Coastal Lands Program Coordinator (Junior or Assistant Extension Agent)

The function of the University of Hawaii Sea Grant College Program (Hawaii Sea Grant) is to administer funding and promote the wise use and stewardship of marine and coastal resources in the state, region and nation. This Program is one of thirty-three Sea Grant College Programs in the United States. Funding for this program is partially provided by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Position funding for the Coastal Lands Program Coordinator is provided by NOAA and the State of Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR). The position will be based in the Office of Conservation and Coastal Lands (OCCL) at the DLNR in Honolulu, Hawaii.

The primary purpose of this position is to provide scientific and policy support and program coordination support to the OCCL on issues such as improved understanding of coastal geomorphic processes, mitigating coastal erosion and other coastal hazards, beach conservation and restoration, appropriate coastal land use, environmental document and regulatory permit reviews, and coastal management policy compliance and development. This effort will include identifying and interpreting appropriate scientific information for decision-making utilizing conventional extension and outreach methods. The position will assist the DLNR with its climate change and sea level rise adaptation efforts. The position functions and responsibilities will be fulfilled in part through coordination and collaboration with the Hawaii Sea Grant Center for Coastal and Climate Science and Resilience and Center Program Manager, Waikiki Beach Management Coordinator, and other Hawaii Sea Grant coastal-hazards-focused extension faculty.

The position requires specific knowledge of coastal processes, coastal geology, oceanography, climate science, and familiarity with Hawaii’s dynamic coastal and nearshore environments. Familiarity with state statutes and administrative rules related to coastal zone management, coastal land use and zoning, and shoreline certifications, are also desired. The responsibilities and primary functions include, but are not limited to:

A. Provide focused science and technical support expertise and project coordination for the DLNR-OCCL through the Coastal Lands Program (CLP) (70%):

1. Assist the OCCL and the CLP in review of environmental assessments and related coastal land use permit applications with particular focus on identifying and evaluating potential impacts to beaches and other coastal environments and improving community resilience to coastal hazards.

2. Coordinate the State of Hawaii’s Small Scale Beach Nourishment Program within the CLP.

3. Design, coordinate, and support management of state-led beach conservation and restoration projects with other state, federal and county agencies, and communities, and assist the OCCL in the request, appropriation, and allocation of State Beach Fund assets for these projects.

4. Assist in improving the capacity of the OCCL to conserve and protect priority coastal areas and promulgate the State of Hawaii public trust doctrine.

5. Conduct site visits and produce summary reports and technical recommendations for coastal land use applications for coastal processes, hazard mitigation, climate change and sea level rise adaptation, and coastal management. Assist the CLP and other appropriate agencies with incorporating this data in coastal land use planning and management, in an effort to avoid or otherwise mitigate coastal hazards.

6. Inform the development or revision of legislation, rules, policies, and practices to improve community hazard resilience and protect and enhance coastal resources by incorporating the best available scientific information and practices.

7. Conduct targeted coastal extension activities focused on relaying coastal science, data, and tools to the OCCL, other government agencies, and communities.

8. Support the implementation of and outreach for the Hawaii Sea Level Rise Vulnerability and Adaptation Report and related projects, initiatives, and policy development, and support the Hawaii Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation Commission as a source for coastal and climate science.

B. Provide coastal science expertise to assist the Hawaii Department of Accounting and General Services Land Survey Division and DLNR Land Division in determining the appropriate location of certified shorelines (per state statute definition). This includes identifying and resolving unauthorized coastal land uses throughout the state of Hawaii. (10%)

C. Work with the Hawaii Sea Grant Center for Coastal and Climate Science and Resilience, Center partners, and Hawaii Sea Grant extension faculty in collaborative and interdisciplinary coastal research and planning projects to improve the management of Hawaii's coastline and beaches and improve community resiliency to coastal hazards, climate change and sea level rise. This includes producing grant applications seeking funding to support research. (15%)

D. Produce annual work plans and performance reports that satisfy the agency, Hawaii Sea Grant and the National Sea Grant College Program reporting requirements; attend quarterly Hawaii Sea Grant faculty/staff meetings and other trainings or conferences as may benefit the position; and other duties as assigned. (5%)

A Bachelor’s degree from a college or university of recognized standing, with major work in oceanography, coastal engineering or coastal geology, with relevant work in coastal processes or related field.

Knowledge of coastal processes, coastal geology, oceanography and familiarity with Hawaii’s dynamic coastal and nearshore environments.

Ability to apply extension teaching methods.

In addition to Junior Extension Agent minimum qualifications, a Master’s degree from a college or university of recognized standing with major work in oceanography, coastal engineering or coastal geology, with relevant work in coastal processes or related field, or, in addition to the bachelor’s degree, 30 credit hours of post-baccalaureate academic work in a related field.

1. At least three (3) years of successful experience in Cooperative extension work, Sea Grant Extension work or equivalent in closely related field.
2. Ability to exercise independent judgment and to assume responsibility for developing an extension program.
3. Ability to work harmoniously with other agents in an integrated extension system and with related agencies and stakeholder groups.
4. Demonstrated ability to interpret and apply scientific data toward complex coastal management and land use problems.

1. A Master of Science degree from a college or university of recognized standing with major work in oceanography, coastal engineering or coastal geology, with relevant work in coastal processes or related field.
2. Ability to provide unbiased, technical coastal and marine related information on specific projects and issues such as coastal hazard mitigation, and climate change and sea level rise impacts and climate adaptation as applicable to Hawaii.
3. Successful experience in cooperative extension work or equivalent in a closely related field.
4. Knowledge of general research sources of nearshore oceanographic processes and waves, Hawaiian coastal dynamics and processes, coastal sand and dune properties, beach erosion and formulation and legal history of shoreline and boundary determinations in Hawaii.
5. Familiarity with and ability to analyze comprehensive acts, statutes, rules and ordinances at the federal, state, and county levels covering coastal zone management, shoreline certification and boundary determinations.
6. Familiarity with basic surveying and mapping techniques.
7. Familiarity with Hawaiian shoreline characteristics including: seasonal wave dynamics, coastal processes, wave reef interactions, coastal dune behavior and native coastal plant species.
8. Knowledge of computer programs and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) including oceanographic wave and beach numerical modeling.
9. Strong computer skills in database management, graphics programs and common software applications.
10. Strong working knowledge of state statutes and administrative rules pertaining to coastal management and land use.
11. Ability to work in a professional manner managing pressure from multiple parties with occasionally opposing or conflicting viewpoints.