The terrestrial and aquatic sites of NEON’s Domain 16, the Pacific Northwest, are located on the west side of the Cascade Mountains, in central Oregon and southwest Washington.  All daily sampling activities will be based out of the NEON support facility in Vancouver, Washington.  Vancouver is located directly across the Columbia River from Portland, Oregon.  Candidates must be able to provide their own housing in the Vancouver area.

Snowcapped volcanoes, beautiful rivers, verdant old growth forests, vineyards, and orchards characterize the region.  While summers are hot and dry, winters are overcast with near continuous precipitation.

Domain 16’s field sites include:

• Wind River Experimental Forest:  Located within the Gifford Pinchot National Forest near Carson, Washington.  Includes the T.T. Munger Research Natural Area, a stand of old growth set aside for ecological research.
• Martha Creek:  A stream collocated with the Wind River Experimental Forest.
• Abby Road:  Located within the Yacolt Burn State Forest (Washington State Department of Natural Resources).  Located near Vancouver, Washington, it is a multi-use forest with a strong timber and recreation emphasis.
• McRae Creek:  A mountain stream located within the H.J. Andrews Experimental Forest/Willamette National Forest near Blue River, Oregon.

Mammalogy emphasis:
•    Lead, perform and coordinate teams performing small mammal trapping.
•    Obtain measurements and record observations of captured rodents including animal identification of local species.
•    Collect tissue and blood samples from captured rodents.
•    Train domain staff on best practices for animal handling and sample collection techniques.

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 (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:

Fieldwork 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.

Field Ecologist II

• Bachelor’s Degree in ecology, environmental sciences or related scientific discipline, or technical.
• Three (3) or more years’ of related experience.

Field Experience

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:
o    Effective leadership skills and the ability to motivate others.
o    Effective problem solving skills and the ability to determine and act on changing priorities in a fast paced dynamic environment.
o    Ability to organize and execute multiple activities and priorities.

•    Skills:
o    Ability to perform minor troubleshooting, calibration, and repair of field equipment.
o    Ability to follow written and verbal instructions.
o    Ability and willingness to learn and adopt new technologies as needed.
o    Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
o    High level of attention to detail and accuracy.
o    Ability to make effective decisions that take into consideration safety and operational standards.

•    Working conditions:
o    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.
o    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.
o    Perform field assignments in a variety of terrain and of weather conditions including cold and wet winter weather and extreme heat.
o    Ability to withstand exposure to fumes, dust, noise and toxicodendron plants (e.g. poison ivy and poison oak), ticks, biting insects and other natural hazards.
o    Ability and willingness to travel overnight frequently (e.g. semi-monthly for 3-4 nights) is required.

Previous NEON Project field experience will be highly considered
Applicants must have authorization to work in the United States.
Employment is contingent on background screen, drug screen, motor vehicle records check and physical.
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’s insurance provider.

The above statements are intended to describe the nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this job. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, activities and skills required of staff members. No statement herein is intended to imply any authorities to commit Battelle unless special written permission is granted by Battelle’s Legal Department.