Research Technician III (Temporary) (Multiple Positions)

This position will focus on implementing a diverse range of ecological restoration techniques and monitoring to support a broad landscape restoration project in the Altar Valley and requires a range of skills and knowledge. Work activities will involve extensive fieldwork often in remote areas and focus on:

1) Planting saguaro cacti to create habitat for wildlife, and measuring saguaros and local habitat;

2) Erecting nest boxes on trees and tripods with ladders and hand tools, and cleaning, maintaining, and making small repairs to existing nest boxes;

3) Deploying native seeds at restoration plots and pre- and post-seeding vegetation monitoring and data collection,

4) Assisting hand crews building erosion control structures of rock and brush;

5) Cleaning and purchasing field equipment, planning logistics, and communicating effectively with managers and contractors to foster efficient and safe implementation of field work;

6) Traveling and navigating overland with equipment needed and supplies to map structures to implement work.

Technicians should be prepared to spend long days hiking and navigating in field settings in rugged terrain, begin work early, work 10 hr shifts, camp at times for 1-2 nights, and work well as a team. Work schedule will often be 10 hours, 4 days a week with some camping for 1-2 nights. 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.

Outstanding U of A benefits include health, dental, and vision insurance plans; life insurance and disability programs; paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays; U of A/ASU/NAU tuition reduction for the employee and qualified family members; retirement plans; access to U of A recreation and cultural activities; and more!

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• Transport,
  salvage, re-plant, and measure saguaro cacti at field locations. This will
  include uprooting and transplanting of wild plants, and some re-planting
  nursery-grown cacti.
• Map locations of plantings and measure cacti.
• 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,
  clean, maintain, and make small repairs to nest boxes.
• Deploy native seeds
  within restoration plots and areas near and away from erosion control
  structures and occasionally help build erosion structures of rock and brush.
• Complete pre-
  and post-seeding vegetation monitoring and data collection to document baseline
  conditions.
• Prepare, clean
  and sometimes purchase field equipment, travel to job sites, work with and
  communicate effectively with staff, managers, contractors and supervisor to
  foster efficient and safe implementation of field work for field team.

Knowledge,
Skills and Abilities

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

This job posting reflects the general nature and level of work expected of the selected candidate(s). It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities. The institution reserves the right to amend or update this description as organizational priorities and institutional needs evolve.

• High school diploma or high school diploma equivalency is required.
• Minimum of five (5) 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.