LAB AST 1 (Spotted Owl Lab Asst I - Shaver Lake)

Department Purpose

The Department of Animal Science focuses on the creation, development and distribution of basic and applied knowledge related to the biology and production of domestic animals, with a scope extending from the molecular to the ecosystem levels. Animal Science Department faculty and specialist programs concentrate on domesticated farm animals but include non-domesticated, wild, laboratory, and companion animal species. Fields of study within the department include animal behavior, animal systems modeling, animal welfare, aquaculture, comparative endocrinology, conservation biology, ecology, genetics and genomics, management, nutrition, physiology, production, range science, reproduction, stress, and toxicology. The department administers four undergraduate majors and has nearly 1,000 undergraduate and graduate students.

Job Summary

Under the supervision of the Field Project Leader, the Field Technicians will:

1. Perform Forest Field study surveys for California Spotted Owls and other wildlife species.

2. Conduct nocturnal and diurnal surveys for owls to determine occupancy, nesting and reproductive status.

3. Collect data following a prescribed protocol.

4. May assist in the capture and banding of spotted owls.

5. Navigate on public and private road systems without direct supervision. Job location: Chester, CA and Shaver Lake, CA

6. Locate off-road study sites using compass, topographic maps and/or GPS unit.

7. Record field data in a legible manner.

8. Enter field data onto a computer database. This is a limited position and is subject to 1,000 maximum hours worked.

Position Information

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

• Must be able to walk 1-3 miles in steep terrain, often at night.
• Must have normal hearing and color vision, to hear owls and accurately record the owls’ unique color-markers (color-bands).
• Willingness to work in the forest at night, sometimes solo with coworkers nearby.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

• UC Davis is a smoke and tobacco free campus effective January 1, 2014. Smoking, the use of smokeless tobacco products, and the use of unregulated nicotine products (e-cigarettes) will be strictly prohibited on any UC Davis owned or leased property, indoors and outdoors, including parking lots and residential space.

https://ucdavispolicy.ellucid.com/documents/view/271

• The employees will be required to drive Government Services Administration (GSA) vehicles (federal gov’t vehicles). 
• While their work location is not on the physical UC Davis campus, driving government-provided vehicles is required, so a driver’s license is required.

QUALIFICATIONS

Required:

Minimum Education/Experience

• Previous animal behavior, animal study, or biological field data collection experience.

• Academic coursework including biological or ecological field studies.

Minimum Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSA)

• Record keeping skills to accurately record research data collected throughout studies.

Preferred:

Preferred Education/Experience

• Experience handling animals.
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• Experience assisting with the banding of animals.
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• Experience working with research collaborators.
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• Previous bird or raptor survey experience.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

Background Check

This position is a critical position and subject to a background check. Employment is contingent upon successful completion of background investigation including criminal history and identity checks. 

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging

At UC Davis, we’re solving life’s most urgent challenges to bring a fuller, healthier, and more resilient world within reach. We grow from every challenge we take on and we don’t just maintain - we improve. We recognize that creating an inclusive and intellectually vibrant organization means understanding and valuing both our individual differences and our common ground. The most comprehensive solutions come from the most diverse minds, and you belong here. As you consider joining UC Davis, please explore our Principles of Community , our Clinical Strategic Plan and strategic vision for research and education, and our latest efforts to outgrow the expected . The University of California, Davis is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer.  All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age or protected veteran status. 

For the University of California’s Affirmative Action Policy please visit:  https://policy.ucop.edu/doc/4010393/PPSM-20 .  

For the University of California’s Anti-Discrimination Policy, please visit: https://policy.ucop.edu/doc/1001004/Anti-Discrimination .