Research Engineering/ Scientist Associate I

Job Posting Title: Research Engineering/ Scientist Associate I ---- Hiring Department: College of Natural Sciences ---- Position Open To: All Applicants ---- Weekly Scheduled Hours: 40 ---- FLSA Status: Exempt from FLSA ---- Earliest Start Date: Immediately ---- Position Duration: Expected to Continue Until Aug 31, 2028 ---- Location: PORT ARANSAS, TX ---- Job Details: General Notes This position will work with the Dunton Lab to assist with field and experimental studies associated with coastal wetlands (seagrass and marsh systems). Laboratory duties include sample processing and inventory, data management, and instrument maintenance. Position located in Port Aransas, Texas. Only applicants authorized to work in the United States will be considered. Purpose The position fulfils the sampling and reporting requirements of numerous projects funded by state and federal entities that address (1) the condition and extent of Texas coastwide seagrass populations, (2) the recovery of seagrasses following construction events related to rookery island creation, (3) the development of seagrass habitat suitability index for Texas coastal waters, and (4) the response of coastal marsh systems to recurring periods of drought. Responsibilities ·   Conduct emergent and submergent vegetation and sea level monitoring along the entire Texas coast and other wetland sites as assigned. Overall duties include sampling and data entry via boat, hiking, swimming, and wading through mud and water in wetland habitats. · Analysis of water samples in laboratory for Total Suspended Solids, chlorophyll, and nutrients. · Process plant and sediment cores for organic matter, moisture content, dissolved pore water components, CHN and isotopic analysis, sediment grain size, and algal epiphyte enumeration and identification.   · Computer data entry, data QA/QC, some basic and preliminary data analysis. · Assist with additional research related duties related to lab (sieving and sorting of biological material), field (instrumentation deployment), and outreach activities (with school children). Required Qualifications ·   Bachelor's degree in marine, biological, or environmental sciences, or a closely related field. · General knowledge of local habitats, particularly coastal wetlands and associated flora and ecosystem processes. · Strong organizational and computer skills (MS Word, Excel, and PowerPoint). ·   Basic hiking and swimming ability Preferred Qualifications ·   Experience with vegetation identification and field sampling methodology. ·   Boat operating skills and comfort in aquatic habitat (wetlands and open water). ·   Experience with analyses of sediment/water biogeochemistry and plant ecophysiology. · Experience with grades K-8 outreach. Driving Required This job requires a class "C" operator's driver's license. The applicant selected must provide a current three-year driving record from the current state of residence. If not currently a Texas resident, a Texas driver's license must be obtained within 30 days of becoming a Texas resident. Employees who are required to have a CDL are subject to drug and alcohol testing (pre-employment, post-accident, reasonable suspicion, random, return-to-duty, and follow-up drug and alcohol testing). Salary Range $33,500+ depending on qualifications and experience Position is EXEMPT Working Conditions ·    May work in all weather conditions. ·   Will work in estuarine waters (temp range 12-35 degrees C) at 1-3 m depths ·   May work in extreme temperatures. ·   May work around chemical fumes. ·   Will work around standard office conditions. ·   May work around chemicals. ·   May work around electrical and mechanical hazards ·   Will work in muddy coastal wetlands. · Will work variable and extended hours in remote field locations ·   Repetitive use of a keyboard at a workstation. ·   Manual dexterity required ·   Climbing of stairs. ·   Lifting, moving, swimming. Required Materials · Resume/CV · 3 work references with their contact information; at least one reference should be from a supervisor · Letter of interest Important for applicants who are NOT current university employees or contingent workers: You will be prompted to submit your resume the first time you apply, then you will be provided an option to upload a new Resume for subsequent applications. Any additional Required Materials (letter of interest, references, etc.) will be uploaded in the Application Questions section; you will be able to multi-select additional files. Before submitting your online job application, ensure that ALL Required Materials have been uploaded. Once your job application has been submitted, you cannot make changes. Important for Current university employees and contingent workers: As a current university employee or contingent worker, you MUST apply within Workday by searching for Find UT Jobs. If you are a current University employee, log-in to Workday, navigate to your Worker Profile, click the Career link in the left-hand navigation menu and then update the sections in your Professional Profile before you apply. This information will be pulled in to your application. The application is one page and you will be prompted to upload your resume. In addition, you must respond to the application questions presented to upload any additional Required Materials (letter of interest, references, etc.) that were noted above. ---- Employment Eligibility: Regular staff who have been employed in their current position for the last six continuous months are eligible for openings being recruited for through University-Wide or Open Recruiting, to include both promotional opportunities and lateral transfers. Staff who are promotion/transfer eligible may apply for positions without supervisor approval. ---- Retirement Plan Eligibility: The retirement plan for this position is Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS), subject to