Environmental Sensor Data Specialist Job Listing at University of California in Santa Barbara, CA (Job ID 68249)

Description

Job Posting Details

Payroll Title:  FIELD RESEARCHER 2 (005190)

Job Code: 005190

Job Open Date: 4/29/24

Application Review Begins: 5/14/24

Department Code (Name): NRSS (NATURAL RESERVE SYSTEM)

Percentage of Time: 100

Union Code (Name): 99

Employee Class (Appointment Type): Staff: Contract (This is a contract position with an end date of nine months after hire, and continued employment is dependent upon grant funding.)

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt

Classified Indicator Description (Personnel Program): PSS

Salary Grade: Grade 19

Hiring/Budgeted Salary or Hourly Range: The budgeted salary range that the University reasonably expects to pay for this position is $27.16 to $36.93/hour.

Full Salary Range: The full salary range for this position is $27.16 to $46.70/hour. Salary offers are determined based on final candidate qualifications and experience; the budget for the position; and the application of fair, equitable, and consistent pay practices at the University.

Work Location: UCSB Campus and Santa Cruz Island Reserve

Working Days and Hours: M-F and Weekends

Benefits Eligibility: (e.g., Full Benefits, Mid-Level Benefits, Core Benefits)

Type of Remote or Hybrid Work Arrangement, if applicable: Hybrid (Both UC & Non-UC locations)

Special Instructions:

For full consideration, please include a resume and a cover letter as part of your application.

Department Marketing Statement:

The UC Natural Reserve System is a network of 41 protected natural areas located throughout the State that provide undisturbed environments for research, education and public outreach programs. It is the largest university-administered reserve system in the world encompassing more than 775,000 acres of diverse habitats from the ocean to the mountains to the inland deserts, and with access to more than a million acres of public lands. The Natural Reserve System contributes to the understanding and wise stewardship of the Earth. The seven UC NRS Reserves managed by UCSB are used by thousands of researchers, students and public visitors each year as they investigate and learn about the natural world. Reserve users come from throughout California, the U.S. and the world to study the Reserve's diverse natural systems and native flora and fauna.

Benefits of Belonging

Working at UC means being part of this vibrant institution that shines a light on what is possible. People make UC great, and UC recognizes your contributions by making this a great place to work. Excellent retirement and health are just one of the rewards. Learn more about the benefits of working at UC and why You Belong at UC.

Brief Summary of Job Duties:

Under supervision of the Project Data Manager, serves as technical assistant and data analyst on a project installing radio-networked environmental sensors as part of a long-term climatological monitoring initiative at the UCSB Santa Cruz Island Reserve, one of the 41 reserves that make up the University of California Natural Reserve System (UCNRS). Assists in coordination, installation, and metadata documentation of new environmental sensors being added to the SCIR environmental sensor network. Assists with remotely monitoring deployed equipment, on-site maintenance, data management, and grant writing to support the SCIR sensor network to ensure long-term high-quality data collection. Under the supervision of the Project Data Manager, develops code to explore and visualize weather data and other environmental sensor data, and works with scientists and land managers to catalyze collaborations around these data. This is a hybrid position based in Santa Barbara, CA (remote may be negotiable) and requiring some in-person work at Santa Cruz Island, CA, including extended stays on-island requiring remote field work. Occasional travel beyond the local area for training and/or professional development may be possible.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in related area and/or equivalent experience/training
• 1-3 years Excellent communication skills
• 1-3 years Problem solving experience, competence in field safety, and ability to work independently and with a team
• 1-3 years Computer skills including word processing, file organization, and spreadsheet manipulation

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master's Degree in related area and / or equivalent experience / training 
• 1-3 years Computer skills including data analysis, visualization, and coding in R, Python, Matlab, or similar
• 1-3 years Ability to communicate with scientists, land managers, IT professionals, and funding organizations
• 1-3 years Basic technical and mechanical skills including general familiarity with computer programming, environmental sensors, data loggers, radio networks, and solar powered equipment
• Experience with technology including small electronic systems and environmental sensors in remote field settings; communication, coordination, and detailed notetaking; experience with off-road vehicle operation and field safety; problem solving; experience with scientific research, data analysis, and data management. Experience programming in Python, R, Matlab and/or CRBasic would be helpful. Interest in working independently and as part of a dynamic team.

Special Conditions of Employment:

Satisfactory conviction history background check
Maintain a valid CA driver's license, a clean DMV record and enrollment in the DMV Employer Pull-Notice Program
UCSB is a Tobacco-Free environment
Must be available to work outside normal working hours on multi-day trips to remote field settings. Must be able to perform duties in outdoor working conditions on Santa Cruz Island. Requires travel by ocean vessel across the Santa Barbara Channel.

Job Functions and Percentages of Time:

40% Data curation, monitoring, and management - Routinely checks online data streams to ensure weather stations are functioning properly. Alerts team when problems arise and keeps track of routine maintenance schedule. Maintains and updates metadata as necessary.

40% Data analysis and communication - Under the direction of the Project Data Manager, assists in initial exploration, visualization, and analysis of data, works with researchers at UCSB and beyond to disseminate data, and helps to build collaborations around weather station data including supporting proposal development.

20% Deployment and radio-networking of environmental sensor systems - Supports in the deployment of environmental sensor networks on Santa Cruz Island, CA. Transportation of equipment and tools to remote locations. Moves equipment up to 30 pounds via boat, 4-wheel drive vehicle, and by foot over rough terrain. Assists in deploying enclosures, support structures, data loggers, solar panels, batteries, radios, and environmental sensors. Digs soil pits up to 1.5m depth for the deployment of soil sensors. Assists in programing and troubleshooting Campbell Scientific data logger control programs using CRBasic.

UC Vaccination Programs Policy - With Interim Revisions:

As a condition of employment, you will be required to comply with the University of California Policy on Vaccinations Programs – With Interim Revisions.*
As a condition of Physical Presence at a Location or in a University Program, all Covered Individuals** must participate in any applicable Vaccination Program by providing proof that they are Up-to-Date with any required Vaccines or submitting a request for Exception in a Mandate Program or properly declining vaccination in an Opt-Out Program no later than the Compliance Date (Capitalized terms in this paragraph are defined in the policy.). Federal, state, or local public health directives may impose additional requirements.

For more information, please visit:

• UC Santa Barbara COVID-19 Information - https://www.ucsb.edu/COVID-19-information
• University of California Policy on Vaccinations – With Interim Revisions - https://policy.ucop.edu/doc/5000695/VaccinationProgramsPolicy

*Note: The Policy on Vaccination Programs – With Interim Revisions was updated effective August 16, 2023. A systemwide review of this policy will take place in Fall 2023 with an expected issuance/effective date in early 2024.

**Covered Individuals: A Covered Individual includes anyone designated as Personnel or Students under this Policy who physically access a University Facility or Program in connection with their employment, appointment, or education/training. A person accessing a Healthcare Location as a patient, or an art, athletics, entertainment, or other publicly accessible venue at a Location as a member of the public, is not a Covered Individual.

Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Statement:

UC Santa Barbara 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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