Fort Ord Natural Reserve and UCSC MBEST Landscape Steward

HOW TO APPLY

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.

• How to Apply
• Troubleshooting
• Tips for Applicants
• FAQ's

INITIAL REVIEW DATE (IRD)

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: 09-10-2025

ABOUT UC SANTA CRUZ

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.

DEPARTMENT OVERVIEW

The University of California Natural Reserve System (NRS) is a unique assemblage of 42 protected sites throughout California. The reserves encompass nearly all of the state's major ecosystems, preserved in as undisturbed a condition as possible to support University-level research and teaching programs. The NRS is a Trustee Agency under the California Environmental Quality Act, and UC manages the NRS resources in the Public Trust.
The five NRS sites that form the UC Santa Cruz (UCSC) unit are spread along 60 miles of the central coast: Ano Nuevo Island Reserve (25 acres), Landels-Hill Big Creek Reserve (8,000 acres), Fort Ord Natural Reserve (606 acres), Younger Lagoon Reserve (47 acres) and Strathearn Ranch in the Diablo Mountains in San Benito County. The UCSC NRS also administers the UCSC Campus Natural Reserve (400 acres) and the Santa Cruz Mountains Reserve. Each reserve has unique research and teaching opportunities, physical conditions and constraints, regional and local political considerations, and funding and administration issues. The mission of the Natural Reserve System is to contribute to the understanding and wise management of the Earth and its natural systems by supporting university-level teaching, research, and public service at protected natural areas throughout California.

Located on part of the former Fort Ord Army Base, Fort Ord Natural Reserve supports 600 acres of excellent examples of maritime chaparral endemic to the Monterey Bay region. This rare habitat and several associated plant and wildlife species depend largely on Fort Ord land for their survival. Eleven listed plant species reside there (including the federally endangered, state-threatened sand gilia and the federally threatened Monterey spineflower), along with six listed animal species (including the federally endangered Smith's blue butterfly). The site also supports a mixture of other habitats: coast live oak, coastal scrub, mixed annual grassland, and native perennial grassland.
The reserve was established because of its unique flora and fauna of the Monterey Bay maritime chaparral and as mitigation for the adjacent former UCSC Monterey Bay Education, Science, and Technology Center (MBEST). MBEST encompasses 400 acres of undeveloped and developed land that serves as a science and technology center for UC Santa Cruz. MBEST Research Park currently houses a 20,000 square foot business property with a mixture of staff, faculty, researchers, and outside tenants.

More information can be found at: https://fortordreserve.ucsc.edu/ and https://financial.ucsc.edu/Pages/MBEST_Process.aspx

JOB SUMMARY

The Landscape Steward is a hard-working individual that performs a variety of groundskeeping, landscaping, and land stewardship related activities at UCSC Fort Ord Natural Reserve and UCSC Monterey Bay Education Science and Technology Center in Marina, CA. This position works independently most of the time as well as with with a small team of personnel on occasion. The Landscape Steward uses experience in landscaping, trailwork, property cleanups, fence building and repair, driving equipment and trailers, etc. to perform job duties. The majority of the work will be outdoors working on a variety of groundskeeping, land management, and facility maintenance efforts; however, office and shop work and driving to purchase supplies will be necessary from time to time. This position requires someone who can work effectively with diverse groups of people in a cohesive, efficient, and productive manner but also someone who is comfortable and able to work independently as they will often be the only person on site. Strong interpersonal, communication and organization skills are essential. This full-time career position at the University of California includes competitive health and retirement benefits and 14 paid holidays a year. Under supervision of the Reserve Director, the Landscape Steward is an on-the-ground job conducting a variety of core duties in support of University activities at Fort Ord Natural Reserve and the UCSC MBEST Center, including the maintenance of grounds, trails, roads, tools, fences, facilities and infrastructure. The Landscape Steward assesses the physical needs of the reserve on a regular basis, documenting problems to be addressed (invasive species, evidence of trespass, dumping, erosion problems, etc.) and, to the extent possible, enforces university rules and policies. The incumbent will be required to drive a vehicle throughout the reserve on sandy dirt roads, and will occasionally drive a vehicle to run errands in the Santa Cruz, Monterey, or Salinas areas. The rugged and remote working conditions require a high level of personal integrity including the ability to sustain professionalism and strong work ethic and able to work alone and stay on task. Of critical importance is a heightened awareness of safety as this is essential when working independently in a location off road and away from easy access to emergency services. This full-time position has a weekly work schedule that may fluctuate throughout the year; incumbent will be expected to work with the Director to develop specific work schedules that, at times, may include weekends. Work starts at the UCSC MBEST Center in Marina, CA on scheduled work days.

APPOINTMENT INFORMATION

Budgeted Salary: $23.50/hour - $26.46/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.

Benefits Level Eligibility: Full benefits

Schedule Information:

• Full-time, Fixed
• Percentage of Time: 100%, 40 Hours per Week
• Days of the Week: Mon-Fri, with occasional weekends as necessary
• Shift Includes: Day

Employee Classification: Career appointment

Job End Date: None

Work Location: Off-Campus: Natural Reserves

Union Representation: SX Union

Job Code Classification: 008132 (GROUNDSKEEPER LD)

Travel: Up to 25% of the time

JOB DUTIES

50% - Vegetation and Landscape Maintenance

• Maintains access on trails and roads by removing vegetation, weeds and repairing tread using hand tools (i.e. shovel, Pulaski, McLeod, hoe, hand saw, loppers, etc.) and/or power tools (i.e. chainsaw, string trimmer, hedge cutter, etc.).
• Conducts landscaping and general cleanup maintenance around facilities (e.g. weeding, using mowers, pruning, clearing parking areas, etc.).
• Installs and repairs fences.
• Performs invasive species management using hand tools, power tools and herbicide-application equipment.
• May use tractors to mow areas and maintain roads and trails.
• May utilize a University vehicle and trailer to transport tools and equipment to different areas of the reserve on steep, narrow dirt roads.

20% - Land Stewardship

• Performs general land stewardship and maintenance activities including, but not limited to, trail maintenance, invasive species removal, vegetation control, patrol for trespassers and unauthorized use, fence repair, gate and sign installation, trash pick up, and cleanup of dump and camp sites.

20% - Restoration and Conservation

• Performs on-the-ground native habitat restoration efforts for research and conservation purposes including seed collection, propagation, weeding, planting, irrigation, and monitoring.

5% - Building and Infrastructure Maintenance

• Monitors and performs basic maintenance and cleaning of battery systems, generators, springs, and water supplies.
• Directly assists with rough carpentry, plumbing and electrical repairs and alterations to buildings.
• Loads and unloads materials.
• Clears vegetative fuels around facilities for fire safety.
• Performs basic custodial tasks (e.g. cleaning, removing trash, etc.) and special facilities projects, as needed.
• Acts as a professional point of contact for visitors to facilitate their use of the reserve's facilities.

5% - Tool, Equipment and Vehicle Maintenance

• Performs or provides for the basic maintenance (i.e. scheduled fluids and parts changes) of small engines, tools, equipment, and off-highway vehicles.
• Monitors and keeps vehicles free of rodents, cleaning when necessary.
• Maintains work records and maintenance logs.
• May run errands to the Monterey, Santa Cruz, or Salinas area using a University vehicle.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Prior related experience in groundskeeping, farm, building, ranch, natural resource maintenance, or similar field.
• Mechanical aptitude (e.g. experience with functioning, use and maintenance of small engines, generators, tools and vehicles, etc.).
• Experience with the safe operation and maintenance of a chainsaw.
• Experience with the safe operation and maintenance of hand and power tools for trail and road work, such as Pulaskis, McLeods, hoes, string trimmers, and hedge cutters.
• Demonstrated interpersonal communication skills sufficient to interact effectively with staff, faculty, students, and the public, and to represent UC Santa Cruz Campus, the Natural Reserves, and UC MBEST accurately and professionally.
• Ability to exercise initiative and good judgment, especially with regard to safety.
• Ability to effectively communicate in written form.
• Ability to work accurately, with interruptions, to meet deadlines.
• Experience using power and landscaping tools.
• Ability to effectively communicate verbally.
• Ability to work independently as well as part of a team.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• High School Diploma.
• Demonstrated ability to perform, basic carpentry and land management skills (use of saw, shovel, rake, hammer, drill, etc.).
• Demonstrated experience working with diverse groups of student interns and/or volunteer groups.
• Bilingual in English and Spanish.
• Familiarity with the scientific and educational mission of the Natural Reserve System or equivalent experience with maintaining client visitor services.

SPECIAL CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

• Selected candidate will be required to pass a pre-employment criminal history background check.
• Selected candidate must pass the employment misconduct disclosure process.
• Selected candidate will be required to complete training within established time frames as directed including UC compliance training.
• Must possess a valid license to drive in the state of California and participate in the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) pull notice program.
• Ability to work long periods of time in wilderness conditions and to travel to remote areas.
• Ability to perform work in a rugged physical environment and inclement weather with challenging infrastructure requirements.
• Ability to walk to and work in remote areas with rugged terrain, heavy brush, biting and stinging insects, bears and mountain lions.
  Poison Oak is present. Incumbent must be willing to take the measures required to work in contact with and cut/remove poison oak.
• Ability to work in conditions of variable temperature/weather with possible exposure to strong, unpleasant odors, high levels of noise and vibrations, and exposure to dust and allergens.
• Ability to successfully work with and around a variety of fertilizers, insecticides and herbicides.
• Ability to perform grounds keeping duties outdoors through all seasons of weather in developed and undeveloped environments.
• Ability to ascend/descend ladders with or without accommodation.
• Ability to conduct outdoor site visits, including use of required personal protective equipment, as required to conduct investigations, inspections, or view work in place.
• Ability to sustain exposure to dusty, noisy environments and inclement weather as necessary to carry out assigned duties and responsibilities.
• Ability to safely perform the physical requirements necessary to move light to moderate objects up to 60 lbs., with or without accommodation.
• The selected candidate will be required to work all scheduled hours on-site.
• Ability to work occasional evenings and weekends as directed.
• Ability to work safely in areas where hazardous materials are present or stored.
• Ability to wear proper safety attire (long pants, closed-toe shoes, etc.) and personal protective equipment common in a laboratory setting.
• Ability to read signs and follow directions on labels that are written in English as well as ability to read and understand Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) and the proper use of chemical compounds.
• Ability to travel to multiple work locations on and off campus.
• The University of California has implemented a Vaccination Policy covering all employees. Employees, including new hires, are required to comply with any applicable policies relating to the University of California vaccine program.
• Per the Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act (CANRA), this position has been identified as a Mandated Reporter. The selected candidate will be required to report known or suspected child abuse or neglect as defined by CANRA and will be required to sign a Statement Acknowledging Requirement to Report Child Abuse prior to commencing employment. CANRA Penal Codes, and related definitions, requirements, and responsibilities may be obtained here.

MISCONDUCT DISCLOSURE REQUIREMENT

As a condition of employment, the final candidate who accepts a conditional offer of employment will be required to disclose if they have been subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct; received notice of any allegations or are currently the subject of any administrative or disciplinary proceedings involving misconduct; have left a position after receiving notice of allegations or while under investigation in an administrative or disciplinary proceeding involving misconduct; or have filed an appeal of a finding of misconduct with a previous employer.

a. "Misconduct" means any violation of the policies or laws governing conduct at the applicant's previous place of employment, including, but not limited to, violations of policies or laws prohibiting sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other forms of harassment, discrimination, dishonesty, or unethical conduct, as defined by the employer. For reference, below are UC's policies addressing some forms of misconduct:

- UC Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy
- UC Anti-Discrimination Policy
- Abusive Conduct in the Workplace

SAFETY STATEMENT

All UCSC employees must understand and follow job safety procedures, attend required health and safety training, proactively promote safety at work, and promptly report actual and potential accidents and injuries.

NOTICE OF AVAILABILITY

EEO/AA

The University of California is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status or other protected categories covered by the UC Anti-Discrimination Policy.

It is the policy of the University of California to undertake affirmative action and anti-discrimination efforts, consistent with its obligations as a Federal and State contractor.