Field Technician , Angelo Coast Range Reserve

At the University of California, Berkeley, we are dedicated to fostering a community where everyone feels welcome and can thrive. Our culture of openness, freedom, and belonging makes it a special place for students, faculty, and staff, who are among the most talented and accomplished anywhere, including Nobel laureates, Pulitzer Prize winners, and Mac Arthur Fellows. Since our founding in 1868, we have been an engine for innovation - driving intellectual, economic, and social progress that benefits California, the U.S., and beyond.

Together, we change the world.

At Berkeley, the best careers are built on a foundation of continuous learning and growth. We actively support professional development by providing all full-time staff employees with at least 80 hours of paid time per year and provide space for supportive colleague communities via numerous employee resource groups.

Angelo Coast Range Reserve seeks two technicians to contribute to fieldwork and research for a research project titled Grassland Conservation in the Cannabis-Impacted Eel River Watershed:
Biodiversity Monitoring, Soil Health Restoration, and Community Education. This work will take place at Angelo Coast Range Reserve, and at nearby study sites. For more information about Angelo Coast Range Reserve, visit (Use the "Apply for this Job" box below). .

The Field Technicians will support data collection focused on plant communities, arthropods, soil and root microbiomes, grass out planting success, metabolomics, and wildlife monitoring across multiple field sites and controlled experiments, with training and oversight provided by project personnel. Work will involve extensive field sampling in remote environments, field data collection, greenhouse support, laboratory processing, arthropod specimen handling, and detailed data management following standardized scientific protocols.

Primary responsibilities include conducting vegetation surveys using CNPS Relevé quadrat sampling protocols; installing and maintaining wildlife monitoring equipment; ground-dwelling arthropod sampling and processing; assisting with soil, rhizosphere, and grass root endosphere sampling for microbiome analyses; and assistance with seedling propagation, out planting, and monitoring of out planting success.

This position requires the ability to work safely and independently in remote field settings under variable weather and terrain conditions. Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and adherence to safety protocols are essential. The project offers experience in plant and insect ecology, developing familiarity with flora and fauna in the South Fork Eel watershed, biodiversity monitoring, and plant biology.

• Field Sampling at Research sites - 35%
• Processing wildlife camera and sound recorder data - 20%
• Assisting with educational and outreach events - 10%
• Greenhouse plant care - 15%
• Processing biological samples (arthropod, plant) - 20%

• Ability to work in remote field settings.
• Ability to hike over steep and uneven terrain while carrying field equipment and supplies.
• Ability to work outdoors for extended periods under varying weather conditions.
• Ability to maintain careful attention to detail during repetitive sampling and laboratory procedures.
• Ability to maintain professional conduct and strong safety awareness during field and laboratory operations.
• Ability to work flexible hours.

• Familiarity with/willingness to learn about California native plant communities and common grassland species.
• Plant identification skills and/or willingness to learn regional flora.
• Understanding of/willingness to learn standard field sampling techniques for vegetation, arthropods, soils, and wildlife monitoring.
• Familiarity with/willingness to learn about greenhouse plant propagation.
• Strong organizational and record-keeping skills, including maintaining detailed field notes and data collection.
• Experience using spreadsheets and/or databases.
• Effective written and verbal communication skills.

• High School Diploma or Equivalent (Required)

• CA Driver’s License (Required)