Overview The National Ecological Observatory Network (NEON, Inc.) is a nonprofit science corporation dedicated to understanding how changes in climate, land use and invasive species impact ecology. Currently under design is the NEON project - an observatory comprising more than 60 environmental and biological monitoring locations distributed throughout twenty domains across the United States, Hawaii, Alaska & Puerto Rico. The observatory network will be the first of its kind designed to detect and enable forecasting of ecological change at continental scales over multiple decades.
The Aquatic Team will collect physical, chemical, and biological data on streams and small lakes across twenty domains in the United States, Hawaii, Alaska & the Caribbean. The Team will define measurements, train personnel, and perform QA/QC in order to produce high quality data products for the research, education, and decision making community. Term of Position This position is as a term (one year), full-time position on the NEON Aquatic science team. Location: Boulder, CO Position Summary: The Aquatic Technician will assist the Aquatic Team with gathering existing data and information on streams and ponds/lakes across the United States. This includes water chemistry; plant, insect, and fish species lists; aerial photographs; maps; and other historical information. This information is critical for the Team to prepare the sites for construction. The Technician will work independently searching for existing literature and data, and as part of the Team to develop data management tools. The Technician will also have the opportunity to gain experience in GIS, water chemistry analyses, and mapping of aquatic ecosystems. The Aquatic Technician is expected to produce reports of NEON site information and is encouraged to collaborate with the Staff to investigate other publications. Essential Duties and Responsibilities: • Independently seek published data and information from libraries, local NGOs, researchers, municipalities, Federal and State agencies • Seek unpublished data from local researchers and NGOs • Co-create data management system for historical site data: working in collaboration with Aquatic scientists and the NEON Computing team • Coordinate and compile disparate data and information for ease of analysis and retrieval • Work with NEON GIS to digitize and organize historical maps, images, and aerial photos of sites • Participate in the larger NEON science community Education: • Bachelor’s degree in aquatic ecology or related field. Required Experience: • Experience with university library research, including Web of Science • Ability to independently gather information from federal and state agencies’ online data portals • Ability to telephone interview researchers and scientists • Demonstrated ability to write technical documents Preferred Experience: • Ability to create and interpret stream hydrographs • Knowledge of freshwater water quality parameters • Knowledge of GIS preferred Skills and Abilities: • Literature and library research skills • Strong communication and interpersonal skills • Technical writing • Ability to work independently, and as part of an active science team TO APPLY: www.neoninc.org Review of applications will begin 15 June 2010. Relocation and Housing is not provided. NEON Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Women, Minorities, Veterans and Disabled Persons are encouraged to apply.
