Opportunity

Ocean Career: Urban Watershed Restoration Specialist at Delaware Sea Grant

The Urban Watershed Restoration Specialist reports to the Director of the Delaware Sea Grant Marine Advisory Service (MAS) and performs traditional extension specialist roles from field work to applied research, education, proposal writing, and budget management.

Under limited direction, the MAS Specialist is responsible for planning, developing, implementing, and evaluating programs focused on addressing issues and concerns relevant to Delaware's urban coastal communities including Wilmington and Dover. The individual serves as a vital liaison between the University and various environment-related businesses and industries, government agencies, non-governmental organizations, formal and informal education audiences, the general public, and other interest groups throughout the state. The MAS Specialist works independently to develop programs for various stakeholders in the areas of urban watershed restoration around topics such as water quality, environmental literacy, and environmental workforce development. Outreach activities are designed to effect changes in behavior, solve technical problems, create awareness, and transfer scientific information related to ecosystem services, economic valuation, and analyses of major coastal and marine economic sectors in Delaware. The Urban Watershed Restoration Specialist will be based at the Delaware Sea Grant College Program office on UDs main campus in Newark for at least the first year but may transition to an office in Wilmington in subsequent years. Occasional weekend and evening hours will be required. This position will require local travel in and across Delaware, and overnight travel to meetings and conferences around the mid-Atlantic region and throughout the U.S.

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES:

  • Work with stakeholders throughout the State's urban coastal communities to identify issues and problems meriting Sea Grant research, outreach assistance, and project funding sources.
  • Serve as a recognized State resource for knowledge related to urban watershed restoration.
  • Establish and maintain working relationships with community organizations and the general public in the State and throughout the region to identify issues and problems meriting Sea Grant research and outreach assistance.
  • Serve as a knowledgeable resource person and recognized subject matter specialist in major discipline.
  • Provide leadership within the Delaware Sea Grant network, the mid-Atlantic Sea Grant network, and when appropriate, within the national network of Sea Grant programs. Serve on or lead advisory and steering committees at the State, regional, and national levels.
  • Develop and implement four-year strategic plans within urban watershed restoration to ensure accomplishment of goals and outcomes prioritized by the National Sea Grant Program and identified by Delaware Sea Grant stakeholders; guide long-range program outcomes in areas related to subject matter specialty.
  • Complete all reporting requirements in a timely manner.
  • Communicate with individuals in various colleges, departments, and centers at Delaware institutions of higher learning to increase faculty and researchers¿ awareness of the Delaware Sea Grant Program mission.
  • Plan, conduct, and evaluate educational programs at the local or State level to stimulate change and provide science-based information to groups and individuals on coastal/marine topics of local interest.
  • Initiate new sources of program funds to support research, outreach, and educational programming by responding to RFP solicitations from government agencies, non-government organizations, and other potential funding partners.
  • Work with fiscal staff to oversee development and management of grants, budgets, and reporting.
  • With assistance from communications staff, prepare publications, audio/visual presentations, web-based programs, and other educational materials to convey appropriate information to targeted clientele.
  • With researchers (UD, DSU, DNREC, National Estuary Programs, etc.) develop outreach materials to facilitate research-to-application to benefit stakeholders.
  • Represent Delaware Sea Grant at workshops, conferences, and seminars including developing abstracts and delivering presentations.
  • Maintain and improve professional competence in urban ecology and watershed restoration through formal and non-formal courses and conferences; maintain a high standard of knowledge within this specialty.
  • Work as a team member with other Sea Grant colleagues and college staff to help plan and organize annual educational open house at UD¿s College of Earth, Ocean, and Environment
  • Coast Day to increase marine literacy among the 8,000-10,000 annual visitors.
  • Perform other duties as assigned in support of the overall Sea Grant College Program mission.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

Level I

Bachelor's degree in a natural resource or environmental sciences, natural resource management, environmental policy, community development, planning, geography, landscape architecture, or related field, plus two years’ experience in outreach education or related work. Demonstrated dedication to diversity, equity, and inclusion. Demonstrated understanding of water quality, water budgets, stormwater, TMDLs, climate change, green infrastructure, economic and environmental resilience, environmental justice, and environmental literacy as they apply to urban settings. Ability to plan, develop and organize effective extension/outreach programs, including developing and implementing short-and long-range goals and evaluating for impact. Ability to work with a diverse team with clear communication and empathy. Ability to work independently. Possess strong organizational and multi-tasking skills. Exercise good judgment in decision making. Demonstrated leadership abilities with evidence of being able to work well with diverse clientele. Effective oral and written communication skills. Ability to communicate effectively with both technical and non-technical audiences is required. Effective human relations skills and ability to maintain professional rapport with diverse public and private sector groups nationally. Intermediate to advanced computer skills including experience with word processing and presentation software and data management/statistical software programs. Demonstrated understanding and consideration of the differing needs and concerns of individuals with varying identities, cultures, and backgrounds. Committed to fostering a workplace culture of belonging, where diversity is celebrated, and equity is a core value.

Level II

Masters degree in a natural resource or environmental sciences, natural resource management, environmental policy, community development, planning, geography, landscape architecture, or related field, plus two years’ experience in outreach education or related work. Demonstrated dedication to diversity, equity, and inclusion. Demonstrated understanding of water quality, water budgets, stormwater, TMDLs, climate change, green infrastructure, economic and environmental resilience, environmental justice, and environmental literacy as they apply to urban settings. Ability to plan, develop and organize an effective extension/outreach programs including developing and implementing short-and long-range goals and evaluating informal and/or formal educational outreach programs for impact. Ability to work with a diverse team with clear communication and empathy. Ability to work independently, possess strong organizational and multi-tasking skills, and exercise good judgment in decision making. Effective oral and written communication skills. Ability to communicate effectively with both technical and non-technical audiences is required. Knowledge of outreach/extension education methods is preferred. Effective human relations skills. Ability to maintain professional rapport with diverse public and private sector groups nationally. Working knowledge of meeting organization, facilitation, and public participation processes. Intermediate to advanced computer skills including experience with word processing, presentation, and survey software and data management/statistical software programs. Demonstrated understanding and consideration of the differing needs and concerns of individuals with varying identities, cultures, and backgrounds. Committed to fostering a workplace culture of belonging, where diversity is celebrated, and equity is a core value.

Level III

Masters degree in a natural resource or environmental sciences, natural resource management, environmental policy, community development, planning, geography, landscape architecture, or related field, plus eight years’ experience, or Doctorate and five years’ experience in outreach education. Demonstrated dedication to diversity, equity, and inclusion. Advanced knowledge and understanding of grant management. Advanced understanding of water quality, water budgets, stormwater, TMDLs, climate change, green infrastructure, economic and environmental resilience, environmental justice, and environmental literacy as they apply to urban settings. Ability to work with a diverse team with clear communication and empathy. Ability to work independently, possess strong organizational and multi-tasking skills, and exercise good judgment in decision making. Excellent oral and written communication skills. Ability to communicate effectively with both technical and non-technical audiences and publish results of work in appropriate outlets is required. Experience with applied fieldwork/research. Proven ability to independently plan, develop, and organize an effective extension/outreach program including developing and implementing short-and long-range goals and evaluating informal and/or formal educational outreach programs for impact. Effective human relations skills and ability to maintain professional rapport with diverse public and private sector groups nationally is required. Working knowledge of meeting organization, facilitation, and public participation processes. Advanced computer skills required, including experience with word processing, presentation, and survey software and data management/statistical software programs. Demonstrated understanding and consideration of the differing needs and concerns of individuals with varying identities, cultures, and backgrounds. Committed to fostering a workplace culture of belonging, where diversity is celebrated, and equity is a core value.

Applications close: Open until filled
Review of applications will begin on September 1, 2022
Location: Newark/Hybrid
Categories: Full Time, Program/Project Management
Pay Grade: 30E - 32E Multi-level position dependent upon qualifications

Notice of Non-Discrimination, Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action The University of Delaware does not discriminate against any person on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, genetic information, marital status, disability, religion, age, veteran status or any other characteristic protected by applicable law in its employment, educational programs and activities, admissions policies, and scholarship and loan programs as required by Title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1972, the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, and other applicable statutes and University policies. The University of Delaware also prohibits unlawful harassment including sexual harassment and sexual violence.

Learn more about this opportunity and how to apply.

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