Company Overview
Ukpeaġvik Iñupiat Corporation (UIC) is the village corporation of Barrow, Alaska and is recognized as one of Alaska's top 10 companies with approximately 4,000 employees nationwide and revenues above $700M annually. UIC is projected to grow substantially in the coming years to become a top 3 company in Alaska by 2030. 

As a proud Alaska Native Corporation, our success brings growth and benefits to our Inupiat shareholders. The size and diversity of our operations means we have a broad variety of career opportunities. We recruit only qualified people looking to join a workforce characterized by strong leadership, competent and hard-working staff, and a superior work environment with a focus on career development, great wages and benefits.

The Science Field Technician performs seasonal and periodic sampling of biological data within the Barrow Environmental Observatory (BEO), while exercising good judgement and decision-making abilities to interpret protocol requirements. Field observations and collection are conducted using approximately 30 different protocols and multiple Standard Operating Procedures with varying schedule requirements based on local ecosystem and current field conditions.

The position works with the National Ecological Observatory Network (NEON), which is a continental-scale observation facility funded by the National Science Foundation. The NEON program is designed to collect long-term, open access ecological data to better understand how U.S. ecosystems are changing, from freshwater systems such as streams, rivers, and lakes to terrestrial systems spanning tropical forests to deserts to tundra (neonscience.org).

Essential Functions

• Performs scientific field assignments in a variety of conditions (e.g., weather, terrain, diverse assigned biomes, etc.) and work closely with a field partner.
• Follows established, standardized scientific field procedures for sample collection; records data from sample collection in handheld tablets, computers, etc.; and processes samples.
• Records activities and completes work according to field protocol.
• Follows safety policy and procedures.
• Reports issues with implementation of procedures and coordinates resolutions with managers and technicians.
• Assists with routine administrative duties, special projects and other duties as assigned. Carries, moves, and lifts field supplies (pack weighing up to 40 lbs.) to assigned field site (which involves diverse and uneven terrain).
• Adheres to work schedules that are typically 8-10 hours per day, but can 12+ hours per day, including split shifts (off in the middle of the day), starting in the early morning and/or ending in the late evening, and weekends depending on the work assignment. The ratio of field work to science lab work is about 75% field and 25% office/lab work.
• Attends 2 weeks of training in Fairbanks, Alaska during the beginning of June.
• Ability to begin working in late May/June through the end of August/early September.

Knowledge and Critical Skills/Expertise:

• Ability to follow and learn scientific protocols and conducted repeatable field and laboratory measurements.
• Capable of working with complex systems that require judgement and independent decision-making abilities.
• Technical skills (or a willingness to learn) best practices in the field and ability to identify aquatic or terrestrial plants and animals to genus and species
• Willingness to perform equipment maintenance and field sampling outdoors with distances ranging from 1/2 hour to 2 hours from NARL.
• Hiking off trail and wading in water are typical.
• Ability and willingness to work varied field operations schedules (up to 12+ hours per day), including split-shift, part-time, pre-dawn early mornings, evenings, and weekends.
• Ability to follow written and verbal instructions.
• High level of attention to detail and accuracy.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.

Strong work ethic and enthusiasm.

Required Experience:

• High School Diploma.
• Some post high school, specialized training or technical certificate may be required.

Physical Demands:

• Ability to hike off trail, long distances, on uneven terrain, at remote locations, in all types of weather, carrying packs weighing up to 40lbs.
• Ability to work on instrument towers ranging in height around 26 feet, involving the ability to ascend and descend multiple flights of stairs.

Environmental Conditions:

• • Ability to withstand exposure to fumes, dust, and noise.
  • Field work may require frequent exposure biting insects and other natural hazards.

Drug and Alcohol Testing Programs

All employees must pass Non-DOT pre-employment drug screening and follow all UIC Non-DOT Drug and Alcohol Testing Program guidelines and requirements.

If working on a DOT project, employees must pass a DOT pre-employment drug screening and follow all DOT Drug and Alcohol Testing Program requirements.

Important Notice

Candidates must pass a background check in order to fill this position.

UIC is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA), persons unable to complete an online application should contact UIC HR for assistance.

UIC considers all applicants for employment without regard to race, color, sex, national origin, religion, age, physical or mental disability, family responsibility, marital status, sexual orientation, political affiliation, veteran's status or any other legal protected status. Pursuant to The Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act 43 U.S.C. Sec. 1601 et seq., and federal contractual requirements, Ukpeagvik Inupiat Corporation, may legally grant certain preference in employment opportunities to UIC Shareholders and their Descendants. EOE/AA/M/F/D/V

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