Position Title: Mesonet Weather Station Tech

Employee Classification: Mesonet Weather Station Tech

College/Division: Agricultural Experiment Station

Department: 317000-AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION

Internal or External Search: External - Open to all applicants

Location: NMSU satellite location

Offsite Location (if applicable): Ag Science Center in Farmington, NM

Target Hourly/Salary Rate:  21.11

Appointment Full-time Equivalency:  1.0

Exempt or Non-Exempt:  Non-Exempt

Summary:  NMSU's Agricultural Experiment Station is seeking applications to support the maintenance and collection of data for the New Mexico Climate Center Zia Met Weather Station networks located in Farmington, NM.

Classification Summary:
This position involves installation, maintenance, and testing of highly complex network systems such as those related to automated weather systems (including siting and installation of towers and sensors, maintenance, repair, and testing of sensors). Collects data for a group of ZiaMet weather station towers located across the state.

Classification Standard Duties:
Assists in Installation and implementation of weather station related network infrastructures (e.g., communication hardware, sensors, data loggers). Assists in applicable weather station related network installation projects (e.g., communication hardware, sensors, data loggers). Assists in troubleshooting and resolving network issues as they relate to weather station communication hardware, sensors, and data loggers. Assists with identifying, diagnosing, and troubleshooting weather station related network issues. Provides preventative actions and recommendations and assists in finding solutions to recurring weather station related network problems. Performs other related duties as assigned.

Required Education, Experience, Certification/License, Equivalency
Required Education: Bachelor's degree in a related field.; Required Experience: Three (3) years of professional experience related to the standard duties as outlined.; Equivalency: None; Required Certification/License:

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
KNOWLEDGE: Knowledge of tools, building, and operating equipment. SKILLS: Technique to wire and program sophisticated dataloggers and sensors. "Handyman" skillset. ABILITIES: Ability to communicate, especially between team members as significant planning and preparation skills are required to ensure tasks are completed on time, and properly. The ability to use Excel, Word, and Outlook is required. Ability to handle the physical aspects of long days outside in hot or cold weather, performing physical labor. Ability to handle the physical aspects of long days outside in hot or cold weather, performing physical labor.

Job Duties and Responsibilities
***POSITION IS LOCATED IN FARMINGTON, NM***
The New Mexico Climate Center needs a Mesonet Weather Station Technician to assist in maintaining high quality weather stations in the ZiaMet state-wide weather station network. This position will be responsible for maintenance and collecting data for a group of ZiaMet weather station towers located within the state. The position will report to the ZiaMet Director for supervision and mentoring. The NM Climate Center is operated within NMSU’s College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Science, Agricultural Experiment Station. Currently ZiaMet is operated, maintained, and managed by the State Climatologist and the amount of towers requiring maintenance and the travel involved cannot be maintained by one individual. Performs other related duties as assigned.

Preferred Qualifications

• Have some familiarity with electronics and wiring
• Ability to work in outdoor environments in a variety of weather conditions
• Ability to work Independently and in a team setting
• Be willing to travel to various locations in New Mexico
• Ability to operate power equipment used to maintain site vegetation
• Ability to communicate effectively

Special Requirements of the Position
Must must have valid Driver’s License and be able to travel around NM.

Department Contact:  Rebecca Martinez, 575-646-3125, rbanegas@nmsu.edu

Contingent Upon Funding: Not Applicable

Bargaining Unit Eligibility: This is a bargaining unit position with American Federation of State, County & Municipal Employees (AFSCME).

Standard Work Schedule: Standard (M-F, 8-5)

If Not a Standard Work Schedule: 

Working Conditions and Physical Effort

Environment: Work involves moderate exposure to unusual elements, such as extreme temperatures, dirt, dust, fumes, smoke, unpleasant odors, and/or loud noises.

Physical Effort: Moderate physical activity.

Lifting Requirements: Requires heavy physical work; heavy lifting, pushing, or pulling required of objects up to 50 pounds.

Risk: Work environment involves some exposure to hazards or physical risks, which require following basic safety precautions.