Job Description
Full job description
Green Sturgeon Census Specialist
Position overview Position title: Green Sturgeon Census Specialist
Salary range: Commensurate with qualifications and experience. The posted UCSC Salary Scales set the minimum pay determined by rank and step at appointment. See the scale titled, Represented Specialist Series Fiscal Year. A salary that is higher than the published system-wide salary at the designated rank and step, are offered when necessary to meet competitive conditions. A reasonable estimate for this position is $61,300 - $86,500.
Percent time: Full-time (100%)
Anticipated start: As soon as possible after the initial review of applications.
Position duration: Initial appointment will be for one year, with the possibility of reappointment. Should the hiring unit propose reappointment; a review to assess performance will be conducted. Reappointment is also contingent upon the availability of funding.
Application Window Open date: November 12, 2024
Next review date: Monday, Dec 23, 2024 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time)
Apply by this date to ensure full consideration by the committee.
Final date: Wednesday, Nov 12, 2025 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time)
Applications will continue to be accepted until this date, but those received after the review date will only be considered if the position has not yet been filled.
Position Description Institute of Marine Sciences at the University of California, Santa Cruz (UCSC), working in conjunction with the NOAA National Marine Fisheries Service Southwest Fisheries Science Center (NOAA Fisheries), invites applications for the position of Green Sturgeon Census Specialist. Under the direction of Dr. Peter Dudley, the specialist will develop a habitat selection model for spawning green sturgeon and will organize the green sturgeon spawning population annual census. The specialist will be encouraged to use established or novel techniques with large data sets of sturgeon presence data and physical habitat modeling data to model spawning habitat use. This is an exciting opportunity to work on a threatened species in a system of national importance. The work is both fundamental and applied and the applications of this work will inform official NOAA policy and will have a direct effect on management issues on the system. Historically, the Southwest Fisheries Science Center has conducted a multiyear survey of spawning green sturgeon in the Sacramento River using DIDSON and Side-Scan Sonar to estimate local abundances using statistical tools. This work is to continue that effort and investigate green sturgeon habitat use and response to environmental drivers.
The specialist will work under the supervision and direction of Dr. Peter Dudley (UCSC) and will collaborate with other NOAA Fisheries Scientists and UCSC researchers. The position will be based at the Southwest Fisheries Science Center in Santa Cruz, CA, and will be part of the Fisheries Collaborative Program.
Applicants with expertise in any of the following areas are strongly encouraged to apply:
- Overseeing the logistics of ecological fieldwork.
- Conducting animal censuses.
- Habitat selection modeling.
- Programming languages commonly used for statistical modeling (R, or others).
- Demonstrated record of scientific publishing and oral presentation.
Applicants with one year of research experience in relevant fields are encouraged to apply. A preference is given to those with 3 or more years of research experience in relevant fields.
A strong preference will be given to candidates who have overseen or actively participated in field work logistics such as organizing multi-day field campaigns involving the deployment and use of scientific instruments, following field safety protocols, and executing field campaigns.
The Institute of Marine Sciences (IMS) is an organized research unit whose mission is to increase knowledge of the world's oceans and inhabitants to better understand their economic importance and the impact people have on them. Through this effort, IMS maintains the responsibility to encourage, develop, and support marine research and education and does this by providing research opportunities, resources, facilities, and support for scientists within the institute and with other marine research institutions.
As part of its missions efforts, IMS launched the Fisheries Collaborative Program (FCP) to help foster research collaborations between NOAA scientists, UCSC faculty, IMS researchers, and students. The FCP's research activities include field and laboratory experiments, modeling, and computational studies and they involve marine and freshwater species and habitats where comprehensive studies are being conducted on the ecology and life history of Pacific salmonids and other fishes. FCP serves to support resource managers (e.g., Pacific Fisheries Management Council), fisheries, and resource science in general. More information can be found at
The hiring unit will not sponsor employment-eligible immigration statuses for this position. Fisheries Collaborative Program :
Qualifications Basic qualifications (required at the time the application is submitted)
Masters degree
or a baccalaureate degree and a minimum of two years of post-baccalaureate research experience. Degree must be in fisheries sciences and management, marine biology and biological oceanography, ocean/marine sciences, oceanography, ecology, evolutionary biology, environmental science, biology, or a related field. Foreign equivalent degrees will be considered.
Application Requirements Document requirements - Curriculum Vitae - Your most recently updated C.V., which must include the names and contact information of a minimum of three professional references. The search committee will conduct reference checks for those candidates under serious consideration.
- Cover Letter
Scientific Publications List - Please include a list of of your scientific publications.
Apply link: Help contact: pndudley@ucsc.edu
About UC Santa Cruz The University of California is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, or protected veteran status. UC Santa Cruz is committed to excellence through diversity and strives to establish a climate that welcomes, celebrates, and promotes respect for the contributions of all students and employees. Inquiries regarding the Universitys equal employment opportunity policies may be directed to the Equity and Equal Protection Office at the University of California, Santa Cruz, CA 95064 or by email at equity@ucsc.edu.
Notice of Availability: In compliance with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act (the Clery Act), the Annual Security and Fire Safety Report is available at: This report is published by October 1st of each year and includes current institutional policies and procedures concerning campus safety and security; fire safety and evacuation policies; sexual misconduct and relationship violence reporting and response protocols; and crime and fire statistics for the three previous calendar years. A paper copy of the ASFSR is available upon request by contacting the UCSC Police Department at 114 Carriage House Rd., Santa Cruz, CA 95064, or by calling 831-459-2231 Ext. 1.
Under Federal law, the University of California may employ only individuals who are legally able to work in the United States as established by providing documents as specified in the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986. Certain UCSC positions funded by federal contracts or sub-contracts require the selected candidate to pass an E-Verify check (see The university sponsors employment-based visas for nonresidents who are offered academic appointments at UC Santa Cruz (see
UCSC is a smoke & tobacco-free campus.
If you need accommodation due to a disability, please contact Disability Management Services at roberts@ucsc.edu (831) 459-4602.
UCSC is committed to addressing the spousal and partner employment needs of our candidates and employees. As part of this commitment, our institution is a member of the Northern California Higher Education Recruitment Consortium (NorCal HERC). Visit the NorCal HERC website at to search for open positions within a commutable distance of our institution.
The University of California offers a competitive benefits package and a number of programs to support employee work/life balance. For information about employee benefits please visit
As a University employee, you will be required to comply with all applicable University policies and/or collective bargaining agreements, as may be amended from time to time. Federal, state, or local government directives may impose additional requirements.
VISIT UC Santa Cruz:
Job location Santa Cruz, CA
To apply, visit jeid-b8b5ecf29c90d247a09acbb7ea465a92
Job Tags
Full time, Local area, Work visa,