Staff Research Associate
UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA
AGRICULTURE AND NATURAL RESOURCES
Sierra Foothill Research and Extension Center
UC DAVIS PAYROLL TITLE: Staff Research Associate I
SALARY RANGE: $36,996.00 - $44,136.00/YEAR 100% FIXED CAREER
SALARY COMMENSURATE WITH EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATIONS
JOB SUMMARY
Position is located in Browns Valley, California.
The ANR Sierra Foothill Research & Extension Center (SFREC) provides land, labor and facilities for agricultural
& natural resource research studies and Cooperative Extension educational activities for the benefit of
Californians throughout the State. The Center has 5,720 acres and 50,000 sq. ft. of improved facilities. The
Center supports a herd of 300 beef cows and 100 yearling calves.
Under the supervision of the Principal Superintendent of Agriculture, collect, manage, and analyze data and
records related to assigned natural resource and beef research projects and Center databases. Develop
information and communicate to staff, researchers and the public. Provide technical support for research.
Serve as on-site resource to Agricultural Technicians, Farm Laborers and Student Assistants.
Position will be involved in a wide range of data collection and analyses for the Center's 4,545 acres of grazed
rangeland and 145 acres of irrigated pasture such as rangeland dry matter estimates, rangeland use and
utilization, forage levels, plant species composition, water quality measurements, and beef cattle
measurements such as weights, body conditions and animal performance.
POSITION FUNCTIONS
60% RESEARCH SUPPORT
- Perform new and existing research protocols in the broad subject areas of rangeland and range beef cattle
management and natural resource management.
- Provide technical support to researchers.
Record, evaluate, recommend design, sampling and analysis methodology.
- Monitor pasture health and livestock movements.
- Examine and evaluate field conditions, identifying optimum conditions for applicable protocols.
- Perform research protocols on control and test groups of research animals.
- Assess animal attributes to identify subjects for each group per research protocol.
- Operate and calibrate scientific monitoring and testing tools and equipment.
- Apply experimental treatments.
20% RECORD KEEPING, DATA COLLECTION AND MANAGEMENT
- Manage new and existing data in the broad subject area of rangeland and range beef cattle management;
- Collect and record, livestock and pasture field data with or without a co-worker.
- Input data, organize and maintain records, analyze, summarize and develop output from databases.
- Compare and contrast prior and newly acquired data.
- Develop graphs tables and reports from these records for presentation to management staff, researchers and
public audiences.
- Present data on computer-based applications and other visual aids.
- Maintain, summarize, and analyze labor hour records for research projects.
- Suggest or recommend uses, application or interpretation for data, collection and recording methods, tools
used.
- Share data and results such as forage production and animal condition acquired from research project
animals.
10% OPERATIONS
- Evaluate and recommend resource management options to Supervisor regarding Center.
- Assist with field related activities, such as fence removal/construction, water development
and strategic pasture and animal supplementation.
- Water development includes developing springs for stock water, adding water to a pasture or plot via piped
water source, truck or ditch.
- Lead or serve as on-site resource to farm laborers, agricultural technicians, student assistants, and interns
during field research activities or data analysis.
- Provide input to Center management in labor hours budgeting, including estimates for proposed research
projects.
10% PUBLIC RELATIONS
- Develop communications regarding Center research and databases.
- Participate in Field Days or Center-based Committees.
- Share data and results such as forage production and animal condition to other staff, researchers and public
audiences.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS
- Lift and handle fencing materials weighing up to 110 lbs; handle livestock feeds weighing up to 140 lbs.
- Position requires working outdoors, driving vehicles and ATVs over rough terrain.
- Traverse over uneven terrain.
WORK ENVIRONMENT
- Possess and maintain valid California driver's license.
- Position will participate in the Department of Motor Vehicle (DMV) Pull Notice System.
- A copy of own DMV record will be required as a condition of employment.
- May, at times, require working with or be in areas where hazardous materials and/or infectious diseases
and/or fire are present; specific hazards are pesticides.
- May work with or around fire.
- May, at times, be required to wear personal protective equipment. Employee shall participate in required
preventative medical and medical monitoring programs which may include blood tests, immunizations, TB
screening, Bloodborne and Airborne Pathogen training, etc., and are provided to meet Federal, State and
University requirements.
- Work in inclement and sometimes hot weather.
- General working hours: Mon-Fri 7:00am-3:30pm; Summer hours 6:00am-2:30pm.
- Work flexible schedules, including some weekends, holidays, and occasional overtime.
- This position is a critical position and subject to a background check. Employment is contingent upon
successful completion of background investigation including criminal history and identity checks.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
- Upper division coursework in Natural Resources, Range Management, Wildland Sciences, Ecology or related
field.
- Experience working in the broad area of natural resource management.
- Experience with computerized records and basic research principles.
- Skill to handle livestock in a humane and low stress manner.
- Knowledge of basic rangeland monitoring practices; basic livestock practices for animal and pasture health.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Knowledge of current rangeland research and sampling methodologies.
- Skill to operate farm and general motorized ranch equipment, hand power tools, field and laboratory
equipment such as scales and drying equipment.
- Ability to saddle a horse and effectively move cattle to and from pastures.
- Ability to use software programs such as MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access, and Outlook.
- Ability to learn safe and effective ways to use fire (and at times suppress) as a range management tool.
- Ability to effectively communicate verbally and in writing and work with diverse individuals; work effectively in
a team environment as well as independently.
EXPECTATIONS
- Read and follow the UC Davis Principles of Community
- Maintain knowledge of current rangeland research and sampling methodologies through continuing education
and/or attending workshops and trainings.
- Work effectively and cooperatively with coworkers.
- Perform work independently, taking the initiative and making sound judgment decisions .
- Follow standard laboratory and field experimental procedures.
- Discuss changes, recommendations, suggestions with supervisor and researcher prior to implementation.
- Produce audience appropriate visual aids.
For further information and to apply for this job, please visit the following weblink:
www.employment.ucdavis.edu/applicants/Central?quickFind=61383 on requisition #03
(If the link does not respond, please copy and paste into your browser)