Individual Placement -Stebbins Canyon Participant

Position Summary 

The UC Davis Natural Reserve System is seeking a part-time individual placement to serve at the Stebbins Cold Canyon Reserve.

 

Stebbins Cold Canyon Reserve is a unit of the University of California Natural Reserve System and is administered by the University of California, Davis. It is within the Blue Ridge Berryessa Natural Area, in the Northern Inner California Coast Ranges. In addition to offering spectacular views of the Inner Coast Range, the reserve has a mix of habitats with high species diversity. Wildfires burned the reserve in the summer of 2015 and 2020; University of California researchers are studying the recovery in the area; and staff and volunteers are restoring and improving trails. The University of California maintains the site as an ecological preserve for teaching and research. It is also an immensely popular destination which attracts tens of thousands of hikers to the trail network each year.

 

The purpose of the Stebbins Cold Canyon Reserve Individual Placement position will be to assist staff in achieving their stewardship and management goals. Duties will be field, campus and remote-based.

 

Location 

Davis, CA

 

Schedule 

January 12, 2026 - March 31, 2026

 

Key Duties and Responsibilities 

Field duties may include:

• Conduct routine trail and road maintenance (earthworks, cutting and slashing)
• Manage field camera trap network (service cameras, install new)
• Maintain visitor facilities and trail heads (nature trail brochures, trash, signage)
• Engage with the public (the teachable moment, water and safety, wildlife, iNaturalist, etc.)
• Collect field data (noxious weeds, trash, rock tagging, interesting observations)
• Conduct trail and biological surveys (soil erosion, summer pools, springs)
• Install two Chronolog habitat monitoring stations
• Attend volunteer service and camping/recreation trip to Joshua Tree National Park with SCA staff

Remote and office duties may include:

• Image truthing for AI image classification pipeline
• Manage SCCR social media
• Design interpretation signage for Homestead ‘Ceaonothus garden’ project
• Design K-12 field curricula (Waggoner Elementary School)

Marginal Duties 

• Nature filming (film video and photo media)
• Film editing (Ecosystem Exploration videos)
• Organize photo and video media

Required Qualifications 

In the field:

• Willingness and ability to work in a wildland setting and to learn the use of different tools and equipment.
• Ability to work a flexible field schedule, including some pre-dawn and early evenings.
• Ability to hike up to ten (10) miles a day.
• Some experience with basic hand tools, power tools, and equipment.
• Some experience using GPS for navigation.
• Availability to participate in a volunteer service and recreation trip to Joshua Tree National Park in March 2026.

The Barn/remote:

• Familiarity with the use of Macintosh systems
• Use of editing tools such as Canva and Adobe Suite
• Basic data management and organizing

Preferred Qualifications 

• A driver’s license is preferred
• Local Davis resident preferred
• Social media (Facebook/Instagram/YouTube)
• Video/photo organizing and archival skills
• Volunteer and event organizing experience
• SCCR Crowdfund Campaign setup (outreach, video creation, writing) 

Hours 

9 per week

 

Living Accommodations 

Not provided

 

Compensation  

• $19/hour

All allowances are subject to applicable federal, state, and local taxes. 

 

Personal Vehicle Information

A work truck will be available for travel to and from work sites on occasion, however, students may be required to use their own transport.

 

Additional Benefits 

• Defensive Drive Training
• First Aid/CPR
• Interpretive Skills
• AmeriCorps: Not Eligible

 

Equal Opportunity Statement 

The Student Conservation Association, Inc., is an Equal Opportunity Employer. The SCA strives to cultivate a work environment that encourages fairness, teamwork, and respect among all staff members and is committed to maintaining a work atmosphere where lifestyles may grow personally and professionally.