Company Overview
Battelle manages and operates the National Ecological Observatory Network (NEON) program, which is solely funded by the National Science Foundation. A 30+ year project dedicated to understanding how changes in climate, land use and invasive species impact ecology, the observatory’s scientists and engineers are collecting a comprehensive range of ecological data on a continental scale across 20 eco-climatic domains representing US ecosystems. Our teams use cutting-edge technology, including an airborne observation platform that captures 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 observe and sample populations of diverse organisms and collect soil and water data. Once structures are completed, a leading-edge cyberinfrastructure will calibrate, store and publish this information. The Observatory includes more than 500+ personnel and is the first of its kind designed to detect and enable forecasting of ecological change at continental scales.
Job Summary
The National Ecological Observatory Network (NEON) Program is currently seeking a Field Operations Manager. This position is located in Denton, Texas. Occasional travel outside the region will be required. NEON is a continental-scale ecological observation facility sponsored by the National Science Foundation that gathers and synthesizes data on the impacts of climate change, land use change and invasive species on natural resources and biodiversity. The observatory is designed to collect high-quality, standardized data from field sites across the continental United States, Alaska, Hawaii and Puerto Rico.
Location
The plains of Texas and Oklahoma are home to rolling grasslands, expansive croplands, and more than 10 million head of cattle. In the Southern Plains (Domain 11), agriculture reigns supreme. Understanding how land management decisions and agricultural practices impact ecosystems is key to both maintaining agricultural productivity and protecting native habitats. NEON sites in the Southern Plains Domain are managed from our Denton, TX office.
Responsibilities
-Plan, schedule, conduct and ensure accurate execution, within NEON scientific parameters and annual budget, of all maintenance, repair and field sampling activities for 4 NEON field sites.
-Critical human relation skills to understand, select, develop and motivate others.
-Coordinate instrument maintenance for sensors, data acquisition system, power distribution system and supporting infrastructure (i.e. tower arrays, soil arrays, aquatic buoy arrays, instrument hut, boardwalks).
-Coordinate field observations and collection using approximately 30 different protocols and multiple SOP’s with varying schedule requirements based on local ecosystem and current field conditions.
-Recruit, train and manage all regular and temporary personnel supporting field office, lab and field tasks.
-Encourage and actively support safety, diversity, equity, and inclusion within the team and organization.
-Act as liaison between regional stakeholders, including educational and research organizations, local property owners and the general public and Battelle.
-Communicate NEON status and activities, local activities and partnerships, and regional issues and concerns to appropriate regional stakeholders and Battelle staff. Work with regional stakeholders to resolve issues or concerns.
-Plan and participate in local/regional community engagement activities (i.e. local/regional conferences or meetings, invited talks).
-Ensure compliance with Battelle safety policy and procedures.
-Ensure appropriate equipment, materials and supplies are available to support required field activities. Use Battelle business processes and tools to ensure appropriate and efficient use of funds.
Key Qualifications
-Bachelor's Degree and 5 years of experience supervising personnel including participating in hiring, training, and evaluating performance.
-Experience developing and managing budgets and schedules.
-Experience performing related lab and field activities and/or maintaining scientific instrumentation (e.g. meteorological and aquatic sensors).
-Experience communicating with external stakeholders such as customers, funding agencies, regulatory agencies, etc.
-Must be a US Citizen.
Preferred Qualifications
-Graduate study in biology, ecology, environmental science or related field.
-Experience managing scientific data collection.
-Experience leading or participating in outdoor activities in remote areas.
Salary
Pay: $83,800 - $114,624