NEON - Field Ecologist - Instrumentation - AK

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We recognize and appreciate the value and contributions of individuals with diverse backgrounds and experiences and welcome all qualified individuals to apply.

The National Ecological Observatory Network (NEON) is a continental-scale observation facility funded by the National Science Foundation and operated by Battelle. The NEON program is designed to collect long‑term, open access ecological data to better understand how U.S. ecosystems are changing, from freshwater systems such as streams, rivers, and lakes to terrestrial systems spanning tropical forests to deserts to tundra. We depend on our people to collect observational data and samples, to monitor automated instrumented systems that collect terrestrial and aquatic data, and to operate our airborne observation platform that captures remote sensing data of regional landscapes and vegetation.

We are currently seeking a Field Ecologist I‑Instrumentation. This position is in Fairbanks, AK.

The Field Ecologist is a technical lead that monitors, performs routine maintenance, field calibrations and corrective maintenance on meteorological; CO2, water, and energy flux; and water quality sensors and instrumentation. The Field Ecologist will provide training and guidance to temporary field crews while working in the field and laboratory.

Remote locations. Cold winters. Short summers with near 24‑hour sunlight. Our Taiga and Tundra field sites have some of the most challenging field conditions among our NEON locations—and some of the most spectacular scenery and wildlife. NEON sites in the Taiga and Tundra Domains are managed from our Fairbanks, AK office.

The work involves walking, hiking, prolonged standing, bending, and kneeling. Heavy items, equipment and packs up to 40 pounds, must be lifted and carried on a routine basis. Field work includes exposure to extreme temperatures, inclement weather, rough and variable terrain, toxic plants (e.g., poison ivy, hogweed), stinging and biting insects, and wildlife hazards. Instrument maintenance involves performing work on instrument towers ranging in height from 24 feet to 300 feet, which includes ascending and descending multiple flights of stairs.

Driving off‑road in 4WD vehicles is required for most field sites.

Work schedules are typically 8‑10 hours per day but can occasionally be 12+ hours per day, including split shifts (off in the middle of the day), starting before dawn and/or ending after dusk, and weekends depending on the work assignment. The ratio of field to lab work is about 75% field and 25% office and lab duties.

Occasional overnight travel is required.

• Operate and maintain in‑situ meteorological sensors, soil sensors, water quality sensors, data loggers, IRGAs and other gas analyzers used to measure CO2, water, and energy flux at NEON field sites.
• Monitor sensor health and status through various computer interface tools (i.e., PuTTY, specific sensor software, SAS, or other visual analytic tools).
• Maintain and use proper PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) and safety equipment for working at heights in remote locations (5‑point harnesses, ascenders, and self‑retracting lifelines, etc.).
• Provide training, instruction, and technical guidance to seasonal field personnel.
• Perform additional field and lab procedures as assigned. This may include plant phenology, diversity, productivity, and biogeochemistry; stream channel and lake morphology, aquatic organism abundance and diversity, biogeochemistry, seasonal climatic and hydrologic changes, and riparian phenology; abundance, diversity, and phenology of organisms including small mammals, ticks, mosquitoes, ground beetles, and soil microbes; operations and maintenance of in‑situ meteorological sensors, soil sensors, water quality sensors, data loggers, IRGAs…