Research Technician IV (Temporary)

UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA; Tucson (AZ); On-site; USD 28,000 - 34,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Life insurance

Disability

Paid time off

Tuition reduction

Retirement plans

Job summary

The University of Arizona invites applications for a Research Technician IV in Tucson, AZ. The role will lead a field crew implementing ecological restoration techniques in the Altar Valley, including planting saguaros, nest box installation, seed deployment, and erosion-control projects.

You will manage field logistics, supervise staff, and ensure data accuracy for research analysis, with a typical 40-hour workweek and occasional overnight travel.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent is required.
• Minimum of 7 years of relevant experience, or an equivalent combination of education and work experience.
• Must have a valid driver’s license and ability to drive according to policy.

Responsibilities

• Transport, salvage, re-plant, and measure saguaros at field locations.
• Map locations of plantings and measure cacti.
• Lead a small field team and supervise contractors in the field.
• Drive to field sites and camp overnight when needed.
• Prepare field equipment and assist with box setup and transportation.
• Oversee field equipment purchases and logistics planning.
• Ensure accurate data collection and transfer to office staff.

Skills

Terrain traversal

Native plants knowledge

Hand and power tools

Work at heights

Stakeholder communication

Ecological restoration experience

Education

High school diploma

7+ years experience

Valid driver's license

Tools

Chainsaw

Job description

Address

1064 East Lowell Street, Tucson, AZ 85721 USA

Position Highlights

The School of Natural Resources and the Environment is seeking a Research Technician IV. This position will focus on leading the implementation of a varied range of ecological restoration techniques and monitoring to support a landscape restoration in the Altar Valley. Activities will involve overseeing field efforts by a small field crew in remote areas and managing staff during work focused on:

• Planting saguaro cacti to create habitat for wildlife, and measure and record data on individual saguaros and local habitat.
• Erecting nest boxes on trees and tripods with ladders and hand tools, and cleaning, maintaining, and making small repairs to existing nest boxes.
• Deploying native seed at restoration plots and pre- and post-seeding vegetation monitoring and data collection.
• Assisting hand crews building erosion control structures of rock and brush.
• Cleaning and purchasing field equipment, planning logistics, and communicating effectively with managers and contractors to foster efficient and safe implementation of field work.
• Travel and navigating overland with needed equipment and supplies and mapping structures to implement work.
• Assuring data gathered is accurate, complete, and supplied to research staff for processing in the office.

Work schedule will often be 10 hours, 4 days a week with some overnight stays to reduce travel time to job sites in the Altar Valley. Per diem at allowable State of AZ rates (max of $70/day) will be authorized for overnight work.

Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.

Outstanding U of A benefits include health, dental, and vision insurance plans; life insurance and disability programs; paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays; U of A/ASU/NAU tuition reduction for the employee and qualified family members; retirement plans; access to U of A recreation and cultural activities; and more!

For more information about working at the University of Arizona and relocations services, please.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Transport, salvage, re-plant, and measure saguaro cacti at field locations. This will include uprooting and transplanting of wild plants, and some re-planting nursery grown cacti.
• Map locations of plantings and measure cacti.
• Work as leader of small team sometimes co-supervising with a contractor in the field.
• Drive to field sites to plant saguaros and occasionally camp overnight.
• Prepare field equipment including slings, netting, wire cages, water and other materials to protect and transport plants.
• Erect nest boxes on trees and tripods and transport boxes and other materials and tools into the field to foster box setup at selected locations.
• Use ladders and hand tools including saws and chainsaws to prepare sites for mounting boxes, then clean, maintain, and make small repairs to existing nest boxes or ones already set up.
• Oversee purchase and availability of needed field equipment and assess equipment needs, plan travel and work logistics, and work with and communicate effectively with field staff, and land managers, contractors and supervisor to foster efficient and safe implementation of field work for the field team.
• Lead, oversee and schedule field crew by working and helping to manage schedules of contractors and staff in collaboration with supervisor.
• Assure efficient implementation of field work, integration of on-the-ground knowledge, and accurate and complete data collection and transfer of information to office staff.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Ability to traverse rugged often off-trail terrain and carry or wheel saguaros and other equipment and supplies with hand trucks, wagons, and AT vehicles to planting sites.
• Knowledge of native plants, landscaping, horticulture, erosion control, seeding, and experience planting and transplanting native plants.
• Ability to use hand and power tools such as hammer drills, drills, saws, chainsaw.
• Skill and ability to climb a ladder and work at heights >10 feet off the ground.
• Ability to interact with agency personnel, land managers, and contractors to facilitate safety in the field and plan work.
• Knowledge and past experience with ecological restoration, desert plants and plant identification, basic woodworking skills, overland navigation, and working on a field crew focused on ecological restoration.

This job posting reflects the general nature and level of work expected of the selected candidate(s). It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities. The institution reserves the right to amend or update this description as organizational priorities and institutional needs evolve.

Minimum Qualifications

• High school diploma or high school diploma equivalency is required.
• Minimum of 7 years of relevant experience, or equivalent combination of education and work experience.
• Must have a valid driver’s license and ability to drive according to the University Fleet Safety Policy.

Preferred Qualifications

FLSA Non-Exempt

Full Time/Part Time Full Time

Number of Hours Worked per Week 40

Job FTE 1.0

Work Calendar Fiscal

Job Category Research

Benefits Eligible Yes - Full Benefits

Rate of Pay $20.33 - $25.41

Compensation Type hourly rate

Grade 5

Compensation Guidance The Rate of Pay Field represents the University of Arizona’s good faith and reasonable estimate of the range of possible compensation at the time of posting. The University considers several factors when extending an offer, including but not limited to, the role and associated responsibilities, a candidate’s work experience, education/training, key skills, and internal equity.
The Grade Range represent a full range of career compensation growth over time. The university offers compensation growth opportunities within its career architecture. To learn more about compensation, please review our Applicant Compensation Guide and our Total Rewards Calculator.

Career Stream and Level OC4

Job Family Research & Lab

Job Function Research

Type of criminal background check required: Name-based criminal background check (non-security sensitive)

Number of Vacancies 1

Target Hire Date 9/28/2026

Expected End Date 4/26/2027

Contact Information for Candidates Aaron Flesch
[e-mail]

Open Date 8/13/2026

Open Until Filled Yes

Documents Needed to Apply Curriculum Vitae (CV) and Cover Letter

Special Instructions to Applicant

Notice of Availability of the Annual Security and Fire Safety Report In compliance with the Jeanne Clery Campus Safety Act (Clery Act), each year the University of Arizona releases an Annual Security Report (ASR) for each of the University’s campuses.Thesereports disclose information including Clery crime statistics for the previous three calendar years and policies, procedures, and programs the University uses to keep students and employees safe, including how to report crimes or other emergencies and resources for crime victims. As a campus with residential housing facilities, the Main Campus ASR also includes a combined Annual Fire Safety report with information on fire statistics and fire safety systems, policies, and procedures.
Paper copies of the Reports can be obtained by contacting the University Compliance Office at [e-mail].