Field Technician II - Instrumentation
Location: Gainesville, FL Please review the job description below. If you are interested, please apply here: https://workforcenow.adp.com/jobs/apply/posting.html?client=90c&jobId=174137&lang=en_US&source=CC3 Worker Category :Regular Full-Time COMPANY OVERVIEW Battelle and its affiliate, Battelle Ecology, Inc. manages and operates the National Ecological Observatory Network (NEONTM)project, which is solely funded by the National Science Foundation. A 30+ year project dedicated to understanding how changes in climate, land use and invasive species impact ecology, the observatory's scientists and engineers are collecting a comprehensive range of ecological data on a continental scale across 20 eco-climatic domains representing US ecosystems. Our teams use cutting-edge technology, including an airborne observation platform that captures images of regional landscapes and vegetation; mobile, relocatable, and fixed data collection sites with automated ground sensors to monitor soil and atmosphere; and trained field crews who observe and sample populations of diverse organisms and collect soil and water data. Once structures are completed, a leading edge cyberinfrastructure will calibrate, store and publish this information. The Observatory includes more than 500+ personnel and is the first of its designed to detect and enable forecasting of ecological change at continental scales. JOB SUMMARY The Field Technician reports to the Field Operations Manager. * 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, and will provide guidance to temporary field crews while working in the field and laboratory. LOCATION Domain 3 is headquartered in Gainesville, Florida, home of the University of Florida. This is a nice medium sized college town with a lot to do in off hours. The climate is hot and wet during the summer and cool and dry in winter. Frequent thunderstorms occur from late spring through the summer and sometimes into fall. This is also the hurricane season. We travel frequently since our remote sites are the Disney Wilderness Preserve (about 2.5 hours south), and the JW Jones Ecological Research Center in Georgia (about 4.5 hours north). The Disney site is a wetland project so the ground is frequently wet. Sampling at these sites is usually an overnight trip, sometimes all week. Lodging is provided and expenses are reimbursed. The local site is the Ordway Swisher Biological Field station (University of Florida) in nearby Melrose. The terrain is generally flat with some rolling hills. The plant communities vary by site and range from flatwoods matrix with wetlands at Disney and varying degrees of sandhill at both Ordway Swisher (local) and Jones (Georgia). The areas provide a high degree of plant and animal diversity, along with many stinging insects and plants that cause rashes. Since this is the south, there are poisonous snakes, and alligators to contend with, but if you're careful they won't be an issue. ________________________________ ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES 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. General duties include: * Report activities, completed work, and sampling problems according to Field Operations protocols. * Inspect, maintain and operate field, safety and laboratory equipment. * Operate laboratory equipment (e.g. Wiley Mill, drying oven, analytical balance, centrifugal mill, pH meter, microscope, and muffle furnace). * Assist the Field Operations Manager with recruiting and training of seasonal field personnel. * Provide instruction and technical guidance to seasonal field personnel. * Perform plot establishment by locating plots with GPS navigation as well as measuring and marking plots. * Assist the Field Operations Manager with materials planning, inventory and ordering as well as day-to-day oversight of personnel and scheduling of activities coordinated from the field office. * Follow NEON safety and Field Operations policy and procedures. Field activities may include: * Follow established, standardized field protocols for sample collection and handling; record and verify accuracy of data from sample collections; process samples in the laboratory; send samples to external analytical labs. Train and lead field crews performing the aforementioned items. * Perform other field sampling activities as assigned including: ground beetle collection (pitfall trapping), mosquito collection (CO2 light traps, tick collection (dragging and flagging) and soil core collection. * Test, troubleshoot and operate tower, soil and aquatic instruments, calibration equipment and test fixtures. * Inspect and maintain civil infrastructure including boom arms, sensor mounts, towers, boardwalks and instrument huts. * Monitor and sample aquatic sites for water quality, biological indicators and physical properties of site (e.g. gaging streams, geomorphic mapping). 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 . REQUIRED: EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE, KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS * Ability to work in a team environment. * Experience should include performing scientific data entry and data management. * Ability to hike off-trail to assigned field site for long distances carrying field equipment (pack weighing up to 40 lbs.) for extended periods of time. * Ability and willingness to travel overnight frequently (e.g. semi-monthly for 3-4 nights). Battelle Ecology, Inc. will be selecting an individual for a Field Technician II level. Equivalent education and experience may be considered. Field Technician II * Bachelor's Degree in ecology, environmental sciences or related scientific discipline. * Three (3) or more years' related experience. Previous experience in scheduling, training, leading and auditing the performance of field crews required. Battelle Ecology, Inc. will take into consideration qualifications for specific and diverse experience in the following areas: Leadership: * Effective leadership skills and the ability to motivate others. * Effective problem solving skills and the ability to determine and act on changing priorities in a fast paced dynamic environment. * Ability to organize and execute multiple activities and priorities. Skills: * Ability to perform minor troubleshooting, calibration, and repair of field equipment. * Ability to follow written and verbal instructions. * Ability and willingness to learn and adopt new technologies as needed. * Ability to work independently and as part of a team. * High level of attention to detail and accuracy. * Ability to make effective decisions that take into consideration safety and operational standards. Working conditions: * 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 and willingness to work on towers ranging in height from 24 feet to 300 feet including ascending and descending multiple flights of stairs on instrument towers. * Perform field assignments in a variety of terrain and of weather conditions including cold and wet winter weather and extreme heat. * Ability to withstand exposure to fumes, dust, and noise. * Ability and willingness to travel overnight frequently (e.g. semi-monthly for 3-4 nights) is required. Must possess a current and valid State issued driver's license with insurable Department of Motor vehicle record (parking violations, minor driving offenses excluded) as determined by Battelle Ecology Inc.'s insurance provider. Must have permanent authorization for US employment. Battelle Ecology, Inc. will not provide any kind of visa sponsorship. This position offers competitive total rewards including 401(k), health, vision and dental insurance, paid time off and the opportunity to work at an organization with a great mission. Battelle Ecology, Inc. provides employment and opportunities for advancement, compensation, training, and growth according to individual merit, without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, age, genetic information, or disability. Our goal is for each staff member to have the opportunity to grow to the limits of their abilities and to achieve personal and organizational objectives. We will support positive programs for equal treatment of all staff and full utilization of all qualified employees at all levels within Battelle Ecology, Inc. Melissa Benedetti Recruiter Office: 720.921.2710 mbenede...@battelleecology.org<mailto:mbenede...@battelleecology.org> Battelle 1685 38th Street Suite 100. Boulder, CO 80301 www.battelle.org<http://www.battelle.org/> Connect with Battelle: Careers<http://www.neonscience.org/about/careers> LinkedIn<https://www.linkedin.com/company/neon-science?trk=prof-following-company-logo> | Facebook<https://www.facebook.com/NEONScienceData> Twitter<https://twitter.com/NEON_Sci> | YouTube<https://www.youtube.com/neonscience> This message is intended only for the use of the individual or entity to which it is addressed, and may contain information that is privileged, confidential and/or otherwise exempt from disclosure under applicable law. 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