ECONet Researcher

North Carolina State University, United States

Updated: about 1 month ago
Location: Raleigh, NORTH CAROLINA
Deadline: ;

Posting Details
Posting Information


Posting Number PG193265EP
Internal Recruitment No
Working Title ECONet Researcher
Anticipated Hiring Range $64,837 - $66,000
Work Schedule 8:00am-5:00pm Monday-Friday
Job Location Raleigh, NC
Department State Climate Office
About the Department
North Carolina has a complex climate due to its three distinct regions: the mountains, the piedmont, and the coastal plain. Climate affects many aspects of our daily lives – agriculture, environment, transportation, tourism, and natural disasters. North Carolina is especially prone to the impacts of a warming climate, including sea level rise, extreme precipitation, and hotter temperatures. The State Climate Office of North Carolina was established in 1976, originally at UNC-Chapel Hill, and moved to NC State University in 1980. The mission of the State Climate Office (SCO) is to provide climate related services to the state, local and federal agencies, businesses and the citizens of North Carolina. In 1998, the UNC Board of Governors formally approved it as a Public Service Center.
The State Climate Office is located on NC State University’s Centennial Campus, where private industries, government agencies, and University researchers come together and create a unique environment for interaction and advancement. The State Climate Office is a part of the College of Sciences and collaborates closely with the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences.
The State Climate Office is actively involved in research that enhances its capabilities to provide public service. The office specializes in research, monitoring, and education for climate-sensitive sectors across the state. North Carolina is at the frontline of climate change resilience, and the office is engaged in research projects that help North Carolinians understand their climate risk and adaptive capacity. The office has seen steady growth over the past decade, and receives funding from state and federal agencies. Additionally, the office runs the North Carolina ECONet, a network of 43 research-grade stations located statewide. The office hopes to place one station in each North Carolina county by 2030. Please visit our Sciences Strategic Plan and the College of Sciences Culture Charter to learn more about the College of Sciences.
NC State promotes an integrated approach to problem solving that transforms lives and provides leadership for social, economic, and technological development across North Carolina and around the world. NC State’s land grant mission of teaching, research and service is dedicated to the service of North Carolina and its people. Applicants are encouraged to review the institution’s mission, vision and strategic plan, and consider how their background, interest and experience would enable them to support the university.
Essential Job Duties
This position will lead research activities related to the North Carolina ECONet, which is managed by the NC State Climate Office. The NC ECONet is a weather network with 44 stations located within the state and is growing because of the need for high-fidelity weather and climate data. The ECONet data are a vital resource that helps to support applied climate research across the state, including climate problems within agriculture, forestry, transportation, and human health, among many others. This position requires a variety of skills including experience as a meteorological technician, skills to analyze large datasets for applied climate problems, operating drones for research, and experience using social media.
The position will primarily be responsible for research activities associated with the NC ECONet and build on the existing applied climate research efforts within the office. The candidate will be expected to assist staff, partners, and other scientists in need of climate data for integration into applied research problems. In particular, the candidate will lead office urban heat initiatives, which include exciting research opportunities to use drones for research within urban environments and other fieldwork within cities. The candidate will also be responsible for training new field technicians and performing station maintenance as needed. Additional research duties include mentoring students and performing outreach activities related to the NC ECONet.
Other work responsibilities include:
  • Serve as a focal point for applied climate research needs and requests related to data from the NC ECONet
  • Lead research related to urban heat initiatives within the office
  • Perform analysis on large environmental datasets
  • Perform quality control on near real-time data from the NC ECONet
  • Run NC ECONet social media
  • Contribute to the extension, education, and outreach activities of the office
  • Give presentations on research at scientific conferences
  • Travel to perform maintenance on weather stations across North and South Carolina
  • Train new field technicians working with NC ECONet stations
  • Mentor undergraduate student interns who work with NC ECONet data


This position is located on the Centennial Campus and will require substantial in-state travel, including some overnight travel. A Driver’s license is required for this position in order to perform the essential duties of this position.
More information about the stations and equipment can be found at:
https://econet.climate.ncsu.edu/ .
Other Responsibilities

Qualifications


Minimum Education and Experience
MS in geography, climatology, atmospheric sciences, or related discipline, or BS with 3 years equivalent experience
Other Required Qualifications
  • Knowledge of and hands-on experience with weather instrumentation, data loggers, and associated computer hardware and software
  • Knowledge of repairing, replacing, calibrating, and deploying sensors, sometimes independently
  • Use of multiple programming languages such as PHP, Perl, Python, Matlab, or R for use in data analysis
  • Knowledge of MySQL or API interfaces a plus
  • Knowledge of data visualization software for displaying station and other climate data, such as Highcharts and GIS
  • Public speaking and oral communication skills
  • Knowledge of drone operations and flying drones
  • Knowledge of social media platforms
Preferred Qualifications
N/A
Required License(s) or Certification(s)
  • A valid North Carolina Driver’s License or the ability to obtain one within 30 days of employment
  • Valid drone pilot’s license
Valid NC Driver's License required Yes
Commercial Driver's License required No

Recruitment Dates and Special Instructions


Job Open Date 03/07/2024
Anticipated Close Date Open until filled.
Special Instructions to Applicants
In addition to your application, please submit a resume, cover letter, and the contact information for at least three professional references.
Please make sure that the work history listed on your application is identical to the work history listed on your resume.

Position Details


Position Number 00110694
Position Type EHRA Non-Faculty
Full Time Equivalent (FTE) (1.0 = 40 hours/week) 1.0
Appointment 12 Month Recurring
Mandatory Designation - Adverse Weather Non Mandatory - Adverse Weather
Mandatory Designation - Emergency Events Non Mandatory - Emergency Event
Department ID 179501 - Sciences - State Climate Office
AA/EEO
NC State University is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity, age, sexual orientation, genetic information, status as an individual with a disability, or status as a protected veteran. Individuals with disabilities requiring disability-related accommodations in the application and interview process are welcome to contact 919-515-3148 to speak with a representative at the Office of Institutional Equity and Diversity.
If you have general questions about the application process, you may contact Human Resources at (919) 515-2135 or [email protected] .
Final candidates are subject to criminal & sex offender background checks. Some vacancies also require credit or motor vehicle checks. Degree(s) must be obtained prior to start date in order to meet qualifications and receive credit.
NC State University participates in E-Verify. Federal law requires all employers to verify the identity and employment eligibility of all persons hired to work in the United States.

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