Field Operations Technician

Job Category

Job Profile

Job Title

Department

Compensation Range

Posting End Date

Note: Applications will be accepted until 11:59 PM on the Posting End Date.

Job End Date

At UBC we believe that attracting and sustaining a diverse workforce is key to the successful pursuit of excellence in research innovation and learning for all faculty staff and students. Our commitment to employment equity helps achieve inclusion and fairness brings rich diversity to UBC as a workplace and creates the necessary conditions for a rewarding career.

Job Summary
This position provides advanced technical support for field research programs within the Department of Earth Ocean and Atmospheric Sciences with primary responsibility for sea-going operations and oceanographic instrumentation. The role also supports field activities in geology hydrogeology environmental science and related Earth science disciplines and contributes to departmental instrumentation development and project delivery through the EOAS Technical Services team. Work requires sound technical judgment demonstrated field competency across varied environments and the ability to operate independently in marine coastal and remote terrestrial settings.

Organizational Status
The position is situated within the Department of Earth Ocean and Atmospheric Sciences (EOAS) in the Faculty of Science at the University of British Columbia. The incumbent jointly reports to the Senior Sea-going Technician and the Field Services & Experiential Learning Manager working collaboratively with faculty members research staff graduate and undergraduate students and external partners. When not engaged in primary field operations the incumbent also works with the EOAS Technical Services team to support instrumentation development and project delivery.

The role requires a high degree of scheduling flexibility to support vesselbased research which may occur during evenings weekends and outside standard working hours depending on vessel availability weather conditions and offshore operations. The position also contributes technical support to departmental teaching activities including assistance with the EOAS Geology Field School the Methods in Oceanography Field School and potentially other fieldbased courses. During coastal and offshore field operations the incumbent provides technical coordination guidance and operational support to ensure the safe and effective execution of research and instructional activities.

Work Performed
Provides technical support in the preparation for and participation in coastal and extended offshore research cruises including organizing equipment supplies and operational plans.

• Deploys and recovers a wide range of oceanographic sampling systems such as Niskin bottles plankton nets pumps CTDs rosettes gliders and longterm moorings (ADCP and temperature moorings).

• Collects physical chemical and biological oceanographic data at sea and assists with realtime field measurements during research and teaching activities.

• Services maintains troubleshoots and repairs oceanographic instrumentation and associated mechanical electrical and electronic components to ensure operational readiness.

• Calibrates scientific equipment including CTDs salinometers temperature loggers and flow meters and maintains related calibration records.

• Conducts routine seawater analyses such as salinity dissolved oxygen nutrient concentrations and chlorophyll measurements.

• Operates launches navigates and maintains departmental research vessels and associated deck equipment including winches and lifting systems in accordance with UBC safety standards.

• Maintains detailed vesseluse logs equipment utilization records and associated documentation.

• Provides technical and logistical assistance for the EOAS Geology Field School and geology fieldwork activities including field preparation equipment support and onsite operational guidance.

• Oversees inventory management for field and laboratory equipment instrumentation chemicals and consumables.

• Coordinates preparation packaging and shipment of equipment materials and chemicals required for research cruises and field courses.

• Provides instruction and training to students research personnel and visiting scientists on the safe and effective operation of sampling equipment and field procedures.

• Provides field technical support for geology and hydrogeology research activities including equipment preparation data collection sample handling and logistical coordination in terrestrial and remote field settings.

• Assists with installation maintenance and retrieval of groundwater monitoring wells piezometers and hydrological sampling equipment as required.

• When not engaged in primary field operations contributes to the design fabrication testing and deployment of scientific instrumentation through the EOAS Technical Services team.

• Supports project delivery activities through the Technical Services team including equipment preparation calibration documentation and coordination with research groups and external clients as capacity permits.

• Performs other related duties as required to support the research teaching and operational activities of the department.

Consequence of Error/Judgement

Errors may lead to loss or damage of equipment compromised research data or safety risks to personnel in marine terrestrial or remote field settings. Errors in instrumentation work or project delivery may affect research integrity data quality and departmental service commitments. The role requires sound judgment adherence to established procedures an ability to trouble shoot technical problems in the field and a proactive approach to identifying and managing risk across varied field and technical environments.

Supervision Received
Works under minimal supervision and is expected to make independent decisions during fieldwork and equipment operation.

Supervision Given
May provide training and direction to students junior staff and visiting researchers.

Minimum Qualifications
Completion of a relevant technical program or a university degree in a relevant discipline and a minimum three years of related experience or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

- Willingness to respect diverse perspectives including perspectives in conflict with ones own

- Demonstrates a commitment to enhancing ones own awareness knowledge and skills related to equity diversity and inclusion

Preferred Qualifications

• University degree in Earth Sciences or a related discipline or completion of a recognized technical program or an equivalent combination of education training and experience.

• Minimum of three years of experience providing technical support in marine field or instrumentation-based research environments including demonstrated sea-going technical support in oceanographic or marine field operations.

• Demonstrated experience operating launching navigating and working from small and medium sized marine craft.

• Experience with oceanographic data collection techniques and proficiency in troubleshooting scientific instruments and technical equipment.

• Demonstrated ability to support seagoing field programs and willingness to work at sea or in remote field locations for periods of up to one to two weeks on an occasional basis.

• Effective oral and written communication skills with strong interpersonal and organizational abilities.

• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision as well as collaboratively within a multidisciplinary team environment.

• Must possess or be eligible and willing to obtain the following training/certifications:

• * Small Vessel Operator Proficiency (SVOP)

• * Small Domestic Vessel Basic Safety (SDVBS)

• *Basic Navigation Boat Handling (Vancouver Power Squadron)

• *Maritime Radio Operator Course (ROC-M)

• *Marine Basic First Aid

• *Trailer towing

• Experience with field data collection in geological or hydrogeological settings is an asset.

• Experience with scientific instrument fabrication testing or electronic and mechanical systems development is an asset.