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INITIAL REVIEW DATE (IRD)

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The IRD for this job is: 03-05-2024

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 40 protected wild land 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 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.

UCSC strives to embrace diversity in all its forms, and to be an inclusive community that fosters an open, enlightened, and productive environment.

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

JOB SUMMARY

Are you interested in spending 2-3 days a week working on an ecological reserve in Big Sur? You would be joining a trail crew that spends its days hiking in a natural coastal mountain landscape by day and camping under the stars at night. You would be contributing to a fifty-year history of trail building by UCSC's Big Creek Reserve staff on a trail network that has been used by indigenous people, homesteaders, researchers and students for thousands of years. The work is physically challenging but very rewarding. Big Creek's trail system has been damaged by a wildfire and erosion over the past few years and is in need of your help.

Under the supervision of the Big Creek Reserve Director, the incumbent will conduct trail, road and grounds maintenance as part of a seasonal work crew. Duties primarily consist of clearing vegetation and digging tread on foot trails, but may also include assisting with vegetation clearance on roads and maintaining defensible space around facilities. The Resource Attendant will be expected to work on a team led by the Reserve Stewards along with other groundskeepers, and volunteers. Work location is Landels-Hill Big Creek Reserve in Big Sur. Incumbents will be expected to start their work day at Big Creek Reserve. Incumbents may be required to use a University vehicle to get around the worksite. This 50% time seasonal position will last approximately 6 months, however, a typical season would be spring through early fall.

APPOINTMENT INFORMATION

Budgeted Salary: $21.73/hour. Salary commensurate with skills, qualifications and experience.
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: Core benefits

Schedule Information:

• Part-time, Variable
• Percentage of Time: 50%, 20 Hours per Week
• Days of the Week: Any day of the week.
• Shift Includes: Day, Weekend

Employee Classification: Limited appointment

Job End Date: 4 months from hire date, with possibility of extension

Work Location: Off-Campus. Big Creek Reserve

Union Representation: SX Union

Job Code Classification: 008133 (GROUNDSKEEPER)

Travel: Up to 25% of the time

JOB DUTIES

75% - Trail Work

• As directed, conduct general trail maintenance that requires the use and maintenance of hand tools (i.e., shovel, Pulaski, McCloud, hand saw, loppers, pruners, etc.).
• Repair and installs tread by digging, raking, and grading.
• Clear branches, rocks, and soil from trails.
• Cut vegetation from trail.

20% - Road Work

• As directed, conduct general road maintenance that requires the use and maintenance of hand tools (i.e., shovel, Pulaski, McCloud, hand saw, loppers, pruners, etc.).
• Clear vegetation, rocks, and soil from roads.

5% - Grounds Maintenance

• As directed, conduct general grounds maintenance that requires the use and maintenance of hand tools (i.e., shovel, Pulaski, McCloud, hand saw, loppers, pruners, etc.).
• Maintain defensible space around buildings by pruning and clearing vegetation.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Ability to follow written and verbal directions.
• Ability to perform basic grounds maintenance such as cutting, digging, raking, weeding.
• Ability and willingness to learn and work cooperatively with others.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Related experience in the operation of hand and power tools such as Pulaskis, McClouds, weed trimmers, and hedge cutters.
• Knowledge of native and non-native plants.
• Related experience working in remote locations.
• Experience with basic first aid.

SPECIAL CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

• Selected candidate will be required to pass a pre-employment criminal history background check.
• Must possess a valid license to drive in the state of California.
• Ability to perform essential physical job functions.
• 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 perform grounds keeping duties outdoors through all seasons of weather in developed and undeveloped environments.
• Ability to sustain exposure to dusty, noisy environments and inclement weather as necessary to carry out assigned duties and responsibilities.
• Ability to safely perform the physical requirements necessary to move light to moderate objects up to 60 lbs., with or without accommodation.
• The selected candidate will be required to work all scheduled hours on-site.
• Ability to occasionally work overtime with little or no advance notice.
• Selected candidate will be required to complete training within established time frames as directed including UC compliance training.
• Ability to wear proper safety attire (long pants, closed-toe shoes, etc.) and personal protective equipment common in a laboratory setting.
• Ability to hike 5 miles carrying gear weighing up to 50 pounds with or without accommodation while in steep, rough terrain and remote areas. Must be able to work in wilderness conditions.
• 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.
• Per the Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act (CANRA), this position has been identified as a Mandated Reporter. The selected candidate will be required to report known or suspected child abuse or neglect as defined by CANRA and will be required to sign a Statement Acknowledging Requirement to Report Child Abuse prior to commencing employment. CANRA Penal Codes, and related definitions, requirements, and responsibilities may be obtained here.

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.

EEO/AA

The University of California is an Equal Employment 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. UC Santa Cruz is committed to excellence through diversity and strives to establish a climate that welcomes, celebrates, and promotes respect for the contributions of all students and employees.