Reserve Steward - Facilities Management

University of California - Santa Cruz; Windsor; On-site; USD 82,000; Full time

Job summary

An innovative public university is seeking a dedicated Facilities Manager for its unique Natural Reserve System. This role involves overseeing facility operations, ensuring the maintenance and repair of various structures, and managing projects in a beautiful and rugged environment. The successful candidate will work closely with a small team, contributing to the preservation of California's natural ecosystems while ensuring the functionality of essential infrastructure. This position offers a chance to work in a dynamic setting, where creativity and problem-solving are key to overcoming challenges in a remote location. Join a community that values education, research, and environmental stewardship.

Benefits

Full Benefits

Onsite Housing Available

Flexible Schedule

Professional Development Opportunities

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in related area and/or equivalent experience/training.
• Professional experience in construction or maintenance of facilities.

Responsibilities

• Oversees design, construction, maintenance, and repair of facilities.
• Conducts purchasing and ensures adequate supply of parts.
• Maintains camps, roads, and trails for safety and accessibility.

Skills

Facility Operations

Project Planning

Land Stewardship

Communication Skills

Problem Solving

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Related Area

Tools

Power Tools

Hand Tools

Chainsaws

Workshop Equipment

Job description

Apply for Job

Job ID

76864

Location

Santa Cruz

Full/Part Time

Full Time

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JOB POSTING

HOW TO APPLY

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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: 03/31/2025

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

The University of California Natural Reserve System (NRS) is a unique assemblage of 42 protected 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 and teaching programs. The NRS is a Trustee Agency under the California Environmental Quality Act, and UC manages the NRS resources in the Public Trust.

The four NRS sites that form the UC Santa Cruz (UCSC) unit are spread along 60 miles of the central coast: Ano Nuevo Island Reserve (25 acres), Landels-Hill Big Creek Reserve (8,000 acres), Fort Ord Natural Reserve (606 acres), Younger Lagoon Reserve (47 acres). The UCSC NRS also administers 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 mission of the Natural Reserve System is to contribute to the understanding and wise management of the Earth and its natural systems by supporting university-level teaching, research, and public service at protected natural areas throughout California.

Big Creek Reserve is located in the center of the Big Sur coast of California, 50 miles south of Monterey and 50 miles north of Cambria. It consists of 8,000 acres of wilderness, a 50 mile dirt road and trail network, research and teaching facilities, and off-grid infrastructure.

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

JOB SUMMARY

The Big Creek Reserve functions as an extension to the University's on-campus laboratories and classrooms in support of academic research and teaching. It is remote, rugged, and operates off the grid in a rural setting. Facilities include a visitor center, classroom, staff office, four staff residences with workshops, two visitor cabins, and four campgrounds. Infrastructure includes off-grid photovoltaic power systems, spring-fed domestic water systems, septic and wastewater treatment systems, and an extensive network of roads and trails, The reserve has a point-to-point radio communication network, wireless internet, VHF radio repeaters, a teaching collection, and a library. The incumbent is expected to start work at Big Creek on scheduled days, work a flexible schedule, sometimes be available outside of normal working hours, and occasionally fill in when the Reserve Director and Lead Reserve Steward are absent. Onsite housing is available, but occupancy is not required.

Under direction of the Resident Reserve Director, the incumbent primarily ensures the proper function of facilities and infrastructure through the design, logistics and implementation of specific ongoing, seasonal, and new projects; carries out the servicing, maintenance or repair of any and all facilities, including visitor and staff buildings and their associated infrastructure (power, water, waste and safety), trails, roads, defensible space and grounds; and is involved in the planning and designing of facilities upgrades to meet, and improve on their long-term functionality for user-based needs. These tasks require independent contributions based on a working knowledge and application of multiple skilled and technical trades as well as experience with facilities operations in a remote, rural setting. The incumbent may, at times, oversee variable-time staff, outside contractors and volunteer work crews. The rugged living and working conditions require a high level of personal integrity including the ability to sustain professionalism among a small crew of colleagues. Storms, landslides, floods, wildfires and highway closures can result in physical isolation for extended periods of time. Of critical importance is a heightened awareness of safety as this is essential when working in a location far from emergency services. Significant creativity and novel solutions are often needed to respond to extraordinary problems that often have an unusual degree of difficulty, requiring the use of a wide variety of tools and either purchased or on-site materials to construct or fabricate items necessary for supporting daily reserve operations. An appreciation for, and support of, the scientific and educational mission of the Natural Reserves System is required.

APPOINTMENT INFORMATION

Budgeted Salary: $81,980.23/year.
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: Monday to Friday with flexibility to substitute Saturday & Sunday shifts every fourth or fifth weekend in coordination with other on-site staff.
• Shift Includes: Day

Employee Classification: Career appointment

Job End Date: None

Work Location: Off-Campus

Union Representation: CX Union

Job Code Classification: 004483 (FAC MGT SPEC 3 CX)

Travel: Up to 25% of the time

JOB DUTIES

40% - Facility Operations

• Oversees design, construction, maintenance, repair, assembly, debugging, cost estimation, and fabrication for facilities' needs, including roofs and gutters, siding, decks, structural supports, flooring, indoor plumbing, ventilation, paint, electrical, etc.
• Makes cosmetic improvements and repairs such as constructing, refinishing and installing furniture, counters, cabinets, bookshelves, etc.
• Repairs and maintains facilities to maximize life-cycle and minimize disruption due to downtime.
• Services photovoltaic and generator, water, waste, ventilation, and fire safety systems.
• Monitors and maintains self-contained photovoltaic battery systems for radio and network communications, spring-fed water systems, phone lines, etc. Arranges for contracting out of services, when needed.
• Maintains security of facilities susceptible to theft or vandalism.
• Conducts purchasing and ensures adequate supply of parts and other supplies necessary for reserve operations.
• Performs custodial activities.
• Uses a university vehicle to traverse natural reserve terrain in order to complete essential functions of the position.

15% - Project Planning, Management and Administration

• Monitors and assesses maintenance needs and determines appropriate actions and procedures.
• Sets goals, prioritizes and establishes project lists for improvement, construction and renovation projects.
• Serves as liaison among reserve, campus and external agencies regarding safety, access, maintenance, remodeling and construction activities.
• Maintains facilities-related plans and procedures including key/combo access and security, emergency preparedness, commonly-encountered hazardous materials storage and disposal, crime prevention activities, fire safety inspection compliance and reporting.
• Coordinates with multiple units throughout the organization to provide a safe and secure facilities environment.
• Maintains an updated project calendar and frequent communication with the Reserve Director and coworkers.
• Maintains and submits records for the maintenance of facilities and infrastructure, vehicles and equipment.
• Reports work logs and expenditures in support of funding proposals and budgets.
• Supports capital improvement projects and assists with the coordination of outside contractors.
• Ensures that proper safety protocols are followed by reserve personnel and reserve visitors.
• May conduct investigations with other reserves regarding methods of facility operations and visitor management.

15% - Reserve Stewardship

• Maintains camps, including clearing vegetation, maintaining latrines, water lines, tables and fire pits.
• Maintains roads, including annual clearing and repair, grading, installing and maintaining water bars and culverts for drainage, preparing for seasonal changes, etc.
• Maintains trails, including installation, maintenance and seasonal removal of footbridges.
• Manages vegetation around facilities for fire safety.

15% - Tool, Equipment and Vehicle Operations

• Repairs and maintains tools and equipment to maximize life-cycle and minimize disruption due to downtime.
• Performs regular maintenance of tools, including chainsaws, string trimmers, hedge cutters, generators, band sawmill, and hand tools.
• Performs regular maintenance of vehicles, tractors and implements.
• Contributes to purchasing and ensuring adequate supply of fuel, parts and other supplies necessary for reserve operations.
• Uses a university vehicle to procure supplies.

5% - Reserve Regulations Monitoring and Enforcement

• Maintains surveillance on grounds, roads, trails, camps, and access points, taking appropriate action to discourage trespassing and vandalism of reserve facilities and natural systems.
• Enforces reserve regulations with regard to permitting, collections and experimental manipulations.

5% - Emergency Response

• Maintains availability for emergencies and maintains knowledge of appropriate emergency procedures to use in case of fire, evacuation, medical emergency, etc.
• Serves as the person in charge when the Resident Director and Reserve Stewards are absent.

5% - Visitor Assistance

• May assist and orient reserve visitors.
• Communicates rules and security expectations to researchers, students, and other users of the facilities.
• May transport visitors to locations on the reserve via a university vehicle.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's degree in related area and/or equivalent experience/training.
• Required to hold a valid drivers license, have a driving record that is in accordance with local policies/procedures, and/or enroll in the California Employer Pull Notice Program.
• Professional experience in the construction or maintenance of commercial, public or residential facilities.
• Professional experience in land stewardship/groundskeeping, utilizing hand and power tools.
• Knowledge in, and appreciation for building construction methods and associated systems functions and the ability to evaluate, prioritize and determine risks to failure and user safety.
• Strong interpersonal skills, including good service orientation and effective problem solving.
• Strong communication skills.
• Organizational and time management skills sufficient to independently establish priorities, complete competing assignments within established timeframes, and maintain close attention to detail.
• Ability to perform effectively in environments with fluctuating and changing workloads and competing demands.
  Demonstrated proficiency in the operation and maintenance of common power tools, hand tools, chainsaws, and workshop equipment.
• Working knowledge of workplace safety practices and the use of personal protection equipment.
• Ability to maintain accurate records and schedules for regular maintenance of facilities and equipment.
• Ability to establish positive relationships within the local community and demonstrate sensitivity to political and social issues with shareholders on the reserve.
• Ability to exercise good judgment, discretion, and flexibility, including appropriate response in emergency situations.
• Ability to work from architectural drawings, sketches, and materials lists and place orders for materials.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Vocational education in the construction or maintenance of commercial, public or residential facilities.
• Vocational education in land stewardship/groundskeeping, utilizing hand and power tools.
• Vocational education operating heavy equipment (i.e. tractors, excavators, graders).
• Experience with the operation and maintenance of off-road vehicles, tractors, grading and mowing equipment in the maintenance of dirt roads through steep terrain.
• Experience in an academic research station or public lands environment, communicating and cooperating with diverse groups of people.

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 a valid license to drive in the state of California and be able to participate in the Department of
  Motor Vehicles (DMV) pull notice program.
• Ability to perform work in a rugged physical environment and inclement weather with challenging infrastructure requirements.
• 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 do occasional work in confined spaces such as attics and trenches while bending, stooping and/or kneeling with the possibility of being exposed to live electrical circuits and machinery.
• Must have the ability to: operate a vacuum, floor scrubber, and polisher; use cleaning chemical compounds; perform essential custodial duties including dumping bags into dumpster or moving equipment and materials with or without accommodations.
• The selected candidate will be required to work all scheduled hours on-site.
• Ability to work a variable schedule.
• Ability to respond to emergencies after hours as necessary.
• Ability to work overtime including evenings, nights, weekends and holidays to meet operational needs, and work an alternate work schedule shift as required.
• Selected candidate will be required to complete training within established time frames as directed including UC compliance training.
• Ability to work safely in areas where hazardous materials are present or stored.
• Ability to wear a respirator in accordance with the California Code of Regulations Title 8, 5144.
• Ability to wear proper safety attire (long pants, closed-toe shoes, etc.) and personal protective equipment common in a laboratory setting.
• Ability to read signs and follow directions on labels that are written in English as well as ability to read and understand Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) and the proper use of chemical compounds.
• Ability to travel within a defined regional or service area.
• General physical flexibility, direct lifting (up to 80 pounds), moving objects of great weight by appropriate means, walking to and working in remote areas with rugged terrain, heavy brush, biting and stinging insects, bears and mountain lions.
• 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.

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.

a. "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

In compliance with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act (the Clery Act), the Annual Security and Fire Safety Report (ASFSR) is available at: https://compliance.ucsc.edu/campus-safety-compliance/annual-reports/.

This report is published by October 1st of each year and includes current institutional policies and procedures concerning campus safety and security; fire safety and evacuation policies; sexual misconduct and relationship violence reporting and response protocols; and crime and fire statistics for the three previous calendar years. A paper copy of the ASFSR is available upon request by contacting the UCSC Police Department at 114 Carriage House Rd., Santa Cruz, CA 95064, or by calling 831-459-2231 Ext. 1.

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.