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The Institute of Marine Sciences at the University of California, Santa Cruz (UCSC) invites applications for short-term, field technicians for two or more field seasons to assist with seabird monitoring studies along the West Antarctic Peninsula, either at Palmer Station or aboard a research vessel. The field technicians will work under the direction of Dr. Megan Cimino, the lead of seabird research with the Palmer Long-Term Ecological Research program.

Seabirds are indicators of environmental change and variability, and this research examines key aspects of their life histories, such as breeding biology, foraging ecology, behavior, and migration to understand mechanistic processes. The general duties of the positions are to routinely visit seabird colonies via small boats to conduct various monitoring protocols, install and maintain field equipment, collect and enter data and perform quality control, and to effectively plan research activities and manage resources. The position requires incumbents to be self-motivated; follow instructions and protocols accurately; successfully multitask; employ strong interpersonal, communication, and decision-making skills; and successfully work independently and as part of a team. Applicants must be willing to live and work in a very isolated community (i.e., remote field station) where duties often extend beyond seabird ecology (e.g., cleaning, chores, community activities, assisting other projects etc.). Applicants will contribute to technical reports, presentations, outreach, data visualization, and maintain daily logs.

Applicants with any of the following qualifications are strongly encouraged to apply:

• Experience censuring or handling seabirds or other wildlife (i.e., capturing, species identification, taking morphological measurements, banding and instrument deployment, documenting breeding phenology, and writing or updating protocols).
• Experience working with transmitter software (e.g. programming, offloading and visualizing data).
• Skills using Geographic Information Systems software (e.g., ArcGIS).
• Experience working on large research vessels.
• Small boat handling experience (safety and competence) in a marine environment leading to small boat training certification and/or equivalent experience.
• Boating experience in sea ice.
• Experience conducting field research in remote, particularly polar, environments for prolonged periods of time.
• Wilderness first aid and CPR certifications (or similar).
• Ability to perform basic equipment evaluations and repairs with limited resources.
• Experience purchasing and acquiring necessary field equipment and managing inventories, including liaising with civilian support contractors and equipment vendors.

SPECIAL CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

1. Selected candidates must have (or be able to readily obtain) a current passport and be able to travel through Chile.
2. Selected candidates must be able to qualify physically for deployment, which requires medical and dental examinations and approval by an external medical evaluation board through the University of Texas Medical Branch – Center for Polar Medical Operations.
3. Selected candidates will work in remote locations for prolonged periods (approximately one to six months) and must be able to adapt to a flexible and demanding field schedule. Fieldwork may require camping as well as working in the early morning hours and in cold and adverse weather conditions.
4. Selected candidates must be physically capable of carrying 50 pounds of equipment, hike in snowy or rocky terrain, and be able to bend and kneel for long periods of time in the field.
5. Selected candidates must be able to work in small teams on small and large vessels.
6. Selected candidates must be able to use binoculars, microscopes, and computers for extended periods of time.

The hiring unit will not sponsor employment-eligible immigration statuses for this position.

As a condition of employment, the finalist will be required to disclose if they are subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct.

• “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 or discrimination, as defined by the employer.
• UC Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy
• UC Anti-Discrimination Policy
• APM - 035: Affirmative Action and Nondiscrimination in Employment

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.

If you need accommodation due to a disability, please contact Disability Management Services at jobaccommodations@ucsc.edu or (831) 459-4602.

Notice of Availability: In compliance with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act (the Clery Act), UCSC publishes an Annual Security and Fire Safety Report. 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.

Under Federal law, the University of California may employ only individuals who are legally able to work in the United States as established by providing documents as specified in the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986. Certain UCSC positions funded by federal contracts or sub-contracts require the selected candidate to pass an E-Verify check. The university sponsors employment-based visas for nonresidents who are offered academic appointments at UC Santa Cruz, as outlined in campus policy CAPM 102.530.

UCSC is a smoke & tobacco-free campus.

The University of California offers a competitive benefits package and a number of programs to support employee work/life balance.

As a University employee, you will be required to comply with all applicable University policies and/or collective bargaining agreements, as may be amended from time to time. Federal, state, or local government directives may impose additional requirements.

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