Temporary Mesonet Assistant, Montana Climate Office

The University of Montana is hiring Temporary Mesonet Assistants for the Montana Climate Office in Missoula, MT. This full-time, 6-month position involves constructing weather monitoring stations across Montana. Responsibilities include assisting with station construction, testing equipment, maintaining inventories, and completing required paperwork. Candidates should have a high school diploma, construction experience, and be willing to travel for fieldwork. The salary ranges from $17.86 to $22.32 hourly.
Temporary Mesonet Assistant, Montana Climate
Office

Salary: $17.86 - $22.32 Hourly

Location: Missoula Mountain Campus

Job Type: Temporary Hourly Staff

Job Number: 202400264

Sector: UM Provost

Department: W.A. Franke College of Forestry &
Conservation, UM

Closing Date:

FLSA: Non-Exempt

Bargaining Unit: 09 - FOCUS-MFPE

Description

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 Temporary
Mesonet Assistant positions. This is a 6-month, full-time
hourly hire under the supervision of the Montana Mesonet Field
Manager (MFM). These positions are based in Missoula, Montana. The
Mesonet Assistants will provide support and labor to construct
weather monitoring stations (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-basinsoil-moisture-and-plains-snow-monitoring-build
for more details of the USACE project.

Examples of Duties and Responsibilities
• Assist field technicians as directed with all aspects of
station construction and installation.
• Test electronic equipment prior to field deployment.
• Test, organize, and prepare materials and equipment for field
deployment.
• Maintain materials and supplies inventories required for
station construction.
• Complete construction and installation tasks as directed by MFM
in the field and office to complete the on-time buildout of weather
monitoring stations.
• Assist with preparing and packing materials, vehicles, and
trailers for extended field deployments. Complete office,
warehouse, and maintenance tasks as assigned.
• Meet all paperwork and reporting requirements of the University
of Montana necessary to fulfill roles and responsibilities for this
position.
• Serve as public representative of the Montana Mesonet within
the broader mission of the MCO.

Minimum Qualifications
• High School diploma and one (1) year of experience with general
construction practices.
• Knowledge of and ability to work with safe construction
practices while fostering a safe working environment.
• Lab or similar experience working with technical
equipment.
• Ability and willingness to complete overnight travel throughout
Montana for durations up to 2 weeks per trip.
• Capacity and willingness to perform field work under extreme
environmental conditions.
• Demonstrated ability to follow instructions and complete tasks
competently and on time.
• Ability to perform manual field work at Mesonet sites (e.g.,
working on uneven terrain in remote areas, lifting heavy objects,
and digging cable trenches and soils pits).
• Valid driver license and ability to operate a pickup truck
pulling a trailer.
• Ability to work collaboratively within MCO's team-oriented
environment.

Preferred Qualifications
• Proven ability to operate small construction machinery, i.e.,
skid steer with hydraulic attachments.
• Three (3) years of experience with general construction
practices.
• One (1) year of experience with environmental monitoring
electronics or similar technology.
• Ability to safely drive trucks and trailers with loaded
equipment.

Additional Information

Compensation Title: Mapping Technician

Work Schedule: Full-time, 1.0 FTE (40 Hours a
week), Position requires an alternative work schedule, 6-month
temporary appointment.

Screening of applications will begin after the closing date
of March 3, 2025; however, applications will continue to be
accepted until an adequate applicant pool has been
established.

A complete application includes:
• Letter of Interest - addressing your
qualifications and experience related to the stated required skills
for the position. A general letter salutation such as "Dear Search
Committee" or "Dear Hiring Manager" is acceptable.
• Detailed Resume - listing education and
describing work experience.
• Three (3) Professional References - names and
contact information.

The University of Montana is interested in receiving applications
from 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.

The Affiliation of the University of Montana (UM
Affiliation) is an equal opportunity employer. UM
Affiliation does not discriminate against any applicant on the
basis of protected class status as described in UM's
non-discrimination policy and any applicable law. Reasonable
accommodations are provided in the hiring process for persons with
disabilities. For example, this material is available in
alternative format upon request. Qualified candidates may request
veterans' or disabilities preference in accordance with state
law.

Criminal Background Investigation is required
prior to the offer of employment. In accordance with university
regulations, finalists for this position will be subject to
criminal background investigations.

References: References not listed on the
application materials may be contacted; notice may be provided to
the applicant. UM partners with SkillSurvey for reference checking.
Applicants may receive emails from SkillSurvey to submit reference
information.

Testing: Individual hiring departments withing the
UM Affiliation 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 and all affiliated campuses, as legally
required (e.g., Form I-9).

To apply, please visit https://www.schooljobs.com/careers/ummissoula/jobs/4818395/temporary-mesonet-assistant-montana-climate-office

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