South Dakota State University (SDState) is seeking two individuals to support the South Dakota Mesonet, South Dakota State University’s statewide network of weather stations. This position travels throughout the state to install and maintain weather stations as well as working in the lab to assemble, calibrate, and test components. Stations are relied on by the National Weather Service for the protection of life and property, so station uptime and data accuracy are critical. The position installs, configures, and troubleshoots analog and digital sensors, IP network cameras, cellular modems, data loggers, and solar power systems. This position is located in Brookings. This position is a 12-month, full-time, benefits-eligible position.
Must be authorized to work in the U.S. Sponsorship is not available for this position.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:
This position provides support to SDSU’s research and outreach program by collaborating with SD Mesonet Operations Manager and devising experimental protocol/design/setup for SD Mesonet data collection platforms, managing SD Mesonet field operations, and also providing critical support, design, programming, troubleshooting, repair, and fieldwork with complex instrumentation used to collect data. Effectively presents a positive image of SDSU in all communication and activities associated with executing the responsibilities of the position.
BENEFITS:
SDState offers a wide range of excellent benefits including medical, dental, and flexible benefits, retirement plans, compensation packages, paid holidays, and vacation leave. We offer a generous retirement plan that includes 6% matching, 10 hours of annual leave each month, 9.34 hours of sick leave each month, and eleven paid holidays. Employees also have access to internal and state-sponsored training as well as reduced tuition for state-supported courses at all State of South Dakota academic institutions. Relocation benefits are available per university’s guidelines.
QUALIFICATIONS
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
- Bachelor’s degree in science, agriculture, or engineering related field by start date.
- More than 3 years of related experience in a technical field.
- Commercial driver’s license (CDL) or ability to obtain within the first year of employment.
- A valid driver’s license or ability to obtain within 30 days.
- A commercial pesticide applicator license or the ability to obtain within the first year of employment.
- Communication skills to negotiate with multiple constituents including faculty, staff, students, the general public, and farmers who are research cooperators.
- Skills with developing presentations, safety policy forms and manuals, and operation manuals for SD Mesonet equipment using tools such as MS Office.
- Advanced reasoning skills to solve complex instrumentation and data collection challenges with little or no availability of information.
- Advanced math skills to solve complex engineering problems.
- Ability to learn to operate a pickup truck pulling a trailer with a combined gross vehicle weight of over 26,000 pounds.
APPLICATION PROCESS:
This system will guide you through the electronic application form. This employment site will also require the attachment of a cover letter, which should specifically address how the candidate meets the qualifications as outlined in the advertisement, curriculum vitae, and a reference page with the contact information for three professional references. Email applications will not be accepted. Please contact SDState Human Resources at (605) 688-4128 if you require assistance with this process.
Any offer of employment is contingent on the university’s verification of credentials and other information required by law and/or university policies, including but not limited to, successful completion of a criminal background check.
SDState is a tobacco free environment. It is the policy of the University to maintain a drug-free environment and to thereby establish, promote, and maintain a safe and healthy working and learning environment for employees and students. This position is subject to South Dakota State University’s Drug and Alcohol Testing Policy 4:14.
