News

IWA and GEO AquaWatch sign Memorandum of Understanding

Check out the upcoming NASA ARSET training (Available in Spanish too!)

September 14, 16, & 21, 2021: 11:00-12:30 EDT (UTC-4)

REGISTER 12:00 – 1:30 PM EDT (UTC-4)

Estuaries are water bodies where freshwater from rivers and streams meets with seawater. Coastal and estuarine waters are important to humans as they are highly productive habitats supporting a variety of fish and wildlife. These environments also provide resources, economic benefits, and ecosystem services. That being said, the water quality of these coastal and estuarine areas is of great importance. This is heavily influenced by the flow of nutrients and sediment from land-based sources. The flow of nitrogen and phosphorus in particular enhances algal bloom and hypoxia in the water, highly affecting benthic creatures like fish, shellfish, and crustaceans. Water quality in estuaries also depends on several factors such as their size, location, coastal land use, quality of freshwater runoff, and tidal effects from the sea.

Remote sensing observations from Aqua/MODIS have enabled us to monitor coastal and estuarine water quality since mid-2000. As MODIS nears the end of its mission, it is important to transition to VIIRS (first launched in 2011) to provide continuity with the MODIS instrument and add to the moderate-resolution, long-term data record of water quality monitoring in estuaries. This intermediate-level webinar will provide an overview of recent satellites and sensors used for extending the MODIS long-term water quality time series, specifically focusing on VIIRS image processing using the NASA Ocean Color software, SeaDAS. This webinar will point out similarities and differences between MODIS and VIIRS and demonstrate water quality monitoring procedures using these sensors in selected coastal and estuarine regions.

More details Click here:

The National Ecological Observatory Network (NEON) Program is currently seeking a Field Operations Manager. This position is located in Guanica, Puerto Rico.

TO APPLY: http://adtrk.tw/tp/rj6_gZfur.e.K

Occasional travel outside the region will be required.

NEON is a continental-scale ecological observation facility sponsored by the National Science Foundation that gathers and synthesizes data on the impacts of climate change, land use change and invasive species on natural resources and biodiversity. The observatory is designed to collect high-quality, standardized data from field sites across the continental United States, Alaska, Hawaii and Puerto Rico.

JOB SUMMARY

This position manages a broad scope of scientific inquiry, managing a multi-disciplinary team of field scientists who collect measurements related to botany, invertebrates, soils, micrometeorology, eddy flux, aquatic biology and water quality at four NEON sites in Domain 04 – Puerto Rico (Atlantic Neotropical).

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES

• Plan, schedule, conduct and ensure accurate execution, within NEON scientific parameters and annual budget, of all maintenance, repair and field sampling activities for 4 NEON field sites.
  • Coordination for instrument maintenance is required for sensors, data acquisition system, power distribution system and supporting infrastructure (i.e. tower, instrument hut, boardwalks).
  • Coordination for field observations and collection are conducted using approximately 30 different protocols and multiple SOP’s with varying schedule requirements based on local ecosystem and current field conditions.
• Recruit, train and manage all regular and temporary personnel supporting field office, lab and field site tasks.
• Encourage and actively support diversity, equity, and inclusion within the team, organization and/or field
• Act as liaison between regional stakeholders, including educational and research organizations, local property owners and the general public and Battelle.
• Communicate NEON status and activities, local activities and partnerships, and regional issues and concerns to appropriate regional stakeholders and Battelle staff. Work with regional stakeholders to resolve issues or concerns.
• Plan and participate in local/regional community engagement activities (i.e. local/regional conferences or meetings, invited talks).
• Ensure compliance with Battelle safety policy and procedures.
• Ensure appropriate equipment, materials and supplies are available to support required field activities. Use Battelle business processes and tools to ensure appropriate and efficient use of funds within assigned region.

THE FOLLOWING REQUIREMENTS MUST BE MET TO BE CONSIDERED FOR THIS POSITION:

• Bachelors’ Degree in life science field.
• 5 years previous experience supervising personnel including participating in hiring, training, and evaluating performance.
• Previous experience developing and managing budgets and schedules.
• Previous experience performing related lab and field activities and/or maintaining scientific instrumentation (e.g. meteorological and aquatic sensors).
• Previous experience communicating with external stakeholders such as customers, funding agencies, regulatory agencies, etc.
• Requires critical human relation skills to understand, select, develop and motivate others.
• Bi-lingual in English and Spanish.
• Applicants must have authorization to work in the United States. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of any employment Visa at this time

THE FOLLOWING IS DESIRED, BUT NOT REQUIRED TO BE CONSIDERED FOR THIS POSITION:

• Previous experience managing a field operations group.
• Graduate study in biology, ecology, environmental science or related field.
• Previous experience leading or participating in outdoor activities in remote areas

LEGAL DISCLAIMER

The above statements are intended to describe the nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this job. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, activities and skills required of staff members. No statement herein is intended to imply any authorities to commit Battelle unless special written permission is granted by Battelle’s Legal Department.

BENEFITS

Battelle’s competitive benefits program includes comprehensive medical and dental care, vacation and sick leave, disability coverage, and other benefits that help provide financial protection for you and your family.

Battelle provides employment and opportunities for advancement, compensation, training, and growth according to individual merit, without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, age, genetic information, disability, veteran-status, or any other characteristic protected under applicable Federal, state, or local law. Our goal is for each staff member to have the opportunity to grow to the limits of their abilities and to achieve personal and organizational objectives. We will support positive programs for equal treatment of all staff and full utilization of all qualified employees at all levels within Battelle.

TO APPLY: http://adtrk.tw/tp/rj6_gZfur.e.K

The Shallow Water Earth Observation Lab at the University of Ottawa is looking for a PhD student to use optical remote sensing to study historical trends in water quality of lakes near Iqaluit, Canada, and quantify the extent of permafrost thaw-related impacts to surface waters. The research will be part of a collaboration with professors and students at Queen’s University, Carleton University, Université de Montréal and the Nunavut Research Institute. The student will ideally enter the PhD program in September 2021, so applications will be accepted starting immediately, until the position is filled. Funding is available, including for a stipend, fieldwork, and conference travel. The successful candidate is expected to secure additional funding (grants / scholarships) to support their research.

The ideal candidate has experience and skills in the following areas:

• Processing and analysis of optical remote sensing data
• Programming (Python, R, or alternative)
• Advanced statistical analysis, machine learning
• Research collaboration (teamwork)
• Field data collection, ideally in aquatic environments
• English technical writing (for scientific publication)

Note that while the position is based in Ottawa the successful candidate will not be expected to be physically present in Ottawa by September 2021. Teleworking during and after COVID-related travel restrictions is negotiable – some presence in Ottawa will likely be required. Both Canadian and foreign students are encouraged to apply. Please apply initially by sending your CV and cover letter to Dr. Anders Knudby, aknudby@uottawa.ca; a formal application process will be required later.

PACE Applications Water Quality & Resources Focus Session

Wednesday, July 28^th, 10:00a-4:30p EST/ 14:00 – 20:30 UTC

The NASA Plankton, Aerosol, Cloud, ocean Ecosystem (PACE) Mission invites you to join the PACE Applications community focus session on July 28^th, 2021.

This one-day virtual event invites active participation and round-table discussion on future uses of PACE satellite data products to support research & applied sciences in the context of water quality and water resources.

Focus Session Goals:

1. 1. 1. Increase awareness of PACE data, research, and applications activities.
      2. Understand the challenges that water professionals may experience when using PACE data; identify ways to address data barriers before & after launch.
      3. Explore advanced & exploratory PACE products that may add value to the research & applied science communities.
      4. Build partnerships, encouraging engagement/inclusivity with the PACE user community, other Earth Science missions, resource managers, decision-makers, and capacity development.

The event is open to all participants, though tickets are limited.  Register here.

Additional details will be made available on the event website as they become available. Please feel free to contact Erin Urquhart, PACE Applications Coordinator (erin.urquhart.jephson@nasa.gov), with any questions.  The PACE Mission team look forward to seeing you (virtually) in July.