The Minnesota Sea Grant (MNSG) Resilience Extension Associate is a one-year, full-time position designed to provide a highly motivated individual experience working on community resilience efforts while supporting high-priority extension programs with MNSG. They will primarily support a green infrastructure code and ordinance review and green infrastructure-focused community engagement, planning, and implementation efforts. The Resilience Associate will work under the guidance of MNSG’s Resilience Extension Educator who will supervise and guide day-to-day activities.
Quick Link
Applications must be submitted online. To apply for this position, go to http://www.umn.edu/ohr/employment/ and search for job opening 352901. You will be given the opportunity to complete an online application and attach a resume and cover letter.
Quick Reference
- Who's hiring: The University of Minnesota Sea Grant College Program
- Job title: Resilience Extension Associate
- Job code: 8316A2 - Extension Program Associate 2
- Location: Duluth, Minnesota, remote, or hybrid remote and in-person, per University of Minnesota’s Work With Flexibility policy.
- Full/part-time: Full-time (40 hours/week)
- Regular/temporary: Temporary
- Travel percentage: Up to 10%
- Job open date: December 1, 2022
- Job close date: December 29, 2022
Who We Are
Minnesota Sea Grant (MNSG) is a systemwide program of the University of Minnesota and one of 34 federal-university Sea Grant partnerships across the country that bring applied water science to communities. MNSG’s extension educators, researchers and communicators work with community members, local decision-makers, policy leaders, and personnel from resource agencies, business and industry to protect, enhance and restore habitats, ecosystems and the services those ecosystems provide. We are what makes the University of Minnesota a Sea Grant institution.
About the Position
This position is a one year, 100% time, temporary civil service appointment, including benefits, with the University of Minnesota Sea Grant College Program. The title for this position is (Sea Grant Resilience Associate) Extension Program Associate. Expected compensation for this position will be $46,074 plus University of Minnesota benefits.
Responsibilities
The Minnesota Sea Grant (MNSG) Resilience Extension Associate will assist with high-priority resilience-centered extension programs. The associate will work individually, in teams with other MNSG and University of Minnesota staff, and in cooperation with other Sea Grant Programs, partner agencies and organizations to meet the goals and outcomes within the MNSG Strategic Plan.
The Resilience Associate will:
- Organize activities.
- Coordinate events.
- Build relationships with the community.
- Conduct community needs assessments.
- Facilitate data collection and analyze findings.
- Design programs to fit audiences needs.
- Determine and implement program delivery processes.
- Participate in meetings with their supervisor and other staff, provide updates on assigned tasks, provide written activity reports after workshops, meetings and events as needed, and assist with other reporting requirements.
- Collaborate with diverse partners including the project consultant, local non-profits, and local planning groups focused on community resilience.
Position Duties
(35%) Support a code and ordinance audit for the city of Duluth and Midway Township:
- Assist with the review of the city of Duluth Unified Development Chapter and Midway Township Zoning Ordinance to identify language preventing or inhibiting the use of green infrastructure.
- Assist with the drafting of recommendations for alternative language that would allow, promote and/or facilitate the use of green infrastructure.
- Assist with the development of a table comparing key land-use ordinance characteristics among the city of Duluth and surrounding communities.
- Schedule, facilitate, contribute, and take notes during code and ordinance audit related project meetings. Coordinate action items and distribution of notes.
- Assist with reporting on project progress and development of the final report.
(55%) Develop and conduct resilience outreach and education:
- Develop an outreach tool that illustrates how code language affects on-the-ground projects and promotes green infrastructure.
- Conduct outreach and engagement on the findings of the code audit process including support and facilitation during a final training workshop for the local communities.
- Assist with urban flooding and water quality resilience extension efforts through co-facilitation of area watershed management organization, helping communities prepare surface water implementation plans, and applying for external funding to support community efforts.
- Contribute to community-government collaborations on green infrastructure implementation in vulnerable communities by supporting existing partnerships and engaging with residents on water management and climate needs.
- Contribute to additional existing MNSG coastal resilience and adaptation efforts such as supporting an online public course on Lake Superior water levels, and new efforts, as appropriate, based on community needs and Resilience Associate's interests.
(10%) General Minnesota Sea Grant core duties:
- General duties related to participating within the Sea Grant organization, including, but not limited to: participation in staff meetings, preparing reports and plans of work, preparing grant proposals, serving on committees, etc.
- Participate in professional development opportunities including sharing results of the above efforts at local, regional or national professional meetings, conferences and or webinars.
- Report activity on a regular basis using program forms, databases, or other formats as requested.
Working location
This position is located at the University of Minnesota Sea Grant (MNSG) Program’s Chester Park Building offices on the University of Minnesota Duluth campus. This position may be a combination of in-office and or remote work as desired by the supervisor, Resilience Associate and per guidelines in the University of Minnesota Work With Flexibility policy. If the Resilience Associate is working remotely, they will be expected to periodically travel to Duluth as needed for outreach, community engagement and meetings with MNSG staff and supervisor. There may be occasional travel during non-business days and weekends.
Code of conduct
Contribute to a respectful workplace as a Sea Grant team member. Ensure diverse and inclusive programming with attention to affirmative action and commitment to civil rights. Follow the University code of conduct regarding authorship, research, financial transactions, expense reimbursement, vacation and sick leave reporting, use of supplies and office equipment, supervisory duties, use of controlled substances, outside consulting, and use of University and Sea Grant name and non-advocate role.
Qualifications
Minimum requirements/qualifications
- Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) or Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in environmental science, land use, environmental or natural resource planning, environmental policy, landscape architecture, or other fields related to climate resilience with at least two (2) years of experience or a combination of related education and work experience to equal six (6) years.
Preferred requirements/qualifications
- Master of Arts (M.A.) or Master of Science (M.S.) in environmental science, land use, environmental, or natural resource planning, environmental policy, landscape architecture, or other fields related to climate resilience.
- Self-motivated with demonstrated ability to work independently.
- Excellent written, interpersonal, and group presentation communication skills.
- Interest in and/or experience in climate resilience and community engagement.
- Interest in and/or experience working with diverse populations.
How to Apply
Job open date: December 1, 2022
Job closing date: December 29, 2022
Applications must be submitted online. To apply for this position, go to http://www.umn.edu/ohr/employment/ and search for job opening 352901. You will be given the opportunity to complete an online application and attach a resume and cover letter.
Additional documents may be attached after submitting your application by accessing your "My Activities" page and uploading documents there.
Complete application must include:
- A resume or curriculum vitae.
- A cover letter indicating how your qualifications and experience have prepared you for this position. Please also include why you are interested in Great Lakes/watershed climate resilience and how you think this position fits into your career goals.
- A diversity statement that addresses how you have committed yourself to understanding and aiding in the pursuit of equity and inclusion in your professional and or personal life.
- You are required to submit the names of at least three (3) professional references including an email address and telephone number for each.
To request an accommodation during the application process, please email employ@umn.edu or call (612) 624-UOHR (8647). If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please contact a University of Minnesota Access Consultant at 612-624-3316.
The University of Minnesota provides equal access to and opportunity in its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. To learn more about diversity at the University of Minnesota, visit http://diversity.umn.edu.
The University recognizes and values the importance of diversity and inclusion in enriching the employment experience of its employees and in supporting the academic mission. The University is committed to attracting and retaining employees with varying identities and backgrounds. Veterans and individuals from underrepresented groups are encouraged to apply. The University of Minnesota is an Equal Opportunity Educator and Employer.
If you have started receiving retirement annuity payments from the Minnesota State Retirement System (MSRS) or Public Employees Retirement Association (PERA) your eligibility for this position may be impacted. Please contact OHR Benefits at 1-800-756-2363 for more information.
Any offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check. Our presumption is that prospective employees are eligible to work here. Criminal convictions do not automatically disqualify finalists from employment.
Smoking and chewing tobacco and the use of electronic cigarettes is prohibited on all UMD property, including indoor facilities, campus grounds and University vehicles.
Email application procedure questions to umdjobs@d.umn.edu.
Contact:
Madison Rodman, resilience extension educator, Minnesota Sea Grant, University of Minnesota and University of Minnesota Duluth.
Additional Information
Minnesota Sea Grant is part of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) Sea Grant Program, which supports 34 similar programs in coastal states throughout the United States and Puerto Rico. It receives funding through the NOAA - Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research and the University of Minnesota. The program partners with local, regional and national organizations and is an integral member of the Great Lakes Sea Grant Network.
Winter sunrise over Minnesota Point and the Duluth-Superior harbor. Image credit: Madison Rodman/Minnesota Sea Grant.