About the Position

The South African Environmental Observation Network (SAEON) is a research platform funded by the Department of Science and Technology (DST) and managed by the National Research Foundation (NRF). SAEON is mandated to establish and manage long-term environmental observatories; maintain reliable long-term environmental data sets; promote access to data for research and/or informed decision making; and contribute to capacity building. The mandate is executed through six geographically distributed nodes that are coordinated by the SAEON National Office in Pretoria.

The SAEON Ndlovu Node, located within the Kruger National Park at Phalaborwa, invites applications from suitably qualified individuals for the position of:

TECHNICIAN

Key responsibilities will include:

• Installing and maintaining research instrumentation, including automated weather stations, borehole level loggers, streamflow sensors, soil moisture sensors and camera traps.
• Biodiversity surveys.
• Managing data, creating of GIS databases and maps, and compiling remote sensing data.
• Assisting SAEON students with their fieldwork.
• Supervising SAEON field assistants.

Requirements:

• Completed BSc or B-Tech degree with majors in Botany, Zoology, Ecology, Geography or a similar discipline.
• A valid code EB drivers licence.
• Language proficiency in English (Afrikaans, Sepedi or Tsonga would be beneficial).
• Experience with environmental research or monitoring, including data management.
• Ability to identify common fauna in the Lowveld Region of South Africa (including birds, frogs, reptiles and small mammals).
• Competence with GIS (Quantum GIS and / or ArcGIS software).
• Previous experience and working knowledge of automated, electronic instruments.
• Experience with Campbell Scientific dataloggers would be an advantage.
• Competence in Microsoft Excel, as well as a basic knowledge of statistics. Competency with the statistical software R would be an advantage.
• Physically fit – able to work outdoors for an 8 hour day with ease (recommended candidate can be asked to undergo and pass a medical examination).

A practical assessment will be conducted by the shortlisted candidates where there technical skills and aptitude will be tested as part of the selection process.

Applications should include a detailed Curriculum vitae, a cover letter indicating how the applicant meets the stipulated requirements, and the contact details of at least three work-related referees (uploaded as one document).

Closing date for receiving applications: 14 June 2017.

SAEON is committed to employment equity and redress. SAEON reserves the right not to make an appointment to the position as advertised.

The ideal candidate will have the following competencies:

Ability

• communicate technical information
• collect statistical data
• liaise with other scientists
• Operating a UAV

Experience

• Working in areas with dangerous game
• Driving a 4×4 vehicle off-road

Knowledge

• Fauna & flora of the Lowveld region of RSA
• Process imagery captured using a UAV

About The Employer

The South African Environmental Observation Network (SAEON) is a research platform funded by the Department of Science and Technology (DST) and managed by the National Research Foundation (NRF).