Overview The National Ecological Observatory Network (NEON) is a $430 million dollar observatory project 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 grow to 300+ personnel and will be the first of its kind designed to detect and enable forecasting of ecological change at continental scales.
Summary: The Groundwater Hydrologist will be part of the Aquatic Team that is responsible for developing a national program to assess physical, chemical, and biological changes in streams and lakes over 30 years. The Hydrologist will design groundwater wells for water quality monitoring; oversee well construction and sensor installation; review/revise science measurements; document field procedures; document data product procedures; train personnel; and perform data QA/QC in order to produce high quality data products for the research, education, and decision making communities. Specifically, the Groundwater Hydrologist is responsible for designing, documenting, and overseeing construction of shallow, subsurface water quality monitoring wells (e.g. groundwater wells) at NEON aquatic sites. The purpose of the wells is to define and track regional flowpaths and inputs in the location of an Aquatic site. NEON Aquatic sites include small wadeable streams, large navigable rivers, and small lakes throughout the U.S. and Puerto Rico – sites span a gradient of environmental conditions: extreme low-flows to tropical-flood cycles; sand to bedrock lithologies. The Groundwater Hydrologist will be responsible for developing and documenting site specific designs for well installations and locations at each site; defining and meeting site specific regulations for well construction; overseeing installation of wells; and documenting well files for each site. At each NEON site, up to 8 shallow subsurface wells will be distributed throughout a defined reach along streams or lakes. Wells are to be constructed using minimally invasive technology and are thus small wells for monitoring quality and quantity of subsurface flows. In addition, the Groundwater Hydrologist will document sensor maintenance and field-calibration plans for a groundwater well multisonde, in collaboration with NEON’s Engineering and Calibration (CVAL) Teams. This position is not responsible for power or communication designs to the well sensor, but may collaborate with the NEON Engineering Team to optimize these aspects of the work. This position will also develop, document and implement detailed designs and analytical protocols for groundwater sampling, in conjunction with the Aquatic Biogeochemist. The Hydrologist will also develop and document groundwater well related data products (e.g. sensor drift statistics; data QA, gap-filling and correction; algorithms for high level data products). The Groundwater Hydrologist will work with an interdisciplinary team of ecologists, mechanical and electrical engineers, computing engineers, and other scientists to design, develop, test, and implement statistically valid protocols to produce data products that will enable researchers to investigate the impact of climate change, land-use change, invasive species, and unsustainable water use on freshwater ecosystems of North America. The Groundwater Hydrologist will be expected to produce reports and publications of NEON designs, procedures, and protocols and is encouraged to collaborate with the research community to investigate continental scale ecology. Essential Duties and Responsibilities: • Design groundwater well installations for all NEON Aquatic sites • Coordinate and oversee all aspects of construction of groundwater wells • Document groundwater well installations in well files • Document sensor maintenance standard operating procedures (SOPs) for an in situ groundwater well multisonde and water sample collection • Collaborate with the NEON Calibration (CVAL) Team to define sensor field and lab calibration procedures • Co-develop and implement data QA/QC, gap-filling, and correction plans. • Travel to NEON sites as part of the design effort and to oversee construction efforts. • Co-develop sampling and sensor maintenance training program for field crews. • Participate in the larger NEON science community, including participating in independent research and collaborations and attending meetings/conferences. Education: • MSc in hydrology or related engineering field AND 5+ years of experience installing and maintaining groundwater wells in freshwater systems of North America. or • BSc in hydrology or related engineering field AND 10+ years of experience installing and maintaining groundwater wells in freshwater systems of North America. Required Experience: • Specialization in a groundwater hydrology with emphasis on environmental monitoring of freshwater systems or the role of groundwater in surface water chemistry. • Qualified candidates will have demonstrated experience working in freshwater ecosystems of North America. • Significant experience designing and constructing groundwater well installations for long-term quality monitoring. • Significant hands-on experience with construction and decommissioning of groundwater wells. • Field-based experience maintaining and calibrating sensors used in freshwater ecosystems. • Demonstrated experience quality checking, correcting, and verifying data from in-situ sensors, including defining and correcting sensor drift. • Significant field experience working in streams and lakes of North America. • Demonstrated experience working with detailed, engineer-level plans and blueprints. • Demonstrated ability to write technical and scientific documents. • Demonstrated experience working in a collaborative scientific and engineering enterprise. • Experience communicating in oral and written formats in a professional environment. • Experience working with federal and state agencies and NGO’s. Preferred Experience: • Experience with sensor installations in large, navigable rivers and in small lakes is preferred but not required. • Experience with CAD or other blueprint software. • Working knowledge of stream ecological function preferred. • Knowledge of freshwater chemistry dynamics of streams and lakes preferred. Skills and Abilities: • Ability to document engineering and science specifications and plans • Ability to read/review CAD or other blueprint documents • Ability to write and review science documents • Strong knowledge of sensor data assessment procedures and best practices • Strong knowledge of statistical design and analyses • Ability to communicate and work effectively both independently and as part of science and engineering teams • Strong communication and interpersonal skills • Undertake responsibilities beyond those associated with individual projects • Travel to domains at least 4x/year Physical Abilities: • The candidate may be exposed to conditions in the field, and therefore must be able to traverse uneven ground such as dirt banks, stream beds, and shallow ponds carrying equipment and materials up to 40 lbs. Apply to www.neoninc.org Review of applications will begin 15 June 2011. NEON Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Women, Minorities, Veterans and Disabled Persons are encouraged to apply.
