What are the responsibilities and job description for the Human Dimensions Field Research Technician I position at City of Boulder, CO?
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Application Deadline:
February 5, 2025
Compensation Details:
Full Pay Range
23.11 - 33.53
Generally, the hiring range is from the minimum up to 80% of the range.This is a full-time hourly position.
Scheduled Weekly Hours:
40
Benefit Eligibility Group:
Temporary 30
Locate the Benefit Eligibility Group value on the
Employee Benefit Eligibility
document to identify the benefits offered for this job.
Job Description Summary:
Under general supervision, the Human Dimensions Field Research Technician I is responsible for supporting field collection and equipment maintenance for monitoring visitor use and researching social science topics within the Open Space and Mountain Parks System, ensuring adherence to field methodologies and protocols, and maintaining effective communication between project managers, field staff, and visitors.
Job Description:
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Field Research
- Assist in fieldwork, data collection activities, and adhering to established methodologies and protocols.
- With general oversight, administers on-site and off-site visitor surveys, conducts field-based observations, and ensures accurate visitation counts through the deployment and management of automated counting equipment such as trail counters, vehicle counters, and field cameras.
Equipment Management
- Assist in the maintenance, calibration, and operation of field equipment to ensure optimal performance.
- Conduct regular inspections, troubleshoot technical issues, and coordinate repairs or replacements.
Data Collection and Management
- Help collect, organize, and manage field data following established data management practices.
- Ensure data integrity through quality assurance and quality control (QA/QC) measures.
- Maintain accurate and up-to-date data records for future analysis and reference.
Technical Assistance and Support
- Assist with testing and implementation of field methodologies, protocols, data collection techniques, and equipment operation.
- Learn and develop expertise in field methodologies and protocols.
- Provide support to internal teams and stakeholders regarding field data collection activities.
Communication and Customer Service
- Maintain effective communication with internal teams, stakeholders, and visitors.
- Address inquiries, provide information, and resolve issues promptly to ensure excellent customer service.
- Foster positive relationships with stakeholders and ensure open communication channels with project managers.
Safety
- Follow all safety regulations, policies, and procedures to prevent accidents.
- Take necessary precautions to ensure personal and team safety.
- Report any accidents, damage to city property, or safety infractions promptly.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
- Fieldwork experience: Basic familiarity with field research principles and the ability to follow established field protocols under supervision. Limited experience in outdoor data collection.
- Working with Excel: Basic familiarity with Excel, including entering data into spreadsheets, keeping data organized in structured tables, and performing simple calculations using basic functions like SUM, AVERAGE, and IF.
- Teamwork: Works effectively as a member and leader of formal and informal teams. Understands the interests and concerns of others and is able and willing to share and receive information plus feedback. Ability to notice, interpret, and anticipate others’ concerns and feelings, and to communicate this awareness empathetically to others. Flexibility with adapting to shifting priorities.
- Thoroughness: Ensures that one’s own and others’ work and information are complete and accurate; develops and uses systems to organize and keep track of information or work progress; regularly corresponds and follows up with others to ensure that scheduled tasks have been completed.
- Attention to Detail: The ability to pay close attention to accuracy and precision in data collection, note-taking, and record-keeping. A field technician must ensure data quality and follow protocols meticulously.
- Initiative: Proactively identifies what needs to be done and does it Completes work in a timely and consistent manner by following established study protocols and standard operating procedures.
- Organization and Responsibility: Ability to stay on track with weekly tasks, specifically including arriving on-time at field locations and prepared with all necessary equipment. Follows and fully implements standard operating procedures and/or research protocols.
- Written and Oral Communication: Actively listens to concerns and is open to the ideas of colleagues and customers. Ability to communicate promptly, tactfully, and effectively with the public and coworkers, with excellent customer service skills.
- Interpersonal Skills: The capacity to work well with others and build positive relationships with team members, visitors, and other staff. This includes showing empathy, respect, and cultural sensitivity.
- Have and maintain acceptable background information, including criminal conviction history.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Fieldwork Experience: Proficiency in conducting fieldwork independently, including setting up equipment, collecting data, and following safety guidelines. Demonstrated experience in working in various outdoor environments.
- Managing Automated Sensor/Counting Equipment: Basic understanding of the purpose and function of automated sensor/counting equipment (e.g trail, vehicle, camera). Experience in setting up and operating this equipment with guidance.
- ArcGIS: Familiarity with the basic concepts of geographic information systems (GIS) and an understanding of how ArcGIS is used for mapping and data visualization.
- Survey 123: Familiarity with Survey123 and basic ability to collect and upload data using the Survey123 Field App
- Field Maps App: Basic understanding of the Field Maps app including proficiency in using the app to find and navigate to geographic features such as data collection locations and trails.
- Working with data in scripting environments: Basic familiarity with programming/scripting environments (e.g. R, Python, SQL) and ability to run simple scripts for data manipulation.
- Fundamentals of relational data: Basic understanding of relational databases and the concept of joining tables in queries.
- Working with Excel: Basic familiarity with Excel, including entering data into spreadsheets, keeping data organized in structured tables, and performing simple calculations using basic functions like SUM, AVERAGE, and IF.
- Data Visualization in Excel: Basic ability to create simple charts (e.g., bar charts, pie charts) and format them in Excel.
- Data Cleaning and Transformation in Excel: Basic ability to clean and format data in Excel, including removing duplicates, handling missing values, and basic data validation.
- Data analysis in Excel: Proficiency in using Excel for more advanced data analysis tasks, including creating pivot tables, performing regression analysis, and using data analysis add-ins.
- Problem Solving: The capacity to identify and analyze problems, consider alternative solutions, and make sound decisions. A social science technician should be able to troubleshoot issues in the field, adapt to unexpected situations, and propose creative solutions.
- Analytical thinking: Approaches a complex task or problem by breaking it down into its component parts and considering each part in detail. Takes a systematic approach to collecting, organizing, and reviewing data for accuracy and completeness.
REQUIRED EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE
- Bachelor's degree in a relevant field (e.g., social sciences, human dimensions, recreation management, environmental studies) or equivalent experience.
WORKING CONDITIONS AND REQUIREMENTS
- Collect quantitative and qualitative data in an outdoor environment.
- Communicate clearly and concisely both verbally and in writing.
- Work tactfully and effectively with the public and fellow workers.
- Maintain concentration on visitor behaviors for extended periods of time and accurately record observations.
- Perform physical tasks in an outdoor environment in all weather conditions; to lift and carry equipment (up to 40 lbs); to stand, walk, and kneel while performing duties over rough terrain on a regular basis.
- Works any combination of early mornings/late evening, weekdays/weekends.
- Valid driver's license with acceptable motor vehicle record.
SUPERVISION
Supervision Received: Human Dimensions Analyst Senior
Supervision Exercised: None
WHAT YOU WILL LEARN AND ACCOMPLISH
- Gain valuable applied experience in conducting visitor use and social science research within a dynamic public land setting.
- Acquire knowledge of and actively contribute to best management practices and innovative methodologies, supporting data-driven approaches to enhance recreational and natural resource management.
- Join a collaborative and high-functioning research team committed to advancing the field of social science research and its application in improving public lands management.
The City of Boulder provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, genetic information, age, or any other status protected under federal, state, and/or local law.
Additional Job Description:
created 12/18/23
The City of Boulder is committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace. We are an equal opportunity employer and do not discriminate on the basis of race, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, protected veteran status, disability, age, or other legally protected statute. For individuals with disabilities who would like to request an accommodation, please send a request to riskmanagement@bouldercolorado.gov.
