Project Coordinator and Community Liaison

• JOB NUMBER: 521331

• CLASSIFICATION: Research Professional 3

• GRADE: Grade 80

• WORK TYPE: Hybrid, On Campus, Remote within Alaska, Staff Full-time

• ADMINISTRATIVE UNIT: University of Alaska Fairbanks

• SCHOOL/BUSINESS UNIT: UAF Intl Arctic Research Center

• LOCATION: Fairbanks

• CATEGORIES: Communications/Public Relations/Marketing, Other, Research/Science/Grants

Position Summary:

The Alaska Arctic Observatory and Knowledge Hub (AAOKH) at the International Arctic Research Center and University of Alaska Fairbanks (UAF) is seeking a project coordinator and community liaison with a passion for working with coastal Alaska communities to promote ethical and equitable research activities to support local needs and adaptation to environmental change. This position will have the opportunity to co-develop and contribute to research projects that rely on holistic environmental observations from community-based monitoring programs in the coastal realm of Arctic Alaska. The individual in this position will contribute to collaborative approaches to data management and visualization with an overarching goal to improve the relevance and usefulness of community-based environmental observations, which can inform planning and decision making in climate change adaptation and natural resource management at the local scale and will join a collaborative and interdisciplinary AAOKH team of UAF researchers and students, Iñupiaq scholars, observers, and contributing communities. This position is based at the International Arctic Research Center at UAF, although remote work requests within Alaska will be considered. AAOKH at the International Arctic Research Center is a team-oriented, family-friendly work environment. The staff are encouraged to bring their personal creativity and gifts to the work within the funding requirements and overall mission of IARC.

Duties:

Program Management and Coordination: -Perform project management, such as tracking and organizing program projects, requests, inquiries, and required reports. -Organize and lead as needed meetings and teleconferences relevant to program management, coordination of the AAOKH team, and advertisements of AAOKH products and outreach. Co-organize and suggest agenda items for Steering Group meetings. -Oversee and maintain the AAOKH website and other social media accounts. Lead and regularly post on AAOKH social media and other outreach campaigns to help Alaskans in rural and Northern Coastal Alaska communities learn more about AAOKH. -Suggest items and assist with development of AAOKH newsletter content. -Tailor outreach and communication content for community partners and co-management organizations, including the infusion of Iñupiaq terms and interpretations.

Research: -Conduct research related to environmental change, responses, vulnerability, and adaptation needs of coastal Alaska communities, including needs assessment and science communications specific to Alaska Native communities and co-management organizations. -Develop and maintain relationships between the AAOKH team and Tribes and Tribal organizations, other community-based organizations, co-management organizations, and partnering scientists, public and non-profit partners. -Identify and develop new relationships with Indigenous-led organizations to support AAOKH community-based needs and interests, such as those related to erosion and permafrost melt, marine mammal co-management, food security and sovereignty, cross-cultural knowledge exchange. -Serve as a liaison and representative of AAOKH at community meetings as well as at public and scientific meetings. -Coordinate, help organize, and participate in travel for AAOKH team meetings in AAOKH communities. -Participate in field research activities associated with AAOKH projects. -Assist with coordination and communication between AAOKH observers and UAF scientists and students. -Synthesize observer reports and research results to create reports to funders, the AAOKH Steering Group, and partners. Produce summaries for AAOKH newsletter. -Create presentations and outreach materials about program projects and activities. Ensure quality control. -Rely on scientific expertise and experience in geospatial analysis and synthesis to effectively communication environmental change in the coastal environment. Use GIS and remote sensing products, in combination with local observations and in situ data collection, to produce information products useful and accessible to communities. -Respond to information requests from community partners. -Coordinate with AAOKH team members to troubleshoot and problem solve issues related to data collection, data use agreements, data synthesis, and interpersonal communications. -Initiate new research, new work collaborations and projects, including leading other team members on projects as needed. Contribute to work of other researchers, students, and faculty to produce complete projects. -Work is performed under general direction, with assignments only outlined.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

-Ability to synthesize and communicate information and research results for internal and external reporting and outreach.

-Advanced knowledge of geospatial analysis, community-based research protocols, ethical and equitable engagement procedures with Alaska Native communities, scientific analytical procedures, and development of public-facing research products.

-Advanced knowledge or experience of developing ethical and equitable research engagement strategies with Indigenous Knowledge Holders.

-Knowledge of climate change science, impacts, and adaptation in Alaska.

-Knowledge and understanding of boundary spanning, science communication, and knowledge co-production, particularly with Alaska Native communities.

-Ability for cross-cultural communication.

-Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work in a diverse team of academic scientists, staff, and students with community-based observers and partners.

-Advanced computer skills.

-Advanced GIS and other geospatial skills.

-Ability to collect, analyze and interpret data.

-Ability to create comprehensive reports in a team setting, particularly identifying and developing information products for science communication.

-Ability to understand and independently solve complex problems.

-Ability to communicate effectively and professionally both orally and in writing.

-Ability to manage and write content for social media outlets and websites.

-Personal and/or research experience in community-based research on environmental change.

-Knowledge of, or ability to learn, University, regulations, policies and procedures pertaining to outreach, Institutional Research Board, and publications.

-Ability to work independently and as part of a team.

-Ability to conduct business in a professional, timely, and ethical manner.

-Ability to juggle multiple projects simultaneously and to respond to and prioritize workload to meet deadlines.

-Ability to be highly organized.

-Ability to track deadlines and prompt others to contribute to keep projects on track.

-Proven aptitude for collaboration in community-based research and other projects.

-Ability to observe and assess situations and to communicate with community-based partners diplomatically.
Willingness to learn and take initiative.

-Ability to see and make connections between people, projects, and organizations.

Requird Education and Training:

Master’s degree and two years relevant experience at the postgraduate level in geosciences, community-based research, or other related fields relevant to this position.

Position Information: 

This is a full-time, Grade 80, minimum $28.22/hour (DOE), Exempt, Term-funded, 12-month position complete with a competitive salary and UA employee benefits package.  UA provides a generous compensation package that includes excellent benefits including retirement options, annual leave, 12 paid holidays per year, tuition waivers for employees and dependents, and affordable medical, dental, and vision care coverage. This position is physically located in Fairbanks, a hybrid-flexible work schedule may be considered. 

Term Position:
This position is a term-funded position and is reviewed annually for contract renewal at the University's discretion.

Instructions to Apply:

Please submit a resume, cover letter and the names and contact information for three (3) professional references (phone and emails).  

To ensure consideration, please submit your application no later than 11:55 PM Alaska Standard Time, on August 11, 2022. Review of applications by the hiring committee will begin on August 12, 2022. The position may remain open until filled.

*To be eligible for this position, applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States without restriction.  Applicants who now or may in the future require visa sponsorship to work in the United States are not eligible.

COVID Requirements:

In the event that the successful candidate is located on the UAF campus, please note the following: All new UAF hires, whose job function or work location results in the employee being subject to the UAF vaccine requirements guided by the Federal Contractor Employee vaccine mandate*, must be fully vaccinated with an FDA- or WHO- authorized or approved COVID-19 vaccine or have obtained a university-approved disability/medical or religious exemption no later than six weeks from the new hire's start date.

Proof of vaccination does not need to be provided to apply. If offered the position, the successful applicant will be contacted for proof of vaccination.

*Employees based on UAF’s Troth Yeddha’ (Fairbanks) campus, regardless of university affiliation and remote work status; Employees based in UAF research units outside Fairbanks (including Seward Marine Center, Kodiak Seafood and Marine Science Center, HAARP, Poker Flat, Lena Point, and Toolik Field Station); and Employees, regardless of their work location, paid by or directly working on impacted UAF federal contract.

Term Position:
This position is a term-funded position and is reviewed annually for contract renewal at the University's discretion.

Reasonable Accommodation Statement:

The University of Alaska (UA) is responsible for providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities throughout the applicant screening process. If you need assistance in completing this application or during any phase of the interview process, please contact UA Human Resources by phone at 907-450-8200.

Affirmative Action Statement:

UA is an AA/EO employer and educational institution and prohibits illegal discrimination against any individual: www.alaska.edu/nondiscrimination

Background Check:

The successful applicant is required to complete a background check. Any offer of employment is contingent on the background check.

Probationary Period:

Pursuant to University Regulation 04.07.020, new employees of the University are employed in an at-will probationary status for the first six months of employment. During the probationary period, employment may be terminated for no reason or any reason. Promoted employees also serve a probationary period with limited rights of retreat.

Public Disclosure Statement:

Your application for employment with the University of Alaska is subject to public disclosure under the Alaska Public Records Act.

University of Alaska is a Drug-Free Workplace.

University of Alaska campuses are Tobacco-Free. 

Training Policy:

It is the policy of the University of Alaska (UA) that all employees are required to complete training to meet the requirements of the positions they hold, and to complete the required training within a specified period to remain employed at the UA.

Contact Information:

If you have any questions regarding this position, please contact University of Alaska HR at 907-450-8200.