Assistant/Associate Specialist -Fuels and Fire Ecology - Department of Environmental Science, Policy, and Management
University of California, Berkeley
Position overview
Application Window
Open date: July 29, 2025
Next review date: Wednesday, Aug 13, 2025 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time)
Apply by this date to ensure full consideration by the committee.
Final date: Monday, Sep 1, 2025 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time)
Applications will continue to be accepted until this date, but those received after the review date will only be considered if the position has not yet been filled.
Position description
The Department of Environmental Science, Policy, and Management at the University of California, Berkeley, seeks applications for an Assistant/Associate Specialist in the Shive Lab, in the area of fuels and fire ecology.
Dr. Kristen Shive (PI), is an Assistant Cooperative Extension Specialist with the Department of Environmental Science, Policy, & Management (ESPM) within the Rausser College of Natural Resources (RCNR) at the University of California, Berkeley.
In line with the goals of the UC Cooperative Extension program, the Shive Lab seeks to answer research questions that can directly support forest managers and private citizens in adapting to increasing wildfire activity in forested ecosystems. To ensure our work is relevant to forest management, our research questions are developed in cooperation with forest managers, policy makers, and other scientists, and we use a combination of robust, quantitative field studies and spatial analyses to address them. We also extend our research to practitioners in the form of research briefs, reports, and workshops. At present, we work in the giant sequoia and mixed conifer forests of the Sierra Nevada, as well as coast redwood forests, addressing questions around fuel accumulation, forest recovery, and reforestation.
This position will coordinate and implement field and lab work, manage and analyze data, and contribute to publications in support of active research projects.
Specific responsibilities include:
• In collaboration with the PI, finalizes study designs for field data collection projects focused on forest and fuels inventories. Coordinate fieldwork by training field crews and managing field crew data collection. Coordinates the field collection of field samples, such as woody fuel particles, for lab processing.
• Leads the management and processing of field samples and associated data. Assists with the management and analysis of forest science data. This assistance will entail data entry, development of database descriptions, quality control and quality assurance checks, and statistical analysis of key metrics.
• Generates progress reports as needed at quarterly intervals for the relevant projects. Reporting includes tracking the status of deliverables and tasks, and a summary of progress in the format required by the sponsor.
• Contribute to the planning, analysis, and writing of peer-reviewed manuscripts and final reports. These contributions may include the drafting of figures and tables, the analysis of data, editing and proofreading text, and the compilation of references.
• Assists with the development of deliverables tied to Extension projects that are focused on science delivery to practitioners, which can include contributing to the creation of Fact Sheets, Research Briefs, and workshops.
Qualifications
Bachelor's degree or equivalent international degree.
- Master’s Degree in ecology, ecosystem science, forestry, geography, plant sciences, or a related field.
- Three years of post-baccalaureate research experience, preferably in forest ecosystem management and/or science.
- Strong R programing and GIS skills.
- Robust experience in project management and implementing forest inventory fieldwork.
Application Requirements
Curriculum Vitae - Your most recently updated C.V.
Cover Letter
- 3 required (contact information only)
Help contact: kshive@berkeley.edu
About UC Berkeley
UC Berkeley is committed to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging in our public mission of research, teaching, and service, consistent with UC Regents Policy 4400 and University of California Academic Personnel policy (APM 210 1-d). These values are embedded in our Principles of Community, which reflect our passion for critical inquiry, debate, discovery and innovation, and our deep commitment to contributing to a better world. Every member of the UC Berkeley community has a role in sustaining a safe, caring and humane environment in which these values can thrive.
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- “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 or discrimination, as defined by the employer.
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