Employment Opportunities
Junior Specialist - California Sentinel Site Network: 2 Field Biologists
- Open date: April 4, 2025
- Next review date: Saturday, April 19, 2024 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time) Apply by this date to ensure full consideration by the committee.
- Final date: Monday, June 30, 2025 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time). Applications will continue to be accepted until this date, but those received after the review date will only be considered if the position has not yet been filled.
Position Description
The UC Natural Reserve System (UCNRS) is the largest and most diverse network of university field stations in the world. Its 42 reserves include examples of most major ecosystems in California. These reserves provide secure sites for long-term environmental research, education, and public outreach. They enable monitoring of environmental data and provide a baseline for biodiversity, in the context of California’s growing population and a changing global environment.
The California Sentinel Site Network (CA-SSN) is a partnership between the UCNRS and the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW), with other public and private land partners joining in the coming year. The CA-SSN aims to achieve conservation goals established by California 30x30 legislation. With nearly 100 planned biodiversity monitoring locations across the state, the CA-SSN will deliver open-access standardized biodiversity and climate data that will support university, agency, and NGO research to advance conservation and resource management solutions. In the next three years, UCNRS will establish roughly 160 monitoring sites across the 42 reserves. These sites will become long-term monitoring sites.
The UCNRS at UC Davis is seeking two skilled Field Biologists to join our team for the CA-SSN. The ideal candidate will help to deploy biodiversity monitoring equipment across the UCNRS, assist with data collection, management, and analytics across the CA-SSN, and in collaboration with the PI and Project Lead, help further biodiversity studies by aiding in interdisciplinary studies of remote sensing technologies and/or experimental methodology to sample herpetofauna, insects, and/or plants across California ecosystems.
Qualifications
- Basic qualifications (required at time of application)
- Bachelor’s degree in Biology, Ecology, Environmental Science, or a related field.
- Experience in field research or biological surveying.
- Familiarity with vertebrates for visual identification from camera trap images.
- Proficiency in data collection, QC, and summary statistics.
- Strong observational skills and attention to detail.
- Ability to work in challenging outdoor conditions.
- Flexibility to travel and work irregular hours as required by field projects.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills.
- Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
- Preferred qualifications (other preferred, but not required, qualifications for the position)
- Proficiency in the use of camera traps and/or acoustic monitoring systems.
- Background in bird song or bat call identification.
Major Responsibilities
- I. Research (90%)
- Work with the Project Lead, PI and co-PIs, and other faculty and agency partners (including CDFW) to plan and participate in the deployment of biodiversity monitoring technology at sampling sites and data collection, management, and analyses. The Field Biologists will participate in field studies to collect environmental/abiotic data and mammal, bird, herpetofauna, insect, and plant biodiversity data using novel technologies.
The Field Biologists will also manage, curate, and analyze CA-SSN data as it becomes available to optimize field deployment and data collection, curation, and management strategies. Alongside this effort, the Field Biologists are expected to review literature and keep up on methodologies associated with the application of biodiversity data and monitoring practices.
This position will require becoming familiar with the sound and image repositories specified in the protocols (https://shorturl.at/mc4PZ) and developing processing workflows. It also requires assisting the students and the Project Lead in identification of species as part of data processing. CA-SSN seeks to design further biodiversity monitoring efforts, including novel methods drawing from remote sensing technologies and/or experimental approaches to sample herpetofauna, insects, and/or plants, which the Field Biologists will be expected to evaluate as part of their work.
The Field Biologists will also work alongside multiple student volunteers (2-10) to configure and set up field equipment, travel on field campaigns together, and work to collect and manage datasets, including QA/QC and performing summaries and analyses of CA-SSN biodiversity data, that will contribute to advancing monitoring methodology.
The Field Biologists are expected to lead fieldwork (entailing equipment deployment and data collection; 75%) and perform data management work when not in the field (data entry, post-processing QA/QC, curation, repository uploads, data synthesis, and statistical analysis; 25%). The ideal candidates will bring strong field-based skills, data management and analytics experience, a deep understanding of conservation science, and the ability to work in teams to deliver impactful results.
The Field biologist must document findings through detailed notes, photographs, and emails, keeping track of all field data, and organizing it as it is collected using predetermined databases and repositories. They will also oversee the management of datasets, including QA/QC, summaries, and analyses of CA-SSN biodiversity data. The Field Biologists will also assist the PI with learning and preparing equipment and data protocols for field sampling, managing and evaluating data for analyses, summarizing data, and drafting documents and presentations of their work.
They will also actively and significantly be involved in creative and collaborative activities, working to progress research through publishing and designing future research. This will include reviewing journal articles; engaging in discussions of research to assist with data interpretation; assisting more senior researchers in preparing manuscripts for peer review, by writing methods sections and commenting on draft manuscripts; and participating in the design of studies as part of drafting proposals. They will also apply their skills and experience to help revise study designs.
- Work with the Project Lead, PI and co-PIs, and other faculty and agency partners (including CDFW) to plan and participate in the deployment of biodiversity monitoring technology at sampling sites and data collection, management, and analyses. The Field Biologists will participate in field studies to collect environmental/abiotic data and mammal, bird, herpetofauna, insect, and plant biodiversity data using novel technologies.
- Professional Competence and Activity (5%)
- Review current literature or reports that advance work related to the CA-SSN. In collaboration with other project participants (government, NGO, and academic), work to disseminate key findings that advance the CA-SSN (posters or oral presentations at regional or national conferences) and engage in local workshops with CA-SSN stakeholders to further increase the impact of CA-SSN. As time permits, evaluate new methods or technologies that align with the goals of the CA-SSN.
- University and Public Service (5%)
- Participate in department and campus committees as allowed by funding source.
- Key Responsibilities
- Collaborate with field site personnel and UC Davis project leadership to select ~160 field sampling locations at 40 UCNRS field stations for CA-SSN equipment setup and deployment.
- Preconfigure and set up CA-SSN equipment and other hardware for monitoring following established protocols (see https://shorturl.at/rKNXI).
- Help to lead fieldwork to site camera traps, acoustic recording devices, Motus towers, and other biodiversity monitoring equipment.
- Collect data from remote sensing hardware and perform data management tasks, following established protocols (https://shorturl.at/mc4PZ), including performing QA/QC on data from each device and associated dataset, validating observations in the datasets (birds and bats), organizing and curating data from each site device, and uploading datasets as required to repositories.
- Identify bird and bat species through acoustic recordings.
- Similarly, perform visual identification of animals using camera trap images.
- Use tools and equipment such as GPS, cameras, and sampling kits to collect data.
- Document findings through detailed notes and photographs.
- As time permits, analyze data and prepare reports, charts, and presentations summarizing research results.
- In collaboration with the Project Lead and PI, coordinate with UC researchers, government agencies, non-profit organizations, community groups, and other stakeholders to further advance CA-SSN collaborations and establish potential outlets for data, including participating in local workshops for partner input to develop CA-SSN metrics.
- Train and mentor interns or research assistants as needed.
Salary and Benefits
The salary range estimate for this position is $53,100.00, at Step 1 or $56,600 at Step 2.
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Junior Specialist - 6 Positions in Interdisciplinary Studies of Abiotic and Biotic Conditions
- Open date: April 4, 2025
- Next review date: Saturday, April 19, 2024 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time) Apply by this date to ensure full consideration by the committee.
- Final date: Monday, June 30, 2025 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time). Applications will continue to be accepted until this date, but those received after the review date will only be considered if the position has not yet been filled.
Position Description
This position will aid in interdisciplinary studies of abiotic and biotic conditions that affect the ecology of invertebrate and vertebrate organisms in estuaries.
The Center for Watershed Sciences (CWS), a unit of the Institute of the Environment (IE), is a leader in the interdisciplinary study of critical water issues.
Qualifications
- Basic qualifications (required at time of application)
- Bachelor degree in ecology, biology, environmental studies, with a minimum of one year’s experience in laboratory and/or field research.
- Current Driver’s License.
- Experience in team-based work that requires communication, decision-making skills, cooperation and leadership.
- Knowledge of basic microscopy techniques.
- Knowledge of taxonomic keys.
- Knowledge of basic ecology.
- Ability to work independently and remain focused for long periods of time while conducting procedures in the laboratory at the bench or microscope.
- Ability to bend, squat, crouching and to pull and lift up to 50 pounds of survey nets and similar field equipment repetitively during field sampling days of 8-10 hours duration in weather conditions spanning from cold winter rains to very hot summer days.
- Preferred qualifications (other preferred, but not required, qualifications for the position)
- Experience identifying California freshwater/estuarine fishes in the field and lab and invertebrates such as insect macro invertebrates and zooplankton using microscopy.
- Experience in preparation and microscopic analyses of samples such as fish guts, fish eye lens delimitations and fish otolith growth increments.
- Experience working independently and remain focused for long periods of time while conducting procedures in laboratory at the bench or microscope.
- Experience in small boat safety and handling.
- Experience with data analysis and technical writing.
- Knowledge of MS Excel, Word, and Access; ArcGIS and Program R software.
- Knowledge of statistics.
- Ability to mentor and lead undergraduate and similar field assistants.
Major Responsibilities
- I. Research (90%)
- Duties include participating in field studies to collect aquatic organisms and measure water quality, laboratory studies of water quality and invertebrate community composition, and food web isotopic analyses; participate in data entry, post-processing, data synthesis and statistical analysis. Conduct literature searches and help write annual reports to funding agency. Actively and significantly involved in creative activities of publishing research and designing future research including reviewing journal articles; engaging in discussions of research to assist in interpreting results; assisting more senior researchers in preparing manuscripts for peer-review journals by writing methods sections and commenting on draft manuscripts; and participating in design of studies as part of writing research proposals by applying experience to revise study designs.
- Professional Competence and Activity (5%)
- Strategic and Budget Planning - Assist the Faculty Director in setting strategic and budgetary objectives for the Center, developing an agenda to achieve those objectives, and maintaining progress on the agenda. Provide short- and long-term tactical planning and implementation to foster the successful development and execution of CWS projects; communication and cooperation with faculty in program areas; development of interdisciplinary collaborations; and initiation of programs that develop new directions. Formulate and negotiate budgets with appropriate campus and system-wide entities, in consultation with the Faculty Director.
- CWS Operational Oversight - Assess CWS through data collection on CWS activities, including grant funding, publications, research, classes, and public engagement, to evaluate programs and direction to retain CWS’s position as a leader in watershed science. Use this information to prepare annual and other periodic reports and to prepare the Faculty Director for mission-critical meetings involving CWS. Make modest updates of the Center's organizational structure to maintain entrepreneurial nimbleness of CWS. Advise the Faculty Director on institutional developments, including the UC Davis Institute of the Environment, the Office of Research, and Safety Services. Provide direction for all CWS staff and academic personnel. Manage conflict resolution and team building. Develop short- and long-term staffing plans. Collaborate with the Faculty Director in seeking external funding through grants, contracts, and individual donors. Assist College and University fund development efforts to support CWS.
- CWS Community Oversight - Maintain a positive, cooperative, and supportive environment consistent with UC Davis Principles of Community; provide leadership in a high-performance, challenging environment. Be a leader in advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) at CWS.
- University and Public Service (5%)
- Programmatic Administration - Collaborate with CWS researchers in developing and supporting broad, interdisciplinary applied research proposals and projects that encompass several colleges and schools within the UC campuses. The support can include identifying potential funding and contracting opportunities, convening potential faculty and staff researchers, and providing administrative and programmatic support, guidance, and continuity for research teams. Maintain positive working relationships with administrative staff at IE, Office of Research, Office of the Provost, Office of the Chancellor, and other campus partners. Deputize for Faculty Director as needed.
- Oversight - Oversee Center budgets, personnel, finances, facilities, and associated programs and projects, in coordination with IE staff. Manage personnel functions including workload, performance, recruitment, selection, training, mentoring, assignments, and performance standards in compliance with contracts and UC policies. Work with CWS personnel, regulatory agencies, and campus administration to ensure projects are in compliance with federal, state, and university standards.
Salary and Benefits
The salary range estimate for this position is $51,300.00, at Step 1 or at Step 2 $54,600.00