Senior Field Ecologist - Limnology

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Limnology emphasis:

• Monitor and sample aquatic sites for water quality, biological indicators, physical properties of site (e.g. gaging streams, geomorphic mapping, etc.), and leading field crews to perform the aforementioned items.
• Test, troubleshoot and operate instruments, calibration equipment and test fixtures.
• Inspect and maintain aquatic sensors, gear and equipment.
• Assist the NEON Project Systems Engineering Product Team with instrument installation and testing (approximately the first 6 months).
• Perform aquatic vegetation diversity and primary productivity measurements.
• Sample for aquatic invertebrate and fish diversity and abundance.

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 Project 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.

REQUIRED: EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE, KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS

The NEON Project will be selecting a Senior Field Ecologist. Equivalent education and experience may be considered.

Senior Field Ecologist (Technician Specialist C6049B)

• Bachelor’s Degree in ecology, environmental sciences or related scientific discipline.
• Five (5) or more years’ related experience.
• Previous experience in scheduling, training, leading and auditing the performance of field crews required.

All Field Ecologist Levels:

• 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.
• Ability and willingness to travel overnight frequently (e.g. semi-monthly for 3-4 nights).

The NEON Project 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, noise and toxicodendron plants (e.g. poison ivy and poison oak).
• Ability and willingness to travel overnight frequently (e.g. semi-monthly for 3-4 nights) is required.

ID 2087