Job Details

Assistant/Associate Specialist in the Climate Hazards Center in the Geography Department
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Position Number: 5469007
Location: Santa Barbara, CA
Position Type: Science - Geography

Assistant/Associate Specialist in the Climate Hazards Center in the Geography Department

University of California Santa Barbara

Position overview
Position title: Assistant/Associate Specialist Salary range: The budgeted salary that the University reasonably expects to pay for this position @ 100% time is $61,900-$80,700. Percent time: 100% Anticipated start: September 16, 2024 Position duration: Initial appointment will be for one (1) year with a very strong potential for annual renewal, based on performance and available funding. Application Window

Open date: July 26, 2024

Most recent review date: Monday, Aug 26, 2024 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time)
Applications received after this date will be reviewed by the search committee if the position has not yet been filled.

Final date: Friday, Jan 31, 2025 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time)
Applications will continue to be accepted until this date, but those received after the review date will only be considered if the position has not yet been filled.

Position description

The new hire will make scientific and scholarly contributions to the CHC's research efforts, while helping to expand recognition of the Center's achievements, data sets, and services within the professional and scientific community. This person will be responsible for creating, contributing to, editing, and publishing a variety of communications and channels. The candidate will carry out research as part of a team and may provide some independent input into the planning and execution of the research.

The primary types of communications will be related to support for the CHC's monitoring and forecasting work for FEWS NET, communication with end users and partners on interpretation and appropriate usage of CHC products and analysis, and the development of public-facing social media and blog posts. This scientist will also carry out climate hazard assessments, using CHC tools and data sets. As part of the CHC team, the candidate will be required to interact with the team of scientists to collaborate, iterate, solicit input, answer questions, and other interactions around the relevant material. There are also expectations that the candidate can interpret basic maps, scientific plots, and a variety of data to build a narrative.

Writing responsibilities center around the communication of forecast and current climate conditions to support CHC reporting to the Famine Early Warning Systems Network (FEWS NET). This will include monthly reporting cycles for items like the FEWS NET seasonal forecast call, FEWS NET Seasonal Monitors, and Crop Monitor for Early Warning (CM4EW). It will also include more infrequent channels, such as the posting of ad hoc analysis when potential shocks arise, the review of proposals and peer-reviewed journal articles, presentations at scientific conferences, and reporting to funding agencies. This will also entail the management of social media outlets, and coordination with the FEWS NET communication team. There will also be unique opportunities to engage with foreign scientists in Africa and Central America.

The candidate will be expected to work closely with the team of CHC scientists to improve a broad set of scientific communications material (including scientific presentations, peer-reviewed articles, social media and blog posts aimed for a broad audience). Through this support and exposure, the candidate will gain additional understanding of the types of analysis that CHC performs, and develop skills and confidence for performing independent analysis reviewing available material. To facilitate this growth, the candidate should have a background in geographic/climate/atmospheric/environmental science, be comfortable working in a scientific environment, have a willingness to learn, and be able to work with others.

The candidate will be responsible for documenting some internal processes that the CHC uses for dataset generation and analysis. This will require working with team members to better understand their work processes and generate documentation around those processes. This will help serve as both an accounting of the efforts and activities, but also build a library of services that CHC performs.

Finally, as part of an international food security community, the candidate will be part of a valuable team making a positive difference in the world. They will be exposed to partners across many time zones and cultures, all with the common goal of identifying and mitigating the impacts of food insecurity. The ideal candidate will be curious about these cross-cultural exchanges, and value the positive impact that CHC is contributing to around the world.

Key Responsibilities:
Scientific Content Creation and Reporting:
Routine Agroclimatic Monitoring and Reporting: Work with CHC scientists to develop and refine routine contributions highlighting the current and forecast agroclimatic conditions to FEWS NET and other reporting streams. This includes the written summary of noteworthy conditions and the curation, and potentially development, of supporting graphics. This will transition to independent analysis and input to routine reporting streams.
Scientific Material Collaboration: Work with the CHC team to refine and improve peer-reviewed articles, scientific presentations, research proposals, seasonal reports and updates, and other scientific and academic materials in close coordination with CHC scientists and programmers. This may include writing new material, editing existing content, reorganizing and revising material, creating graphical support, and broadly creating and improving scientific and academic documents.
Process Documentation: Responsible for documenting internal processes that the CHC uses for dataset generation and analysis. Works collaboratively with CHC scientists and programmers to develop and document process flows and standard operating procedures for publication and maintains the lifecycle of these process documents. The resulting assets can serve as resources available through online channels, support to peer-reviewed dataset publications, as input to training presentations, etc.

Non-Scientific Content Creation and Reporting:
Content Creation: Generate engaging and accessible content, including articles, blog posts, and multimedia materials, to communicate complex climate science concepts to a broad audience. This involves production of written content for media outlets, including print journalists looking to engage with CHC subject matter experts to communicate CHC's research and analysis to diverse audiences, including press releases.
Internal Communications: Collaborate with CHC researchers and scientists to distill technical information into accessible content for internal and external stakeholders. Foster a culture of effective communication within the center, including organization of routine production of documents; tracking progress of papers, blogs, or other intermittent publications; capturing media mentions and other high-visibility references.
Routine Administrative Reporting: Collecting, curating, and organizing quarterly contributions highlighting accomplishments, publications, presentations, media mentions, and other noteworthy activities performed by the CHC on a quarterly basis.
Digital and Social Media:
Digital and Social Media Content Creation: Oversee and manage the center's digital presence, including website content, social media channels, and other online platforms. This includes the development of content for CHC social media (primarily Twitter/X) and interaction with partners through social media. Develop strategies to leverage social media for outreach to prospective and current collaborators, alumni, and prospective donors through the review of analytics to measure the success of content strategy and enhance online visibility and engagement. Manage website content and creation of new pages with direct support from CHC scientists to help describe and distribute new findings and datasets. Use social media platforms to promote events, publications, awards, and other newsworthy items consistent with CHC's mission.

Digital Content Management: Manages complex, comprehensive communications programs, including written, visual, digital, and electronic mediums. Produces a variety of communication pieces in a variety of delivery methods including written (press releases, promotional materials), visual (posters and flyers and visual digital assets), digital (social media platforms), and electronic communications (website and videos).
Communications:
Stakeholder Engagement: Build and maintain relationships with key stakeholders, including government agencies, and academic partners. Facilitate effective communication channels for collaborative projects.
Media Relations: Cultivate and maintain relationships with media outlets, journalists, and influencers. Facilitate media coverage of CHC research, events, and initiatives.
Community engagement: Serves as a liaison with the UCSB development team to keep informed of philanthropic efforts and coordinate activities to ensure marketing and communications strategies are in alignment. Includes developing material that could be used in identifying and promoting CHC activities and accomplishments.
Brand Management: Ensure consistent branding and messaging across all communication channels. Contribute to the development of promotional materials and outreach campaigns.
Event Coordination: Works independently and in conjunction with CHC personnel and GEOG admin staff to coordinate a variety of international and domestic public events, webinars, workshops, and conferences to showcase CHC research and foster community engagement. CHC typically hosts 2-4 events per year, both in the US and at international partner sites, and attendance at each event varies from 10-50 participants. Responsible for all aspects of program and event preparation and implementation including, but not limited to, budget preparation, marketing and outreach strategies, schedule coordination, space and media rentals, domestic and foreign lodging arrangements (short and long term), researching and securing catering arrangements, planning for and carrying out special events, participant transportation, etc. Serves as initial contact, primary liaison and coordinator for program participants. Designs and maintains program website, publications, and advertisements. Advises participants on various matters including federal and campus policies regarding the use of funding for travel, immigration policies for foreign participants traveling to the US and for US participants traveling abroad. Disseminates information to program participants including arrival and departure instructions.

The initial appointment will be for one (1) year with a very strong potential for annual renewal, based on performance and available funding. We anticipate that this will be a long-term addition to the CHC team.

The University is especially interested in candidates who can contribute to the diversity and excellence of the academic community through research, teaching, and service as appropriate to the position.

Qualifications

Basic qualifications (required at time of application)

Bachelor's Degree in Geography, Climate Science, Environmental Science, or related field.
Additional qualifications (required at time of start)

Master's Degree in Geography, Climate Science, Environmental Science, or related field OR Bachelor's Degree in Geography, Climate Science, Environmental Science, or related field PLUS three or more years of research experience.

Preferred qualifications

Strong analytical foundation and familiarity with Earth Science, climate
and/or meteorological data.
Strong communication skills and experience describing research or analytical activities to a broad audience.
Interest and experience in Earth Sciences, climate, remote sensing, physical geography, hydrology or meteorology.
Proven experience in communications, preferably in a scientific or academic setting.
Strong writing and editing skills with the ability to translate technical information for diverse audiences.
Proven ability to communicate technical and non-technical information in a clear and concise manner, whether through discussion, email, or technical documentation.
Experience in grant writing
Experience with the peer review process
Experience with Microsoft Office and Google Suite
Experience with computer programming would be beneficial
Experience with data analysis would be helpful
Proficiency in digital and social media management.
Excellent interpersonal and organizational skills.

Application Requirements

Document requirements

Curriculum Vitae - Your most recently updated C.V.
Cover Letter

Reference requirements

3-5 required (contact information only)

Please provide telephone and/or email contact information for 3-5 references. Top candidates' references will be contacted by email and/or phone after interviewing.
Apply link: https://recruit.ap.ucsb.edu/JPF02760

Help contact: geog-personnel@ucsb.edu
About UC Santa Barbara

The University of California is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age or protected veteran status. For the University of California's Affirmative Action Policy please visit: https://policy.ucop.edu/doc/4010393/PPSM-20. For the University of California's Anti-Discrimination Policy, please visit: https://policy.ucop.edu/doc/1001004/Anti-Discrimination.

As a condition of employment, you will be required to comply with the University of California Policy on Vaccination Programs, as may be amended or revised from time to time. Federal, state, or local public health directives may impose additional requirements.
Job location
Santa Barbara, CA

To apply, please visit: https://recruit.ap.ucsb.edu/JPF02760