Fort Ord Reserve and UC MBEST Research, Education, Stewardship, and Restoration Steward Job Listing at University of California in Santa Cruz, CA (Job ID 70060)

Description

JOB POSTING

HOW TO APPLY

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INITIAL REVIEW DATE (IRD)

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The IRD for this job is: 06-24-2024

ABOUT UC SANTA CRUZ

UC Santa Cruz is a public university like no other in California, combining the experience of a small, liberal arts college with the depth and rigor of a major research university. It's known as an unconventional place where innovation and experimentation is part of the campus's DNA. That playful, bold spirit still thrives today, all on a campus renowned as among the most beautiful in the world.

DEPARTMENT OVERVIEW

Ecologically diverse and physically spectacular, the University of California Natural Reserve System (NRS) is a unique assemblage of 41 protected wild land sites throughout California. The reserves encompass nearly all of the state's major ecosystems, preserved in as undisturbed a condition as possible to support University-level research, teaching, and public service and outreach programs. The NRS is a Trustee Agency under the California Environmental Quality Act, and UC manages the NRS resources in the Public Trust.

The five Natural Reserve sites that form the UC Santa Cruz unit are spread along 60 miles of the central coast: Año Nuevo Island Reserve (25 acres), Landels-Hill Big Creek Reserve (4,200 acres), Fort Ord Natural Reserve (606 acres), Younger Lagoon Reserve (72 acres), and the UCSC Campus Natural Reserve (400 acres). Each reserve has unique research and teaching opportunities, physical conditions and constraints, regional and local political considerations, and funding and administration issues.

Located on part of the former Fort Ord Army Base, Fort Ord Natural Reserve supports 600 acres of excellent examples of maritime chaparral endemic to the Monterey Bay region. This rare habitat and several associated plant and wildlife species depend largely on Fort Ord land for their survival. Eleven listed plant species reside there (including the federally endangered, state-threatened sand gilia and the federally threatened Monterey spineflower), along with six listed animal species (including the federally endangered Smith's blue butterfly). The site also supports a mixture of other habitats: coast live oak, coastal scrub, mixed annual grassland, and native perennial grassland.

The reserve was established because of its unique flora and fauna of the Monterey Bay maritime chaparral and as mitigation for the adjacent UCSC Monterey Bay Education, Science, and Technology Center (MBEST). MBEST encompasses 400 acres of undeveloped and developed land that serves as a science and technology center for UC Santa Cruz.   MBEST Research Park currently houses a 20,000 square foot business property with a mixture of staff, faculty, researchers, and outside tenants.

JOB SUMMARY

Under the supervision of and in collaboration with the Fort Ord Natural Reserve Director and the UCSC Real Estate Office, the selected candidate will serve as Research, Education, Stewardship, and Restoration Steward for the University of California Santa Cruz Fort Ord Reserve and UCMBEST lands (approximately 1000 acres). The selected candidate will conduct field stewardship activities, biological monitoring, support educational, research, and outreach, and support restoration, propagation, and monitoring of rare plants. Support teaching, research, monitoring and public service efforts. Assess the physical needs of the reserve and UC MBEST lands (both natural and landscaped) on a regular basis, documenting problems to be addressed (invasive species, evidence of trespass, dumping, erosion problems, camping, landscaping, etc.), help carry out corrective measures to these issues, and enforce UCSC rules and policies.

APPOINTMENT INFORMATION

Budgeted Salary: $32.04/hour.  Salary commensurate with skills, qualifications and experience.
Under California law, the University of California, Santa Cruz is required to post a reasonable estimate of the compensation for this role. The salary shown above is the budgeted amount the University reasonably expects to pay and the salary extended should not exceed this posted amount.

Benefits Level Eligibility: Full benefits

Schedule Information:

• Full-time, Fixed
• Percentage of Time: 100%, 40 Hours per Week
• Days of the Week: Mon-Fri
• Shift Includes: Day, Weekends

Employee Classification: Contract appointment 

Job End Date: 2 years from hire date, with possibility of extension

Work Location: Marina, CA (UCSC MBEST Center / Fort Ord Natural Reserve)

Union Representation: Non-Represented

Job Code Classification: 005190 (FIELD RESEARCHER 2)

Travel: Never or Rarely

JOB DUTIES

25% - Education, Research, and Community Support and Outreach

• Supports on-the-ground education and research efforts such as class visits and for-credit internships.
• Supports teaching, research, monitoring and public service efforts such as, but not limited to: leads student internships, field assistants, volunteer work crews, and public tours to UCSC administrators and local law enforcement agencies, and tours to K-12 students.
• Works with project leaders and Reserve Director to coordinate research and conservation activities such , as monitoring of rare plants throughout MBEST and Fort Ord Natural Reserves, procurement and operation of instrumentation, infrastructure and required research and teaching commodities.

25% - Rare Plant Restoration and Conservation

• Performs on-the-ground native habitat restoration efforts for research purposes including seed collection, propagation, weeding, planting, irrigation, and monitoring.

25% - Land Stewardship

• Performs general land stewardship and maintenance activities including, but not limited to, trail maintenance, invasive species removal, vegetation control, patrols for trespass and unauthorized use, fence repair, gate and sign installation, pick up trash, cleanup dump and camp sites, and mow and clear fuel breaks.

10% - Weed abatement and landscaping

• Responsible for controlling invasive weeds and maintaining vegetation (ornamental and natural) around the built environment of UC MBEST Research Park.

10% - Data Management

• Maintain work-logs. Collect and enter field data from monitoring surveys (e.g. Excel, ArcGIS Collector, drones) to be used for research and other activities.
• Maintains databases and/or logbooks of land conditions such as weed infestations, seed collection sites, erosion, vandalism, trespass, research plots, restoration sites, etc.
• Contributes with the preparation and summary of data for annual reports.

5% - Facility Oversight

• Provides backup coverage for the MBEST Research Park Facilities and Real Estate Specialist on an adhoc basis.
• Fields tenant questions, vendor scheduling, assists with facility issues, and other duties as necessary.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's degree in related area and / or equivalent experience / training.
• Working knowledge of safety, legal, cultural and regulatory requirements relative to conducting field research.
• Working knowledge of native habitat restoration and/or biological monitoring.
• Working knowledge of flora and fauna identification including dichotomous keys.
• Proficient research and analytical skills.
• Demonstrated organizational skills with the ability to meet deadlines and pay attention to detail.
• Demonstrated interpersonal communication skills sufficient to interact effectively with staff, faculty, students, and the public, and to represent UC Santa Cruz Campus, the Natural Reserves, and UC MBEST accurately and professionally.
• Demonstrated ability to work with a team.
• Demonstrated ability to work in in rapidly changing field conditions
• Demonstrated ability to work with computers and mainstream software (MS Office, Google Suite, etc.).

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience using power and landscaping tools.
• Demonstrated ability to perform, basic carpentry and land management skills (use of saw, shovel, rake, hammer, drill, etc.)
• Demonstrates ability to develop and maintain strategic relationships and partnerships with local stakeholders.
• Proficient biological monitoring skills (e.g. transect/quadrat surveys, avian point counts, small mammal trapping, etc.).
• Demonstrated experience supervising diverse groups of student interns and/or volunteer groups.
• Bilingual in English and Spanish.
• Experience with GPS and ArcGIS.
• Experience flying drones.

SPECIAL CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

• Selected candidate will be required to pass a pre-employment criminal history background check.
• Must possess a valid license to drive in the state of California.
• Ability to work long periods of time at a computer with or without accommodation.
• Ability to work long periods of time in wilderness conditions and to travel to remote areas.
• Ability to perform work in a rugged physical environment and inclement weather with challenging infrastructure requirements.
• Ability to walk to and work in remote areas with rugged terrain, heavy brush, biting and stinging insects, bears and mountain lions.
• Ability to work in conditions of variable temperature/weather with possible exposure to strong, unpleasant odors, high levels of noise and vibrations, and exposure to dust and allergens.
• Ability to perform grounds keeping duties outdoors through all seasons of weather in developed and undeveloped environments.
• Ability to ascend/descend ladders with or without accommodation.
• Ability to conduct outdoor site visits, including use of required personal protective equipment, as required to conduct investigations, inspections, or view work in place.
• Ability to sustain exposure to dusty, noisy environments and inclement weather as necessary to carry out assigned duties and responsibilities.
• Ability to safely perform the physical requirements necessary to move light to moderate objects up to 60 lbs., with or without accommodation.
• The selected candidate will be required to work all scheduled hours on-site.
• Selected candidate will be required to complete training within established time frames as directed including UC compliance training.
• Ability to wear proper safety attire (long pants, closed-toe shoes, etc.) and personal protective equipment common in a laboratory setting.
• Ability to read signs and follow directions on labels that are written in English as well as ability to read and understand Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) and the proper use of chemical compounds.
• Ability to travel to multiple work locations on and off campus.
• The University of California has implemented a Vaccination Policy covering all employees. Employees, including new hires, are required to comply with any applicable policies relating to the University of California vaccine program.
• Per the Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act (CANRA), this position has been identified as a Mandated Reporter. The selected candidate will be required to report known or suspected child abuse or neglect as defined by CANRA and will be required to sign a Statement Acknowledging Requirement to Report Child Abuse prior to commencing employment. CANRA Penal Codes, and related definitions, requirements, and responsibilities may be obtained here.

SAFETY STATEMENT

All UCSC employees must understand and follow job safety procedures, attend required health and safety training, proactively promote safety at work, and promptly report actual and potential accidents and injuries.

EEO/AA

The University of California is an Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, or protected veteran status. UC Santa Cruz is committed to excellence through diversity and strives to establish a climate that welcomes, celebrates, and promotes respect for the contributions of all students and employees.

For the University of California's Affirmative Action Policy please visit: https://policy.ucop.edu/doc/4010393/PPSM-20

For the University of California's Anti-Discrimination Policy, please visit: https://policy.ucop.edu/doc/1001004/Anti-Discrimination