Apply online at www.neoninc.org

The National Ecological Observatory Network (NEON) is a nonprofit science corporation 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 be the first of its kind designed to detect and enable forecasting of ecological change at continental scales.

Term Appointment:
These are temporary full-time positions.  The positions are available for start in June 1, 2011 with an anticipated completion date of September 30st, 2011.

Summary
The Field Technician(s) will travel and ground-truth abiotic and biotic
characterizations of specific sites across a variety of landscapes. Work at
these field sites may include long workdays, sometimes under harsh environmental
conditions.  Typically, travel will occur during the workweek in 10 days up to 3
week blocks, but at times may include travel over weekends.

Location – travel will be to the following locations- candidates can be located
anywhere geographically within the United States as long as they are willing to
travel.
Alabama: Talladega National Forest
Colorado: Niwot Ridge, Rocky Mountain National Park, Sterling
Massachusetts: Harvard Forest, Plum Island -Burlington, MA
New Hampshire: Bartlett Forest
Tennessee: Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Utah: Red Butte Canyon
Washington: Wind River Experimental Forest
Wyoming/Montana: Yellowstone National Park

Essential Duties and Responsibilities
*    Work as a member of a team to evaluate and validate the NEON study
design for long-term monitoring of terrestrial organisms
*    Visit potential sample locations in the field at NEON study sites
to ground-truth abiotic and biotic characterizations of specific sites across a
variety of landscapes

*    Navigate a variety of wilderness and managed landscapes with
safety, precision, and efficiency
*    Acquire and manage spatially-explicit photographs and data,
including the transfer of data to and from a GPS unit to a computer
*    Extensive travel – 90% of time will be spent traveling between
June and September 2011

Required Experience
*    Valid driver’s license – must be 21 to drive
*    Must be US Citizen
*    Proof of auto insurance
*    Extensive experience hiking in remote wilderness landscapes (maps,
compass, GPS) away from roads and trails
*    Experience working with Microsoft office products including Word &
Excel

Preferred Experience
*    Currently working toward BS, MS, Ph.D. degree in Ecology,
Geography, or Biology or another related field
*    Experience as a field technician
*    Experience leading hikes, or assisting nature societies with
seasonal nature observations
*    Emergency response/first aid training such as wilderness first aid
or wilderness first responder
*    Wildlife safety training course
*    Leadership role in an extended field data collection effort
*    Proven history of organizing spatial and site-specific information
*    Experience working with vegetation maps and other ecological data
*    Experience with field validation or accuracy assessment of
ecological models, soil, and vegetation maps
*    Experience working with GPS Pathfinder Office software

Skills and Abilities
*    Ability to follow instructions, a strong work ethic, and enthusiasm
*    Able to supply personal gear (adequate clothing and boots, etc.)
*    Ability to work independently and as part of a team
*    Attention to detail and accuracy
*    Ability to successfully work through problems with minimal
supervision
*    Strong communication and interpersonal skills
*    Ability to work independently and as a member of an active science
team
*    Proven ability to work well as a member of team in challenging
situations and environments

Physical Abilities
*    Ability to hike with pack up to 25 lbs (carrying field equipment)
to evaluate field sites off-trail for distances up to three miles
*    Ability to work in adverse weather conditions and in all types of
terrain