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, relocatable, 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 cyberinfrastructure 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:
Reporting to the Field Operations Manager, 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 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 Field Operations Manager.
Location – Domain10:
The Domain 10 Field Technician’s primary work location is Boulder, CO. This position supports sites in the Central Plains Domain. The Central Plains Domain includes parts of Colorado, Wyoming, Nebraska, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas and New Mexico. The Central Plains candidate sites are located in Colorado at the Central Plains Experimental Range (CPER) near Nunn CO, near Sterling CO, in Rocky Mountain National Park and at Fox Ranch near Idalia CO.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
Operations duties
• Perform routine inspection, calibration, maintenance and repair of atmospheric, micrometeorological, and water quality sensors on towers, soil arrays, streams and groundwater wells
• Test, troubleshoot and operate instruments, calibration equipment and test fixtures
• Perform routine maintenance to assure quality of data acquisition and connectivity equipment
• Perform inspection and routine maintenance of civil 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 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 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
Education:
• Bachelor’s degree in an associated scientific discipline
Required Experience:
• 2-3 years experience maintaining scientific instruments (e.g. aquatic, meteorological or atmospheric sensors)
• 2-3 years experience performing scientific data entry and data management
• Must possess a valid US driver’s license
Preferred Experience:
• Previous experience leading and performing ecology related laboratory and field activities
• Previous experience performing ecology related field activities in multiple ecosystems
• 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
Skills and Abilities:
• Ability to perform troubleshooting, calibration, and repair of scientific instrumentation
• Ability to organize and execute multiple activities and priorities
• Excellent problem solving skills and the ability to act on changing priorities in a fast paced dynamic environment
• Strong 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 programs
• Ability to travel frequently within the local domain
Physical Abilities:
• Ability to lift up to 40 lbs;
• Kneeling, bending, stooping ; hand dexterity
• Ability to hike long distances walking over sometimes rough, hilly terrain, lifting and carrying up to 25lbs;
• Ability to stand for extended periods of time;
• Ability to work in variable weather conditions, at remote locations, on difficult or hazardous terrain;
• Ability to work at a stream or lake, often in wet, slippery or icy conditions;
• Ability to ascend and descend multiple flights of stairs on instrument towers up to a median height of 120’
• Ability to perform work on an open, elevated platform on top of towers
Exposures:
• Dirt, 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); and
• Some ticks encountered during sampling may be infected with other zoonotic diseases such as Colorado Tick Fever.
NEON Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Women, Minorities, Veterans and Disabled Persons are encouraged to apply.
