Organizational Background:

The UC Davis Tahoe Environmental Research Center (TERC) is a global leader in research, education, and public outreach on lakes that provides critical scientific information to help understand, restore, and sustain the Lake Tahoe Basin and other systems worldwide.

Number of Member Positions at this Site: 1

Site Supervisor’s Name(s) and Title(s): Michael Cane, Field Lab Director

Position Description:

The Tahoe Environmental Research Center Field Team is a team of highly trained scientists that conduct scientific research and long-term monitoring on Lake Tahoe and on other bodies of water worldwide. The University of California, Davis has conducted continuous monitoring of Lake Tahoe since 1968, amassing a unique record of change for one of the world's most beautiful and vulnerable lakes. The long-term data set collected on the Lake Tahoe freshwater ecosystem by the UC Davis, and its research collaborators is an invaluable tool for understanding ecosystem function and change over time. We are stewards of this long-term monitoring program and continue to expand our research as new and emerging technologies become available.

Planning and preparation of our field materials occurs mainly in our Tahoe City Field Station, but may also be done in the UC Davis, Tahoe Science Center in Incline Village Nevada. Most of the field work is done on our two vessels stationed full time in Tahoe City Marina or on one of our other research vessels stationed in Davis, CA.

The TERC Field Team Program Assistant will aid the field team by helping to prepare field equipment for daily monitoring activities, conducting field work/service for long-term  monitoring efforts, participating in daily cleanup after field activities, conducting lab work/data entry associated with long-term monitoring projects, participating in training related to field efforts and/or safety, writing articles for the TERC newsletter regarding field activities, and aiding the Education Team in public outreach.

Tasks will include some of the following activities:

• Enhance team capacity by preparing field equipment for daily research and analysis (e.g. Wash and label bottles for sample collection, prepare sampling equipment, assist in the maintenance and calibration of field instrumentation, prepare samples for analysis and/or shipment)
• Conduct boat and land-based field activities on and around Lake Tahoe and/or other bodies of water within California
• Support field equipment maintenance in the Tahoe City Field Station by cleaning and organizing gear after field activities
• Implement high-quality data collection and analysis: enter data, utilizing ESRI platforms (ArcGIS, Field Maps, Survey123, etc.) create maps and organize spatial data collected during monitoring field work, and enumerating macroinvertebrate and zooplankton samples
• Develop science communication skills by documenting field activities and writing short articles regarding work that the field team is participating in for a quarterly newsletter
• Participate in trainings such as the Motorboat Operator Training Course and/or Wilderness First Aid to earn professional certifications and ingrain safe field practices
• Develop broad outreach skills by aiding the Education Team in public outreach activities with schools, families and community members

Site-Specific Training Provided:

UC Davis-specific orientation and training opportunities, including Laboratory Safety Training, Wilderness First Aid, etc.

Desired Qualifications:

• Background in science (coursework or relevant experience)
• Ability to conduct lab work for extended periods of time
• Ability to conduct year-round field activities, sometimes in inclement weather
• Ability to work on boats and in aquatic environments
• Ability to lift 50lbs
• Experience working in a team environment
• Skills facilitating and/or participating in group meetings
• Ability to lay out tasks, identify resources, focus and complete tasks on time
• Strong writing skills
• Independent, highly motivated, and able to meet deadlines with limited supervision
• Passion for the natural environment
• Ability to travel throughout the region
• Physical ability to perform strenuous activities at high elevations

Additional Benefits:

Opportunity to serve at world-class field station at beautiful Lake Tahoe.

Website: http://tahoe.ucdavis.edu

Qualifications:

• Must be 18+ years of age and high school graduates or GED recipients (or minimum of 17 and working toward a high school diploma or GED); members must agree to obtain either a diploma or GED before using an education award; meeting full list of member eligibility requirements in 45 CFR §2522.200(a)
• Must be a U.S. citizen, U.S. national or lawful permanent resident
• Must participate in a national criminal history background check pursuant to 45 CFR §2540.200-206

Benefits:

• Up to 27,500 living allowance for term of service, $2,500 per month.
• Federal Segal AmeriCorps Education Award upon successful completion of minimum hours for enrolled term of service.
• California For All Education Award to supplement the Segal Education Award for a combined total of $10,000. (FT/1700 hr members only)
• Healthcare, Dental, Vision coverage for members (FT/1700 hr members only)
• Childcare assistance if eligible (FT/1700 hr members only)
• Student Loan Deferment & Interest Forbearance if eligible.
• Member Development fund of $500 to support training, networking, and professional development opportunities that can be utilized and will be valued by future employers after the service term is completed.