Job Details

Capitol Reef Field Station Site Manager

Position Number: 6890071
Location: Orem, UT
Position Type: Facilities Management

Capitol Reef Field Station Site Manager

Salary: $58,725.00 - $69,088.00 Annually
Job Type: FT Exempt Salaried Staff
Job Number: FY2605518
Closing: 3/15/2026 11:59 PM Mountain
Location: Capitol Reef Field Station
Division: VP Academic Affairs

Position Announcement

The Site Manager oversees Capitol Reef Field Station (CRFS), an off-the-grid facility located within Capitol Reef National Park, while promoting and supporting 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 extremely wide-ranging job responsibilities for the site manager. The site manager is required to manage field station facilities, manage and facilitate visitors staying at the field station for multiple days (including university students, faculty, and staff, high school students, and federal employees), and conduct educational programming, public outreach, and research and/or creative work. The site manager conducts regular educational programming with field station groups, on topics related to geology, ecology, archeology, astronomy, and Leave-No-Trace principles within the context of Capitol Reef National Park and the Colorado Plateau. The site manager is at the intersection of the National Park Service and Utah Valley University (UVU) and frequently works with several divisions and departments within both institutions. Additionally, the site manager is required to stay at the field station overnight while visitors are at the station, which entails living at least part-time at the field station and being on-call 24 hours a day while the station is occupied. The ideal candidate has a solid maintenance background, enjoys creating and maintaining relationships, excels in public speaking, and is comfortable with long stretches of solitude in a remote location.

For more information, please contact CRFS@UVU.EDU.

Summary of Responsibilities

Facilities management, 40%

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 projects.
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.
Maintain rain-collection barrels, orchard trees, garden space, compost, and vermiculture.
Maintain grounds, removing invasive species and trimming other vegetation.
Keep the field station organized, regularly cleaning and deep cleaning when necessary.
Monitor and maintain the field station vehicle and water-hauling trailer.

Group management, 20%

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, a walking facilities tour, and a conservation discussion 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.
Complete and maintain a Wilderness First Responder certification, handling emergencies and medical issues that arise with field station groups or visitors in that area of the park.
Train interns, assistant site manager, and CRFS steering committee members about field station operations.

Education and Outreach, 15%

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 night-time astronomy programs with high-quality telescopes.
Conduct and facilitate service-learning projects with groups in collaboration with Capitol Reef National Park, such as working with archeologists to conduct graffiti removal, working with horticulturists in historic orchards, and working with biologists to conduct invasive plant removal and species monitoring.
Help facilitate and manage credit-bearing UVU undergraduate independent projects, such as engineering students designing a grey water system for the field station.
Help facilitate and manage 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 or community events.
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, such as the Town of Torrey and the Entrada Institute.
Facilitate research and creative work projects for faculty, including logistical support and advice, and assisting with any permitting processes.
Create interpretive content for CRFS social media and post on a weekly basis.
Record seasonal 360 videos quarterly for online educational content.

Office and Administration, 15%

Keep field station documents up to date, including Emergency Action Plan and Site Manager's Guide.
Participate in weekly meetings with field station staff.
Maintain professional communication via email and phone.
Write articles for and edit the field station annual report.
Reconcile purchases monthly.
Collect visitation data.
Submit monthly water treatment report and quarterly chlorine reports.
Complete compliance paperwork and work with National Park Service through maintenance and upgrade projects.
Attend meetings with CRFS staff and steering committee and work on project-based subcommittees.

Research and Creative Work, 10%

This position allows flexibility to pursue subjects that support the field station's mission and your passions. Examples could include the following:

Acquire research and/or creative work funding through internal/external grant proposals.
Conduct projects in collaboration with Capitol Reef National Park.
Develop research and/or creative work collaborations with faculty at UVU and other universities, and with National Park Service personnel.
Create educational programming for youth or members of the local community.
Host trainings, workshops, or educational opportunities related to CRFS.

Qualifications / Licenses / Certifications

A 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 1 year of documented experience in field work 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 also desired.

Knowledge / Skills / 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 all groups of people including researchers, students, government officials, donors, and local community members
Ability to be self-directed, independently troubleshoot 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.

To apply, please visit https://www.schooljobs.com/careers/uvu/jobs/5218705/capitol-reef-field-station-site-manager

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