Environmental Data Center Research Technician
Wednesday, December 08, 2021 09:34 AM
Interested in Arctic field research?

Toolik Field Station is hiring a full-time, year-round Environmental Data Center Research Technician.

Apply by 2 Jan 2022. Email SEDC Manager, Amanda Young, at [email protected] with questions.

https://careers.alaska.edu/en-us/job/518366/research-technician-environmental-data-center-at-the-toolik-field-station

Job Location: Fairbanks, AK/Toolik Field Station

Position Summary:
Toolik Field Station (TFS) is a research station operated and managed by the Institute of Arctic Biology at the University of Alaska Fairbanks (UAF). Toolik Field Station and the surrounding areas are located on the ancestral hunting grounds of the Nunamiut, and occasional hunting grounds and routes of the Gwich'in, Koyukuk, and Iupiaq peoples. TFS provides logistical, operational, and scientific support to visiting scientists conducting Arctic research. TFS is a remote facility located 360 road miles north of Fairbanks on the rural Dalton Highway. There are no local services. The population of the station can vary from 3 to 150 residents (over 400 different individuals annually) coming from all over the world. While remote, TFS is like a small village during the summer months.

The Spatial and Environmental Data Center (SEDC) at TFS is seeking a full time, year-round, Environmental Data Center Technician to join our team. The Environmental Data Center (EDC) offers support to the science community in four ways; 1) collection of long-term baseline environmental and biological data, 2) management of common-use field and laboratory equipment, 3) assistance with field work, and 4) remote access (collecting data for scientific projects when their personnel cannot be on-site). The EDC Technician will work under the supervision of the SEDC Manager and alongside the meteorological station technician, seasonal technicians, and interns to fulfill these four objectives.

Job Duties:
Field Data Collection (50% - based at TFS)
EDC Data and Analysis (15% - at TFS and Fairbanks)
Updating, maintaining, and managing the common-use field and laboratory equipment (15% - at TFS)
Community engagement (10% - at TFS)
Communication and Logistical support (10% - at TFS)

(More information on the Job Duties please take a look at the position posting on the University of Alaska Careers Website - https://careers.alaska.edu/en-us/job/518366/research-technician-environmental-data-center-at-the-toolik-field-station

This position will consist of shift work. TFS shifts will be based at TFS throughout the year and are typically 2-4 weeks long. For TFS shifts, room and board at TFS as well as roundtrip transportation between Fairbanks and TFS are provided. Fairbanks shifts will be based at the Toolik administrative offices on the Troth Yeddha campus of UAF. Throughout the year, there will be opportunities for (paid and unpaid) off-duty time (typically 1-2 weeks). Exact duration of shift lengths and off-duty time will be variable and flexible but must be arranged with and approved by the SEDC Manager ahead of time. The SEDC Manager has a similar schedule on-site overlapping with this position and with seasonal staff. Unless on leave, the SEDC Manager remains in regular contact with the station when not on-site.

Weather at TFS ranges from hot (70F) and dry during late summer, to cold (-50F) and dry in the winter as well as anything in between. It typically snows at least once a month throughout the year (yes, it has snowed in July). Fieldwork occurs in all of these conditions (although below -40F we stay inside) to complete the three objectives mentioned above. Did we mention mosquitoes? We work in clouds of those too.

In addition to the technical duties, engaging and interacting with the TFS community of students and researchers is an expected part of the job of everyone who works at TFS. It is expected that all Toolik Field Station staff act as a team. In a remote location with a small staff and an important mission, everyone at TFS is expected to assist all others when safe and appropriate to do so. This includes, but is not limited to, basic housekeeping, janitorial, customer service, snow removal, food service, general labor, and other duties as assigned.

Toolik Field Station is committed to providing a safe and inclusive environment to everyone at the station. Each member of our staff is committed to working to build and sustain an equitable and inclusive work environment where cultural diversity is celebrated and valued. We believe diversity benefits and enriches the TFS community. Read more about our commitment to supporting diversity at www.uaf.edu/toolik/about/diversity

Required Experience:
Two years of course work towards a Bachelor's degree in a field of science (Biology, Ecology, Geography, Chemistry, Environmental science, or a comparable field).
Two years of experience relevant to this position or a combination of training and experiences.
Valid AK drivers license or able to obtain one within three months of being hired.

Preferred Experience:
Bachelor's degree or higher in a relevant field of science (Biology, Ecology, Geography, Chemistry, Environmental science, or a comparable field)
Two years of post-bachelors work experience, or graduate school experience.
Wilderness First Aid or Wilderness First Responder, or willingness to be certified. 
Additional Information:
This is a full-time, Grade 77, minimum $21.81 hourly, DOE, 12-month position complete with a competitive salary and UA employee benefits package.
Effective immediately, all new UAF hires, whose job function or work location results in the employee being subject to the UAF vaccine requirements guided by the Federal Contractor Employee vaccine mandate*, must be fully vaccinated with an FDA- or WHO- authorized or approved COVID-19 vaccine or have obtained a university-approved disability/medical or religious exemption by January 18, 2022, or before their start date if after January 18, 2022.