Assistant Manager Field Operations
Boulder, CO, US
Worker Category :Regular Full-Time
COMPANY OVERVIEW
The National Ecological Observatory Network, Inc.
(NEON) is a National Science Foundation 30+ year
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 includes over 300+ personnel and will
be the first of its kind designed to detect and
enable forecasting of ecological change at continental scales.
JOB SUMMARY
The NEON Field Operations Assistant Manager is
responsible for supervision of personnel and
activities coordinated from the assigned field
office. Field office activities include (1)
preventative and corrective maintenance of
scientific instrumentation, field infrastructure
and equipment, office and laboratory equipment,
(2) field observations, (3) specimen collection,
handling, preparation and shipment according to
NEON scientific protocols. Performs personnel
management that includes (1) selecting, (2)
training, (3) scheduling, and (4) performance
management for 5 regular full-time field
technicians and 20-30 seasonal field technicians
according to NEON, Inc. Policies and Procedures
under the supervision of the Field Operations Manager.
LOCATION
The Domain 10/ 13 Field Operations Assistant
Managers primary work location is Boulder, CO.
This position supports sites in the Southern
Rockies- Colorado Plateau and Central Plains
Domains. These domains include parts of Colorado,
Utah, Wyoming, Nebraska, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas,
Arizona, and New Mexico. The Southern Rockies-
Colorado Plateau and Central Plains candidate
sites are located in Colorado at the Central
Plains Experimental Range (CPER) near Nunn CO, in
an Agricultural site near Sterling CO, in Rocky
Mountain National Park, at Fox Ranch near Idalia
CO, and at The University of Colorado Mountain
Research Center and Como creek at Niwot Ridge, CO.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
* Supervise regular and seasonal field
personnel supporting field office, lab and collection sites.
* Perform and oversee the recruitment and
training of regular and seasonal field personnel as assigned within a domain.
* Ensure that safety policies, procedures,
and practices are followed within their area of authority.
* Reinforce positive attitudes toward safety
and sets the example for staff by enabling
compliance with safety requirements.
* Coordinate logistics and schedules, within
NEON scientific parameters, for all maintenance, repair and field activities.
* Perform and oversee maintenance, repair and
field activities according to NEON scientific
protocols for assigned sites within a domain.
* Assist with administering the operation of
the office and laboratory. Assists in overseeing
maintenance of office and lab areas including lab
equipment and coordinates necessary repair or replacement.
* Act as liaison between regional
stakeholders, including educational and research
organizations, local property owners and the general public and NEON, Inc.
* Communicate NEON status and activities,
local activities and partnerships, and regional
issues and concerns to appropriate regional
stakeholders and NEON staff. Work with Manager of
Field Operations and regional stakeholders to resolve issues or concerns.
* Assist in the preparation of annual
operating budget for assigned office and ensures
NEON funds are used appropriately and within
budget in collaboration with the Manager of Field Operations.
* Record activities and completed work
according to Field Operations protocol.
* Perform field assignments in a variety of
conditions (e.g., weather, terrain, diverse assigned biomes).
* May carry, move and lift field supplies
(pack weighing up to 40 lbs.) to assigned field
site (diverse and uneven terrain).
* Follow and ensure all NEON, Inc. policy and
procedure including administrative, safety, and
financial requirements for field station operations are followed.
REQUIRED: EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE, KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS
* Bachelors Degree biology, ecology,
environmental science or related field.
Equivalent education and work experience may be considered.
* One (1) or more years experience
supervising at least five (5) personnel, including hiring.
* One (1) or more years experience in
management of an operations group including
budgeting, monthly status reporting.
* One (1) or more years experience
developing complex work or task schedules (e.g.
24x7 operations with full-time, part-time, and seasonal staff).
* Three (3) or more years experience
performing ecology related lab and field
activities and/or maintaining scientific
instrumentation (e.g. meteorological and aquatic sensors).
* Ability to organize and execute multiple activities and priorities.
* Effective problem solving skills and the
ability to determine and act on changing
priorities in a fast paced dynamic environment.
* Effective leadership skills and the ability to motivate others.
* Displays good judgment in ensuring safety
and operational standards are met.
* Ability and willingness to adopt new technologies as needed.
* Ability to travel frequently within assigned domain.
* Depending on assignment, current and valid
State issued drivers license with insurable
* Department of Motor Vehicle record (parking
violations, minor driving offenses excluded) as
determined by NEONs insurance provider.
* Willingness to work in variable weather
conditions, at remote locations, on difficult or hazardous terrain.
* Ability and willingness to work on towers
ranging in height from 24 feet to 300 feet and at
altitudes of up to 11,000 feet (depending on
assigned Domain) including ascending and
descending multiple flights of stairs on instrument towers.
* Ability to withstand exposure to fumes, dust, and noise.
PREFERRED EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE, KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS
* Graduate study in biology, ecology,
environmental science or related field.
* Previous experience in personnel management
such as evaluating performance, implementing
performance improvement plans and terminating employees.
* Previous experience supervising a technical
field operations services group.
* Previous experience communicating with
external stakeholders such as customers, funding
agencies, regulatory agencies, etc.
* Familiarity with federal and state employment and safety regulations.
Must possess a valid US drivers license.
Must have permanent authorization for US
employment. NEON, Inc. will not provide any kind of visa sponsorship.
This position offers competitive total rewards
including 401(k), health, vision and dental
insurance, generous paid time off and the
opportunity to work with at an organization with a great mission.
NEON, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
Women, Minorities, Veterans and Disabled Persons are encouraged to apply.
Please apply to: <http://www.neoninc.org>www.neoninc.org
