The University of Rhode Island (URI) is seeking a Director for the Coastal Institute (CI) who will lead inter- and multidisciplinary efforts to bring natural and social sciences and engineering to bear on critical science and public policy issues to protect the health of coastal areas and systems.
This will include work to catalyze the development and implementation of interdisciplinary and integrated science, policy, and management tools in Rhode Island (RI) institutions to address critical environmental and sustainability challenges. Doing so will require partnering closely with the State of Rhode Island and federal agencies to lead, coordinate, and support relevant emergency planning and response for coastal hazard events that directly impact RI coastal communities and associated blue economy sectors. Provide administrative structure and oversight for special research projects focused on the overarching CI mission goals, including coastal resilience and ecosystem health. Liaise, as needed, with other national science and policy boundary institutions to develop innovative solutions to coastal challenges. Such projects may variably include (based on continuance of funding) serving as the central communications hub for the STEEP program, a potential EPSCoR Track I award if funded, the Plastics: Land to Sea COLAB, and Climate Response Demonstration Sites.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
Work with URI, RI state, and regional institutions and stakeholders to develop a ten year strategic plan for the Coastal Institute, evolving its mission to bring both CI facilities, programs, and infrastructure in line with its mission and vision.
Develop policies, strategic partnerships, and operating procedures in accordance with the Coastal Institute’s mission.
Oversee and execute key national and state programs, including, but not limited to, the North Atlantic Coast Cooperative Ecosystems Study Unit (NAC-CESU), the Scientific Support for Environmental Emergency Response (SSEER) and Chair of the RI Environmental Monitoring Collaborative. Develop and support Coastal Institute opportunities and programs in collaboration with senior fellows, faculty, researchers, staff, and non-University groups. Oversee the Coastal Institute’s internal seed funding programs for students, fellows, and faculty.
Work with CI senior fellows and faculty and state partners to develop proposals for joint ventures that build upon the CI mission and vision and forward the strategic plan.
Collaborate and coordinate with URI institutions with coastal programs and expertise, including but not limited to, the Graduate School of Oceanography and its Coastal Resources Center, RI Sea Grant, NOAA Cooperative Institute for the North Atlantic Region (CINAR), etc. to advance common initiatives.
Represent the Coastal Institute and its mission to enhance the visibility and reputation of the Coastal Institute programs in local, national, and international coastal science, management, and policy efforts.
Rigorously maintain the Coastal Institute as a neutral location to discuss and address multi-faceted local and global issues.
Report to the Vice President for Research and Economic Development (VPRED) on Institute programmatic and strategic priorities. Participate actively on both the Vice President’s and Dean of GSO’s senior staff groups and provide input on coastal science and policy issues.
Help public- and private-sector leaders better understand and use science and innovation to address complex cross-cutting environmental issues, increasing the role of science in decision-making and improving problem-solving for better environmental policies and management practices.
Maintain a forum for current and emerging leaders – students, scientists and decision-makers – through leadership and communication skills and methods to apply those skills to state opportunities with global impact.
Prepare an annual budget and annual report. Supervise the administration of the CI budget, procurements, and income. Prepare other reports for management as required.
Coordinate and supervise any staff of the Coastal Institute, appointing Associate Directors in an advisory capacity, as needed.
Facilitate the inclusion and mentoring of students across Coastal Institute activities.
Promote diversity, equity, and inclusion in all Coastal Institute activities.
Occasionally work flexible hours and travel to national meetings.
OTHER DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
Interpret national and state policies, plans, objectives, rules, and regulations with staff.
Inform other University and Rhode Island state government personnel and offices on coastal matters, as necessary.
Perform other duties as required.
LICENSES, TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT:
Personal computers, printers and word processing, database management and spreadsheet software.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:
- Must be a current URI employee.
- Ph.D. or equivalent degree in a coastally-relevant discipline, such as environmental sciences, social sciences, marine policy, engineering or related field.
- Demonstrated evidence of academic qualifications and achievement equivalent to those of Associate or Full Professor in an area closely related to Coastal Institute activities.
- Demonstrated experience obtaining and managing extramural funding for natural science or social science or engineering related to coastal issues.
- Demonstrated professional achievement, as evidenced by a record of peer-reviewed publications or equivalent.
- Demonstrated leadership in organizing teams of people across multiple institutions to address scientific and policy coastal issues.
- Demonstrated ability to promote communication among stakeholder groups (such as natural scientists, engineers, social scientists, policy makers, user groups, the press and/or the general public).
- Demonstrated strong verbal and interpersonal communication skills.
- Demonstrated proficiency in written communication skills.
- Demonstrated supervisory experience.
- Demonstrated experience and dedication to integrating issues of inclusion, equity, and social justice in your work.
- Demonstrated ability to work with diverse groups/populations.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
- Demonstrated experience in international coastal issues.
- Demonstrated management responsibility for a large multidisciplinary research activity.
SALARY: Salary to commensurate with education and experience
APPLICATION DEADLINE: The search will remain open until the position has been filled. First consideration will be given to applications received by February 28, 2022. Second consideration may be given to applications received by March 21, 2022. Applications received subsequent to second consideration date (March 21, 2022) may not be given full consideration.
