Coastal Resource Specialist (Program Specialist)

Coastal Extension Specialist – Resilience

POSITION TYPE: Full Time

LOCATION: University of Southern California Sea Grant Program / USC Wrigley Institute for Environment and Sustainability,and affiliated with Los Angeles, CA

JOB OPEN DATE: Feb 1, 2024

JOB CLOSE DATE: Open until filled 

COMPENSATION: This is an in-person position based in Los Angeles, CA. When extending an offer of employment, the University of Southern California considers factors such as (but not limited to) the scope and responsibilities of the position, the candidate’s work experience, education/training, key skills, internal peer equity, federal, state and local laws, contractual stipulations, grant funding, as well as external market and organizational considerations.The position comes with full benefits. USC offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes, among others:

• Competitive wages, paid holidays, and time off
• Continuous learning opportunities through professional development training
• Medical, dental, and pharmacy plans
• Healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts (HSA) with University contributions
• Disability and employer-paid life insurance
• Employee well-being program
• Excellent retirement plans with employer contribution

Please visit the Office of Human Resources website for more information regarding benefits.

The University of Southern California (USC), founded in 1880, is located in the heart of downtown L.A. and is the largest private employer in the City of Los Angeles. As an employee of USC, you will be a part of a world-class research university and a member of the “Trojan Family,” which is comprised of the faculty, students and staff that make the university a great place to work.  

As a community of Dornsife College “we are committed to the creation, preservation, and communication of fundamental knowledge in all its forms…as well as a lifelong passion for learning and a commitment to the betterment of society.”  The academic mission of Dornsife College can only be realized to its fullest potential when we build and protect a representative, equitable, inclusive culture of scholarship for students, faculty, and staff.  This is not done through initiatives but by embedding these values into the everyday interactions, relationships, policies, and practices of the College.  What is required is a seamless integration of the tenets of equity and inclusivity into every facet of academic life.  If we want our scholars, staff, and students to be able to give their very best, we must create an academic environment that portends success.  

Success is possible when every member of the Dornsife community owns their role as a steward of the culture in which we learn, research, and work; when we believe that it is because of who we are that we are able to do what we do: achieve excellence, together. 

Achieving a robust and inclusive academic culture requires more than just the completion of a task, but includes that person’s capacity to contribute positively to the relationships and culture of their office or department.  Therefore, any applicant seeking to advance the mission of Dornsife College should also be assessed on their capacities beyond the technical elements of their work, and demonstrate an understanding of their impact on others, and to articulate how they contribute positively to those around them.

POSITION SUMMARY:

The USC Sea Grant Program is seeking an experienced outreach professional to lead coastal resilience extension efforts in climate resilience.The position includes support for the he regional AdaptLA program, which works to advance regional sea level rise and coastal impacts planning processes by linking coastal jurisdictions to the best available science. This work is aligned with one or more of USC Sea Grant’s four focus areas: Healthy Coastal Ecosystems, Resilient Communities and Economies, Environmental Literacy and Workforce Development, and Sustainable Fisheries and Aquaculture.

1. Anticipated Duties (85% time)

The extension specialist will work collaboratively with watershed and coastal communities to develop and implement strategies for understanding how the challenges associated with adapting to impacts such as sea level rise can be addressed through planning, policy, and project approaches. Anticipated duties include:

• Conduct engagement and facilitation of meetings with interested parties including decision makers, practitioners, and the public
• Develop programming to meet the information needs of local, state and federal agencies and interest groups
• Interpret and disseminate Sea Grant research findings on coastal and climate change issues, via the regional AdaptLA program and other venues for engagement
• Grow and develop Sea Grant’s programmatic initiatives through the identification and building of partnerships and preparing proposals
• Lead collaborations across a variety of scales including with colleagues at the USC Sea Grant Program and extension professionals in the National Sea Grant College Program network.
• Liaise with numerous interested parties including municipal authorities, state agency officials, landowner and watershed groups, NGOs, and others concerned with natural resource and hazard management in marine and coastal regions to advance adaptation planning on project and program development
• Provide training, develop collaborative programs, maintain and develop new partnerships with private marine and coastal industries, and share approaches to managing the nation’s coastal resources, in collaboration with faculty, scientists and other extension professionals
• Internally, participate in the solicitation and review cycle for Sea Grant research, conveying priorities of interested parties and linking them with the research community, and be responsible for periodically reporting project updates and progress reports, and needs, metrics and/or outcomes for programmatic reporting

2. General Scholarship Duties (10%)

• Participate in meetings with interested parties throughout Southern California.
• Share and/or present results at regional or national professional meetings and venues.
• Participate in professional development opportunities.
• Travel overnight occasionally as required.

3. Core Administrative Duties (5%)

• Attend USC SG and USC WIES staff meetings, as well as other required USC Sea Grant meetings and events.
• Maintain shared, flex, and all office spaces in a professional manner; update computer security and virus protection software, and ensure computer files and records are backed-up on a timely basis.
• Maintain a current calendar of events, travel, and program activity viewable to staff through shared calendar programs (e.g. Outlook or Gmail)

Qualifications

Required qualifications:

• Minimum Education: Bachelor's degree, Combined experience/education as substitute for minimum education in a field related to coastal resilience (e.g. oceanography, climate science, marine and coastal resources, environmental policy or management, coastal engineering, geology, urban planning, economics)
• Minimum Experience: 2 years
• Minimum Field of Expertise: Directly related project or administrative experience.
• Demonstrated experience in effectively communicating complex scientific information to lay audiences and non-specialists

Preferred Qualifications:

• Advanced degree in a field related to coastal resilience (e.g. oceanography, climate science, marine and coastal resources, environmental policy or management, coastal engineering, geology, urban planning, economics)
• General planning experience including city comprehensive/general plans.
• Demonstrated experience working with community members to address coastal and/or marine resource vulnerabilities and adaptation strategies.
• Strong understanding of issues related to the marine environment, coastal processes, sand replenishment; extensive knowledge of sea level rise adaptation strategies, coastal economics, or city planning is highly desirable.
• Broad knowledge of coastal/land use management policy and practices, including the California Coastal Act and Local Coastal Programs.
• Proficiency in developing workshops and presentations, facilitating groups, and coordinating councils, boards, commissions, agencies and interested parties.
• Experience in grant writing and managing grants and grant-funded projects and studies.
• Excellent project management skills and demonstrated ability to work successfully within a team setting as well as independently on projects, grants and outreach across a wide range of settings and groups.
• Excellent written, interpersonal, and group presentation communication skills

To Apply:

Applications will be accepted until a suitable candidate has been identified.

• Cover letter outlining research interests and motivation to apply (up to 2 pages),
• Curriculum vitae that includes examples of research including refereed journal articles, and/or public outreach activities and products
• Formal or informal transcripts
• Names and contact information for three professional references

About the USC Sea Grant Program:

The University of Southern California (USC) Sea Grant Program is part of a National Sea Grant network of 34 university-based programs located throughout the nation, and administered and supported by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). USC Sea Grant’s mission is to contribute to solving the problems of the Urban Ocean; foster the public’s understanding of coastal, ocean, and social science; recognize opportunities for the blue economy, coastal commerce, and recreation; solicit and fund relevant, innovative science to inform better decision-making, and improve the quality of life in coastal regions across Southern California.

USC Sea Grant is part of the Wrigley Institute for Environment and Sustainability  at the University of Southern California that is based in Los Angeles. The Wrigley Institute’s mission is to inspire global environmental solutions through frontier research and education, and it plays a key role in USC’s high-profile sustainability initiatives.

Diversity: USC recognizes and values the importance of diversity and inclusion in enriching the employment experience of its employees and in supporting the academic mission and are committed to attracting and retaining employees with varying identities and backgrounds.

USC provides equal access to and opportunity in its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression.  

Hourly range: The hourly rate range for this position is $30.27 - $33.85. When extending an offer of employment, the University of Southern California considers factors such as (but not limited to) the scope and responsibilities of the position, the candidate’s work experience, education/training, key skills, internal peer equity, federal, state and local laws, contractual stipulations, grant funding, as well as external market and organizational considerations.

This is a grant funded position.

Required Documents and Additional Information:

• Resume and cover letter required (may be uploaded as one file).
• Job openings are posted for a minimum of (5) five business days. This job may be removed from posting boards and filled any time after the minimum posting period has ended, so please apply on the same business day if interested.
• USC has excellent benefits, including health benefits for staff and their family with access to the renowned university medical network; eligibility for retirement plans with employer contributions after six months of employment; tuition benefits for staff and their family; free Professional Development classes; central Los Angeles location with easy access to commuter trains, buses and free tram pick up services; discounts to sporting and other campus events.

Performs other related duties as assigned or requested. The university reserves the right to add or change duties at any time.

The University of Southern California is an Equal Opportunity Employer that Values Diversity.

Minimum Education: Bachelor's degree, Combined experience/education as substitute for minimum education Minimum Experience: 2 years Minimum Field of Expertise: Directly related professional experience in program specialization, e.g., counseling or teaching.