Research Technician, SPRUCE

Requisition Id 8400 

Purpose

A highly motivated individual capable of working both independently, and as part of a diverse team is being sought to provide onsite support for the Spruce and Peatland Responses Under Changing Environments Experiment (SPRUCE) located in the USDA Forest Service's Marcell Experimental Forest in northern Minnesota. The individual will assist with managing and maintaining SPRUCE infrastructure and work with SPRUCE scientific staff to facilitate experimental activities.

Major Duties/Responsibilities

You will be responsible for assisting with the general operations and maintenance of an industrial scale environmental manipulation experiment located near Grand Rapids, Minnesota. Activities may include facility, grounds, and equipment maintenance; instrument calibration and tracking; conducting ecosystem phenological surveys; providing general support for scientific staff; coordinating shipping and receiving for procurements and field supplies; collecting and processing biological and operations data; providing safety oversight; and interacting with visiting members of the general public. Some work at heights (up to 30 feet) and occasional protracted or non-standard hours should be expected due the continuous operation of the experiment.  You will apply safety related knowledge, skills and practices to everyday work and must show a demonstrated commitment to fostering a safe work environment.   Occasional travel will be required to attend safety and technical training.

Required Qualifications

You will have earned a BS/BA degree in a natural resources, biology, engineering or related discipline.  Prior field research experience is desirable but not necessary.  You must demonstrate excellent communication skills, be dependable, and willing to learn.  General knowledge of, or experience with, computer/communications, electrical, electro-mechanical, pressurized gas, refrigeration, and /or plumbing systems is desirable.  Some degree of mechanical aptitude and physical fitness is a must.  You must be able to perform tasks such as climbing towers, lifting moderately heavy loads and working outside in often inclement conditions, and as such, a post-offer, pre-employment physical exam will be required.  You must hold a current, valid driver’s license and be able to pass a background check.  A commitment to learning and applying continuous improvement processes to everyday work is a necessity.

Desired Qualifications:

• Inventory management experience utilizing Facility Service Center software
• ORNL Qualified Electrical Worker III certification or ability to obtain
• Environmental instrument calibration and maintenance experience (especially LiCor, Vaisala, Campbell Scientific
• Database Management experience (esp. MS Access)
• NATE (or similar) Tower Worker Certified

Additional Information:

1. SPRUCE Experiment: http://mnspruce.ornl.gov
2. Oak Ridge National Lab Climate Change Science Institute (CCSI): https://www.ornl.gov/ccsi
3.      Biological and Environmental Systems Directorate:  https://www.ornl.gov/directorate/bessd
4.      Marcell Experimental Forest: http://mnspruce.ornl.gov/node/14http://nrs.fs.fed.us/ef/locations/mn/marcell
5.      Grand Rapids, Minnesota: http://grandrapids.govoffice.com

This position will remain open for a minimum of 5 days after which it will close when a qualified candidate is identified and/or hired.

We accept Word (.doc, .docx), Adobe (unsecured .pdf), Rich Text Format (.rtf), and HTML (.htm, .html) up to 5MB in size. Resumes from third party vendors will not be accepted; these resumes will be deleted and the candidates submitted will not be considered for employment.

If you have trouble applying for a position, please email ORNLRecruiting@ornl.gov.

ORNL is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants, including individuals with disabilities and protected veterans, are encouraged to apply.  UT-Battelle is an E-Verify employer.