Field Operations Manager – Domain 1 - Northeast Overview The National Ecological Observatory Network, Inc. (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 NEON Field Operations Manager will be responsible for managing all personnel and activities coordinated from the field office. Field office activities include preventative and corrective maintenance of scientific instrumentation, field observations, specimen collection, handling, preparation and shipment according to NEON scientific protocols. The Field Operations Manager reports to the Director of Field Operations at NEON headquarters. Location The Domain 1 Field Operations Manager’s primary work location is near Petersham, MA. This position supports sites in the Northeast Domain. Northeast candidate sites are located in Massachusetts at Harvard Forest (LTER) near Petersham, MA, Bartlett Experimental Forest near Bartlett, NH, and in Burlington, MA. The Northeast Domain includes parts of West Virginia, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Vermont and Maine. Essential Duties and Responsibilities • Supervises all regular and seasonal field personnel supporting field office, lab and collection sites. • Performs and oversees the recruitment and training of regular and seasonal field personnel. • Coordinates logistics and schedules, within NEON scientific parameters, for all maintenance, repair and field activities. Performs and oversees maintenance, repair and field activities according to NEON scientific protocols. • Responsible for assuring that NEON EHS policies, procedures, and practices are followed within their area of authority. Field Operations Managers are expected to reinforce positive attitudes toward safety and set the example for their staff by enabling compliance with safety requirements. • Administers the operation of the office and laboratory. Oversees maintenance of office and lab areas including lab equipment and coordinates necessary repair or replacement. • Acts as liaison between regional stakeholders, including educational and research organizations, local property owners and the general public and NEON, Inc. Communicates NEON status and activities, local activities and partnerships, and regional issues and concerns to appropriate regional stakeholders and NEON staff. Works with regional stakeholders to resolve issues or concerns. • Accountable for enforcing and following NEON, Inc. policy and procedure including administrative, safety, and financial requirements for field station operations. • Prepares annual operating budget for assigned office, lab and collection sites in collaboration with the Director of Field Operations. Ensures NEON funds are used appropriately and within budget. Education • Bachelor’s degree • Graduate study in biology, ecology, environmental science or related field preferred. Required Experience • 3+ years experience supervising at least 5 personnel including hiring, evaluating performance, implementing performance improvement plans and terminating employees. • 3+ years experience in management including budgeting, monthly status reporting. • 3+ years developing complex work or task schedules (e.g. 24x7 operations with full-time, part-time, and seasonal staff). • Previous experience performing ecology related lab and field activities and/or maintaining scientific instrumentation (e.g. meteorological and aquatic sensors). • Previous experience communicating with external stakeholders such as customers, funding agencies, regulatory agencies, etc. Preferred Experience • Previous experience managing a technical field operations services group. • Previous experience leading or participating in outdoor activities in remote areas. • Familiarity with federal and state employment and safety regulations. Skills and Abilities: • Able to set goals and fulfill them in the absence of close supervision. Ability to independently organize and execute multiple activities and priorities. • Strong leadership skills and the ability to motivate others. • Excellent problem solving skills and the ability to determine and act on changing priorities in a fast paced dynamic environment. • Displays good judgment in ensuring safety and operational standards are met. • Able to send communications effectively so they are thoroughly understood; choosing the medium in accordance with the nature of the inquiry, task, and timeframe; and proactively gathering and utilizing feedback • Comfortable with the technologies needed to communicate and coordinate over distance. Willing to adopt new technologies as needed. • Proficient in Microsoft Office programs. • Must possess a valid driver’s license. • Ability to travel frequently within the local domain and occasional travel domestically. Physical Abilities: • Ability to lift up to 40 lbs. • Ability to hike long distances and stand for extended periods of time. • Willingness to work in variable weather conditions, at remote locations, on difficult or hazardous terrain. • Ability to ascend and descend multiple flights of stairs on instrument towers. • Willingness to perform work on an open, elevated platform ranging in height from 25’ to 300’. • Ability to perform work requiring reaching, bending, kneeling, stooping, lifting, finger dexterity, grasping, feeling, repetitive motions, talking and hearing. • The employee may be exposed to fumes, dust, and noise. NOTE: We will interview/hire this position now for an anticipated start date of November 2012. Apply to: www.neoninc.org NEON Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Women, Minorities, Veterans and Disabled Persons are encouraged to apply.
