Trainee Geophysical Data Processor Jobs (NOW HIRING)

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Departmental Overview
The Berkeley Seismological Laboratory conducts essential research on earthquakes and solid earth processes while collecting and delivering high quality geophysical data. It provides robust earthquake and hazard information including real-time alerts to the public, in collaboration with our partners. It also enables the broad consumption of earthquake information by everyone while educating and training students at all levels and from all backgrounds.
The Berkeley Seismology Lab (BSL) operates a large network of 240+ seismic and geodetic stations as well as DAS systems across northern California. These stations/systems stream data in real time to our data center on Campus, where data is processed, analyzed and archived for the purposes of earthquake monitoring, earthquake early warning and scientific research. The BSL also operates the MyShake application, which provides earthquake early warning alerts to the public in the West Coast of the US. This position is a field engineer position dedicated to the operation, maintenance and upgrade of the BSL geophysical stations.
Application Review Date
The First Review Date for this job is: May 29, 2026 - Open Until Filled
Responsibilities

• Maintain and upgrade geophysical stations (mainly seismic and geodetic) all across Northern California to ensure that low latency and high-quality data is transmitted in real time to the processing centers on Campus and in the cloud. This includes a) remotely assessing station performance, b) identifying station issues, c) putting a plan together to bring back the stations to normal operations, d) purchasing, preparing and configuring all necessary equipment (power, telemetry, digitizer, geophysical sensors, etc.), e) interacting with landowners and relevant stakeholders to inform them about planned on-site activities, f) traveling alone or with co-workers to the station locations including off-road driving, f) vegetation/tree clearing using chainsaws and other equipment, g) replacing equipment on site as needed, h) working in confined spaces, i) climbing towers, j) following safety protocols and supervisor direction, and k) exercising independent judgement and decision making. The power systems include AC (up to 250 V) and DC systems. The telemetry systems include antennas, routers, switches, radio (e.g. 900 MHz, microwave), satellite and cellular modems.
• Scout, construct, install and relocate temporary and new permanent geophysical stations (mainly seismic and geodetic) in Northern California. This includes a) interacting with landowners and relevant stakeholders including on permits-related matters, b) defining the optimal setup and configuration for the geophysical sensors, power and telemetry systems, c) supervising contractors, d) purchasing, preparing and configuring all necessary equipment (power, digitizer, geophysical sensors, etc.), e) traveling alone or with co-workers to remote geophysical station locations including off-road driving, f) operating heavy machinery (e.g. excavator, skid-steer), UTV, 4x4 trucks and towing trailers, g) installing all equipment on site, h) climbing towers, i) following safety protocols and supervisor direction, and j) exercising independent judgement and decision making.
• Regularly monitor the performance of all BSL geophysical stations using the dedicated BSL tools (Grafana dashboards). Take remote troubleshooting actions when needed, including a) resetting equipment or telemetry connections, b) implementing configuration changes, c) upgrading equipment firmware, d) re-centering/calibrating sensors, and e) working with other BSL staff members (e.g. system administrators, data analysts) to solve complex issues.
• Maintain the engineering facility in good conditions, including a) receiving and unpacking equipment and material, b) ordering spare equipment and supplies on time to ensure that the necessary station maintenance actions can be taken at any time, c) sending defective equipment for repair and following up with equipment manufacturers, d) maintaining inventory, e) organizing and cleaning the space, including operating forklifts, and f) maintaining all vehicles in good operating conditions.
• Ensure that the information and metadata about all BSL geophysical stations is kept up to date. This includes a) updating the information about station equipment and activities in the ANSS Station Information System (SIS), b) opening, updating and closing tickets related to station issues in the BSL ticketing system, c) updating sensitive station information and pictures in the dedicated BSL tools (currently NetBox and Nextcloud).
• Test new types of equipment including power systems, telemetry components, digitizers and geophysical sensors to validate their use in operational conditions and within the current BSL IT infrastructure.
• Participate in internal and external meetings, propose and test new station design and configuration changes, provide support to supervisor on all aspects related to the operations and maintenance of the BSL geophysical networks, draft technical reports when necessary.
• Other duties as assigned by supervisor.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in engineering and / or equivalent experience / training.
• Thorough knowledge and experience with engineering principles and methods to independently perform the full range of engineering activities, with emphasis on power, telemetry, digitizers and geophysical sensors.
• Experience with AC (up to 250V) and DC power systems.
• Experience with wide range of telemetry equipment including antennas, routers, switches, radio (e.g. 900 MHz, microwave), satellite and cellular modems.
• Knowledge of Linux as well as other environment (Windows, MacOS).
• Demonstrated organizational and decision-making abilities to prioritize competing work assignments in order to meet deadlines and adherence to quality standards.
• Strong analytical and judgment skills to independently conduct analyses and develop appropriate recommendations.
• Effective written and verbal communication and presentation skills.
• Ability to work in a collaborative manner; identify challenges and barriers and recommend resolutions.
• Ability to lead and influence others.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with configuring and deploying geophysical digitizers and sensors.
• Experience operating heavy machinery such as forklifts, excavators, skid-steers as well as driving 4x4 trucks and towing trailers.

Salary & Benefits
For information on the comprehensive benefits package offered by the University, please visit the University of California's Compensation & Benefits website.
Under California law, the University of California, Berkeley is required to provide a reasonable estimate of the compensation range for this role and should not offer a salary outside of the range posted in this job announcement. This range takes into account the wide range of factors that are considered in making compensation decisions including but not limited to experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, education, licensure and certifications, analysis of internal equity, and other business and organizational needs. It is not typical for an individual to be offered a salary at or near the top of the range for a position. Salary offers are determined based on final candidate qualifications and experience.
The budgeted salary or hourly range that the University reasonably expects to pay for this position is $88,900 to $120,000 yearly ($7,408.33 to $10,000.00 monthly); the full salary range for this title (RSCH AND DEV ENGR 3 TX) is $88,900 to $163,900 yearly. This is a 100% FTE career position eligible for full benefits. This position is FLSA Exempt and paid monthly.
How to Apply
To apply, please submit your resume and cover letter.
Driving Required
Required to hold valid driver's license, have a driving record that is in accordance with local policies/procedures, and/or enroll in the California Employer Pull Notice Program.
Conviction History Background
This is a designated position requiring fingerprinting and a background check due to the nature of the job responsibilities. Berkeley does hire people with conviction histories and reviews information received in the context of the job responsibilities. The University reserves the right to make employment contingent upon successful completion of the background check.
Misconduct Disclosure
As a condition of employment, the final candidate who accepts a conditional offer of employment will be required to disclose if they have been subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct; received notice of any allegations or are currently the subject of any administrative or disciplinary proceedings involving misconduct; have left a position after receiving notice of allegations or while under investigation in an administrative or disciplinary proceeding involving misconduct; or have filed an appeal of a finding of misconduct with a previous employer.
Misconduct means any violation of the policies or laws governing conduct at the applicant's previous place of employment, including, but not limited to, violations of policies or laws prohibiting sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other forms of harassment, discrimination, dishonesty, or unethical conduct, as defined by the employer. For reference, below are UC's policies addressing some forms of misconduct:
UC Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy
UC Anti-Discrimination Policy
Abusive Conduct in the Workplace
Equal Employment Opportunity
The University of California is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected status under state or federal law.