. Field Technician II - The Field Technician II is a biological sampling lead performing seasonal and periodic sampling activities and sample processing. The Field Technician II will be the technical lead for performing routine maintenance and inventory management on all terrestrial sampling equipment. The Field Technician II will provide guidance to temporary field crews while working in the field and laboratory. Field Technician III - The Field Technician III is the shift lead performing and supervising seasonal and periodic sampling activities and sample processing. The Field Technician III will have primary responsibility for coordinating sampling and laboratory activities at terrestrial sampling sites. The Field Technician III will have additional roles and responsibilities assisting the Field Operations Manager with management of the Domain Support Facility, hiring and training seasonal field staff, and acting as manager in the absence of the Field Operations Manager. INSTRUMENTATION (TOWER) EMPHASIS: * Test, troubleshoot and operate instruments, calibration equipment and test fixtures. * Inspect and maintain civil infrastructure including boom arms, sensor mounts, towers, boardwalks and instrument huts. * Assist the NEON Systems Engineering Product Team with instrument installation and testing (approximately the first 6 months). * Record activities, completed work and trouble tickets according to Field Operations protocol. PHYSICAL DEMANDS: The work is physical and involves walking, hiking, prolonged standing, walking and bending. Heavy items (e.g. equipment and packs up to 40 pounds) must be lifted and carried on a routine basis. WORK ENVIRONMENT: Field work includes exposure to extreme weather conditions and terrain, pesticides, poisonous plants, biting insects, and wild animals. Tower work involves performing work on instrument towers ranging in height from 24 feet to 300 feet which will include ascending and descending multiple flights of stairs. NEON offers competitive salaries (DOE) with a substantial benefits package. For more details and to apply online visit our careers page at http://www.neoninc.org/about/careers
