Field Technician (9605C), Angelo Coast Range Reserve #88451

University of California; Berkeley (CA); On-site; USD 37,000 - 40,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

UC benefits

Job summary

University of California, Berkeley seeks two Field Technicians to support fieldwork and research across Angelo Coast Range Reserve and nearby sites. You will assist with vegetation surveys, soil and microbiome samples, and outreach events, under project supervision.

This 6-month, part-time (20 hours/week) role involves extensive remote-field work, data collection, greenhouse support, and careful data management following standardized protocols.

Qualifications

• Ability to work in remote field settings.
• Ability to hike over steep and uneven terrain while carrying field equipment.
• Ability to work outdoors for extended periods under varying weather conditions.
• Attention to detail during repetitive sampling and lab procedures.
• Professional conduct and safety awareness in field and lab operations.
• Ability to work flexible hours.

Responsibilities

• Field Sampling at Research sites - 35%.
• Processing wildlife camera and sound recorder data - 20%.
• Assisting with educational and outreach events - 10%.
• Greenhouse plant care - 15%.
• Processing biological samples (arthropod, plant) - 20%.

Skills

Field Sampling

Data Processing

Outdoor Work

Wildlife Monitoring

Laboratory Procedures

Greenhouse Care

Data Management

Documentation

Education

High School Diploma or Equivalent

CA Driver’s License

Tools

Spreadsheet Software

Databases

Job description

At the University of California, Berkeley, we are dedicated to fostering a community where everyone feels welcome and can thrive. Our culture of openness, freedom, and belonging makes it a special place for students, faculty, and staff, who are among the most talented and accomplished anywhere, including Nobel laureates, Pulitzer Prize winners, and MacArthur Fellows. Since our founding in 1868, we have been an engine for innovation - driving intellectual, economic, and social progress that benefits California, the U.S., and beyond. Together, we change the world.

At Berkeley, the best careers are built on a foundation of continuous learning and growth. We actively support professional development by providing all full-time staff employees with at least 80 hours of paid time per year and provide space for supportive colleague communities via numerous employee resource groups.

Angelo Coast Range Reserve seeks two technicians to contribute to fieldwork and research for a research project titled Grassland Conservation in the Cannabis-Impacted Eel River Watershed: Biodiversity Monitoring, Soil Health Restoration, and Community Education. This work will take place at Angelo Coast Range Reserve, and at nearby study sites. For more information about Angelo Coast Range Reserve, visit www.angelo.ucnature.org .

Position Summary

The Field Technicians will support data collection focused on plant communities, arthropods, soil and root microbiomes, grass outplanting success, metabolomics, and wildlife monitoring across multiple field sites and controlled experiments, with training and oversight provided by project personnel. Work will involve extensive field sampling in remote environments, field data collection, greenhouse support, laboratory processing, arthropod specimen handling, and detailed data management following standardized scientific protocols.

Primary responsibilities include conducting vegetation surveys using CNPS Relevé quadrat sampling protocols; installing and maintaining wildlife monitoring equipment; ground-dwelling arthropod sampling and processing; assisting with soil, rhizosphere, and grass root endosphere sampling for microbiome analyses; and assistance with seedling propagation, outplanting, and monitoring of outplanting success.

This position requires the ability to work safely and independently in remote field settings under variable weather and terrain conditions. Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and adherence to safety protocols are essential. The project offers experience in plant and insect ecology, developing familiarity with flora and fauna in the South Fork Eel watershed, biodiversity monitoring, and plant biology.

Responsibilities

• Field Sampling at Research sites - 35%
• Processing wildlife camera and sound recorder data - 20%
• Assisting with educational and outreach events - 10%
• Greenhouse plant care - 15%
• Processing biological samples (arthropod, plant) - 20%

Required Qualifications

• Ability to work in remote field settings.
• Ability to hike over steep and uneven terrain while carrying field equipment and supplies.
• Ability to work outdoors for extended periods under varying weather conditions.
• Ability to maintain careful attention to detail during repetitive sampling and laboratory procedures.
• Ability to maintain professional conduct and strong safety awareness during field and laboratory operations.
• Ability to work flexible hours.

Preferred Qualifications

• Familiarity with/willingness to learn about California native plant communities and common grassland species.
• Plant identification skills and/or willingness to learn regional flora.
• Understanding of/willingness to learn standard field sampling techniques for vegetation, arthropods, soils, and wildlife monitoring.
• Familiarity with/willingness to learn about greenhouse plant propagation.
• Strong organizational and record-keeping skills, including maintaining detailed field notes and data collection.
• Experience using spreadsheets and/or databases.
• Effective written and verbal communication skills.

Education / Training

• High School Diploma or Equivalent (Required)

Licenses / Certifications

• CA Driver’s License (Required)

Salary & Benefits

For information on the comprehensive benefits package offered by the University, please visit the University of California's Compensation & Benefits website.

Under California law, the University of California, Berkeley is required to provide a reasonable estimate of the compensation range for this role and should not offer a salary outside of the range posted in this job announcement. This range takes into account the wide range of factors that are considered in making compensation decisions, including but not limited to experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, education, licensure and certifications, analysis of internal equity, and other business and organizational needs. It is not typical for an individual to be offered a salary at or near the top of the range for a position. Salary offers are determined based on final candidate qualifications and experience.

The budgeted hourly range that the University reasonably expects to pay for this position is $27.04 (Step 1) - $29.26 (Step 3).

• This is a non-exempt, bi-weekly paid position.
• This is a 6-month, part-time (20 hours/week), Limited [temporary] position that is eligible for UC benefits.

Driving Required

Required to hold a 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.

Other Information

• This recruitment has 2 openings.
• This work will take place at Angelo Coast Range Reserve, and at nearby study sites.
• This is not a visa opportunity. This position does not include sponsorship of a new consular H-1B visa petition that would require payment of the $100,000 supplemental fee.
• The automatic conversion to career status, as provided in Section B.2. above, will not occur when: c. The funding for the position is “one time” funding, of eighteen (18) months or less.

Misconduct

As a condition of employment, the final candidate who accepts a conditional offer of 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:

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 status under state or federal law.