UCI Nature offers UC Irvines faculty and students opportunities to bring their research, scholarship, teaching, public service, and developing careers out into the natural environment in a wide diversity of settings characteristic of California. UC Irvine directly oversees four protected natural areas, two of which include lodging facilities and are about a three hour drive from Irvine, and two of which are within walking distance of campus. UCI-Nature also maintains partnership agreements that facilitate access to additional natural areas and facilities not directly managed by the University. Together, these field-based assets span regional gradients across environments from the ocean to the desert, as well as a diversity of societal contexts, all within a few hours of campus. This system of assets available to UC Irvines faculty and students is connected on yet a larger scale to the system wide UCNRS. The UCNRS is the largest university-operated reserve system in the world, including 39 sites and 756,000 acres. It is a Trustee Agency under the California Environmental Quality Act and manages these resources in Public Trust. Each UC campus participates in the governance and management of the entire UCNRS network, in addition to system-wide staff. The San Joaquin Marsh is approximately 200 acres, dominated by freshwater emergent wetland, along with stretches of willow riparian and upland habitat. It is adjacent to UC Irvines north campus and is utilized for research and teaching with an average of over 1500 user days a year. The reserve provides critical habitat for several sensitive species and connects to San Diego Creek and Bonita Creek which serve as corridors to Newport Back Bay and the 60-acre UC Irvine Ecological Preserve. The Ecological Preserve is part of the Nature Reserve of Orange County and consists of coastal sage scrub and grassland habitat important for sensitive upland bird species protected under the Natural Communities Conservation Plan. It is open to the public and has on average over 1000 user days by researchers, students, and educators.

Under the general direction of the campus UCI Nature Faculty Director and Executive Director, the Campus Reserves Field Research Manager (Campus Reserves Manager) will develop and implement science driven land management practices along with promoting research and educational programs in the management of UC Irvines natural reserve areas. The Campus Reserves Manager will be responsible for programmatic and resource planning and management, including monitoring of special status species and oversite of 1-2 staff and/or student interns and community volunteers. Provides expertise related to research field setting including but not limited to environmental and natural science disciplines and technical concepts related to the area of research being conducted in the field. Regularly works on highly complex issues where analysis of situations or data requires an in-depth evaluation of variable factors. Exercises judgment in selecting methods, techniques, and evaluation criteria for obtaining results. Will serve as a team leader in planning and directing stewardship in coordination with campus facilities management and facilitate and coordinate opportunities for responsible use for research, education, scholarship, and volunteerism. Responsible for producing annual reports on reserve use and activities and determining appropriate use under a range of trade-offs and constraints related to sensitive species, research needs, permitting requirements, habitat threats, and high degrees of annual and seasonal variation in weather and water availability.

Total Compensation:

In addition to the salary range listed below, we offer a wealth of benefits to make working at UCI even more rewarding. These benefits may include medical insurance, sick and vacation time, retirement savings plans, and access to a number of discounts and perks. Please utilize the links listed here to learn more about our compensation practices and benefits.

$66,700.00 - $118,500.00 (Annual Salary)

Required:

5-10 years of related experience

Bachelor's degree in related area and / or equivalent experience / training.

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 lead research activities and project team independently, and to meet deadlines with minimal supervision. Advanced attention to detail and strong organizational skills. Advanced ability to work in ambiguous conditions and lead team to take relevant responsible action as required. Advanced research and analytical skills. Advanced communication skills with broad range of research partners and project team members.

Preferred:

Master's degree in related area and / or equivalent experience / training preferred

In-depth knowledge of safety, legal, cultural and regulatory requirements relative to field research responsibility. In-depth knowledge of local customs and operations at field / remote sites.

Special Conditions Required:

Maintain a valid CA driver's license, a clean DMV record and enrollment in the DMV Employee Pull-Notice Program Satisfactory completion of a fingerprint background check Has an altered work schedule which includes being available outside of normal working hours. Travel required to annual systemwide UC NRS managers meeting (takes place at a UCNRS Reserve).