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Associate Specialist - Fish, Food Webs and Floodplains

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Position overview

Salary range: A reasonable estimate for this position is $56,600.00 - $63,000.00 for Assistant Specialist or $67,400.00 - $78,500.00 for Associate Specialist.

Position description

NATURE AND PURPOSE
The position of Specialist has a narrow focus in a specialized area and provides technical or specialized expertise (e.g., with instrumentation and research equipment or with social science research methods) in the planning and execution of a research project. The Specialist stays apprised of emerging issues and problems and maintains technical competence in the designated area(s) of specialization. Within this defined area and when appropriate, the Specialist is expected to provide leadership, facilitate teamwork, and develop collaborative relationships with colleagues and to participate in the planning of research and educational programs. Normally, Specialists do not have Principal Investigator (PI) status but may obtain permission by exception or collaborate with a PI in preparing research proposals for extramural funding. The Specialist is evaluated for merit and promotion on the basis of three basic criteria outlined below.

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES AND DESIGNATED AREAS OF EXPERTISE

I. Research in specialized areas (85% effort)
The research objective of this position is to study physical and ecological processes in relation to floodplain rearing of juvenile salmonids. Specialized field, laboratory and data analysis techniques will be utilized to ensure that data is properly collected and analyzed. The researcher will be expected, within their area of specialization, to work independently with limited direct supervision and to make substantial contributions toward publishable research.
A. Provide specialized expertise at the Center for Watershed Sciences in field data collection, and data analysis to understand critical rearing habitats for juvenile salmonids using a variety of field methods and data science/modeling in the California Central Valley.

  1. Provide specialized field expertise in survey method development for floodplains and river channels in the Central Valley and by participating in other field efforts related to salmonid life histories and rearing and migratory habitats. Lead field sampling efforts for Watershed Center PIs via sampling of fish, aquatic macroinvertebrates, zooplankton, water samples, and stream discharge from a variety of locations within the Central Valley.
  2. This position will contribute specialized data analysis skills including model development for physical/ecological drivers of juvenile salmonid growth. Quality Control (QC) data and enter into project databases. Analyze laboratory and field data using the R statistical programming language to understand salmon habitat viability by analyzing collected data in the context of the Central Valley floodplains. B. Serve as a research coordinator for floodplain projects conducted by PIs in the Center for Watershed Sciences. By using specialized expertise in field study design and data collection, be responsible for ensuring uninterrupted communication between field, and data management. Project functions and project output functions including preparation of reports, posters, and participation in manuscript writing. Creative activities include assisting in project design, grant writing, proposal review and data analysis by providing to these endeavors the specialized expertise in juvenile salmonids and floodplain systems for the PIs in the Center for Watershed Sciences. Responsible for writing grant reports for agencies on projects within the area of expertise as requested by PIs and for writing peer review manuscripts in areas of expertise and reviews/comments on manuscripts.

II. Professional competence and activity (10% effort)
A. The researcher will present at and contribute to presentations of others for at least one professional meeting or workshop per year. Expected events for participation include at the American Fisheries Society regional CALNEVA annual meeting, the biennial Bay-Delta Science Conference in Sacramento and the Interagency Ecology Program Annual Workshop.

B. Where opportunities allow, the researcher will review proposals or publications related to their areas of scientific expertise and practical experience.

III. University and public service (5% effort)
A. Act as technical liaison on issues of floodplains and food webs as they relate to critical salmon rearing habitat and respond to the needs of State agencies (e.g., DWR, SWRCB, CDFW) and federal agencies (e.g., NOAA, NMFS, USFWS, USEPA), NGOs (e.g., CalTrout, TNC, and similar) and other external groups.

B. Coordinator will be responsible for field safety, safety training required for new hires in the lab, as well as ensuring that field conditions are compliant with OSHA standards.

C. Serve on committees of department, college, campus and other University entities, as appropriate. Examples might be service on departmental and college search committees and service on Academic Federation committees.

TERM OF APPOINTMENT:
Commensurate on experience level, with a minimum of $56,600. Benefits included for 12 months duration appointment at full-time of 100%.

How to Apply:
Create an Application ID
Provide required information and upload documents
If any, provide required reference information

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS:
• Curriculum Vitae - Current/updated C.v.
• Cover Letter
• Statement of Research (Optional)
• Statement of Contributions to Diversity - Diversity contributions documented in the application file will be used to evaluate applicants. Visit http://academicaffairs.ucdavis.edu/diversity/equity_inclusion/index.html for guidelines about writing a diversity statement and why one is requested.

Qualifications

Basic qualifications (required at time of application)
  • Master's degree in ecology, fisheries, hydrology, biology or related fields, or technical expertise equivalent to a Master's degree in the area of specialization or five years of training in the area of specialization.

  • Experience working in a field and/or laboratory.

  • Field experience collecting fish, zooplankton, macroinvertebrate and water quality samples.

  • Experience collecting field samples wading and from boats in calm and swift-water conditions.

  • Experience of collecting stream discharge with a variety of methods.

  • Knowledge of California fish identification.

  • Experience using Office Software suite or comparable computer software.

  • Knowledge of statistical analysis using R statistical programming language.

  • Knowledge of lab and field safety including swift water.

  • Organizational and time management skills for serving as field research coordinator.

  • Writing skill to contribute to peer reviewed publications and to review publications and proposals within area of specialized expertise.

    • Knowledge to contribute to creative activities including outreach, project design, grant writing, proposal review and data analysis in the areas of fish growth and food webs.
Preferred qualifications (other preferred, but not required, qualifications for the position)
  • Experience in motorboat operation in a variety of conditions.

  • Experience in drone operation for ariel photography and surveying.

  • Experience using an ADCP for stream discharge.

  • Experience with zooplankton collection.

  • Knowledge of data entry techniques, working with large data sets, and quality control during and after entry of data into databases.

Application Requirements

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

  • Cover Letter

  • Statement of Research (Optional)

  • Statement of Teaching (Optional)

  • Statement of Contributions to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion - Contributions to diversity, equity, and inclusion documented in the application file will be used to evaluate applicants. Visit https://academicaffairs.ucdavis.edu/faculty-equity-and-inclusion for guidelines about writing a statement and why one is requested.

Reference requirements
  • 3-5 required (contact information only)
Apply link: https://recruit.ucdavis.edu/JPF05500

Help contact: mgoetze@ucdavis.edu

About UC Davis

UC Davis is a smoke and tobacco-free campus (http://breathefree.ucdavis.edu/).

We are an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity employer, and particularly encourage applications from members of historically underrepresented racial/ethnic groups, women, individuals’ with disabilities, veterans, LGBTQ community members, and others who demonstrate the ability to help us achieve our vision of a diverse and inclusive community. For the complete University of California nondiscrimination and affirmative action policy see: http://policy.ucop.edu/doc/4000376/NondiscrimAffirmAct

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 UC Davis positions funded by federal contracts or sub-contracts require the selected candidate to pass an E-Verify check. More information is available at: http://www.uscis.gov/e-verify

The University of California, Davis (UC Davis) is committed to inclusive excellence by advancing equity, diversity and inclusion in all that we do. UC Davis celebrates the multi-cultural diversity of its community by creating a welcoming and inclusive environment demonstrated through a variety of resources and programs available to academics, staff, and students. Diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging are core values of UC Davis that are embedded within our Principles of Community and are tied with how to best serve our student population. Our excellence in research, teaching, and service can best be fully realized by members of our academic community who share our commitment to these values, which are included in our Diversity and Inclusion Strategic Vision, our strategic plan: “To Boldly Go,” our Principles of Community, the Office of Academic Affairs’ Mission Statement, and the UC Board of Regents Policy 4400: Policy on University of California Diversity Statement. UC Davis is making important progress towards our goal of achieving federal designation as a Hispanic-Serving Institution and an Asian American, Native American, and Pacific Islander-Serving Institution. The Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion offers a plethora of resources on their website, and the Office of Health Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (HEDI) has outlined similar goals in their Anti-Racism and DEI Action Plan.” There are a plethora of links available on the About Us webpage where you can learn more about our Administration, Diversity and Inclusion, Rankings, Locations, Native American Land Acknowledgement, Sustainability, Visiting UC Davis, UC Davis Health, and Campus Safety.

The university is consistently ranked among the top institutions in the world for campus sustainability practices by the UI Green Metric World University Rankings. UC Davis is focused on achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions and repeatedly shown its commitment to preserving a healthy and sustainable environment for generations to come.

As a University employee, you will be required to comply with all applicable University policies and/or collective bargaining agreements, as may be amended from time to time. Federal, state, or local government directives may impose additional requirements.

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Job location

Davis, CA