Organization Overview and Location
Archbold Biological Station (ABS; www.archbold-station.org), through its
Division, the MacArthur Agro-ecology Research Center (MAERC; www.maerc.org),
is seeking a Lead Field Operations/Instrumentation Specialist. Archbold
operates a full scale working cattle ranch at MAERC, which provides a unique
platform for long-term agro-ecology research. Archbold is an active member
in the USDA’s Long-term Agro-ecosystem Research Network (LTAR;
www.ars.usda.gov/ltar), a member of the Global Lakes Ecological Observatory
Network (www.gleon.org) and also contributes data for NOAA and various state
agencies.
The position is located at MAERC, a 10,500-acre cattle ranch near Lake
Placid, FL, with housing available on site. This is a full-time permanent
position.
Job Summary
The Lead Field Operations/Instrumentation Specialist reports to the Program
Director of Agro-ecology (Dr. Elizabeth Boughton).
The Lead Field Operations/Instrumentation Specialist will be responsible for
installing, operating and maintaining, programming, and troubleshooting
several types of environmental monitoring equipment (including pressure
transducers, autosamplers, rain gauges, weather stations, lake buoy,
phenocams and eddy covariance towers) on MAERC and at the Station, and
several other ranches in the area. The position will also be responsible for
uploading data and metadata QAQC, maintaining databases, and reporting as
needed.
Duties and Responsibilities
Instrumentation:
• Install various field instrumentation
• Test, troubleshoot and operate instruments and calibration equipment
• Install and operate telemetry (cell phone and radio)
• Program dataloggers (Campbell Scientific) and sensors w/loggers
Data Management
• Oversight of datastreams on a daily basis to ensure functionality of
equipment
• Oversight of databases to ensure data is streaming in properly. Will
work
with the Data Manager to troubleshoot streaming issues.
• Lead QAQC of hydrology monitoring data at MAERC. May supervise
staff/interns that assist with this process.
• Maintain organized hard copy records of site visit forms, maintenance
forms. Timely data entry into site visit database.
• Responsible for quarterly reporting to state agencies on contracted
hydrology monitoring work.
Assist the Program Director with materials planning, inventory and
ordering, equipment design and purchase, and well as day to day oversight
and training of staff/interns that assist in environmental monitoring
activities.
Required Education, Experience, and Skills
• Bachelor’s, with 5 year’s experience or Master’s degree with 1-2 year’s
experience in hydrology, environmental/electrical engineering, environmental
science, or related field.
• Experience with field instrumentation, programming, and database
management.
• Knowledge of Campbell Scientific equipment, programming with CR basic
and
Loggernet is required.
• Experience with water sampling, and/or knowledge of agricultural water
management is desired.
• High level of attention to detail and accuracy.
• Ability and willingness to learn and adopt new technologies as needed.
• Ability to perform troubleshooting, calibration and repair of field
equipment.
• Ability to follow written and verbal instructions.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills for working with
diverse
stakeholders (ranchers, governmental personnel, scientists, etc.)
Working Conditions:
• The work is physical and involved walking, hiking, prolonged standing,
and
bending. Heavy items (equipment and packs up to 40 lbs) must be lifted.
• Field work includes exposure to extreme weather conditions, including
hot,
humid weather, wading through wetlands, etc.
• Ability and willingness to work varied field operations schedules (up to
12 hours per day sometimes)
• Ability to work on towers up to 30 ft
• Ability and willingness to work on a small boat
Competitive salary with full benefits. Applicants should send 1) a letter
of application, 2) a resume or CV with relevant coursework and experience,
and 3) names, phone numbers and e-mail addresses for three references to Dr.
Elizabeth Boughton at [email protected]. Application deadline
is Feb 22, 2015, and the position will remain open until filled. Contact
Dr. Boughton via e-mail or at (863) 699-0242 ext. 2 for more information.
Must possess a valid US driver’s license. Must have authorization for US
employment. Archbold Biological Station will not provide any kind of visa
sponsorship.
Archbold Biological Station is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Women,
Minorities, Veterans and Disabled Persons are encouraged to apply.
