Environmental Monitoring

The Illinois State Water Survey (ISWS) is part of the Prairie Research Institute at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, which is centrally located between Chicago, St. Louis, and Indianapolis. Our research and service programs provide citizens, industries, and government agencies at all levels with timely, science-based information and analyses necessary to manage our water resources wisely for economic development and a sustainable environment.   Learn more at go.illinois.edu/PRIjobs.

ISWS is seeking to hire a Visiting Scientific Specialist, Environmental Monitoring to support research activities of the Survey by providing research and technical support to the Water & Atmospheric Resources Monitoring (WARM) Program networks.

Job Summary Support research activities of the Survey by provide research and technical support to the Water & Atmospheric Resources Monitoring (WARM) Program networks.

Duties & Responsibilities

Research -Field Work -75%

• Install, maintain, calibrate, and test scientific instruments and equipment for the Illinois Climate Network (ICN).
• Maintain documentation including equipment inventory and instrument installation, maintenance, and calibration records to ensure the integrity of data collections.
• Develop and implement QA/QC protocols to ensure the integrity of data collected.

Research – Data Collection – 15% Collect samples and monitor water levels for the Benchmark Sediment Network. Measure water levels for WARM wells located at ICN stations. Keep abreast with technical innovations and advise Survey management.

Research – Shop Management – 5%

• Manage Survey research shop and ensure equipment used for research meets required specifications.
• Manage equipment inventory and work with manager on ordering and maintaining adequate supplies.

Other – 5% Perform other duties in order to further the mission and goals of the Survey, PRI, and the University of Illinois. Keep abreast of developments in this discipline.

Field work will require working alone in adverse field conditions (heat, humidity, biting insects, etc.), travel (including driving to and from research sites) throughout the state
of Illinois working irregular hours and overnights; lift and carry equipment weighing up to 50 pounds. Ability to climb 10m tower and work from heights for extended periods
of time.

Travel Requirements 40% Travel to monitoring sites to conduct maintenance.

Minimum Qualifications

BS degree in natural or physical sciences, industrial technology, engineering, or related field. Alternate degree fields will be considered depending on the nature and depth of the experience as it relates to this position. Experience or coursework in environmental monitoring and instrumentation. Valid Driver’s License

Preferred Qualifications

Tower Safety and Rescue Training
Two years experience in installation and maintenance of environmental instrumentation. Experience in the collection and handling of field samples including
maintaining documentation. Experience with electronics and basic computer coding. Experience in a machine shop setting.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Effective communication, personal relations, collaboration, organizational, teamwork, and leadership skills. Demonstrated ability to perform effectively in a diverse and fastpaced work environment consisting of multiple and changing priorities with stringent deadlines, under minimal supervision. Attention to detail, sound judgment, and strong conflict resolution skills. Proficiency in commonly-employed software and databases.