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Assistant Specialist - Sierra Nevada Research Institute

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Position overview

Position title: CECS Stakeholder Engagement Specialist
Salary range: Salary is based on the University of California Academic Salary Scales
Percent time: 100%
Anticipated start: September 15, 2021
Position duration: One-year appointment with the possibility of renewal based on availability of funding, ongoing operational needs, and satisfactory performance.

Position description

The Sierra Nevada Research Institute (SNRI) at UC Merced (http://snri.ucmerced.edu) is seeking a Stakeholder Engagement Specialist (Specialist Series) to help develop a bi-directorial stakeholder engagement and communication process for co-producing and advancing ecosystem climate solutions.

This position is part of the Center for Ecosystem Climate Solutions (CECS) (https://california-ecosystem-climate.solutions/) and will work collaboratively with the Sierra Nevada Research Institute. CECS is based out of UC Irvine and also includes faculty and academics from UC Merced, UC Davis, UC ANR, UC Berkeley, Stanford and San Diego State University. CECS’ mission is to develop open-source, statewide datasets and geospatial tools to support land management decision-making. CECS is building scientifically rigorous data products that document California’s current and recent ecosystem conditions; assess ecosystem vulnerabilities; and evaluate the effects of management options on water, vegetation health, fuels and carbon stocks.

The engagement specialist will communicate with and continue to develop a stakeholder network, organize and facilitate stakeholder workshops and decision support tool demonstrations/ feedback sessions, assist with scheduling and conducting interviews, transcribing, sharing project results and reporting, maintain a strong online presence to communicate findings, and document and share CECS's suite of tools. The specialist will lead efforts to synthesize and document existing information into various forms of written communications including newsletters, blog posts, white papers and detailed user guides to be shared with stakeholders. The specialist will lead efforts to synthesize existing data into white papers that describe policy issues surrounding healthy forests and extension publications focusing on management practices ( e.g . thinning , grazing , prescribed fire) that promote stable carbon stocks, healthy forests, water sustainability and reduced wildfire risk. The specialist will serve as a second point of contact for the project’s undergraduate intern program, consisting of students working in labs and participating in science communication activities. The specialist will provide oversight and work to promote a degree of cohesiveness to the program through regular communication with the students and feedback on science communication work products. This is a full-time position and will be hired through UC Merced, but the physical location of the position is up for discussion. May require limited travel in California to represent CECS.

As a condition of employment, you will be required to comply with the University of California SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) Vaccination Program Policy: https://policy.ucop.edu/doc/5000695/SARS-CoV-2_Covid-19. All Covered Individuals under the policy must provide proof of Full Vaccination or, if applicable, submit a request for Exception (based on Medical Exemption, Disability, and/or Religious Objection) or Deferral (based on pregnancy) no later than the applicable deadline. For new University of California employees, the applicable deadline is 14 days after their first date of employment.

Qualifications

Basic qualifications

• A Master’s degree in Communications, Environmental Science & Policy, or other relevant field; or 5 or more years of relevant work experience.
• Knowledge of western US sustainability issues, including wildland and/or forest management.
• Evidence of strong written and oral communication skills.
• Experience with emerging scientific communication strategies such as social media, blogs, short videos and other web-based communications.
• Ability to produce science based scholarly products.
• Experience coordinating and facilitating workshops, focus groups, or other events.
• Energy and enthusiasm to contribute to a large multi-institutional applied research effort.

Preferred qualifications

Stakeholder engagement experience, particularly with State and regional agencies, nonprofit organizations, tribal groups, and/or forest restoration partnerships. Previous experience working with these groups in California is a plus.

Application Requirements

Document requirements
  • Curriculum Vitae - Your most recently updated C.V.

  • Cover Letter

  • Statement of Research

Reference requirements
  • 3-5 required (contact information only)
Apply link: https://aprecruit.ucmerced.edu/JPF01184

Help contact: cgalvan3@ucmerced.edu

About UC Merced

The University of California, Merced, is the newest of the University of California system’s 10 campuses. With over 9,000 undergraduate and graduate students (https://cie.ucmerced.edu/analytics-hub/student-statistics), UC Merced is committed to interdisciplinary excellence in research and teaching as well as to diversity, equity and inclusion. Ranked as one of the best public universities in the nation by U.S. News and World Report, UC Merced provides outstanding educational opportunities to highly qualified students from the heart of California, the nation, and abroad. The campus has special connections to nearby Yosemite National Park; is on the cutting edge of sustainability in construction and design; and supports the economic development of Central California. The Merced 2020 Project doubled the physical capacity of the campus, and enhanced academic distinction, student success, and research excellence (https://merced2020.ucmerced.edu/).

The University of California, Merced is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer advancing inclusive excellence. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected categories covered by the UC nondiscrimination policy.

As a University employee, you will be required to comply with all applicable University policies and/or collective bargaining agreements, as may be amended from time to time. Federal, state, or local government directives may impose additional requirements. This includes the University of California Policy on Vaccination Programs: https://policy.ucop.edu/doc/5000695/VaccinationProgramsPolicy.

Job location

May require limited travel in California to represent CECS