Capitol Reef Field Station Site Manager

Overview

The Site Manager oversees Capitol Reef Field Station (CRFS), an off-the-grid facility located within Capitol Reef National Park, while promoting and supporting engaged learning, environmental ethics, and research and creative work through the exploration of the Colorado Plateau. The site manager is responsible for managing field station facilities, facilitating visitors staying at the field station for multiple days (including university students, faculty, staff, high school students, and federal employees), and conducting educational programming, public outreach, and research and/or creative work.

The site manager conducts educational programming with field station groups on topics related to geology, ecology, archeology, astronomy, and Leave-No-Trace principles within the context of Capitol Reef National Park and the Colorado Plateau. The site manager is at the intersection of the National Park Service and Utah Valley University (UVU) and frequently collaborates with several divisions and departments within both institutions.

The site manager stays at the field station overnight when visitors are present, which entails living at least part-time at the field station and being on-call 24 hours a day while the station is occupied. The ideal candidate has a solid maintenance background, enjoys building relationships, excels in public speaking, and is comfortable with long stretches of solitude in a remote location.

For more information, please contact CRFS.

• Manage and monitor an off-the-grid field station with 5 buildings, including 9 bedrooms, 12 bathrooms, a commercial-style kitchen, multi-purpose room, classroom, office, off-grid facilities equipment, and scientific instrumentation.
• On-call 24 hours a day to address field station needs while the field station is occupied.
• Operate, monitor, and troubleshoot an on-site water treatment plant, which is a state-inspected public water source, and water distribution system.
• Complete and maintain a water treatment operator (level I) state certification.
• Monitor and troubleshoot an off-the-grid electrical system, including solar panels, a battery storage system, and a propane generator.
• Monitor and troubleshoot an off-the-grid propane heating system.
• Conduct regular field station repairs and upgrades and coordinate with UVU Facilities for more extensive projects.
• Monitor and troubleshoot information technology infrastructure and coordinate major repairs with UVU Networking and Information Technology.
• Coordinate road grading and repairs with Capitol Reef National Park.
• Maintain rain-collection barrels, orchard trees, garden space, compost, and vermiculture.
• Maintain grounds, remove invasive species, and trim vegetation.
• Keep the field station organized, with regular cleaning and deep cleaning when necessary.
• Monitor and maintain the field station vehicle and water-hauling trailer.

• Coordinate with groups and address questions prior to arrival at the field station, such as assisting with a group’s itinerary.
• Conduct a field station and national park orientation, a walking facilities tour, and a conservation discussion with every group.
• On-call 24 hours a day to facilitate group activities and address group needs throughout their stay, including itinerary adjustments, field work planning, safety considerations for hiking, weather, and dirt road conditions, managing group travel when roads are closed or 4WD access is required, facilitating group cleaning, coordinating interactions with national park staff, stocking bathrooms and the kitchen, and managing garbage, recycling, and compost.
• Interact extensively with students, faculty, staff, federal employees, and other visitors to help them feel comfortable at the field station (e.g., eating and cooking together).
• Complete and maintain a Wilderness First Responder certification, handling emergencies and medical issues arising with field station groups or visitors in the park area.
• Train interns, the assistant site manager, and CRFS steering committee members about field station operations.

• Educate visitors on local and global sustainability and conservation challenges and solutions, using the field station and Capitol Reef National Park as a classroom and a working example of sustainability.
• Lead interpretative hikes educating visitors on local ecology, geology, archeology, and pioneer history.
• Conduct night-time astronomy programs with high-quality telescopes.
• Conduct and facilitate service-learning projects with groups in collaboration with Capitol Reef National Park (e.g., graffiti removal, historic orchard horticulture, invasive plant removal and species monitoring).
• Help facilitate and manage credit-bearing UVU undergraduate independent projects (e.g., engineering students designing a grey water system for the field station).
• Help facilitate and manage paid internships for UVU undergraduates each summer in Capitol Reef National Park.
• Conduct and facilitate public…