Younger Lagoon Reserve Research, Education, Outreach, and Restoration Senior Steward

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INITIAL REVIEW DATE (IRD)

UC Santa Cruz jobs are posted until filled. All application materials submitted by 11:59 pm on the IRD will be routed to the hiring team for consideration. NOTE: Applicants who miss the IRD are still encouraged to apply; their materials will still be forwarded for consideration if requested by the hiring team. Application materials cannot be accepted outside of the jobs portal. Applications cannot be edited on an applicant's behalf. For more information about the IRD and the applicant review process, view this link.

The IRD for this job is: 01-12-2026

ABOUT UC SANTA CRUZ

UC Santa Cruz is a public university like no other in California, combining the experience of a small, liberal arts college with the depth and rigor of a major research university. It's known as an unconventional place where innovation and experimentation is part of the campus's DNA. That playful, bold spirit still thrives today, all on a campus renowned as among the most beautiful in the world.

DEPARTMENT OVERVIEW

Ecologically diverse and physically spectacular, the University of California Natural Reserve System (NRS) is a unique assemblage of 42 protected wild land sites throughout California. The reserves encompass nearly all of the state's major ecosystems, preserved in as undisturbed a condition as possible to support University level research, teaching, and public service and outreach programs. The NRS is a Trustee Agency under the California Environmental Quality Act, and UC manages the NRS resources in the Public Trust.

The seven Natural Reserve sites that form the UC Santa Cruz unit are spread along 60 miles of the central coast: Ano Nuevo Island Reserve (25 acres), Landels-Hill Big Creek Reserve (4,200 acres), Fort Ord Natural Reserve (606 acres), Younger Lagoon Reserve (72 acres), Strathern Ranch Reserve (2,400 acres), Santa Cruz Mountains Reserve and the UCSC Campus Natural Reserve (400 acres). Each reserve has unique research and teaching opportunities, physical conditions and constraints, regional and local political considerations, and funding and administration issues.

The Younger Lagoon Reserve is located on the open coast near Monterey Bay at the western edge of the City of Santa Cruz, California. It is adjacent to the UC Santa Cruz Long Marine Lab. Younger Lagoon Reserve was established in 1986 because of its unique flora, fauna and coastal lagoon. Since the establishment of Younger Lagoon Reserve, UCSC has acquired properties to the north and east of the lagoon and has developed a world class Coastal Science Campus on the site. As a condition for approval of UCSC's Coastal Long Range Development Plan (CLRDP), the California Coastal Commission (CCC) required that UC Santa Cruz set aside for permanent protection approximately 47 acres of the 100 acre site. These lands are to be permanently protected, enhanced, restored, and maintained as high quality natural areas and open space.

UC Santa Cruz Campus Administration and the UC Santa Cruz Natural Reserves met the CCC's requirements by incorporating these lands into the original 25-acre Younger Lagoon Reserve in 2009. The expanded Younger Lagoon Reserve (72 acres) includes the coastal lagoon, beach, coastal bluffs, coastal terrace grassland and scrub, and delineated wetlands. The expanded Younger Lagoon Reserve is managed by the UC Santa Cruz Natural Reserves in accordance with the CLRDP. In addition to its resource protection and restoration mandates, the CLRDP requires enhanced public access/education opportunities on the site, and includes extensive monitoring and reporting requirements.

More information can be found at: https://youngerlagoonreserve.ucsc.edu/

JOB SUMMARY

Under the direction of the Younger Lagoon Reserve Director, the Senior Steward leads research, education, outreach, restoration, and stewardship activities at the UC Santa Cruz Younger Lagoon Reserve. The role coordinates and implements native habitat restoration required by UCSC's Coastal Long Range Development Plan; conducts biological and environmental monitoring; and supports research and field-based learning on the reserve. Core duties include planning and executing habitat restoration (site selection, preparation, planting, weeding, irrigation, seed collection and propagation, and compliance monitoring); maintaining reserve infrastructure (roads, trails, signage, boundaries); controlling invasive species; and documenting land conditions using GIS and other tools. The Senior Steward regularly assesses reserve needs, enforces reserve rules, and works closely with greenhouse staff, contractors, and partner entities. The position recruits, trains, and supervises student interns, field assistants, and volunteers; leads volunteer workdays; and manages field data, work logs, and monitoring records. Monitoring responsibilities include operating the reserve's bird-banding station and coordinating surveys of vegetation, wildlife, macroinvertebrates, and human use, sometimes during early morning or evening hours. The Senior Steward also supports researchers, classes, and public outreach by helping set up study sites, orienting users, assisting with field courses, developing interpretive materials, and leading tours. Additional duties include assisting with user applications, website and social media updates, and preparing data for annual reports. The incumbent must be available for emergencies and follow established safety procedures. Daily tasks vary based on priorities set by the Natural Reserve System Administrative Director and the Reserve Director.

APPOINTMENT INFORMATION

Budgeted Salary: $70,000 - $85,000/year. Salary commensurate with skills, qualifications and experience.
Under California law, the University of California, Santa Cruz is required to post a reasonable estimate of the compensation for this role. The salary shown above is the budgeted amount the University reasonably expects to pay and the salary extended should not exceed this posted amount.

Benefits Level Eligibility: Full benefits

Schedule Information:

• Full-time, Fixed
• Percentage of Time: 100%, 40 Hours per Week
• Days of the Week: Mon-Fri, with an occasional evening or weekend
• Shift Includes: Day, Evening, Weekend

Employee Classification: Career appointment

Job End Date: None

Work Location: Off-Campus - Long Marine Lab

Union Representation: 99 - Non-Represented

Job Code Classification: 005189 (FIELD RESEARCHER 3) - Grade 20

Travel: Never or Rarely

JOB DUTIES

25% - Native Habitat Restoration Program Support

• Leads, coordinates and performs on-the-ground native habitat restoration efforts including seed collection, propagation, weeding, planting, and irrigation.
• Documents activities and follows up in accordance with relevant policies and regulations.
• Drives University vehicle to pick up and deliver plants and supplies.

20% - Stewardship, Land Management, and General Maintenance

• Leads, coordinates and performs general land stewardship and maintenance activities including trail maintenance, invasive species removal, and vegetation control.
• Documents activities and follows up in accordance with relevant policies and regulations.

20% - Research, Teaching, and Outreach Support

• Supports on-the-ground research, education, and outreach efforts such as class visits and for-credit internships.
• Leads and coordinates student interns, field assistants, volunteer work crews, and outreach tours.
• Drives University vehicle to transport students to and from field sites.

20% - Biological and Environmental Monitoring Support

• Ensures instrumentation, infrastructure and required field research commodities and other materials support research goals.
• Leads, coordinates, and performs flora and fauna monitoring efforts.
• Procures, deploys, troubleshoots, and maintains sensors and equipment including trail counters, passive acoustic recorders, and camera traps.
• Assists with weather station maintenance.
• Identifies and obtains required approvals for wildlife monitoring efforts.
• Contacts regulatory agencies and maintains required permits (USFWS, CDFW, USGS, etc.).

10% - Data Management and Writing Support

• Responsible for study documentation, logs, field data, and GIS database.
• Conducts background research for briefs and presentations.
• Provides research and writing support to grant proposals, meeting summaries and reports.

5% - Operational Support

• Assists with assessing and monitoring policies and procedures for remote field sites and / or research studies.
• Evaluates and investigates opportunities for improvement.
  

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's degree in biological or environmental sciences with experience in conducting flora and fauna surveys and / or equivalent experience / training.
• Thorough knowledge of safety, legal, cultural and regulatory requirements relative to field research responsibility and the ability to train others.
• Extensive experience working in field-based projects that include habitat management, restoration, invasive species removal, seed collection, plant propagation, planting, etc.
• Extensive biological and environmental monitoring skills (transect/quadrat surveys, avian point counts, small mammal trapping, weather stations, passive acoustic recording, camera traps, etc.).
• Experience with basic carpentry tasks and land management tools/activities (hammer, saw, screwdriver, power saw, shovel, rake, pulaski, mower, string trimmer, chainsaw, etc.).
• Proficient with computers and mainstream business software and office equipment (Google suite, MSOffice, email, copiers etc.).
• Experience with GPS and ArcGIS.
• Strong interpersonal communication skills to interact effectively with faculty, staff, students, agency personnel, and the public to represent the reserves accurately at campus and public meetings and to provide clear and concise scientific, technical, and general information in a variety of settings.
• Proven ability to work independently and with a team, and exercise good judgment and discretion when acting on behalf of the University.
• Ability to exercise flexibility, initiative, and attention to detail.
• Ability to direct contract workers, field assistants, and volunteers. Demonstrated experience leading/mentoring students (or groups) from diverse cultural and/or socioeconomic backgrounds.
• Proven ability to work in ambiguous conditions, use appropriate safety precautions, and take relevant responsible action as required.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Master's degree in biological or environmental sciences with experience in conducting flora and fauna surveys and / or equivalent experience / training.
• Experience with wetland delineation.
• Experience with songbird banding.
• Experience leading public tour groups.
• Experience operating heavy equipment such as a tractor.
• Bilingual in English and Spanish.

SPECIAL CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

• Selected candidate will be required to pass a pre-employment criminal history background check.
• Selected candidate must pass the employment misconduct disclosure process.
• Must possess CPR/First Aid/AED certification or have the ability to obtain it within 60-calendar days of hire.
• Must possess a valid license to drive in the state of California and participate in the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) pull notice program.
• Ability to work long periods of time in wilderness conditions and to travel to remote areas.
• Ability to walk to and work in remote areas with rugged terrain, heavy brush, biting and stinging insects, bears and mountain lions.
• Poison Oak is present. Incumbent must be willing to take the measures required to work in contact with and cut/remove poison oak.
• Ability to perform grounds keeping duties outdoors through all seasons of weather in developed and undeveloped environments.
• Ability to conduct outdoor site visits, including use of required personal protective equipment, as required to conduct investigations, inspections, or view work in place.
• Ability to sustain exposure to dusty, noisy environments and inclement weather as necessary to carry out assigned duties and responsibilities.
• Ability to safely perform the physical requirements necessary to move light to moderate objects up to 60 lbs., with or without accommodation.
• The selected candidate will be required to work all scheduled hours on-site.
• Ability to work a variable schedule including evenings and weekends.
• Ability to respond to emergencies after hours as necessary.
  Ability to wear proper safety attire (long pants, closed-toe shoes, etc.) and personal protective equipment common in a laboratory setting.
• Ability to travel within a defined regional or service area.
• May require obtaining a certified CADPR applicator's license or certification under the UCSC campus pest control officer, as applicable.
• Must be able to occasionally work on weekends and outside of normal business hours to support activities such as biological monitoring, public tours, and volunteer events.
• Selected candidate will be required to complete training within established time frames as directed including UC compliance training.
• The University of California has implemented a Vaccination Policy covering all employees. Employees, including new hires, are required to comply with any applicable policies relating to the University of California vaccine program.
• Per the Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act (CANRA), this position has been identified as a Mandated Reporter. The selected candidate will be required to report known or suspected child abuse or neglect as defined by CANRA and will be required to sign a Statement Acknowledging Requirement to Report Child Abuse prior to commencing employment. CANRA Penal Codes, and related definitions, requirements, and responsibilities may be obtained here.
• Exercise the utmost discretion in managing sensitive information learned in the course of performing their duties. Sensitive information includes but is not limited to employee and student records, health and patient records, financial data, strategic plans, proprietary information and any other sensitive or non-public information learned during the course and scope of employment. Understands that sensitive information should be shared on a limited basis and actively takes steps to limit access to sensitive information to individuals who have legitimate business need to know. Ensure that sensitive information is properly safeguarded. Follow all organizational policies and laws on data protection and privacy. This includes secure handling of physical and digital records and proper usage of IT systems to prevent data leaks. The unauthorized or improper disclosure of confidential work-related information obtained from any source on any work-related matter is a violation of these expectations.

MISCONDUCT DISCLOSURE REQUIREMENT

As a condition of employment, the final candidate who accepts a conditional offer of employment will be required to disclose if they have been subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct; received notice of any allegations or are currently the subject of any administrative or disciplinary proceedings involving misconduct; have left a position after receiving notice of allegations or while under investigation in an administrative or disciplinary proceeding involving misconduct; or have filed an appeal of a finding of misconduct with a previous employer.

• "Misconduct" means any violation of the policies or laws governing conduct at the applicant's previous place of employment, including, but not limited to, violations of policies or laws prohibiting sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other forms of harassment, discrimination, dishonesty, or unethical conduct, as defined by the employer. For reference, below are UC's policies addressing some forms of misconduct:
  • UC Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy
  • UC Anti-Discrimination Policy
  • Abusive Conduct in the Workplace

SAFETY STATEMENT

All UCSC employees must understand and follow job safety procedures, attend required health and safety training, proactively promote safety at work, and promptly report actual and potential accidents and injuries.

NOTICE OF AVAILABILITY

EEO/AA

The University of California is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status or other protected categories covered by the UC Anti-Discrimination Policy.

It is the policy of the University of California to undertake affirmative action and anti-discrimination efforts, consistent with its obligations as a Federal and State contractor.