Scott Creek Field Assistant

For full consideration, applicants should attach their resume and cover letter when applying for a job opening. For guidance related to the application process or if you are experiencing difficulties when applying, please review the Applicant Resources on our website.

UC Santa Cruz jobs are posted until filled. All application materials submitted by 11:59 pm on the IRD will be routed to the hiring team for consideration.

NOTE:

Applicants who miss the IRD are still encouraged to apply; their materials will still be forwarded for consideration if requested by the hiring team. Application materials cannot be accepted outside of the jobs portal. Applications cannot be edited on an applicant s behalf. For more information about the IRD and the applicant review process, view this link.

The IRD for this job is:
08-04-2026

UC Santa Cruz is a public university like no other in California, combining the experience of a small, liberal arts college with the depth and rigor of a major research university. It s known as an unconventional place where innovation and experimentation is part of the campus s DNA. That playful, bold spirit still thrives today, all on a campus renowned as among the most beautiful in the world.

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 by providing research opportunities, resources, facilities, and support for scientists within the institute and with other marine research institutions.

As part of its mission 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 involving marine and freshwater species and habitats where comprehensive studies are being conducted on the ecology and life history of Pacific salmonids and other fish.

The FCP supports resource managers (e.g., Pacific Fisheries Management Council), fisheries, and resource science in general.

Under a cooperative agreement between the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) and the University of California, Santa Cruz, comprehensive studies are being conducted on the biology and ecology of Pacific coast salmon species. The primary purpose of these studies is to provide critical information to support the conservation and management of threatened and endangered species in California. The incumbent will be joining a research team consisting of UCSC staff, faculty, and students, and collaborative researchers from the NMFS Santa Cruz Laboratory.

Fieldwork is primarily conducted in coastal streams and estuaries in Central California. Laboratory work is performed at the Southwest Fisheries Science Center in Santa Cruz, CA. Results from this program are intended to benefit fishery resource managers and improve conservation outcomes.

Under supervision, the incumbent will serve as part of a research team and assist with field and laboratory studies. Freshwater field surveys may include adult and juvenile fish trapping and handling, spawning ground surveys, backpack electrofishing, snorkel surveys, passive integrated transponder (PIT) tagging, habitat typing, environmental monitoring, and the collection of biological samples. Data management and some laboratory work are also required.

About 80% of the time will be in the field and 20% in the NOAA Southwest Fisheries Science Center Laboratory in Santa Cruz on the Coastal Science Campus. The employee may be expected to work from home when federal lab access is restricted during possible government shutdown.

Budgeted Salary: $27.07 - 29.51/hour. Salary commensurate with skills, qualifications and experience.

Under California law, the University of California, Santa Cruz is required to post a reasonable estimate of the compensation for this role. The salary shown above is the budgeted amount the University reasonably expects to pay and the salary extended should not exceed this posted amount.

Number of Positions Available: 2

Benefits Level Eligibility: Full benefits

Schedule Information:

• Full-time, Fixed
• Percentage of Time: 100%, 40 Hours per Week
• Days of the Week:
  Monday to Friday, with the occasional evening or weekend
• Shift Includes:
  Day

Job End Date: None

Work Location: UC Santa Cruz Coastal Campus and Off Campus

Union Representation: TX Union

Job Code Classification: 009603 (LAB AST
2)

Travel: Up to 100% of the time

70% - Field Work

• Makes preparations for and conducts standard stream field surveys using prescribed methods under close technical supervision. Preparations will include stocking and organizing sampling materials,…