Capitol Reef Field Station Site Manager

Capitol Reef Field Station Site Manager

Salary: $44,122.00 – $58,903.00 Annually

Job Type: FT Exempt Salaried Staff

Job Number: FY2402509

Closing: 5/16/2024 11:59 PM Mountain

Location: 800 W University Parkway, Orem

Division: Innovation Academy

Position Announcement

The CRFS Site Manager manages all aspects of the off-grid field station, while also supporting and in some cases conducting engaged learning, environmental ethics, and research and creative work through the exploration of the Colorado Plateau. The unique and remote nature of the field station results in wide-ranging job responsibilities for the site manager. The site manager manages the off-grid facilities, which includes solar panels, a lithium-ion battery bank, and a water treatment plant. The site manager manages and facilitates visitors staying at the field station for multiple days, including university and high school students, faculty, and staff, and federal employees. The site manager conducts a field station and national park orientation, field station facilities tour, and often a guided educational hike with every group that visits CRFS. The site manager conducts regular science education with field station groups, such as geology, ecology, archeology, and astronomy within the context of Capitol Reef National Park. Additionally, the site manager is required to stay at the field station overnight while visitors are at the field station and is generally on-call while the station is occupied, which requires living at least part-time at the field station. Finally, the site manager is at the intersection of the National Park Service and Utah Valley University and frequently works with several divisions and departments within both institutions.

Summary of Responsibilities

Facilities management

• 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 work with UVU facilities to coordinate more extensive needs, such as water treatment plant and electrical system upgrades, and building modifications.
• 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.

Group management and facilitation

• 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 and a walking facilities tour with every group.
• On-call 24 hours a day to facilitate group activities and address group needs throughout their stay, such as adjusting itineraries and planning field work, advising on safety considerations associated with hiking, weather, and dirt road conditions, managing group travel when roads are closed or 4WD access only, facilitating group cleaning requirements, 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 in a unique and informal setting to help them feel comfortable at the field station, such as eating and cooking together.
• Engaged science education and public outreach
• 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 that educate visitors on local ecology, geology, archeology, and pioneer history. 
• Conduct nighttime astronomy programs with high-quality telescopes.
• Conduct and facilitate service-learning projects with groups in collaboration with Capitol Reef National Park. 
• Help facilitate and manage credit-bearing UVU undergraduate independent projects, such as computer science students designing an application for a self-guided tour at the field station.
• Help facilitate and manage three paid internships for UVU undergraduates every summer in Capitol Reef National Park.
• Conduct and facilitate public education and outreach events, such as overnight astronomy events and a multi-day citizen science event called a BioBlitz. 
• Foster relationships and develop collaborations with Capitol Reef National Park, other groups visiting the field station such as classes from UVU and other universities, and other local and regional groups.

Research

• Acquire research funding through grant proposals.
• Conduct ecology research projects in collaboration with Capitol Reef National Park scientists, while simultaneously engaging student groups in service-learning.
• Develop research collaborations with faculty at UVU and other universities, and with national park scientists.
• Facilitate research projects for other scientists, including logistical support and advice, and assisting with the permitting process.

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution is required. Degree(s) or experience in one or more of the following fields preferred: Life Sciences, Earth Sciences, Environmental Sciences, Ecology, Outdoor Recreation, Interpretation, or related areas. Additionally, at least one year of documented experience in fieldwork or interpretive employment is required.

Preferred Qualifications:
Previous experience with the treatment and management of drinking water and solar power facilities is preferred.

Licenses or Certifications:
Wilderness First Responder, EMT, or CPR training or certification would be beneficial. Must be willing to obtain certification as a Wilderness First Responder, a Utah Division of Drinking Water system operator (treatment level 1), and a State of Utah food safety manager. Must Maintain a valid driver’s license. Leave No Trace certification is also desired.

Documents Needed to Apply

Required:

• Resume
• Cover Letter
• Two Letters of Recommendation

Knowledge, Skill, and Abilities

Knowledge:

• Knowledge of facilities management, such as a field station, especially on public lands
• Knowledge of the National Park Service and its mission
• Knowledge of the natural history of the Colorado Plateau and/or Capitol Reef National Park
• Knowledge of environmental health and safety risks, both generally and specific to remote areas, and strategies for mitigating risks
• Knowledge and experience with scheduling and logistics

Skills:

• Skills in operating a water treatment plant for drinking water production
• Skills in operation of solar power facility
• Skills in research, including collecting and analyzing scientific data
• Skills in writing and preparing of documents, including grant proposals, progress reports, final reports, and annual reports
• Skills in managing interns and assistants
• Skills in computer technology, including database management

Abilities:

• Ability to teach about environmental ethics, the resources of the Colorado Plateau, and the mission of the National Park Service
• Ability to live and work in an isolated environment where conditions may vary
• Ability to communicate at an effective and professional level, both written and verbally
• Ability to understand and carry out maintenance of facility operations
• Ability to effectively interact with diverse groups of people including researchers, students, government officials, donors, and local community members
• Ability to be self-directed, independently troubleshoot diverse challenges, and prioritize responsibilities
• Ability to be flexible with regards to work schedule and hours
• Ability to work outdoors and perform physical labor

EEO Statement:

UVU employment decisions are made on the basis of an applicant’s qualifications and ability to perform the job without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age (40 and over), disability, veteran status, pregnancy, childbirth, or pregnancy-related conditions, genetic information, or other bases protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.