A full-time one year field and lab resarch position working on pollination and native plant restoration for pollinators in the Williams Lab at UC Davis. Pay scale: $17.99/hr; eligible for health benefits Closing date: Apply by April 7, 2017 for full consideration by the committee; applications will be accepted until May 5, 2017 but those received after April 7 will only be considered if the position has not yet been filled. DESCRIPTION Job Summary: Full time position working on pollinator habitat restoration in agricultural landscapes Job Description: Native plant restoration for pollinators in the Williams lab at UC Davis. The successful candidate will assist with multi-faceted collaborative research exploring best methods to establish and maintain native wild flower habitat to support pollinators in California agricultural landscapes and the creation of scholarly output from these efforts. The responsibilities are multi-dimensional and require a person to link different project aspects effectively. She/he will participate in preparation and planting of research plots at UC experiment farm sites and grower-collaborator sites in CA. She/he will manage study plots for weed control and irrigation throughout the year. She will work with PI and senior staff to develop extension publications and coordinate activities (field days, presentations) on best management and planting design for varying landscapes and crop types. This will involve summarizing past research from literature and other sources and synthesis of current research efforts. The ideal candidate will have strong independent organizational skills and be able to assess changing field situations and make reasoned decisions for implementation on the fly, with input from advisors. The individual must have a desire to take ownership for field site operations and to translate operations to recommendations and best management recommendations. Essential Responsibilities: 70% -- Communicate with a diverse network of local farmers to manage research plots on local farms. Assist with establishment, routine monitoring and ongoing maintenance of native wildflower restorations designed to bolster pollinators and pollination service. Assess restoration plantings for maintenance needs and implement maintenance independently and as crew lead, including hand- weeding, herbicide spraying, weed-whacking, flame weeding, mowing, setting up and operating irrigation infrastructure, installing solarization plots and operating seeders. Operate tractors, ATVs, backpack sprayers, broadcast sprayers, and other heavy farm equipment as necessary. 30% -- Collect vegetation data within experimental plots. Observe and collect native bee and other insect visitors on wildflower plantings and crops. Assist with specimen curation and data entry.
Development goals • Develop expertise in wildflower plot establishment, maintenance and operations. • Gain expertise in sampling methodologies to assess pollinator habitat functioning. • Gain experience working with diverse farmer populations in Northern CA. • Develop working skills in data summary, basic spatial methods (GIS) and insect curation. Physical Demands: • Work in the field and laboratory. • Work in proximity to all kinds of plant materials and insects. • Bend and stoop to hoe, weed and irrigate plots. -Maneuver/lift material weighing up to 50 pounds • Requires focus and energy to capture bees and other insects using a hand-held net. • Requires working in the field under hot sunny conditions for long hours JOB LOCATION: Davis, CA APPLY ONLINE AT UC DAVIS: https://recruit.ucdavis.edu/apply/JPF01505 REQUIREMENTS • Curriculum Vitae - Your most recently updated C.V. • Cover Letter (applications without cover letters will not be considered) • 3-5 references (contact information only) • Statement of Contributions to Diversity - Diversity contributions documented in the application file will be used to evaluate applicants. Visit http://academicaffairs.ucdavis.edu/diversity/equity_inclusion/index.html for guidelines about writing a diversity statement and why one is requested.
