Coastal Climate and Resilience (CCR) Specialist

~ The South Carolina Sea Grant Consortium, a state agency established to manage the Sea Grant College program for South Carolina and based in Charleston, SC, optimizes the environmental, social, and economic potential of the coastal and marine resources of the state and region through the support and dissemination of high-quality research, extension, and education programming. ~

The Carolinas Integrated Sciences and Assessments (CISA), one of ten NOAA-supported Regional Integrated Sciences and Assessments (RISA) research teams, supports the building of adaptive capacity in North Carolina and South Carolina through natural and social science research and outreach facilitating the integration of climate information into water, health, and coastal management and decision making.

Position Overview

The S.C. Sea Grant Consortium (Consortium), in partnership with the CISA based at the University of South Carolina, is seeking a coastal climate and resilience specialist to join the agency’s Sea Grant Extension Program and the CISA team. 

The Coastal Climate and Resilience (CCR) Specialist will address the coastal climate and resiliency needs of a variety of constituencies by extending science-based climate and weather information and providing hands-on operational and technical support to coastal communities, resource managers, and interest groups in South Carolina and the region. The CCR Specialist will also contribute to research driven by community needs and provide hands-on operational and technical support for coastal climate issues addressed by and the Consortium and CISA.

This position is based in Charleston, South Carolina. Normal Consortium business hours are Monday through Friday 8:30 am to 5:00 pm. However, work beyond regular business hours, including evenings and weekends, may be necessary in order to complete the requirements of the position. Travel throughout the state and region is necessary. A valid driver’s license is required.

Responsibilities

Position Objectives:

• Enhance capacity of the Consortium’s and CISA’s science and extension programming to inform public and awareness of and access to climate resilience data products, information, and decision support tools.
• Build awareness of and support coastal decision makers as they seek to evaluate and prepare for the impacts of climate and weather variability and coastal change on, for example, sea levels, shoreline erosion, land use, salt water intrusion, fisheries, tourism, coastal economics, community development, and natural hazards.
• Collaborate with CISA to provide tailored, decision-relevant information on the implications of climate variability and change to coastal decision makers, such as residents, government officials, and business people.
• Assist coastal communities in adaptation planning for climate and weather hazards.
  Evaluate and review improvements in Consortium and CISA climate and resilience education and outreach capacity and approaches.

Specific Duties:

• Analyze and provide up-to-date information about climate science, climate impacts, and resilience strategies to a variety of audiences through diverse means.
• Identify information and service needs of constituents through targeted interactions with client groups, and work with them in developing solutions to climate- and resilience-related issues.
• Plan, conduct, and evaluate coastal climate extension programs, vulnerability assessments, public seminars, and workshops for constituents in South Carolina and the region.
• Give formal and informal presentations on Consortium and CISA climate and resilience activities at state, regional, and national conferences and workshops, including the Carolinas Climate Resilience Conference, and Climate Connections workshops for local community officials and resource managers.
• Work with faculty and staff at Consortium member institutions, including CISA and USC, to design and conduct interdisciplinary applied coastal climate and resilience research and extension projects.
• Participate in the development and management of grant proposals with the Consortium, CISA, and/or other organizations and programs to secure funding for client-driven climate services and resilience research and extension projects.
• Contribute content to communications materials produced and distributed by the Consortium and CISA.
• Assist in the planning and implementation of Consortium and CISA sponsored state and regional conferences, workshops, and meetings.
• Prepare performance-based program objectives, benchmarks, metrics, program evaluations, and other programmatic reports as required by the Consortium and CISA.
  Supervise student assistants and interns, and serve on graduate student committees when appropriate.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications:

• Specialized graduate degree in a marine- or coastal-related science, engineering, geosciences, social science or related field.
• Experience in and knowledge of coastal climate and resiliency science, vulnerability assessment, adaptation.
• Minimum of three years of experience in coastal climate/resilience applied research and technical outreach/extension training.
• Demonstrated ability to build partnerships and communicate, collaborate, and work effectively with diverse groups of internal and external stakeholders.
• Experience with local government systems and participatory democracy.
• Ability to interpret scientific research for non-technical audiences.
• Capacity to design and implement effective engagement strategies for a variety of audiences.
• Capacity to effect change in local communities and organizations through climate and resilience planning and adaptation engagement exercises.
• Demonstrated proficiency in grant writing and management.
• High level of analytical, organizational, and planning skills.
• Ability to work independently and as a part of a team.
• Effective oral and written communication skills.
• Fluency in computer and communications technology.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Ph.D. in a marine- or coastal-related science, geosciences, social sciences or related field.
• 5 years of experience in coastal climate/resilience applied research and technical outreach/extension training.
• Proven record of success in securing extramural funding.
• Experience in the evaluation and use of coastal adaptation tools.
• Floodplain management.
• GIS proficiency.

Compensation: Regular, full-time position. This position is funded jointly through the Consortium and CISA. Agency hiring range: $45,000 to $53,000. The finalist for this position must successfully complete an e-verify and driver’s license background check.

To Apply

Please click "Apply" below to upload your cover letter, detailed resume, and the names and contact information for three references, including their email addresses, to:

Ryan Bradley 
Assistant to the Director for Administration
S.C. Sea Grant Consortium 
287 Meeting St. 
Charleston, SC 29401 

Review of applications will begin on July 7th, 2017, and will continue until the position is filled. No phone calls please. Applicants will be contacted for interviews.

~ The South Carolina Sea Grant Consortium is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer ~