NEON Field Ecologist - Limnology - CO

About the Role

We are currently seeking a Field Ecologist I – Limnology for an onsite role located in Boulder, CO. The Southern Rockies field sites offer stunning views, while the Central Plains sites feature windswept prairies, cattle ranches, and large agricultural fields. NEON sites in these regions are managed by our Boulder, CO office.

Physical Demands and Work Environment

• Work involves walking, hiking, prolonged standing, bending, and kneeling.
• Routine lifting and carrying of heavy items, equipment, and packs up to 40 pounds.
• Field work includes exposure to extreme temperatures, inclement weather, rough and variable terrain (including high altitude >5000ft), toxic plants (e.g., poison ivy), stinging and biting insects, and wildlife hazards.
• Instrument maintenance on towers ranging from 24 to 80 feet, requiring ascending and descending multiple flights of stairs.
• Driving off-road in 4WD vehicles is required for most field sites.

Schedule

• Work schedules are typically 10 hours per day, occasionally extending to 12+ hours, including split shifts, early mornings, late evenings, and weekends depending on assignments.
• Approximately 75% field work and 25% office and lab duties.
• Frequent overnight travel required (e.g., 2-4 times per month for 1-3 nights).

Responsibilities

• Plan, schedule, supervise, and perform data collection for stream channel morphology, aquatic organism abundance and diversity, biogeochemistry, seasonal climatic and hydrologic changes, and riparian phenology following standardized field, lab, and shipping procedures.
• Operate and maintain in-situ water quality sensors, monitor sensor health and status using tools like PuTTY, specific sensor software, SAS, or other visual analytic tools.
• Record data accurately and completely; perform data Q/C checks and resolve errors in collaboration with staff scientists.
• Provide training, instruction, and technical guidance to seasonal field personnel.
• Support NEON Research Support Services projects as assigned.
• Perform additional field and lab procedures, including plant phenology, diversity, productivity, and biogeochemistry; abundance, diversity, and phenology of organisms such as small mammals, ticks, mosquitoes, ground beetles, and soil microbes.
• Operate and maintain in-situ meteorological sensors, soil sensors, data loggers, IRGAs, and other gas analyzers used to measure CO₂ and energy flux.
• Ensure work hazards are identified and mitigated; support a culture of safety.
• Follow all permitting requirements and assist with permit reporting and renewals.

Qualifications

• Associate’s degree in ecology, forestry, environmental sciences, or a related scientific discipline AND one (1) year of related experience OR
• Two (2) or more years of related experience.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science, Biology, or a related field OR
• An equivalent combination of education and experience or four (4) years of experience providing proficiency in the areas of responsibility listed above.
• Previous NEON experience.

Pay

Pay rate: $22.91 - $24.29 per hour. This reflects the anticipated base salary range based on current national data. Minimums and maximums may vary by location. Individual pay is based on skills, experience, and other relevant factors.

Benefits

• Paid Time Off: Support for work-life balance and motivation.
• Health and Wellness: Medical, dental, and vision coverage with wellness incentives and optional supplemental benefits. Coverage for partners, gender-affirming care, and family formation support.
• Retirement: Industry-leading 401(k) retirement savings plan. For most employees, Battelle contributes 5% whether you contribute or not, with additional matching contributions.
• Education: Tuition assistance for pursuing higher education.
• Work Environment: Opportunities to work on challenging and meaningful projects, collaborate with world-class experts, pursue scientific and technological discovery, and nurture the next generation of scientific leaders.