Biological Field Station Technician

The Ohio State University

About The Position

The Biological Field Station Technician works under the direct supervision of the Stone Lab Manager to help prepare seasonal programming at Stone Laboratory. From November to April, the role is co-supervised by the Director of Stone Lab and Ohio Sea Grant. The technician participates in resident advisor training, supports field trip and college programs, provides informal guidance to less experienced staff, and helps review and adjust field trip curriculum. During the island operations season, approximately April through November, the technician supports Stone Laboratory’s field trip program, Science Days at the South Bass Island Lighthouse, and other outreach events. The position also supports facilities, visitors, faculty, researchers, and students; assists administrative and laboratory staff; inventories supplies and equipment; maintains and repairs scientific equipment; and occasionally assists with field research. With supervisor training, the technician guides classroom science activities for grades 5–12, leads tours, science cruises, and activities, shares information about the field trip program, develops and stores educational displays, and conducts orientations for visiting groups. The technician assists with seasonal laboratory setup and close-down, day-to-day operations, basic maintenance, and dining and residence tasks as needed. During fall and winter, the technician researches potential county foundation funding for school field trips, reviews and edits the BFSA training manual, recruits middle- and high-school students for island programs, investigates the feasibility of a long-term island monitoring program and datasets, and helps recruit future BFSA employees. The technician also assists with education and outreach at OSU’s Olentangy River Wetland Research Park, serves throughout the year as an informal resource and mentor for less experienced BFSAs, and completes special assignments as needed. This is a term appointment. The position is based at Put-in-Bay, Ohio during the operations season and in Columbus, Ohio, or remotely, during fall and winter. The schedule is 40 hours per week on first shift; flexible hours, including weekends, evenings, and some holidays, are required.

Requirements

High school diploma.
At least one year of relevant experience.
Demonstrated ability to conduct routine field work.
Ability to work with a diverse population and as part of a team.
Valid driver’s license.
Successful completion of a background check.
Ability to work flexible hours, including weekends, evenings, and some holidays.

Nice To Haves

Associate or bachelor’s degree in life science education, fisheries and wildlife, ecology, biology, or a related field.
At least one year of field station and Lake Erie experience.
Ability to lift 30 pounds.

Responsibilities

Assist with preparation of seasonal programming at Stone Laboratory.
Participate in resident advisor training and assist with field trip and college programs.
Provide informal guidance and mentoring to less experienced staff and BFSAs.
Assist the Education and Outreach Coordinator in reviewing and adjusting field trip curriculum.
Support the Stone Laboratory field trip program, Science Days at the South Bass Island Lighthouse, and other outreach events during island operations season.
Help prepare and maintain facilities for visitors, faculty, researchers, and students.
Provide assistance to administrative and laboratory staff as needed.
Conduct inventory of supplies and equipment, and maintain and repair scientific equipment.
Occasionally assist with field research.
Guide science classroom activities for school groups in grades 5–12, lead tours, science cruises, and activities, and provide information about the field trip program.
Assist in developing and storing educational displays and conduct orientation sessions for visiting groups.
Assist with seasonal laboratory setup and close-down and day-to-day operations, including basic maintenance and dining and residence tasks as needed.
Address issues involving students, staff, and visitors with guidance from the Lab Manager.
Research Ohio county foundations that may fund field trips to Stone Lab.
Review and edit the BFSA training manual as needed.
Recruit middle- and high-school students for island field trips, courses, and workshops.
Investigate the feasibility of a long-term island monitoring program and datasets.
Assist with recruitment of future BFSA employees.
Assist with education and outreach at OSU’s Olentangy River Wetland Research Park.
Complete special assignments as needed.