Elephant Seal Program Assistant

About the role

The Department of Ecology & Evolutionary Biology (EEB) at UC Santa Cruz is seeking a scientist to provide scientific guidance, support, and assistance with implementation, design and monitoring of research and teaching activities at Año Nuevo Reserve. The position involves data collection, instrumentation, training, outreach, and monitoring.

Responsibilities

• Data collection: Collects data for key long-term research projects at Año Nuevo Reserve and oversees volunteers to ensure proper data collection protocols are in place.
• Instrumentation: Ensures instrumentation, infrastructure, and required field research commodities and other materials support research goals.
• Training: Participates in training activities on research methods and measurement to research partners.
• Outreach: Serves as a research ambassador to interpret research projects for classes and other members of the public that visit Año Nuevo Reserve.
• Monitoring: Assists with assessing and monitoring policies and procedures for remote field sites and / or research studies.

Requirements

• Graduation from high school or a General Education Diploma and two years of laboratory experience, or two years of college including courses in the natural, physical or social sciences and one year of laboratory experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Knowledge of safety, legal, cultural and regulatory requirements relative to field research responsibility.
• Knowledge of research discipline, principles, concepts, analysis and / or operations being conducted at field / remote sites.
• Proven ability to work independently and with a team.
• Attention to detail and organizational skills.
• Strong research and analytical skills.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in related area and/or equivalent experience/training preferred.
• Strong communication skills with research partners and project team members.
• Knowledge of local customs and operations at field / remote sites.

Skills

• Ability to work independently and with a team.
• Attention to detail and organizational skills.
• Strong research and analytical skills.

Benefits

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.

Pay

Budgeted Salary: $27.07/hour

Schedule

Part-Time, Variable Percentage of Time: 50%, 20 Hours per Week

Benefits

Core benefits

Union Representation

TX Union

Job Code Classification

009603 (LAB AST 2)

Travel

Up to 50% of the time

Work Location

UC Santa Cruz Coastal Science Campus

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 and be able to participate in the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) pull notice program.
• 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.
• Poison Oak is present. Incumbent must be willing to take the measures required to work in contact with and cut/remove poison oak.
• Ability to do occasional work in confined spaces such as attics and trenches while bending, stooping and/or kneeling with the possibility of being exposed to live electrical circuits and machinery.
• Ability to successfully work with and around a variety of fertilizers, insecticides and herbicides.
• Ability to conduct outdoor site visits, including use of required personal protective equipment, as required to conduct investigations, inspections, or view work in place.
• The selected candidate will be required to work all scheduled hours on-site.
• Ability to work a variable schedule including evenings and weekends.
• Ability to occasionally work overtime with little or no advance notice.
• Ability to wear proper safety attire (long pants, closed-toe shoes, etc.) and personal protective equipment common in a laboratory setting.
• Will be required to wear a University provided uniform.
• The selected candidate will be required to complete training within established time frames as directed including UC compliance training.

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.

Notice of Availability

In compliance with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act (the Clery Act), the Annual Security and Fire Safety Report (ASFSR) is available at: https://chancellor.ucsc.edu/annual-security-reports/. This report is published by October 1st of each year and includes current institutional policies and procedures concerning campus safety and security; fire safety and evacuation policies; sexual misconduct and relationship violence reporting and response protocols; and crime and fire statistics for the three previous calendar years. A paper copy of the ASFSR is available upon request by contacting the UCSC Police Department at 114 Carriage House Rd., Santa Cruz, CA 95064, or by calling 831-459-2231 Ext. 1.

EEO/AA

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 categories covered by the UC Anti-Discrimination Policy.