Seasonal Lead Field Technician (Botany)

We are currently seeking a NEON Lead Seasonal Field Technician. This position will start in March 2025 and end in November 2025. This position is located in Land O’ Lakes, WI.

Neon Program Overview

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 (neonscience.org). 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 to enable science for the science community.

Location
In the Land O’ Lakes, WI location, we collect data on northern hardwood forests and lakes in both managed and minimally managed landscapes of northern Wisconsin and the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. The data will help researchers understand how changing climate, invasive species, and land management practices, such as forestry, will impact the diversity and biogeochemistry of terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems in the Great Lakes region. NEON sites in the Great Lakes Domain are managed from our Land O’ Lakes, WI office at UNDERC (University of Notre Dame Environmental Research Center). 

Eligibility Clarification for Students: Candidates currently enrolled in a university program are ineligible for this role unless there is a continuous break in their education that aligns with the entire duration of this opportunity. We are unable to accommodate flexibility around academic schedules. 

Job Summary

Lead Seasonal Field Technicians perform seasonal and periodic sampling of physical, chemical, and biological data at one (1) to multiple field sites (depending on location), while exercising good judgement and decision-making abilities to interpret protocol requirements. This position may be assigned an area of primary responsibility within the scope of data collection: botany, soils, entomology, mammalogy (except Puerto Rico and Hawaii), limnology (except Hawaii), or instrumentation; the position may also be assigned multiple areas of responsibility as a “generalist”.

Field observations and collections are conducted using approximately 30 different protocols and may include NEON Research Support Services projects with varying schedule requirements based on local ecosystem and field conditions

Individuals are responsible for their own housing and transportation to primary work location. 

Essential Duties & Job Functions: 

• Perform and supervise field and lab assignments in a variety of conditions (e.g., weather, terrain, diverse assigned biomes, etc.).
• Provide training and performance feedback to season personnel.
• Follow established, standardized field procedures for sample collection; record data from sample collection in handheld tablets, computers, etc.; equipment preparation and maintenance, process and ship samples.
• Perform Q/C checks on collected data.
• Navigate to field sites and sampling locations.
• Report activities and completed work according to protocol.
• Follow safety policy and procedures.
• Report issues with implementation of procedures and coordinate resolution.
• Assist with routine administrative duties, special projects including Research Support Services collaborating with external Principal Investigators and other duties as assigned.

Key Qualifications

• High School diploma, OR equivalent.
• Three (3) or more months experience in ecological field sampling or related experience (for example: forestry, environmental, agricultural, trail work, armed forces, plant nurseries).
• Perform maintenance and field/lab sampling. Six (6) months is preferred.
• Ability to learn and perform procedures and methods outside of the primary responsibilities.
• Excellent verbal and written communication and interpersonal skills. Ability to follow written and verbal instructions.
• Effective problem-solving skills and the ability to organize and execute multiple activities and priorities.
• Ability to proactively identify and resolve resource conflicts.
• High level of attention to detail and accuracy
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Demonstrated optimism in adverse conditions and good judgement in identifying, mitigating, and avoiding hazards.
• Ability to identify good practices and areas for improvement in team performance.
• Valid U.S. Driver’s License with acceptable driving record pertinent to the position.
• Ability to successfully pass background checks and pre-employment drug testing.
• Must be a U.S. Citizen.