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Physical & Biological Sciences: Natural Reserve System Field Technician (Open until filled. Apply by 4/23/18)

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Position description

The Natural Reserve System (https://naturalreserves.ucsc.edu) at the University of California, Santa Cruz (UCSC) invites applications for a Field Technician under the direction of Becca Fenwick. The Field Technician will work on the California Heartbeat Initiative – Fresh Water, a new UC Natural Reserve System (UCNRS) research and monitoring program funded by the Moore Foundation for three years (2018-2021).

The Field Technician will be a member of a multi-campus research team that includes the Principle Investigators and Co-Principle Investigators from UCOP, UCB and UCSC along with a Postdoctoral Scholar, data manager, and software developer at UCB. The incumbent will help develop the program’s experimental and monitoring research design, which will look at movement of water through ecosystems and focus on providing more accurate forecasts for the state’s water supply. Working with the research team, the Field Technician will be responsible for the deployment, testing, year-round functioning, and maintenance of wireless sensor networks across ten UCNRS reserves. Each site will consist of twenty plus nodes with numerous environmental sensors attached to each node. A deep understanding of environmental sensor design and functionality as well as the initiative’s research questions will be required of the Field Technician in order to effectively partner with the team’s members to develop the experimental design, select the appropriate sensors, work with the data acquisition system, and troubleshoot the networks as required.

Using UAVs (drones) with associated campaign sensor deployment, the research protocol is to survey the ten locations at least four times per year for three years. The ideal candidate will be able to pilot various types of drones (training will be provided) and to assist in the experimental design, implementation, and interpretation of the environmental survey data.

This research program will generate many different types of time series environmental data, multispectral ground based images, and multispectral drone-based imagery, which will all be managed, archived, and made available through the UCB Dendra interface; thus familiarity with these data types, the QA/QC process, the UCB Dendra interface, and time series data management is essential.

The identified sites are geographically spread out across California, which will require that the incumbent possess a valid CA driver’s license (with or without accommodations), travel frequently throughout the state, and work in remote locations for extended periods of time. The ability to work independently and in collaboration with the research team’s members effectively are critical requirements for this position.

Applicants with six or more years’ experience with engineering product development and/or scientific project development and management are strongly encouraged to apply.

ACADEMIC TITLE
Associate Specialist

SALARY
Commensurate with qualifications and experience.

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS

  • Bachelors (or equivalent foreign degree) in Environmental Sciences, Engineering, Ecology, or Computer Science at the time of application
  • Six years post-baccalaureate experience in research or outdoor sensor network deployments.
  • Experience with UCNRS Climate Monitoring Network, Campbell scientific environmental sensors/weather stations, time series environmental data, multispectral ground-based images, and multispectral drone-based imagery.

POSITION AVAILABLE
As soon as possible after initial review of the applications.

DURATION OF POSITION
Initial appointment will be full‐time for two years, with the possibility of reappointment. Should the hiring unit propose reappointment; a review to assess performance will be conducted. Reappointment is also contingent upon the availability of funding.

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS
Applications are accepted via the UCSC Academic Recruit online system. All documents and materials must be submitted as PDFs.

APPLY AT https://recruit.ucsc.edu/apply/JPF00520.
Please refer to Position # JPF00520-18T in all correspondence.

Documents/Materials
-Letter of application that briefly summarizes your qualifications and interest in the position (required)
-Curriculum vitae (required)

Reference Requirement
Applicants must provide the names and contact information of their references (a minimum of three are required and a maximum of four will be accepted). The hiring unit will request confidential letters* from the references of those applicants who are under serious consideration. Please note that your references, or dossier service, will submit their confidential letters directly to the UC Recruit System.

*All letters will be treated as confidential per University of California policy and California state law. For any reference letter provided via a third party (i.e., dossier service, career center), direct the author to UCSC’s confidentiality statement at http://apo.ucsc.edu/confstm.htm.

RECRUITMENT PERIOD
Full consideration will be given to applications completed by April 23, 2018. Applications received after this date will be considered only if the position has not been filled.


The University of California is an Equal 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. Inquiries regarding the University’s equal employment opportunity policies may be directed to the Office for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at the University of California, Santa Cruz, CA 95064 or by phone at (831) 459-2686.

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 (see https://www.uscis.gov/e-verify). More information is available at the APO website (see https://apo.ucsc.edu/policy/capm/104.000%20.html) or call (831) 459-4300.

UCSC is a smoke & tobacco-free campus.

If you need accommodation due to a disability, please contact the Academic Personnel Office at apo@ucsc.edu (831) 459-4300.

VISIT THE APO WEB SITE AT http://apo.ucsc.edu
3/23/1820

Application Requirements

Document requirements
  • Cover Letter - Letter of application that briefly summarizes your qualifications and interest in the position

  • Curriculum Vitae - Your most recently updated C.V.

Reference requirements
  • 3-4 required (contact information only)

Job location

Santa Cruz, CA