The Consortium is a state agency established to manage the Sea Grant College program for South Carolina and based in Charleston, S.C. Our purpose is to optimize the environmental, social, and economic potential of the coastal and marine resources of the state and region through the support and dissemination of high-quality research, extension, and education programming.
Responsibilities
The Consortium’s Marine Fisheries Extension Specialist, in consultation with key stakeholders and constituencies, extends science-based information to coastal communities, resource managers, and interest groups in South Carolina and the region, and works with researchers to develop needs-based and applied projects. The specialist contributes to research and workforce initiatives motivated by community needs and provides hands-on operational and technical support for constituents. The specialist solicits funding as needed to support projects through the development of grant proposals.
Topical areas of work include but are not limited to:
- issues and opportunities addressing local, state, regional, and federal fisheries policy and management;
- sustainable economic development;
- commercial seafood workforce development;
- seafood business planning and marketing;
- working waterfronts;
- fisheries ecology; and
- fisheries gear and technology.
Specific Duties
- Work with Consortium staff and research faculty and staff at Consortium member institutions to design and conduct interdisciplinary applied marine fisheries-related research and extension projects to address needs and opportunities identified by a variety of S.C. coastal constituencies, including local governments, local and state agencies, businesses, community organizations, non-governmental organizations, and individuals.
- Identify information and service needs of constituents through targeted interactions with stakeholder groups, and work with them in co-producing solutions to marine fisheries-related issues, including those related to commercial and recreational fishing.
- Lead commercial seafood workforce development programs in collaboration with Consortium and industry partners.
- Participate in the development of grant proposals with Consortium staff and others to secure funding for user-based and applied marine fisheries-related research and extension projects.
- Provide program area leadership at local, regional, and national levels, and provide formal and informal presentations on the Consortium’s fisheries-related activities at state, regional, and national conferences and workshops.
- Extend marine fisheries-related information through print and electronic products and publications, including professional and trade publications, presentations, webinars, fact sheets, and social media.
- Prepare performance-based information on program objectives, benchmarks, metrics, program evaluations, and other assessment reports as required by the Consortium and its program sponsors and financial supporters.
- Analyze and provide up-to-date information and appropriate contextualization about fisheries science, marketing of seafood products, gear technology, best management practices, and business planning strategies to a variety of audiences through diverse means.
- Supervise student assistants and interns as needed, and serve on graduate student committees when appropriate.
Required Qualifications
- Master’s degree or Ph.D. in marine/environmental science, fisheries biology, fisheries ecology, natural resource management, fisheries economics, or related field.
- Demonstrated experience in extension or outreach work related to coastal and/or marine fisheries issues.
- Experience in and knowledge of fisheries-related issues in South Carolina and the southeastern United States.
- Experience in developing multi-dimensional programs and managing project teams.
- Demonstrated ability to build partnerships and communicate, collaborate, and work effectively with diverse groups of internal and external stakeholders.
- Demonstrated proficiency in grant writing and management.
- Ability to interpret scientific research for non-technical audiences.
- Ability to develop applied, stakeholder-driven informational products.
- Experience with conflict negotiation and facilitation.
- High level of analytical, organizational, and planning skills.
- Ability to work independently and as a part of a team.
- Effective oral and written communication skills.
- Fluency in computer and communications technology.
- Experience with local government systems.
Salary range: $52,100-$70,300
