Sea Grant Jobs (NOW HIRING)

VORTEX-SE Community Engagement Specialist
The University of Southern Mississippi is currently accepting applications for the position of VORTEX-SE Community Engagement Specialist.
Position Details
Location
Gulf Coast Research Laboratory
703 East Beach Drive
Ocean Springs, Mississippi, 39564
United States
Division
Mississippi-Alabama Sea Grant Consortium
Position Type
Staff
Employment Status
Full Time
Grant Funded
Yes
Salary Range
60,000.00 - 75,000.00
Pay Grade
Generic Grade
Posting Close Date
Open Until Filled
Special Instructions to Applicants
Applicants must be currently authorized to work in theUnited States on a full-time basis without the need for visa sponsorship. TheUniversity will not sponsor applicants for work visas (e.g., H-1B).
The National Severe Storms Laboratory (NSSL) Verification of the Originsof Rotation in Tornadoes EXperiment-Southeast (VORTEX-SE) program has embeddedsocial and behavioral science research into its program since its inception.Since 2016 VORTEX-SE research has examined societal vulnerability to tornadorisk, communication of these risks, and the roles of the National WeatherService (NWS) and its partners in building local resilience to tornadoes.VORTEX-SE has been iterative in its approach so that new findings and knowledgeare built into research going forward.
The Mississippi-Alabama Sea Grant Consortium (MASGC) in collaborationwith NOAA's National Severe Storms Laboratory (NSSL) have partnered to create amodel for a regional extension program that will integrate physical and socialscience research from the VORTEX-SE program to local application for a broadertarget audience. The goal of this regional effort is to support two-way dialogthat contributes to the understanding of on-the-ground needs of audiences thatare vulnerable to severe weather events and directly respond to those needswith accurate, trusted information delivered by extension specialists,researchers, and other experts.
Job Summary
The VORTEX-SE CommunityEngagement Specialist serves as a regional liaison between VORTEX-SE scientistsand the communities that rely on accurate and timely severe weatherinformation. This position facilitates the exchange of knowledge by translatingscientific research into practical outreach, education, and engagementactivities while also communicating community needs and priorities back toresearchers. The Specialist develops and delivers educational programs,outreach materials, workshops, and other engagement initiatives to supportinformed decision-making and strengthen community resilience across theSoutheast. This position works collaboratively with VORTEX-SE scientists, theNational Severe Storms Laboratory (NSSL), the Mississippi-Alabama Sea GrantConsortium (MASGC), and regional stakeholders and requires extensive travelthroughout the Southeast. This is a grant-funded, limited-term appointmentcontingent upon continued funding.
Primary Duties and Responsibilities

1. Work with the NSSL VORTEX Program Lead and VORTEX scientists to help synthesize and prioritize research results for transition and knowledge transfer to appropriate communities in the Southeast through the MASGC VORTEX-SE extension project.
2. Develop and execute (through focus groups and workshops) extension programming grounded in VORTEX funded science and related research and the needs of target audiences and communities.
3. Author 1-3 publications for non-technical audiences each year and participate in planning at least two workshops/trainings each year to share VORTEX research results within the geographic area (e.g. hosting science seminars and/or theme-based workshops).
4. Contribute to other outreach activities supported by VORTEX such as social media, website(s), YouTube videos, newsletters, TV and radio segments, and other local, regional and national media reports where appropriate.
5. Work with VORTEX Engagement Coordinator for regional consistency, coordination and synthesis of outreach products, conduct program evaluations and submission of annual reports.
6. Develop and maintain collaborative relationships with emergency managers, local governments, building officials, extension professionals, community organizations, and other stakeholders throughout the region.
7. Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications
A Bachelor'sdegree from an accredited college or university in emergency management,building science, disaster management, building construction, or a relatedfield. Such education and/or experience should include three (3) years ofprogressively responsible experience in community engagement, Extension,outreach, emergency management, science communication, or a related field. Anequivalent combination of years of experience and education may be consideredfor substitution of educational requirements (i.e. military experience).
Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Knowledge of community engagement, outreach, extension programming, or adult education principles, with the ability to develop, implement, and evaluate educational programs.
• Ability to interpret complex scientific or technical information and communicate it effectively to technical and non-technical audiences through written, verbal, and presentation formats.
• Strong project management, organizational, analytical, and planning skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and complete projects independently with minimal supervision.
• Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to build collaborative relationships and work effectively with diverse stakeholders, partner organizations, and multidisciplinary teams.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite and other computer, communication, and virtual collaboration technologies.
• Ability to facilitate meetings, workshops, and public engagement activities while adapting to changing priorities and effectively managing multiple assignments.
• Ability to travel extensively throughout the Southeast region and work occasional evenings and weekends as needed.
• Knowledge or experience in one or more relevant subject areas, such as severe weather awareness, disaster resilience, wind mitigation, building science, or related disciplines.

Preferred Qualifications
Master's degree from an accredited college oruniversity in Emergency Management, Building Science, Disaster Management,Building Construction, Structural Engineering, Adult Education, or a closelyrelated field. Preference will be given to candidates with demonstratedexperience in one or more of the following areas: emergency management,building science, structural engineering, hazard identification and assessment,building construction and code compliance, adult education, sciencecommunication, facilitation, curriculum development, public speaking,stakeholder engagement, or working with local, state, and federal governmentagencies.
About The University of Southern Mississippi
Since our founding in 1910, The University of SouthernMississippi has remained dedicated to preparingstudents for success. We deliver programs to more than 13,000 studentsin Hattiesburg and Long Beach, at teaching and research sites across theMississippi Gulf Coast, as well as online. Weare a community-engaged Carnegie R1 university, earning distinction as one ofthe nation's leading research institutions.
Southern Miss is known for pioneering work inpolymer science, ocean science, spectator sports safety and security, and bringinglanguage to children with communication disorders. We are also a nationalleader in a broad range of disciplines, including cybersecurity, hydrography,nutrition, aquaculture, kinesiology, and economic development, among others.
We produce graduates ready to enterfields that are leading the way in emerging technologies through programs suchas computer engineering, information technology, and ocean engineering. We're developing the next generation ofbusiness leaders, while also responding to critical workforce shortages byproducing skilled professionals in education and nursing. With a tradition ofexcellence in the arts, we are one of only 36 public institutions in the nationaccredited in four major areas of the arts. Home to the Golden Eagles, ourstudent-athletes compete in 17 NCAA Division I sports. With a culture marked by passion andpersistence, Southern Miss is delivering graduates who are ready for life. For more information, visit www.usm.edu.
The University of Southern Mississippi is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment. EOE/VETS/DISABILITY.