Staff Research Scientist, Field Specialist

Desert Research Institute • Las Vegas, NV

17d • Onsite

About The Position

The Division of Hydrologic Sciences at the Desert Research Institute is seeking a Staff Research Scientist, Field Specialist to support the Community Environmental Monitoring Program (CEMP), based at DRI’s Las Vegas, Nevada campus. The role works with DRI research personnel on hydrology, hydrogeology, and environmental science activities and contributes to scientific research through laboratory work, equipment testing and maintenance, fieldwork, data collection and analysis, and report writing.

The position supports fieldwork at CEMP monitoring stations. It involves developing, fabricating, installing, troubleshooting, maintaining, and repairing remote weather and radiological monitoring instrumentation; using and maintaining equipment, tools, and safety gear; and traveling regularly for multi-day field trips to remote locations. Fieldwork may involve long-distance solo driving and working in extreme weather. The role also involves maintaining accurate records, assisting with hazardous equipment and materials, supervising and coordinating field activities, arranging station equipment maintenance with manufacturers, training new Community Environmental Monitors, conducting community outreach, and keeping the CEMP team informed about work status.

The position requires regular travel to local and regional locations for several days at a time, and physical tasks including moving or lifting objects up to 40 pounds and occasional stooping, bending, and kneeling. Employment is contingent on a background check. U.S. citizenship is required by sponsor funding requirements, and a valid driver’s license is required or must be obtained by the date of hire.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution.
• Previous experience working with instrumentation.
• Demonstrated field experience, including work in remote locations.
• Mechanical aptitude, including familiarity with hand and power tools, basic knowledge of AC/DC current, and experience with electrical/electronic equipment and systems such as solar power systems, environmental sensors, and related instrumentation.
• Experience collecting, organizing, and analyzing data.
• Ability to maintain quality, safety, and control standards.
• Willingness to learn basic laboratory skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, and Outlook), including basic Excel data entry, formatting, and simple formulas.
• Strong oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team, collaborate with people of diverse interests and abilities, and adapt and learn new skills.
• Accountability for maintaining equipment and records, including timesheets, inventory, purchases, and field logs.
• U.S. citizenship per sponsor funding requirements.
• Successful completion of a background check.
• Valid driver’s license or ability to obtain one by the date of hire.
• Ability to travel regularly to local and regional locations for several days at a time.
• Ability to perform physical tasks, including moving or lifting objects up to 40 pounds and occasional stooping, bending, and kneeling.

Nice To Haves

• Experience with research-grade environmental sensors, dataloggers, and remote electronics, including field installations such as weather stations, well logging, water quality monitoring, power systems, or telemetry devices.
• Experience writing or contributing to technical reports.

Responsibilities

• Develop, fabricate, install, troubleshoot, maintain, and repair remote weather and radiological monitoring instrumentation, independently and as part of a team.
• Use, maintain, and repair equipment, tools, and associated safety gear and personal protective equipment.
• Conduct multi-day field trips to remote locations, including long-distance solo driving and work in extreme weather conditions.
• Maintain accurate inventory, field, purchase, travel, and labor records.
• Assist with acquisition, preparation, distribution, and proper storage of hazardous equipment and materials.
• Supervise and coordinate fieldwork activities conducted by various personnel.
• Coordinate maintenance of station equipment and instrumentation with manufacturers.
• Train new Community Environmental Monitors.
• Represent CEMP at outreach events within CEMP communities.
• Communicate with the CEMP team to keep members updated on current job and task status.
• Contribute to environmental research, including laboratory activities, equipment testing and maintenance, fieldwork, data collection and analysis, and report writing.
• Maintain equipment and records, including timesheets, inventory, purchases, and field logs.

Benefits

• Health insurance, with a choice of three health insurance plans.
• Dental insurance.
• Vision insurance.
• Life insurance.
• 19.25% retirement match.
• 24 annual leave days.
• Beginning balance of 30 sick leave days.
• 12 paid holidays.
• Educational benefits.
• Flexible spending accounts or health savings accounts are available to supplement health insurance plans.
• Relocation assistance.
• No state income tax and no Social Security deduction.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level