Hydrologic Technician, Montana Climate Office

Application instructions are located at the bottom of the page.  Please apply directly through the University of Montana's career portal UM Jobs at https://umjobs.silkroad.com/ for positions at the University of Montana – Missoula, University of Montana Western (Dillon), and Helena College.  Do not apply through Indeed.com or use easy apply through Indeed.com*.

The Montana Climate Office (MCO) within the W.A. Franke College of Forestry and Conservation and at the University of Montana is seeking applications for multiple Hydrologic Technician positions. These are full-time contract positions under the direct supervision of the State Climatologist. The Hydrologic Technicians lead teams to construct and maintain a network of weather monitoring stations (the Montana Mesonet) across Montana. The Montana Mesonet is being developed through a US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) award to the MCO to aid flood and drought predictions across the state. See https://www.drought.gov/drought-research/usace-upper-missouri-river-basin-soil-moisture-and-plains-snow-monitoring-build for more details of the USACE project. Montana Mesonet Hydrologic Technicians maintain and assure high-quality performance and operation of all station within the MT Mesonet System and interpret meteorological and soil moisture data in support of rangeland and water resources decision making.

A Hydrologic Technician fulfills the following roles and responsibilities to assure effective operation of the MT Mesonet System:

• Receive, inventory, test, configure, and organize electronic components required to install climate monitoring stations within the MT Mesonet System.
• Compile, prepare, stage, and deploy all components, hardware, and materials for new monitoring stations.
• Assist field crews with all aspects of the installation of new monitoring stations.
• Develop strategic plans to efficiently perform operations and maintenance on existing MT Mesonet stations.
• Perform operations and maintenance on existing MT Mesonet stations.
• Verify proper operation of data collection sensors and transmission systems.
• Interact with all members of the Montana Climate Office (MCO) to contribute to the mission of the MCO.
• Interact with MCO partners in appropriate technical and lay-person’s terms to support and promote the mission of the MCO.
• Other duties as assigned.

Depending on the specific role within the Mesonet team, a Hydrologic Technician may also be required to:

• Lead a field crew and heavy equipment operation for the installation of ground screws, mounting hardware, meteorological towers, solar systems and fencing at MT Mesonet sites.
• Lead a field crew to install sensors, soil moisture monitors, and other technical equipment at MT Mesonet sites.
• Lead a field crew to perform required maintenance and repairs at MT Mesonet sites.

The University of Montana is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity employer and has a strong institutional commitment to the principle of diversity in all areas. In that spirit, we are particularly interested in receiving applications from a broad spectrum of qualified people who would assist the University in demonstrating its five priorities for action: Place student success at the center of all we do; drive excellence and innovation in teaching, learning, and research; embody the principle of “mission first, people always"; partner with place; and proudly tell the UM story.

• Position is full-time, 1.0 FTE, Letter of Appointment and includes a comprehensive and competitive benefits package including Insurance package, mandatory retirement plan, partial tuition waiver, and wellness program.
• Salary for this position is $52,000-$58,000 per year commensurate with qualifications.

• Associates degree in field-related discipline or equivalent professional experience.
• Experience collecting field data, collecting environmental field data, and foundational knowledge of data analysis in a laboratory setting.
• Ability to “think on your feet” to efficiently assist in the construction and assembly of weather stations in remote and arduous field conditions, including ability and willingness to work on uneven terrain, lift heavy objects, complete construction tasks to high technical standards and complete overnight travel throughout Montana for durations up to 2 weeks per trip.
• Demonstrated strong organization and interpersonal skills, and ability to self-manage while maintaining regular communication with supervisors.
• Ability to work collaboratively within MCO’s team-oriented environment and foster a positive, supportive, and enjoyable work environment with all team members.

• Master of Science degree in hydrology, meteorology, environmental science, or related field science.
• Demonstrated application of field data acquisition and monitoring technologies.
• Three (3) years of prior experience in installation, operation, and maintenance of climate monitoring systems in remote environments, working over range of environmental extremes.
• Demonstrated competencies in configuring, deploying, operating, and maintaining climate monitoring systems built on and with Campbell Scientific environmental monitoring technology.
• Demonstrated communication skills, written and verbal.
• Experience transporting heavy loads (~24,000 lbs.).
• Maintain a valid commercial driver’s license.

In 2006 Governor Schweitzer approved the Montana Climate Office as the official steward of climate information for Montana, with anticipated service to the Governor’s Drought and Water Supply Committee. Across the US, state Climate Offices and the American Association of State Climatologists provide climate services at the state and local level in partnership with NOAA and other federal agencies, including the Regional Climate Centers (RCC), Regionally Integrated Sciences and Assessments (RISA) program, the National Climatic Data Center (NCDC), the National Weather Service (NWS), and the USDA's Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS). State Climate Offices (SCO) provide a vital and nationally recognized connection between federal climate partners, University scientists and state and local entities. SCOs serve on a variety of federal, state, or local boards, commissions, task forces, and other groups, providing a direct conduit of information and expertise into planning and operations within the state.

Montana Climate Office Mission

• Assimilate, organize, and disseminate climate information from recognized federal, state, and local sources for the benefit of a large and diverse stakeholder community in Montana.
• Be a credible and expert source of information for decision makers that rely on the most current information on climate to make important management and policy decisions.
• Assist stakeholders in interpreting climate information or adapting climate products to their needs for incorporation into the planning process.

The University of Montana is a flagship research-intensive R1 institution with approximately 10,000 undergraduate and graduate students. It is located in Missoula, a culturally vibrant community of about 75,000, surrounded by mountains. Abundant recreational opportunities in surrounding state and national forests and nearby Glacier National Park and Yellowstone National Park complement a thriving intellectual atmosphere.

To learn more about the University of Montana, Missoula, and the State of Montana, please visit the links below.

• University of Montana
  • Video: Mission First, People Always
  • UM on YouTube
• City of Missoula
  • Video: There's This Place
  • Destination Missoula
  • Missoula Area Chamber of Commerce
• The State of Montana
  • Visit Montana

Criminal Background Investigation is required prior to Offer of Employment.
In accordance with University policy, finalists for this position will be subject to criminal background investigations.
ADA/EOE/AA/Veteran's Preference.
Reasonable accommodations are provided in the hiring process for persons with disabilities. For example, this material is available in alternative format upon request. As an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer, we encourage applications from minorities, veterans, and women. Qualified candidates may request veterans’ or disabilities preference in accordance with state law.
References *References not listed on the application materials may be contacted; notice may be provided to the applicant.
Testing Individual hiring departments at UM may elect to administer pre-employment tests, which are relevant to essential job functions.

Employment Eligibility.  All New Employees must be eligible and show employment eligibility verification by the first date of employment at UM, as legally required (e.g., Form I-9).

Must be eligible to work in the United State upon hire.

Priority Application Date:  Monday, January 22, 2024 by 11:59 PM (Mountain Time) 

Complete applications received by this date will be guaranteed consideration. To receive full consideration, candidates are required to submit all of the following materials.

Please submit the following application materials** via the UM Jobs portal and by clicking "New Resume/CV" button.  Please do not apply through Indeed.com*.

• Letter of Interest – addressing the stated required skills for the position
• Detailed resume listing education and describing work experience
• Three (3) professional references- Names and contact information

*Applying through Indeed.com or easy apply through Indeed.com may result in submission of an incomplete application.  Applications may be removed from full consideration if they are not complete with materials listed above under the "How to Apply" section.  It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure complete application materials are submitted and received by the date listed above. 

**Please note: only five (5) attachments are allowed per application. Please combine documents accordingly.