Lead Steward at NRSS Santa Cruz Island Reserve

Position Number: 41214377

Payroll Title: SRA 3 (009611)

Job Code: 009611

Job Open Date: 12/4/25

Application Review Begins: 1/12/26

Department Code (Name): NRSS (NATURAL RESERVE SYSTEM)

Percentage of Time: 100

Union Code (Name): RX - Research Professionals

Employee Class (Appointment Type): Staff: Career

FLSA Status: Exempt

Classified Indicator Description (Personnel Program): PSS

Salary Grade: STEPS

Pay Rate/Range: The budgeted salary range that the University reasonably expects to pay for this position is $72,589.36 - $74,023.74/yr. Salary offers are determined based on final candidate qualifications and experience; the budget for the position; and the application of fair, equitable, and consistent pay practices at the University. The full salary range for this position is $69,752.83 - $112,171.84/yr.

Work Location: Santa Cruz Island Reserve

Working Days and Hours: Sunday-Saturday, 40 hours - variable

Benefits Eligibility: Full Benefits

Type of Remote or Hybrid Work Arrangement, if applicable: N/A

Special Instructions:

For full consideration, please include a resume and a cover letter as part of your application.

Department Marketing Statement:

The UC Natural Reserve System (UC NRS; https://ucnrs.org) is a network of 42 protected natural areas located throughout the State that provide undisturbed environments for research, education and public outreach programs. It is the largest university-administered reserve system in the world encompassing more than 775,000 acres of diverse habitats from the ocean to the mountains to the inland deserts, and with access to more than a million acres of public lands. The Natural Reserve System contributes to the understanding and wise stewardship of the Earth through research, education, and public service. The UC Santa Barbara NRS (https://www.nrs.ucsb.edu) manages seven of the 42 Reserves in the UC NRS, including Santa Cruz Island Reserve (SCIR) (https://santacruz.nrs.ucsb.edu/). SCIR is located on Santa Cruz Island, the largest of the Channel Islands. Boat transport to the islands originates out of Ventura Harbor, California. SCIR provides protected wildlands and support facilities for conducting studies of natural systems over a large part of Santa Cruz Island. The seven UC NRS Reserves managed by UCSB are used by thousands of researchers, students and public visitors each year as they investigate and learn about the natural world. Reserve users come from throughout California, the U.S. and the world to study the Reserve's diverse natural systems and native flora and fauna. For more information please visit https://nrs.ucsb.edu.

Benefits of Belonging

Working at UC means being part of this vibrant institution that shines a light on what is possible. People make UC great, and UC recognizes your contributions by making this a great place to work. Excellent retirement and health are just one of the rewards. Learn more about the benefits of working at UC

Brief Summary of Job Duties:

Santa Cruz Island Reserve and its field station is a vital piece of research infrastructure - serving as a field research laboratory for scientists and outdoor classroom for students. Under general supervision of the Reserve Director, the Operations Manager helps support research, education and outreach activities at Santa Cruz Island Reserve (SCIR) through their local knowledge and by providing operational research facilities. Assists the Reserve Director as needed with other tasks including interacting with researchers, students, community members using the Reserve as well as Reserve partners, donors and other stakeholders of the facility. In the absence of the Director, to assume responsibilities delegated by the Director. Oversee contracted maintenance services. Must be available outside of normal working hours and residence onsite is required in housing provided by the University.

Qualifications:

Required Qualifications:

• High School Diploma

• 4-6 years Experience in land stewardship or management or natural resource management for scientific and educational use

• 4-6 years Demonstrated experience in management of facilities, equipment operations and maintenance, land stewardship and resource monitoring for scientific and educational use

• 4-6 years Experience in administrative management of research programs, laboratories, or remote field stations

• 4-6 years Experience operating heavy equipment

• 4-6 years Experience with coordinating volunteers

• 1-3 years Experience with project management

• Ability to analyze, organize, and prioritize work while meeting multiple deadlines

• Basic computer skills and be able to utilize mobile radio devices throughout the work day

• Knowledge and understanding of electrical, heating, and ventilation systems

• Strong problem solving skills

• Ability to organize and implement facility management procedures

• Strong problem-solving skills

• Ability to maintain, improve, and provide oversight for the physical plant and supporting systems, vehicles, and grounds of the Santa Cruz Island Reserve

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelor's Degree

• 4-6 years Experience with operations and life at a remote research and educational field site

• 4-6 years Experience in project management, report writing and budgetary management

• 1-3 years Demonstrated experience with administration, budget management, and report writing

• 1-3 years Relevant experience in environmental or information technology related fields

• 1-3 years Small boat handling experience

Special Conditions of Employment:

• Position is located at Santa Cruz Island, one of the northern Channel Islands. May be needed for special events or to respond to emergencies outside of normal work hours. Must be able to hike distances over rough terrain and work in a dusty environment. Must be able to work in the heat as well as freezing weather conditions. May have to work on weekends and/or holidays. Required to be on call outside of normal business hours.

• Required to hold a valid driver's license, have a driving record that is in accordance with local policies and procedures, and/or enroll in the California Employer Pull Notice Program.

• Satisfactory criminal history background check

• UCSB is a Tobacco-Free environment

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 allegation 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:

UC Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy
UC Anti-Discrimination Policy
Abusive Conduct in the Workplace

Job Functions and Percentages of Time:

• 30% Research and Education Support - Provide orientation to reserve users including researchers, educators, students and community members. Provide assistance to researchers utilizing field-based resources onsite (e.g. environmental sensors and other equipment). Assist researchers and students in the use of shop tools to fabricate research equipment. Oversee undergraduate and graduate students or other researchers carrying out experiments or other field activities at SCIR. Apply advanced knowledge in networking, informatics and technical direction to manage IT related projects and services including sensor networks, weather data, data archives, and operation of wireless systems. Contribute original ideas in order to establish or improve procedures related to Research and Education Support. Provide technical audio-visual and networking support to researchers, classes and other users at SCIR. Assist with fundraising and outreach events and activities at SCIR.
• 30% Facilities and Equipment Maintenance - Under general supervision of Reserve Director, coordinate maintenance, repair, and general improvement of facilities for research and educational use. This includes buildings, utilities, fences, roads, vehicles, signs and equipment at SCIR. Coordinate with the Reserve Director and The Nature Conservancy (TNC) for these efforts beyond the SCIR. Assist with cleaning and maintenance of the housing units, classroom and laboratory facilities. Perform a variety of tasks in support of maintaining and managing the Reserve under supervision of the Reserve Director. Provide input to assist Director in establishing priorities and setting daily tasks; oversee and direct seasonal maintenance workers on specific projects; routinely inspect and test fire extinguishers, smoke detectors and other safety equipment and schedule and oversee servicing of vehicles, equipment and infrastructure.
• 30% Resource Management - Under general supervision of Reserve Director, coordinate the management and maintenance of the reserve's immediate habitats and infrastructure resources Manage vegetation to reduce fire risk and control invasive species around SCIR and in conjunction with TNC. Coordinate the management and maintenance of the reserve's research infrastructure, and vehicles based on knowledge of forthcoming research and educational demands.
• 10% Administration - Assist the Director in managing all aspects of daily reserve operations. Use Reserve-specific online reservation system to receive and manage reserve user requests. Provide safety support as needed for buildings and grounds, including alerting staff and proper authorities for potential hazards including trespassers. Assist Director in responding to facility and/or equipment failures and other emergencies.

UC Vaccination Programs Policy:

As a condition of employment, you will be required to comply with the University of California Policy on Vaccinations Programs.
As a condition of Physical Presence at a Location or in a University Program, all Covered Individuals* must participate in any applicable Vaccination Program by providing proof that they are Up-to-Date with any required Vaccines or submitting a request for Exception in a Mandate Program or properly declining vaccination in an Opt-Out Program no later than the Compliance Date (Capitalized terms in this paragraph are defined in the policy.). Federal, state, or local public health directives may impose additional requirements.

For more information, please visit University of California Policy on Vaccinations - https://policy.ucop.edu/doc/5000695/VaccinationProgramsPolicy

*Covered Individuals: A Covered Individual includes anyone designated as Personnel or Students under this Policy who physically access a University Facility or Program in connection with their employment, appointment, or education/training. A person accessing a Healthcare Location as a patient, or an art, athletics, entertainment, or other publicly accessible venue at a Location as a member of the public, is not a Covered Individual.

Equal Employment Opportunity:

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.

Reasonable Accommodations:

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