Coastal Resilience Specialist

This position will have shared responsibilities for coordinating the Hawaiian Islands Sentinel Site Cooperative (HISSC) and providing assistance to the Principal Investigator of the Hawai?i Sea Grant project titled Building Resilience to Coastal Hazards and Climate Change in Hawai?i (“Coastal Resilience Project”). The HISSC is an effort to coordinate activities in a specified area around the issue of climate change, specifically sea-level rise and coastal inundation. The primary purpose for the HISSC is to have a Hawai‘i Sea Grant extension faculty focused and devoted to coordinating efforts and identifying collaboration opportunities along with gaps to provide an immense benefit to the NOAA Sentinel Site Program and its goal of helping communities prepare for and adapt to changing climate conditions.

The Coastal Resilience Project, funded through a cooperative agreement under the NOAA Regional Coastal Resilience Grants Program, has an overarching goal of increasing community resilience to coastal hazards and impacts from climate change and sea-level rise in Hawai‘i. The primary purpose for the Coastal Resilience Project is to provide support for the Principle Investigator (PI) in the overall operation of the project including implementing project activities, developing products and deliverables, as well as tracking and reporting project accomplishments.

The responsibilities and primary functions of the position include, but are not limited to:

A. Coordinating the HISSC (45%):

1. Support the transfer of climate science-related information among the cooperative’s networks and partners.

2. Ensure accessibility of information to a wide range of users and stakeholders in Hawai‘i and the region.

3. Support resiliency to coastal hazards including sea-level rise and climate change impacts by identifying research gaps within the HISSC and integrating research with extension and education activities.

4. Communicate with other Cooperatives and NOAA headquarters representatives as to status, progress, climate science and research needs, and information gaps.

5. Create outreach materials that help with the area’s coordination, such as a websites, newsletters, and other outreach materials.

6. Organize HISSC partner meetings, expand local partnerships by attracting other key members (e.g., cultural practitioners, resource managers, planners, scientists, and educators) and represent the HISSC at local, regional, and national meetings.

B. Assisting the Principle Investigator (PI) in the overall operation of the Coastal Resilience Project including the following functions (40%):

1. Contribute to development of project deliverables including but not limited to background research, workshop and training development, and technical reporting writing.

2. Support relationships and communications between PI and Co-Investigators, partners and key stakeholders, university and NOAA fiscal offices, and contractors.

3. Inform and organize changes to the project scope, budget, and deliverables and identify opportunities for additional collaboration and program development.

4. Aid in design, coordination, facilitation, and delivery of project outreach including but not limited to meetings, oral presentations, conferences, workshops, trainings, and materials.

5. Assist in evaluating project performance, tracking activities and deliverables, and developing solutions to potential challenges to timely and complete fulfillment of project objectives.

6. Create and maintain comprehensive project documentation.

7. Develop and deliver progress reports to internal and external partners including NOAA.

C. Develop proposals to funding agencies that add capacity and/or provide additional resources in support of current project objectives or enhancing Sea Grant capacity to increase resilience in the state and the region. (5%)

D. Produce annual work plans and performance reports that satisfy Hawai‘i Sea Grant and the National Sea Grant College Program reporting requirements. Attend quarterly Hawai‘i Sea Grant faculty/staff meetings and other trainings or conferences as may benefit the position. (5%)

E. Other duties as assigned. (5%)

1. A Bachelor’s degree from a college or university of recognized standing in ocean or earth science, marine biology, natural resource conservation, or natural resource management with major course work in biological sciences, coastal science, ocean policy, coastal zone management, natural resource or ecosystem management, planning or a related field.
2. Ability to apply Extension teaching methods.
3. Good oral and written communication skills, including the ability to develop and provide presentations to school groups, community groups, various government agencies at all levels and other user groups.
4. Proficiency in Microsoft Office.
5. Knowledge of general sources of information related to climate change, coastal hazards, sea level rise, and coastal inundation.
6. Familiarity with and ability to collect, verify, and analyze comprehensive datasets.
7. Ability to plan, coordinate, and carry out a range of outreach activities, such as meetings, workshops and trainings.
8. Knowledge and experience in science communication and messaging on ocean and climate change issues including technical writing, proof reading and copy editing.

1. In addition to Junior Extension Agent minimum qualifications, a Master’s degree from a college or university of recognized standing in ocean or earth science, marine biology, natural resource conservation, or natural resource management with major course work in biological sciences, coastal science, ocean policy, coastal zone management, natural resource or ecosystem management, planning or related field, or, in addition to the Bachelor’s degree, 30 credit hours of post-baccalaureate academic work in a related field.
2. At least three (3) years of successful experience in Cooperative extension work, Sea Grant Extension work or equivalent in closely related field.
3. Ability to exercise independent judgment and to assume responsibility for developing an extension program.
4. Ability to work harmoniously with other agents in an integrated extension system and with related agencies and the public.
5. Demonstrated project management experience.

1. Knowledge and experience working with NOAA line offices and Grant Management Division and programs such as the Sentinel Sites Program, the Sea Grant College Program or both.
2. Experience providing coordination, oversight and guidance for conservation or resilience activities.
3. Experience working collaboratively with indigenous communities in Hawai‘i.