JOB ANNOUNCEMENT The Cadenasso Landscape and Urban Ecology lab at UC Davis, Department of Plant Sciences, seeks a "Junior Specialist" (research assistant) to assist with an interdisciplinary project focused on ecosystem services in urban systems, home gardening, and lead exposure. The applicant will be responsible for quantifying soil lead concentrations in urban parks and gardens in Sacramento, CA, recruiting study participants, creating spatially explicit maps of research results, mentoring undergraduate students and interns, and conducting surveys. The position will require extensive time in the field, i.e. residential areas and public parks of Sacramento, CA and require coordination of field research. The applicant will be expected to engage with study participants and be able to articulate the goals of the research project to a wide range of audiences, including academic and local community groups. The applicant will be an active member of a collaborative and interdisciplinary research project and must possess the flexibility to work both as a team member and independently.
Requirements: Bachelor's degree in environmental science or related field required. Previous field and lab experience required. GIS (geographic information systems) experience and familiarity with ESRI software required. The applicant must possess excellent written and oral communication skills. Knowledge and experience working closely with Sacramento non-profits focused on issues surrounding urban agriculture is desired but not required. Working knowledge of culturally important crops and regional environmental justice issues is desired but not required. This is a full time position. The applicant is expected to work 40 hours per week. Applicant must have access to reliable transportation in order to travel to sampling sites in Sacramento, CA. The position is based on the UC Davis campus. The Junior Specialist will be expected to: 1. 60% -- In the field - sample soil at research sites, maintain a field notebook of sampling locations, and map research sites/sampling locations. 2. 30% -- In the office - coordinate field crews, assist with administrative duties associated with participant recruitment efforts, enter data, conduct basic statistical analyses, maintain geographic database, maintain laboratory/field equipment and supplies, produce maps, update x-ray safety information, and attend meetings with community partners. 3. 10% -- In the laboratory - prepare and analyze soil samples. Closing Date: Oct 31st, 2013 or until position is filled. Salary: $35,376-37,728 annually, commensurate with experience Application: submit a letter of interest, CV, and contact information for 3 references to: Dr. Mary Cadenasso [email protected]<mailto:[email protected]>
