Coastal Oceanography Technician (Research Technician III, Range I) - Office of Research and Sponsored Programs/National Estuarine Research Reserve

San Francisco State University • San Francisco, CA

8d • $44,107 - $73,512 • Onsite

About The Position

Participates in the Nature-based Solutions Capacity Building, Central & Northern California Ocean Observing System (CeNCOOS), and National Estuarine Research Reserve (NERR) programs by preparing detailed sampling and analysis plans, providing technical support, implementing and updating protocols, and collecting and organizing information regarding the activities, policies, standards, and procedures of SFSU. Associated duties include assisting with subawards, project deliverables, schedules, invoices, and purchases; and lab and field activities including collecting and filtering water samples, measuring concentrations of nutrients, chlorophyll, and suspended sediment in water samples, deploying and servicing oceanographic equipment, operating and troubleshooting specialized hardware and vendor software, maintaining laboratory inventory and purchasing records, and participating in occasional field work. Under general supervision of the NERR Director, position formulates, conducts and reviews research studies; prepares interpretative analysis and graphic presentation of data; writes reports and metadata summaries; plans, organizes and supervises the work of students and volunteers; and does related work as required.

Requirements

• Knowledges and Abilities: Thorough knowledge of research techniques, including the planning of studies and investigations, the determining of variables and the developing of reference materials; thorough knowledge of research reporting techniques; general knowledge of machine tabulation techniques and the programming of data; thorough knowledge of the techniques and treatment of data such as simple correlation methods, trend analysis, frequency distribution analysis, sampling techniques, hypothesis testing and methods of interval estimation; familiarity with the principles of personnel management and effective supervision and ability to direct the work of others.
• Ability to reason logically and capacity for independent and creative thinking on research problems; ability to develop techniques for handling a large variety of detailed data and ability to analyze these data; ability to establish and maintain cooperative working relationships; ability to speak and write effectively; ability to analyze situations accurately and to adopt an effective course of action.
• Experience: Three years of progressively responsible technical research or statistical experience including or supplemented by one year in the interpretation and graphic presentation of data. Graduate study in the social sciences, economics, mathematics, statistics, public or business administration or engineering may be substituted for the required experience on a year-for-year basis.
• Education: Equivalent to graduation from a four-year college or university. (Additional qualifying professional experience may be substituted for the required education on a year-for-year basis.)

Nice To Haves

• Graduate degree in oceanography or marine science
• Experience with coastal oceanography both at sea and in a laboratory setting, including experience maintaining and operating plankton nets, water sampling devices, and water-quality monitoring equipment
• Experience with measuring nutrients using spectrophotometry and an autoanalyzer, measuring chlorophyll with fluorometry, and measuring phytoplankton productivity with 14C and 13C
• Ability to operate, maintain, and troubleshoot the nutrient autoanalyzer at the EOS Center
• Knowledge of basic tidal dynamics, estuarine gradients, phytoplankton species, and open water working conditions
• Knowledge of project administration, database management, and university paperwork procedures
• Exceptional organizational and communication skills

Responsibilities

• Coastal oceanography research and monitoring Monitor water-quality, nutrients, and phytoplankton in coastal waters of the San Francisco Estuary and adjacent estuaries and coastal waters, including laboratory preparation of equipment and supplies, collection of environmental water samples, and laboratory processing of water samples
• Calibrate, maintain, and troubleshoot laboratory and field equipment used for water sampling and other oceanographic and ecological research
• Compile, organize, and analyze water-quality data and other physical, chemical, and biological data
• Contribute to general lab maintenance, inventory, and cleaning and organization of equipment and supplies
• Training and administrative duties Participate in safety and technical trainings, scheduling of staff and students, communications, and project meetings
• Assist with equipment, supply, and hospitality purchasing, written and electronic documentation, and university compliance and reporting processes specific to ongoing research projects
• Assist with project administrative duties, including tracking progress, scheduling meetings, helping to produce project deliverables including reports and workshops, and assisting with grant subawards including invoicing
• Data and metadata reporting Assist principal investigators on the scope and conduct of proposed studies, the availability of resources and the reporting and utilization of data; contribute to quality assurance / quality control for lab and field data
• Annotate and update technical manuals; develop procedural guides and metadata related to field and lab work
• Evaluate and present research and monitoring results and information pertaining to the scientific process
• Other duties as assigned

Benefits

• Threaded through our Total Compensation package is a commitment to Bridging Life's Transitions.
• SF State is committed to providing our employees with a comprehensive program that rewards efforts that are appreciated by your colleagues, students and the customers we serve.
• We offer a competitive compensation package that includes Medical, Dental, Vision, Pension, 401k, Healthcare Savings Account, Life Insurance, Disability Insurance, Vacation and Sick Leave as well as State Holidays and a dynamic Fee Waiver program, all geared towards the University's commitment to attract, motivate and retain our employee.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Part-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Number of Employees: 1,001-5,000 employees