AMWS & Alumni Digest                 January 24, 2014  

In This Issue
Career Opportunities & Internships
Upcoming Events and Conferences
Educational Opportunities

* Denotes New Opportunites

Quick Links

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Just a reminder!
None of the entry doors of the Science Building should be left propped open after hours.  This creates a security problem that affects everyone who works in the building. Thank you for your cooperation!
Career Opportunities & Internships
Job Opportunity for Recent Graduates

Laboratory Assistant I Monterey, CA 

To apply for this position, go to jobs.berkeley.edu - click on "External Applicants" and search for job number #17306

 
 Departmental Overview
 The Kremen Lab at the University of California Berkeley is seeking one internship position beginning March 1, 2014 and ending approximately May 31, 2014, with possible extension until August 15, 2014. The position will be based in the Salinas and Pajaro Valleys of California, in San Benito and Monterey Counties. Housing will not be provided. 

Claire Kremen is the director for the Berkeley Center for Diversified Farming Systems, a program motivated by a desire to understand how agriculture designed according to whole systems and agroecological principles can contribute to creating a more sustainable, socially just, and secure global food system. This project seeks a motivated field assistant to participate in a large collaborative ecological research program between UC Berkeley, Stanford University, and UC Davis geared towards facilitating a transition towards a sustainable food system that conserves life-support systems, and secures safe food and water and healthy rural livelihoods. 

In 2006, an E. Coli outbreak in fresh spinach was traced to the Salinas Valley. Concerns that wildlife brought the disease onto farms caused growers to dramatically alter their farming practices and resulted in the removal of 13% of the riparian habitat in the Salinas Valley. The work seeks to determine the unintended ecological consequences of removing riparian habitat. For example, many predators of damaging crop pests rely on natural habitat to complete their lifecycles. Natural habitat removal may thus threaten these insect predators and cause increasingly severe pest outbreaks.
 Responsibilities
 The successful applicant will work alongside a postdoctoral mentor to conduct a large scale-field experiment in agricultural fields in the Salinas Valley, participating in all aspects of the field and laboratory components of this project. The primary objective of this field experiment will be to document the potential role of riparian habitat adjacent to crop fields in enhancing predators and preventing pest outbreaks. Training and direction will be provided by a postdoctoral fellow. The work necessitates that the assistant reside in or find temporary residence nearby (e.g. in Monterey, San Benito, or Santa Cruz counties). 
Key Responsibilities: 
* Conduct ecological field experiments. After training from postdoctoral mentor, work will include (1) constructing experimental materials, (2) insect collections and monitoring, and (3) administering predation experiments (e.g. placing and monitoring experimental exclusion cages). 
* Labwork. After training from postdoctoral mentor, work include (1) insect rearing, (2) insect identification, and (3) insect storage and labeling. 
* Data entry.
 Required Qualifications
 * Interest in ecology, entomology, and conservation biology. 
* Bachelors degree in related field. 
* Attention to detail, especially in data collection. 
* Ability to work independently and for long hours in field conditions (which may be hot and sunny or cold and rainy). 
* At least some basic field experience. 
* Basic computer skills (e.g. Word, Excel).
 Preferred Qualifications
 * Previous field or lab experience in entomology (e.g. surveys, identification, etc.) 
* Previous field experience in California or in agricultural conditions.
 How to Apply
 Please submit your cover letter and resume as a single attachment when applying. 

The salary is Step 1 / $2451.00 monthly. 

The position is located off campus in Monterey, CA
 Driving Required
 A valid driver's license and DMV check for driving record is required.
 Equal Employment Opportunity
 The University of California, Berkeley is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer.

*NSF and NASA Funded Programs for Students 

Here are links to specific portals for students:

For Undergraduates: 

Paid Summer 2014 Undergrad Research Opportunities:

More than 650 programs - REU and other summer research opportunities for undergrads

 For Financial Support in Graduate School: 

Bridge to the Doctorate, IGERT and NSF Grad Research Fellowship programs provide generous stipend and tuition support for students through the National Science Foundation.

More than 250 openings nationwide.

 

ACE is currently hiring corps members for an AmeriCorps term in 2014

March 3, 2014 - September 9, 2014

 A 900 hour (minimum), 27 week commitment is required.  You are encouraged to consider volunteering with our non-AmeriCorps crews in CA or AZ if you wish to start earlier than March 2014.

Position Description:  AmeriCorps Members will spend 6 months training on complex trail construction, forestry, and environmental restoration projects under the guidance of ACE's most skilled staff members.   The goal of the position is to accomplish meaningful project work for a variety of agencies while becoming proficient in advanced field techniques such as trail construction, ecological restoration, dry stone masonry, and chainsaw use.   AmeriCorps Members will also gain leadership skills while helping to supervise, train, and generally support ACE volunteers who are rotated into long term projects. All work is physically demanding, occasionally requiring stints in the backcountry and/or extended stays in the field.  This position requires hiking, backpacking, camping and cooking outdoors while at front country and wilderness spike camps.                                     Location:  Members will be based in Santa Cruz and/or South Lake Tahoe, CA.  Projects will take place at various locations throughout California.  All participants must be flexible and willing to be assigned to a variety of locations and for multiple agencies, wherever community need is the highest.  Project assignments vary in length from one week to several months so Members will experience a range of opportunities throughout their six-month term.

More Information  

  

Assistant Professor of Water Resources

The University of Rhode Island seeks to strengthen and expand our focus area "Water and Water Resources". We invite applications for a 9-month tenure-track position at the Assistant Professor level to conduct research, teaching, and service in the area of Water Resources. The successful candidate will actively participate in a collaborative, interdisciplinary research program in hydrology, water quality, environmental geochemistry, environmental engineering, natural resource policy, and Geographic Information Systems and be involved in teaching interdisciplinary courses. The anticipated start date is Fall 2014. An earlier start date (Spring 2014) may be negotiable. The anticipated tenure department is Geosciences (negotiable) where the new faculty will collaborate with existing expertise in the areas of water quality, and international water supply/treatment. More Information

  

Professor of Geology at South Dakota School of Mines & Technology

The Department of Geology and Geological Engineering at the South Dakota School of Mines & Technology invites applications for a nine-month tenure-track position in petrology at the Assistant, Associate, or Professor level. We seek candidates with expertise and interests in one or more of the following areas: mineral resources, geothermal systems, magmatic systems, or volcanology. The successful candidate will teach undergraduate and graduate courses in petrology and other areas related to his/her expertise. The successful candidate will also develop a vigorous externally-funded research program and advise undergraduate and graduate students. A completed Ph.D. in Geology or closely related field is required. Nine month salary range is commensurate with background and experience. For questions about this position, contact Tim Masterlark, Search Chair, at [email protected]. More Information   

  

Science Policy Summer Internship in Washington, D.C.

      This is an early alert regarding a Science Policy-focused Summer Internship Program (SSIP) conducted by the Quality Education for Minorities (QEM) Network with support from the National Science Foundation (NSF).  This opportunity is for graduate and undergraduate students from groups underrepresented in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), particularly, but not limited to, students interested in pursuing careers in science policy or science education.
      The ten-week, Washington, DC-based internship (May 27-August 1, 2014) is made possible through a grant to the QEM  Network from NSF. Students who successfully complete the internship will receive a taxable stipend, $3,000 for undergraduates and $4,000 for graduate students, paid in three installments over the course of the summer. The students also will receive housing at George Washington University with other QEM interns as well as round-trip airfare and ground travel reimbursement. More Information 

 

NOAA Field Positions Available

 The Santa Cruz NOAA office is hiring two field technicians to assist with salmonid-related field research.  These are full-time positions with one-year appointments. Search job numbers 1304505 and 1304504 here for more information.

  

 

CA Dept. of Fish and Wildlife Natural Resource Volunteer Program 

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) is seeking applicants for the Natural Resource Volunteer Program (NRVP) to serve within the newly created Monterey NRVP Chapter. Interested residents of Monterey, Santa Cruz and Santa Benito counties are strongly encouraged to apply.  More Information 

  

Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary Internships

Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary (MBNMS) is one of the nation's largest marine protected areas and encompasses more than 6,000 square miles of central California coastal waters containing a rich array of habitats and marine life. The Sanctuary program provides protection of these natural resources through research and education to foster public understanding and stewardship of this nationally significant marine area. 

  The Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary constantly seeking interns to work on various research, education and resource protection projects. More Information 

  

FishWise Sustainable Seafood Internship

FishWise is a non-profit organization designed to improve the sustainability and financial performance of seafood retailers, distributors, and producers.  Uniquely positioned between the seafood industry and marine conservation organizations, FishWise offers a range of services that create trust between seafood vendors and their customers.  FishWise joins business imperatives with leading ocean conservation strategies. The intern's primary responsibility is two-fold: 1) to provide support to existing member retailer partners and 2) provide general office support.  More Information 

  

Rincon Consultant's Monterey Office Hiring

Rincon is looking for interns/entry level candidates as well as candidates with a few years of experience (ideally in CEQA consulting, but city/regional planning as well). There is information in their website, and people can submit resumes through the site. More Information 

  

Internships with USDA

You will find student internship opportunities that are available at USDA Agencies throughout the country.  Additionally, the last two positions listed below are Recent Graduate positions (career opportunities for recent graduates who are looking for employment).  Please feel free to share with your students at your respective institutions. 

Please note:  All of the internship positions are paid and can be accessed on USAjobs.gov!

 

Fermentation Engineer - Research Investigator    

DuPont Central Research and Development has an immediate opening for Biochemical Engineers with a strong background in fermentation based process research and development. Successful applicants will have excellent communication, project management, and leadership skills as well as strong theoretical knowledge and hands-on experience in one or more areas including metabolic engineering, systems biology, bioreactor design, fermentation optimization, and fermentation scale-up. The position also requires conceptual design and experimental validation of fermentation-based processes within a collaborative and multidisciplinary team of molecular biologists, biochemists, and engineers. Apply online here.

Education and Career Training Opportunities in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathamatics 

-450+ paid summer research experiences for undergraduates

-Graduate fellowships, mentoring and professional development opportunities

-150+ Post-doctoral Opportunities

Go to www.pathwaystoscience.org 

 

 Monterey Bay Aquarium Internships

Deadlines

  • Fall applications due June 1
  • Winter applications due September 1
  • Spring applications due December 1
  • Summer applications due March 1

Scholarships & Grants

Student Opportunities at National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) 

The U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is currently advertising two student programs for students in oceanic, environmental, biological and atmospheric sciences, mathematics, engineering, remote sensing, physical and social sciences including geography, physics, hydrology, geomatics, or teacher education. Many of the disciplines NOAA employees study overlap with USDA.

The Hollings Scholarship brings approximately 100 students to DC every summer for a scholarship/internship program. NOAA is looking to diversify their candidate pool as a very small percentage of students awarded are minorities. http://www.oesd.noaa.gov/scholarships/hollings.html 

  

The Educational Partnership Program Undergraduate Scholarship is for students from Minority-Serving Institutions, including HSIs.  Includes an academic scholarship and internship.

http://www.epp.noaa.gov/ssp_undergrad_page.html 

This is a great opportunity for students who are interested in STEM and the federal government.   Contact NOAA with any questions.

  

NOAA Office of Response and Restoration Constituent and Legislative Affairs Internships

 The National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Office of Response and Restoration is advertising Washington, DC-area student internships for Spring and Summer 2013 in Constituent and Legislative Affairs.  A position description is attached and more information can be found at: http://response.restoration.noaa.gov/about/internships.html

 

National Science Foundation Opportunities

NSF is offering rapid response funding for the 2011 tsunami debris field. Specifically,

The NSF Directorates for Biological Sciences (BIO), Geosciences (GEO), Engineering (ENG), Mathematical and Physical Sciences (MPS), and Computer & Information Science & Engineering (CISE) and the Office of Cyberinfrastructure (OCI) are accepting proposals to conduct research on the potential threat to the North American west coast from debris fields associated with the March 2011 Japanese earthquake and tsunami. More Information

 

Graduate Student Portal- Funding Database 

 There is a wonderful resource available to help you find funding, fellowships, and job opportunities in a variety of disciplines, The Graduate Student Portal . This portal has been created in conjunction with the Aldo Leopold Leadership Program at Stanford and is very helpful.

Upcoming Events and Conferences

Return of the Natives Restoration Education Project
 
Start of 2014 by volunteering with Return of the Natives!
 
For just 20 hours of your time, you could help Return of the Natives grow this new year by volunteering for one of our new opportunities (described below).

Outreach Volunteer 
Are you the kind of person that likes to go outdoors and be involved with your community? Then you could help us with community outreach! An ideal Outreach Volunteer would like to attend farmers markets and talk to other attendees about Return of the Natives and our various programs as well as teaching others about watershed science, reducing, reusing, recycling, the importance of restoring native habitats, etc. Other activities an Outreach Volunteer could take part in would be attending local club meetings, posting fliers for upcoming events, and assisting us at the BANFF Mountain Film Festival - our biggest and most fun fundraiser of the year!

R.O.N. Artist 
Return of the Natives would like to commemorate the RON family over the past 20 years with a RON family tree mural! For RON's upcoming 20th birthday, the mural would celebrate all the amazing employees and people who have helped us become who we are today. A RON artist would bring this creative vision to life!

Field Trip Instructor Are you interested in teaching kids about birds, insects, native plants, watershed health or just getting dirty and having fun planting native plants and cleaning up polluted creeks? Come out and volunteer on a RON school field trip! Each school year RON hosts hundreds of school students at our sites for service-based habitat restoration and education experiences.  We are looking for volunteers who would like to work alongside our CSUMB student leaders to inspire kids to become stewards of our community and planet! Field trips are on Fridays and some Mondays from late January through mid May.   

R.O.N. Photographer 
Whether you are a novice photographer, or a professional photographer looking for some free advertisement, RON would really appreciate your skills at our events! Often we get caught up picking up trash, planting plants, helping volunteers, or working to make our events such an amazing success that we don't get as many great photos as we'd like. A RON Photographer would attend our events and solely focus on capturing the moments to share with our friends!
 
  

R.O.N.'s Docents of Native Species (RONS DONS)

 

Every Tuesday, 10:00 am - 12:00 pm
Watershed Institute, CSUMB, Seaside
Help sow seeds, transplant, weed, water, and care for native plants grown for habitat restoration, as well as participate in the care and development of our demonstration and learning garden. Come and learn about native plants, meet new people, and enjoy the Zen of gardening. (There is a possibility of increasing responsibility with increasing experience as
a RON's DONS).
Upcoming special activities include:  Native Garden Kits 
Make Native Seed Bombs
Beautifying the Sensory Garden with garden art 

Volunteer Requirements 

* No experience is necessary, though we welcome those with experience in horticulture, or restoration and native plants to share their expertise.  

* Willingness to get your hands dirty and work outdoors.

* Can work outside in cold or hot weather.

 

 Contact Alyssa Schaan at (831)-582-3686 or [email protected] if interested!

 
Upcoming Event Information

 

Saturday, January 25th 
Habitat Restoration Planting
@ Ft. Ord National Monument (Seaside) 
10:00am - 1:00pm
 

Heads up! We have a planting event every weekend in February!

Saturday, February 1st
Oak Woodland Restoration Planting 
@ CSUMB (Corner of Lightfighter and General Jim Moore - Seaside)
10:00am - 1:00pm

 

Saturday, February 8th
Planting 
@ Marina Dunes Preserve (Marina) 
10:00am - 1:00pm

Saturday, February 15th
Planting 
@ Fort Ord National Monument (Fort Ord BLM) 
10:00am - 1:00pm

Saturday, February 22nd
Planting 
Fort Ord Dunes State Park (Marina) 
10:00am - 1:00pm

Saturday, February 22nd
Planting and Cleanup 
@ Natividad Creek Park (Salinas) 
10:00am - 1:00pm

What do you need to know about volunteering at a community event?
 
1. Everyone is welcome! A great family activity that is FREE!

 

2. Check in and sign a waiver at our event or in advance. 


3. Under 18? Your waiver will need to be signed by your parent or guardian to participate. Waiver

4. Tools, snacks and water are supplied at events.

5. Wear clothes  that can get dirty.

6. No RSVP is necessary unless you are with a group of 10 or greater. Just drop in!

 

Questions? Please contact 
Alyssa Schaan 
 

 

Elkhorn Slough Reserve, FREE Naturalist training classes. 2014, Jan & Feb. 

Join the Elkhorn Slough Reserve Volunteer Program 2014 Volunteer Naturalist Training Class Saturdays 9:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
  

Elkhorn Slough National Estuarine Research Reserve invites you to participate in the 2014 Volunteer Naturalist Training Class.  

Naturalist training class topics include: ecology, biology, current and past research at the Reserve, ongoing Reserve projects, cultural histories, Interpretation skills, communication techniques, trail mechanics, and educational activities. Everyone is welcome. 

 

The Introductory Orientation training class will be on Saturday January 11 & 18.  This basic class is for anyone interested in learning more about volunteering at the Reserve and for those wanting to help with our Research, Stewardship or other non-public projects.  Volunteer with our Research and Stewardship programs help as wildlife monitors, habitat restorers, maintenance assistants, administrative support and more.

 

The advanced naturalist sessions are open to any potential ESNERR Volunteer but required to be a Volunteer Naturalist.  Naturalist classes are every Saturday in February (Feb - 1, 8, 15, 22) and Saturday March 9.

 

Applications are being accepted and are online at www.elkhornslough.org. Questions can be directed to the volunteer coordinator Amanda Ankenbrandt at [email protected].

Everyone's Harvest Farm Stand at CSUMB

Every Tuesday, starting September 17th, the Everyone's Harvest Farm Stand will be outside the CSUMB Library Cafe from 12pm-3pm. Our Farm Stand offers fresh fruits, vegetables, nuts and flowers purchased on the day of or the night before an Everyone's Harvest Certified Farmers' Market. All items sold support the many local small-scale farmers at our Certified Farmers' Markets, some of which serve low-income or working class communities. Everyone's Harvest happily accepts cash, EBT, meal plan blocks and flex (to use your meal plan, go to the library caf�, the Otter Express, or the Dining Commons and ask for farm stand vouchers).

Education Opportunities 
*Panels this semester on infrastructure-Correction on Room Number MLO 160 
 
 
*Hidden Treasure: Forty Years of South San Francisco Estuary Fish Data

 

 

Date: Monday, Jan. 27, 2014 
Time: 4-5pm
Room: Tanimura and Antle Family Library, Room 1176 (Please note change in location!)

Please join us this Monday for a talk by Barbara Cebrian-Paskell, San Francisco Bay Marine Science Institute!

 

The Marine Science Institute (MSI) in Redwood City, California is a non-profit educational institution that involves students in the ecology and conservation of the San Francisco Estuary (SFE) through experiential learning programs. Daily field trips in the southern SFE aboard an oceanographic research vessel form the core of MSI's curriculum. Several fish trawls are conducted during each trip, and trained interns collect data on the fish caught in these trawls. MSI has collected data from nearly 10,000 trawls since the organization's founding in 1970. These data span climactic abnormalities, the introduction of non-native species, and changes in local anthropogenic activity. Preliminary analysis suggests a decline in total fish catch per trawl, an increase in species richness, and fluctuations in the diversity of more than 130 species observed.


Graduate Degrees in Earth Science and Sustainability
The School of Earth Sciences and Environmental Sustainability at Northern Arizona University in cooperation with the U.S. Geological Survey Grand Canyon Monitoring and Research Center is seeking applications for graduate students (MS or Ph.D.) to work on projects related to river science and geomorphology in the Colorado River basin. Areas of potential research include investigation of changes in sediment storage related to river operations, investigation of geochemical tracers for river sediment, and interactions between geomorphology and riparian and aquatic habitat. We anticipate supporting one or two new students with research assistantships and full or partial tuition waivers.
Deadline for applications is February 1, 2014.

Graduate Degrees in Environmental Management 
Each fall, the Nicholas School of the Environment at Duke University visits college campuses around the country. Members of the Nicholas School Academic and Enrollment Services staff and faculty travel around the country to meet with students, faculty, career services professionals and administrators to share information about our unique and distinct Master of Environmental Management and Master of Forestry degree programs. We invite you to meet with one of our representatives at a location near you. More Information

CA Department of Fish and Wildlife Natural Resource Volunteer Program 

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) is seeking applicants for the Natural Resource Volunteer Program (NRVP) to serve within the newly created Monterey NRVP Chapter. Interested residents of Monterey, Santa Cruz and Santa Benito counties are strongly encouraged to apply.

More Information