Job Posting
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UC OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT
At the University of California (UC), your contributions make a difference. A world leader producing Nobel and Pulitzer Prize recipients with over 150 years of groundbreaking research transforming the world. Choose a career where you can leverage your knowledge, skills and aspirations to inspire and support some of the greatest minds in the world, and those who will follow in their footsteps. Working at the University of California is being part of a unique institution, and a vibrant and diverse community. At the University of California, Office of the President, we propel our mission through impactful work locally, in government centers and systemwide. We are passionate people, serving the greater good.
The University of California, one of the largest and most acclaimed institutions of higher learning in the world, is dedicated to excellence in teaching, research and public service. The University of California Office of the President is the headquarters to the 10 campuses, six academic medical centers and three national laboratories and enrolls premier students from California, the nation and the world. Learn more about the UC Office of the President
Department Overview
The Natural Reserve System provides a network of 41 protected natural areas throughout California used for university-level teaching, research and public service.
Position Summary
This position supports the UC NRS Climate Monitoring System, a network of 30+ Campbell Scientific weather stations. This position has a high degree of knowledge in the field of environmental sensors and has a high level of expertise in working with and maintaining Campbell Scientific instrumentation. The weather stations are located on UC Natural Reserve System sites throughout California - often remotely situated field sites This position requires extensive driving across California and staying for multiple days at the field sites on a regular basis. Maintenance and servicing of the equipment in these locations require operating with autonomy, the ability to analyze the unique problems at that site and develop a correspondingly unique solution. All equipment is networked and maintenance includes troubleshooting internet and satellite connections. The Climate Monitoring Network Field Technician is responsible for resource management and ordering of equipment and supplies. This position coordinates remote onsite work with the reserve managers and coordinates that the Climate Monitoring Data Management Team to make sure that Dendra (data portal) is complete, up to date, accurate and easily accessible for researchers and other data users. They guide the development of operational policies for the maintenance of equipment, including the development of instrumentation audit protocol, maintenance interval, and network communications.
Key Responsibilities
30% Perform station audits: Perform weather-climate station audits every two years calibrating or replacing instrumentation as required. Manage the equipment and travel budget and invoicing for instrumentation calibration and replacement. Organize local audits of equipment to test calibration and send equipment out for recalibration or replacement as required to maintain research quality data. If deploying new weather stations, test and calibrate instrumentation prior to deployment. Manage and troubleshoot internet communications via WiFi, cellular, LAN or satellite for the station.
25% Monitor data streams and manage data: Check status of weather-climate stations daily to ensure they are online and reporting data. Write biannual status reports giving an overview of the climatic data being collected at each weather station and outlining the status of the weather station and any potential improvements that could be made to better meet the research requirements. Collect information related to instrumentation deployment, data collection, design of new instrumentation installations. Work closely with the Climate Monitoring Network Data Management Team and the data portal Dendra to ensure data in the database is complete, accurate and easily accessible for data users, leading data collection against success indicators. Participate in the development of a comprehensive database of environmental climate data that houses the data for research activities.
20% Assist in network expansion: Designs implementation strategies for the expansion of the Climate Monitoring Network to additional sites and UC NRS locations. Act as a technical consultant in the planning of research activities and new site planning.
15% Develop audit and maintenance protocol for climate monitoring network. Develop audit protocol to ensure climate monitoring stations are collecting research grade data. Develop a maintenance visitation schedule (annual visitation per station) to complete routine infrastructure maintenance, sensor audits, provide updates to metadata information to the NRS IT Team and replace aging instrumentation when necessary. Write protocols for weather station maintenance, audits, safety, and other activities. Stay up to date with weather-climate sensor and networking technological developments to ensure UC NRS weather-climate stations are state of the art, staying up to date on all associated research protocols.
10% Staff Training: Train local reserve staff on simple tasks related to the maintenance of the station so that in the case of emergency repairs (e.g., communications/data stream issues, sensor failure) they can work with the UC NRS station managers remotely to troubleshoot the issues or determine that a site visit is required.
Experience
Required Qualifications
- At least five years of relevant work experience or a combination of education and work experience.
Skills And Abilities
Required Qualifications
- Experience installing and maintaining weather stations.
- Write and maintain Campbell Scientific Logger programs (CRBasic). Update metadata on databases.
- Familiarity with or willingness to learn internet communications (wireless, satellite, cellular) and perform network troubleshooting.
- Advanced communication skills with a broad range of research partners and project team members.
- Advanced knowledge of research discipline, principles, concepts, analysis and / or operations being conducted at field / remote sites.
- Advanced ability to develop and maintain strategic relationships and partnerships with remote research partners.
- Advanced ability to perform research activities independently and to meet deadlines with minimal supervision.
- Attention to detail and strong organizational skills.
- Advanced ability to work in ambiguous conditions and take relevant responsible action as required.
- Advanced knowledge of Office Suite, Google Enterprise Suite and other administrative software.
Education
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in related area and / or equivalent experience / training
Preferred Qualifications
- Master's degree in related area and / or equivalent experience / training preferred
Travel Requirements
25-50% Travel to weather stations on UC Natural Reserve System sites throughout California - often remotely situated field sites.
Job Title
Field Researcher 3
Job Code
005189
Salary Grade
Grade 20
Payscale:
$79,000 - $91,600
The University of California, Office of the President, is required to provide a reasonable estimate of the compensation range for this role. This range takes into account the wide range of factors that are considered in making compensation decisions including but not limited to experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, education, licensure and certifications, and other business and organizational needs. It is not typical for an individual to be offered a salary at or near the top of the range for a position. Salary offers are determined based on final candidate qualifications and experience. The full salary range shows the growth potential for this position and the pay scale is the budgeted salary or hourly range that the University reasonably expects to pay for this position.
Benefits: For information on the comprehensive benefits package offered by the University visit: Benefits of Belonging
Additional Information
HOW TO APPLY
Please be prepared to attach a cover letter and resume with your application.
APPLICATION REVIEW DATE
The first review date for this job has been extended to
September 13, 2024 from the original first review date of
August 23, 2024. The position will be open until filled.
CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT
Background Check Process: Successful completion of a background check is required for this critical position. Background check process at UCOP
Smoke Free Work Environment: The University of California, Office of the President, is smoke & tobacco-free as of January 1, 2014. UC Smoke & Tobacco Free Policy
As a condition of employment, you will be required to comply with the University of California Policy on Vaccination Programs, as may be amended or revised from time to time. Federal, state, or local public health directives may impose additional requirements.
EEO STATEMENT
The University of California, Office of the President, 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. For the University of California’s Affirmative Action Policy please visit: https://policy.ucop.edu/doc/4010393/PPSM-20. For the University of California’s Anti-Discrimination Policy, please visit: https://policy.ucop.edu/doc/1001004/Anti-Discrimination.
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