New Jersey Sea Grant Consortium and Monmouth University Urban Coast Institute
New Jersey Sea Grant Consortium (NJSGC), in partnership with the Monmouth University Urban Coast Institute (UCI), is seeking applications from qualified candidates for the position of Community Resilience and Climate Adaptation Specialist. The successful candidate will work with coastal communities to enhance their planning and implementation of actions to mitigate the impact of coastal storms and changing climate. The Specialist will also work with NJSGC researchers and others to transfer the best available science and tools to these communities to further assist them in becoming resilient to coastal hazards, the impacts of sea level rise, and climate change. Qualified candidates are invited to submit their resumes and a cover letter as described below. Position open immediately, and will remain open until filled.
A skilled Planner/Project Manager/Scientist is sought to assist local governments and community groups with resilience, coastal hazard, and adaptation policy and planning at the community, regional and state level. The position will enhance the capacity of the UCI and NJSGC’s research and extension program by informing public understanding of community hazard mitigation and making climate resilience and adaptation research, data products, information, and other science-based decision support tools accessible. The Specialist will represent NJSGC and the UCI as part of a statewide network of recovery managers and resilience coordinators. The Specialist will also work to identify local needs and work with NJSCG, UCI and other partners to support and shape the efforts of state and federal policy development and research organizations.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
• Develop and conduct outreach and extension programming for community resilience and climate-impact related issues in coastal New Jersey.
• Work with NJSGC and UCI staff, and Consortium member institutions, to identify, translate and help communities apply interdisciplinary research findings and extension projects, including use and application of best practices and decision support tools.
• Plan, conduct, and/or contribute to coastal community resilience and climate adaptation related extension programs, public seminars and workshops for stakeholders in New Jersey and the
• Give formal and informal presentations on NJSGC and UCI activities at state, regional, and national conferences and workshops.
• Assist communities to identify and prioritize resiliency and adaptation projects by working with community officials, stakeholder groups and disaster recovery managers at the local, multi-community and regional scale.
• Develop and maintain working relationships with relevant local, state, county and federal personnel and non-governmental organizations.
• Travel to meet and interact with stakeholders and client groups, identify their needs, and develop solutions to community resilience and climate-related issues.
• Contribute to program evaluations and other programmatic reports as required by NJSGC and
• Participate in the development of grant proposals with NJSGC, UCI, and others to secure funding for related project implementation, research and extension projects.
QULAIFICATIONS:
• 3-5 years relevant experience in economic or community planning and development, coastal hazards, flood plain management or climate adaptation.
• MA or MS and post-graduate work experience in planning, economic or community development, coastal science, geography or related field preferred.1
• Knowledge of New Jersey’s climate adaptation and flood plain management programs, and Certified Flood Plain management certification preferred. Knowledge of current resilience and climate adaptation projects and partners in New Jersey helpful.
• Community/public engagement and outreach experience, and demonstrated communications skill, including ability to work with research scientists to translate and transfer climate adaptation and resilience research for community use and benefit. Experience/training in use of Geographical Information Systems (GIS) and visualization decision support tools preferred.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office, including PowerPoint.
• Ability to multitask; be self-starter.
The incumbent will be an employee of NJSGC and will principally work out of the offices of the Urban Coast Institute at Monmouth University in West Long Branch, New Jersey. This position is funded jointly by the NJSGC and Monmouth University. The Specialist will report to the UCI Director who will also be responsible for day to day management. Plans of work and performance based program objectives will be developed by the Specialist working jointly with the NJSGC Extension Director and UCI Director.
Formal job evaluations will be conducted jointly by the NJSGC and UCI Directors. Position is funded for two years with the plans for extension beyond that date based on available funding.
Compensation: Compensation will be based on the candidate’s experience and skills. This is a full-time, salaried position and includes NJSGC’s benefits package which includes health care, life insurance, and paid sick and vacation time. Employee will be eligible for NJSGC’s employer-sponsored annuity plan (403b) following one year of employment.
To Apply: Qualified candidates should submit a cover letter of interest with salary requirements, a resume detailing qualifications and relevant experience, a short writing sample (no more than three pages) and names and contact information for three references (including emails) to NJSGC in care of:
Lisa Aromando
New Jersey Sea Grant Consortium
laromando@njseagrant.org
Submission of application materials is by email only and submitted as a pdf or Word document only.
The New Jersey Sea Grant Consortium is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Proper documentation of identity and employability required at the time of employment. Adjunct teaching opportunities at Monmouth University may be possible subject to sufficient qualifications, application and approval by relevant Department.
NJSGC is an affiliation of colleges, universities and other entities dedicated to advancing knowledge and sustainable use of New Jersey's marine and coastal resources. To achieve its goals, NJSGC works with its membership to coordinate and conduct research, education and extension programs that ensure a healthy environment for New Jersey and its coastally-dependent economy. NJSGC research reflects local concerns and seeks solutions to New Jersey’s most pressing marine and coastal issues. NJSGC’s Extension Program works with New Jersey’s citizens, coastal municipalities and marine dependent industries to help them increase hazard resilience and implement best management practices and sustainable development strategies. NJSGC’s Educators work with the public including New Jersey’s schoolchildren and their teachers, providing them with direct learning experiences focused on understanding the science of our shorelines and the means to sustain and care for them.
The mission of the UCI is to serve the public interest as a forum for scientific and policy research, education and collaboration, which fosters the application of the best available science and information to support healthy and productive coastal ecosystems and an ecologically sustainable and economically vibrant future for coastal communities. The UCI was established in September 2005 as one of Monmouth University’s “Centers of Distinction, The UCI builds on the University’s growing strengths in environmental science, business and economics, and public policy and collaboration with the Kislak Real Estate Institute and Polling Institute. The UCI supports collaborative and interdisciplinary research and educational programs, as well as extramural partnerships with universities, community colleges, public and private sector groups and individuals with expertise in coastal and ocean related issues.
For more information, see: www.njseagrant.org and www.monmouth.edu/uci