PAY GRADE: 30E – 32E Multi-level position dependent upon qualifications

Review of applications will begin on January 23, 2023

CONTEXT OF THE JOB:

The Coastal Ecology Specialist reports to the Director of the Delaware Sea Grant Marine Advisory Service (MAS), the major outreach component of the University's Sea Grant College Program. The MAS Specialist performs both traditional extension agent and marine advisory specialist roles- from field work to applied research, extension/outreach, proposal writing, and budget management. Under limited direction, the MAS Specialist is responsible for planning, developing, implementing, and evaluating programs focused on addressing marine issues and concerns of the state of Delaware, including marine debris, habitat protection/restoration, and water quality. 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 public, and other interest groups throughout the state. The MAS Specialist works independently to develop programs for various stakeholders in the area of coastal ecology. Outreach activities are designed to effect changes in behavior, solve technical problems, create awareness, and transfer scientific information related to ecosystem services, technical analyses of major coastal ecosystem research projects in Delaware, and implementation of coastal sustainability measures. 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 community organizations, the general public, and researchers throughout the state and region to identify issues and problems meriting Sea Grant research and outreach assistance.
• Serve as a recognized state resource for knowledge related to coastal ecosystem dynamics.
• Provide scientific and technical support to stakeholders and resource managers in the development of restoration projects and recommend ecologically sound practices.
• Brief stakeholders on conservation ecology and natural resource restoration policy recommendations.
• Provide leadership within 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.
• Analyze monitoring data to evaluate the performance of coastal and marine habitat protection and/or restoration projects.
• Develop and implement four-year strategic plans focusing on coastal ecology 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 in academic institutions to increase faculty and researchers’ awareness of 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 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 management of grants.
• 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.
• Maintain a high standard of knowledge within coastal ecosystem sciences and improve professional competence through formal and non-formal courses and conferences.
• Represent Delaware Sea Grant at workshops, conferences, and seminars including developing abstracts and delivering presentations.
• Serve on various advisory committees nationally, regionally and statewide.
• Work as a team member with other Sea Grant outreach 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 environmental literacy of the 8,000 - 10,000 annual visitors.
• Perform other duties as assigned in support of the overall Sea Grant College Program mission.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Master's degree in coastal ecology, field biology, or a related discipline plus two years’ experience in outreach education or related experience.
• Ability to plan, develop and organize an effective marine outreach program including developing and implementing short-and long-range goals and evaluating informal and/or formal educational outreach programs.
• 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 throughout the state.
• Working knowledge of meeting organization, facilitation, and public participation processes.
• Basic computer skills including experience with word processing and presentation software and data management/statistical software programs.
• Demonstrates an 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.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

• 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.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Level I

Bachelor's degree in coastal ecology, field biology, or a related discipline plus two years’ experience in outreach education or related experience. Ability to plan, develop and organize an effective marine outreach program including developing and implementing short-and long-range goals and evaluating informal and/or formal educational outreach programs. 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 throughout the state. Working knowledge of meeting organization, facilitation, and public participation processes. Basic computer skills including experience with word processing and presentation software and data management/statistical software programs. Demonstrates an 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

Master's degree in coastal ecology, field biology, or a related discipline plus two years’ experience in outreach education or related experience. Ability to plan, develop and organize an effective marine outreach program including developing and implementing short-and long-range goals and evaluating informal and/or formal educational outreach programs. 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 throughout the state. Working knowledge of meeting organization, facilitation, and public participation processes. Basic computer skills including experience with word processing and presentation software and data management/statistical software programs. Demonstrates an 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

Master’s degree in coastal ecology, field biology, or a related discipline, plus eight years’ experience in outreach education or related experience, or Doctorate and five years’ experience in outreach education. Ability to plan, develop and organize an effective marine outreach program including developing and implementing short-and long-range goals and evaluating informal and/or formal educational outreach programs. 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 throughout the state. Working knowledge of meeting organization, facilitation, and public participation processes. Basic computer skills including experience with word processing and presentation software and data management/statistical software programs. Demonstrates an 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.