Research Technician IV (Temporary)

The University of Arizona•Tucson, AZ

4d•Onsite

About The Position

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, erecting nest boxes, deploying native seed, assisting with erosion control structures, cleaning and purchasing field equipment, planning logistics, communicating effectively with managers and contractors, traveling and navigating overland, and ensuring data accuracy. The Research Technician IV should be prepared to spend long days hiking and navigating in field settings in rugged terrain, begin work early, work long shifts, camp or stay in local housing at times for 1-3 nights, and work well as a team. 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.

Requirements

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.
Ability to traverse rugged often off-trail terrain and carry or wheel saguaros and other equipment and supplies with hand trucks, wagons, and ATVs 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.

Responsibilities

Transport, salvage, re-plant, and measure saguaro cacti at field locations, including uprooting and transplanting wild plants and re-planting nursery-grown cacti.
Map locations of plantings and measure cacti.
Work as a leader of a 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.
Work with and communicate effectively with field staff, 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.