Assistant Extension Educator in Geospatial Tools and Technology

INTRODUCTION

This is a full-time, 11-month appointment for a non-tenure-track position at the rank of Assistant/Associate Extension Educator. The successful candidate is expected to develop strong working relationships with communities, interact with UConn faculty, state, and federal agency personnel, and develop interdisciplinary extension programs. This is an off-campus, county-based position. The primary office location is the Middlesex County Extension Center in Haddam, CT.

CAHNR has developed and implemented a Strategic Vision to guide the development and focus of our teaching, research, and Extension programs in the years 2020-2025. Faculty hired for this position will be expected to make significant contributions in their area of expertise, contributing to the advancement of one or more of the CAHNR’s five strategic priorities https://cahnr.uconn.edu/visionandvalues :

• Ensuring a vibrant agricultural industry and sustainable food supply
• Enhancing health and well-being locally, nationally, and globally
• Fostering sustainable landscapes across urban-rural interfaces
• Advancing resilience and adaptation in a changing climate
• Dismantling structural racism and fostering environments that advance racial equity, inclusion, and belonging by advocating for anti-racist policies, practices, and norms

The Department of Extension in the College of Agriculture, Health and Natural Resources works collaboratively with partners in all 169 municipalities across Connecticut, throughout the northeast region, and beyond. It is a non-tenuring unit with 35 faculty, and 50 program and administrative staff. Additional grant-specific program personnel assist in solving problems and enhancing the well-being of our state population where they live, work, and learn. Programs carried out by the Department constitute the majority of activity of the UConn Extension System. Faculty and staff conduct educational activities through eight county/community-based centers and may be co-located with additional community/agency-based working partners.

Founded in 1881, UConn is a Land Grant and Sea Grant institution and member of the Space Grant Consortium. It is the state’s flagship institution of higher education and includes a main campus in Storrs, CT, four regional campuses throughout the state, and 13 Schools and Colleges, including a Law School in Hartford, and Medical and Dental Schools at the UConn Health campus in Farmington. The University has approximately 10,000 faculty and staff and 32,000 students, including nearly 24,000 undergraduates and over 8,000 graduate and professional students. UConn is a Carnegie Foundation R1 (highest research activity) institution, among the top 25 public universities in the nation. Through research, teaching, service, and outreach, UConn embraces diversity and cultivates leadership, integrity, and engaged citizenship in its students, faculty, staff, and alumni. UConn promotes the health and well-being of citizens by enhancing the social, economic, cultural, and natural environments of the state and beyond. The University serves as a beacon of academic and research excellence as well as a center for innovation and social service to communities. UConn is a leader in many scholarly, research, and innovation areas. Today, the path forward includes exciting opportunities and notable challenges. Record numbers of undergraduate applications and support for student success have enabled the University to become extraordinarily selective.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The Assistant or Associate Extension Educator in Geospatial Tools and Technology based within the award-winning Center for Land Use Education and Research  (CLEAR) will:

• Apply professional geospatial and python scripting skills and abilities to support CLEAR’s mission - “to provide information and assistance to land use decision makers and other audiences in support of better land use decisions, healthier natural resources, and more resilient communities;”
• Locate, generate, edit, analyze, and scrutinize geospatial datasets for CLEAR research, tools, outreach, and other applications;
• Employ cutting-edge geospatial technologies to develop interactive, user-friendly geospatial tools (e.g., Story Maps, Interactive Dashboards, Web Maps, Map Viewers, decision support tools) to support resilient and sustainable decisions;
• Contribute to the development and teaching of geospatial trainings focused on a wide range of geospatial topics, especially those not currently covered by CLEAR faculty, like python scripting, in a variety of formats (e.g., in-person, virtual, webinars, on-line courses, videos, etc.);
• Collaborate with other CAHNR and UConn faculty and researchers to conduct analyses and develop geospatial products that highlight and translate research fundings with local land use implications;
• Collaborate with and contribute to the advancement of all CLEAR program teams; and
• Communicate effectively with technical and nontechnical audiences about geospatial tools, data, and other topics.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Ph.D. in Natural Resources with a concentration in GIS, Remote Sensing, or closely related field.

A minimum of 3 years’ professional experience and demonstrated expertise in analyzing geospatial data, including land cover data.

A minimum of 3 years’ experience and demonstrated expertise in developing interactive, user-friendly geospatial products for technical and non-technical audiences.

A minimum of 5 years’ experience and demonstrated expertise in Python scripting to automate geospatial visualization and analysis tools.

Demonstrated understanding of land use and water quality issues in New England and beyond.

Demonstrated understanding of sustainability and climate resiliency at the local level.

Demonstrated superior communication skills, including public speaking, and writing of educational materials.

Strong interpersonal skills.

Demonstrated ability to work as an integral member of a diverse project team, but also the ability to work independently.

High level of organization and demonstrated ability to document project steps, outputs, and communicate them to others.

Experience in developing and delivering effective educational materials and presentations.

Proficiency in standard office word processing, spreadsheet, and internet browsing software.

Proficiency in multiple geospatial data types and Esri mapping desktop software (ArcGIS Pro) for data creation, editing, analysis, and more.

Demonstrated strong proficiency in creating geospatial outreach tools using ESRI Story Maps, ArcGIS Dashboards, WebApp Builder, Experience Builder, and other ArcGIS online mapping tools.

Experience with ArcGIS Server and ArcGIS Online for providing geospatial products and data to a wide range of audiences, including publishing map, image, and geoprocessing services.

Experience with remote sensing imagery and thematic datasets, including creation, manipulation, analysis, and sharing.

Ability to learn and adapt as technology matures and evolves.

Ability and willingness to travel to meeting sites.

Ability to work a flexible schedule, including occasional evenings, is required to reach target audiences. Some out-of-state travel may also be necessary.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

Demonstrated understanding of the connection between land use activities and natural resource protection.

Experience in teaching geospatial technologies and/or research to a “lay” audience.

A record of commitment to promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion through professional, academic, outreach and/or research activities.

Familiarity with Cooperative Extension or similar non-advocacy, research-based, educational programming.

Familiarity with remote sensing and natural resource data, tools, and stakeholders in Southern New England, particularly Long Island Sound.

Enthusiasm for learning and adapting new approaches and technologies in the rapidly changing geospatial field.

Experience in contributing to successful grant proposals.

Experience guiding and supervising student interns and employees.

Familiarity with developing online training materials and courses.

APPOINTMENT TERMS

This is a full-time, (11) month position with an anticipated start date in April 2024. This position is primarily funded by grants and subject to grant funding timelines. The successful candidate will work primarily at the University of Connecticut’s Middlesex County Extension office located in Haddam, CT, with occasional travel to the Storrs Campus, other extension centers, and elsewhere in the state.

For more information on benefits, go to: http://www.hr.uconn.edu/benefits/index.html . Starting salary and position rank for this position will be commensurate with training and experience.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

Employment of the successful candidate is contingent upon the successful completion of a pre-employment criminal background check.

TO APPLY 

Please apply online to Academic Jobs Online https://academicjobsonline.org/ajo/jobs/27393  and submit the following application materials:

• Cover letter summarizing how your qualifications and experience meet the position requirements (maximum two pages).
• Curriculum vitae.
• Personal statement on Equity, Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice (maximum one page).
• Names and contact information for at least three references including emails.

Evaluation of applicants will begin immediately and continue until a successful candidate is selected. Inquiries about the position should be directed to: Bonnie Burr, [email protected]

At the University of Connecticut, our commitment to excellence is complemented by building a culturally diverse community of students, faculty, and staff. 

This position will be filled subject to funding availability. 

All employees are subject to adherence to the State Code of Ethics which may be found at http://www.ct.gov/ethics/site/default.asp

At the University of Connecticut, our commitment to excellence is complemented by our commitment to building a culturally diverse community.

This position will be filled subject the budgetary approval.

All employees are subject to adherence to the State Code of Ethics which may be found at http://www.ct.gov/ethics/site/default.asp .

All members of the University of Connecticut are expected to exhibit appreciation of, and contribute to, an inclusive, respectful, and diverse environment for the University community.

The University of Connecticut aspires to create a community built on collaboration and belonging and has actively sought to create an inclusive culture within the workforce. The success of the University is dependent on the willingness of our diverse employee and student populations to share their rich perspectives and backgrounds in a respectful manner. This makes it essential for each member of our community to feel secure and welcomed and to thoroughly understand and believe that their ideas are respected by all. We strongly respect each individual employee’s unique experiences and perspectives and encourage all members of the community to do the same. All applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status.

The University of Connecticut is an AA/EEO Employer.