Campus Biologist Student Assistant-Student Asst 4

 

Under the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986 employees are required to provide proof of eligibility to work in the United States (a list of acceptable documents to establish eligibility can be found here).

 

 

Hours Per Week: 18

 

Background Check: YES

 

 

The Physical and Environmental Planning Department (Department) supports and directs compliance with environmental laws and regulations on the campus and surrounding conservation lands, including the Merced Vernal Pools and Grassland Reserve (Reserve). The Department coordinates with various other UC Merced departments, as well as, local, state and federal agencies regarding physical development and operation of the campus and conservation lands. The Department is responsible for obtaining environmental permits and agreements, as well as, on-going management and monitoring activities pursuant to the environmental permits.

The Student Assistant reports directly to the Campus Biologist and may also provide assistance to the Physical and Environmental and Planning Director. Work tasks will be related to supporting the Campus Biologist with (1) ongoing monitoring and management of the University's mitigation lands (e.g., Merced Vernal Pools and Grassland Reserve and Merced County Preserve), and (2) monitoring campus development, operation and maintenance projects for compliance with the University's environmental permits.

Work is performed generally between 30-40% in the outdoors and 60-70% in an office setting. Work in the outdoors will include exposure to sun, wind, rain, mud, uneven terrain, and insects. Field work duties will include, but is not limited to, organizing and inventorying gear, driving an OHV/4x4 vehicle, surveying for rare species, handling aquatic vertebrates and invertebrates, collecting data in vernal pools and grassland habitat with a GPS unit, operating wildlife camera traps, removing invasive plants, leading outdoor classroom activities for K-12 students, and assisting in residual dry matter surveys. Office work will include entering field data, organizing files into an electronic database, labeling and organizing photos, creating maps in Google Earth and ArcGIS Pro, composing emails, assisting in the creation of spreadsheets, technical reports and PowerPoint presentations. Work will include coordination, collaboration and communication with various campus departments, such as the Natural Reserve System. The amount of fieldwork varies seasonally (field work occurs most frequently in winter and spring and less often in the summer and fall) and the student assistant is expected to be flexible in transitioning between working in the field and into an office setting.

 

PREFERRED: Applicants with an interest in ecology, biology, environmental studies, wildlife conservation or a similar field. Computer literacy including word processing, database management, email and spreadsheets. Ideally, the candidate will be knowledgeable in Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and demonstrate proficiency in ESRI ArcGIS. Good communication skills both verbally and in writing. A candidate with a current driver’s license in good standing is desired.

Successful applicants must enjoy being outdoors, and be able to tolerate working in inclement weather conditions such as precipitation, high winds, and prolonged exposure to intense sunlight. Applicants should have the ability to take direction and work independently and interact professionally and respectfully with colleagues. The applicant should have a strong work ethic, a willingness to learn, and a desire to gain experience while maintaining an enthusiastic attitude. The applicant will be expected to be flexible while adapting to changing weather conditions and project timelines.

 

Please contact  Francesca Cannizzo at fcannizzo2@ucmerced.edu for more information.

 

As of January 1, 2014, the University of California, Merced will be a smoke and tobacco free workplace. Information and the Smoke and Tobacco Free policy is available at http://smokefree.ucmerced.edu

 

The University of California at Merced is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer with a strong institutional commitment to the achievement of diversity among its faculty, staff and students.

 

E-Verify: All employers who receive Federal contracts and grants are required to comply with E-Verify, an Internet-based system operated by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in partnership with the Social Security Administration (SSA). E-Verify electronically verifies employment eligibility by comparing information provided on the I-9 form to records in the DHS and SSA databases. Certain positions funded by federal contracts/subcontracts requires UC Merced to notify job applicants that an E-Verify check will be conducted, and the successful candidate must pass the E-Verify check.