"Museum Scientist"

Position Information

To enhance and manage the Center's research programs, databases, electronic infrastructure, and instrumentation, and represent the Center in community outreach services; To assist the Director as needed with other tasks, and in the absence of the Director to assume responsibilities delegated by the Director. The full salary range for the Museum Scientist position is $28.88 - $46.46 per hour. However, the expected pay scale for this position is $28.88 - $36.62 per hour. We base salary offers on a variety of considerations, such as education, licensure and certifications, experience, and other business and organizational needs. Applicants must have current work authorization when accepting a UCR staff position. Currently, we are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment Visa for staff. 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.

Requirements

Educational Requirements

• Bachelor's degree - Required
• Master's degree - Preferred

Experience Requirements

• Experience in field based research - Required
• Computer literacy including experience with Windows Office Suite and web-based software related to forms (e.g. Adobe Acrobat or other PDF software) - Required
• Experience maintaining data bases - Preferred
• Experience managing electronic infrastructure - Preferred
• Experience planning and implementing research projects - Preferred
• Experience analyzing research data and writing professional reports and papers for publication - Preferred
• Experience speaking in public and participating in public education and outreach program - Preferred
• Experience with computer software for statistical analysis, GIS, and supporting software for data collection systems - Preferred

License Requirements

Required to hold valid driver's license, have a driving record that is in accordance with local policies/procedures, and/or enroll in the California Employer Pull Notice Program - Required

Special Conditions

• Overtime - Required
• Travel - Required
• Travel Outside of Normal Business Hours - Required
• Valid Drivers License - Required

Minimum Requirements

• Ability to work in an environment with many types of animals, including venomous snakes and insects, rodents, predators, etc.
• Reading and writing comprehension of English.
• Full range of motion abilities to perform construction, repair and maintenance requirements of the job.
• Diagnosis and analysis of malfunctions of scientific equipment and computer systems.
• High level of computer literacy.
• Ability to lift and carry heavy loads (> 50 Lbs.)
• Ability to work in: extreme summer temperatures of the Coachella Valley, and knowledge of safe work practices in extreme heat. Desire and ability to work outdoors in desert conditions in all seasons.
• Perform calculations and statistical analysis requiring college level math.
• Ability to communicate routine and technical information verbally and in writing to professional staff, and faculty.

Preferred Qualifications

• Public speaking to a wide variety of audiences (typically tour groups, classes, or other visiting groups)
• Read and comprehend electrical and mechanical diagrams, and topographic maps.
• Knowledge of desert ecology, geology; ability to identify plant and animal species
• Proficiency using global positioning systems, radio telemetry, meteorological instruments, and wireless radio systems.

Additional Information

In the Heart of Inland Southern California, UC Riverside is located on nearly 1,200 acres near Box Springs Mountain in Southern California; the park-like campus provides convenient access to the vibrant and growing Inland region. The campus is a living laboratory for the exploration of issues critical to growing communities' air, water, energy, transportation, politics, the arts, history, and culture. UCR gives every student, faculty and staff member the resources to explore, engage, imagine and excel. UC Riverside is recognized as one of the most ethnically diverse research universities in the country boasting several key rankings of which we are extremely proud. UC Riverside is proud to be ranked No. 12 among all U.S. universities, according to Money Magazine's 2020 rankings, and among the top 1 percent of universities worldwide, according to the 2019-20 Center for World University rankings. UC Riverside is the top university in the United States for social mobility - U.S. News 2020. UCR is a member of the University Innovation Alliance, the leading national coalition of public research universities committed to improving student success for low-income, first-generation, and students of color. Among top-tier universities, UC Riverside ranks No. 2 in financial aid - Business Insider 2019. Ranked No. 2 in the world for research, UCR's Department of Entomology maintains one of the largest collections of insect specimens the nation - Center for World University Rankings. UCR's distinguished faculty boasts 2 Nobel Laureates, and 13 members of the National Academies of Science and Medicine. 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 under state or federal law. 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. For information about our generous employee benefits package, visit: Employee Benefits Overview

Job Description Details

General Information

MUSEUM SCI 009723 Kimberly Hammond Christopher Tracy

Department Custom Scope

The position is an Assistant Director for the Boyd Deep Canyon Desert Research Center, one of the University of California Natural Reserves. The mission of the University of California Natural Reserve System is to contribute to the understanding and wise stewardship of the Earth and its natural systems by supporting university-level teaching, research and public service at protected natural areas throughout California. Deep Canyon is located south of Palm Desert, and spans over 6000 acres of rugged Colorado Desert at the base of the Santa Rosa Mountains. Although the reserve is just five miles from Palm Desert, access is limited and heavily restricted, so the reserve facilities feel isolated and remote. The reserve hosts research projects (~30-50 per year) and university level classes (~12 per year) on all aspects of desert science (botany, zoology, ecology, anthropology, geology, etc.), and it hosts a public lecture series based at the UC Riverside Palm Desert Center. Duties will include managing the reserve use calendar, including scheduling users (researchers, classes, etc.) and helping explain and uphold reserve use rules and guidelines, as well as maintaining and summarizing records of use over time. Duties will also include: assisting class users (e.g. leading natural history tours, setup for class groups, etc.), leading natural history tours for visiting groups, assisting researchers with setup for their research projects, assisting with facility upkeep and maintenance (with the Director and Steward). All employees here contribute to all aspects of running the reserve, so a willingness to assist with a wide variety of tasks is essential. The ideal candidate will be equally comfortable working independently and as part of a small, close-knit team in a remote field setting. At times, this position requires independent decision-making, sound judgment, and the ability to respond to dynamic situations without direct supervision. At other times, the Assistant Director will collaborate closely with the reserve Director and the reserve Steward (facilities manager), requiring strong communication skills, adaptability, and a collaborative mindset. Because the field station is geographically isolated from campus and town, the candidate must be prepared to thrive in a remote environment where flexibility, initiative, and teamwork are essential to daily operations. The reserve experiences extreme desert weather, and it is sometimes necessary to perform reserve work in the field under those conditions. The successful applicant must be willing and able to work in a wide variety of extreme conditions (e.g. temperatures over 100F, rain, high solar exposure, etc.), in an environment where there may be rodents, venomous animals (snakes, spiders, insects), thorny plants, and other natural hazards, therefore all employees here are safety-minded, and need to be familiar with safe practices for working in these conditions, as well as practices for helping people who are not familiar with working in desert conditions. Training in first aid, treating heat illness, evacuation procedures, maintaining clear communications, etc. will be provided, but prior experience in these is preferred. The position is ideal for someone who likes working in outdoor desert conditions in all seasons and likes encountering all sorts of desert animals and plants.

Key Responsibilities

• Administration: Assist Director in all aspects of reserve operations. Facilitate and manage reserve use including scheduling user arrival and departure, invoicing users, and communicating reserve rules about facility use, as well as tracking reserve use. Assume responsibility for the operation of the Center in the absence of the Director. In coordination with Director, purchase and order materials and supplies, and keep budget records. Review and comment on documents as requested by the Director. Assume responsibility for additional tasks assigned or delegated by the Director. (45%)
• Education and Outreach Program: In coordination with Director, assist with education and outreach activities, including: lectures/demonstrations to classes or workshops and other visitor groups, develop educational displays and handouts for the public, provide guided tours, maintain and update website content, etc. Assist with updating and maintenance of the Reserve's website. (25%)
• Facilities operations: Coordinate operations and maintenance activities with Reserve Director and Steward. Manage specific visitor requests (e.g. classroom/projector use, classroom facility usage, etc.) Manage and enhance the Center's electronic infrastructure and research capabilities, including installing and/or coordinating system upgrades. Manage aspects of First Aid/Safety for the Reserve, in coordination with Reserve Director and Steward. This includes updating Emergency Action plans, updating and posting emergency contact information, and maintaining First Aid equipment/kits. Assist Steward with general maintenance tasks, including vehicle upkeep; maintenance of trails, roads, and fences; cleaning of facilities; and general upkeep of the environmental integrity of the Reserve. With Director and Steward, assist with management of outside contractors and construction/maintenance projects. (20%)
• Research related: Collaborate, plan, and conduct research on behalf of the Center. Manage and enhance long-term research databases: Coachella Valley and Africa programs. Supervise assistants and volunteers in the field (10%)