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VORTEX-SE Community Engagement Specialist

The University of Southern Mississippi · Ocean Springs, MS · 1 mo ago
Information TechnologyFull-time

Location: Gulf Coast Research Laboratory, 703 East Beach Drive, Ocean Springs, Mississippi, 39564, United States

Employment Status: Full Time, Grant Funded

Salary Range: $60,000.00 - $75,000.00

Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis without the need for visa sponsorship.

About the Role

The VORTEX-SE Community Engagement Specialist serves as a regional liaison between VORTEX-SE scientists and the communities that rely on accurate and timely severe weather information. This position facilitates the exchange of knowledge by translating scientific research into practical outreach, education, and engagement activities while also communicating community needs and priorities back to researchers. The Specialist develops and delivers educational programs, outreach materials, workshops, and other engagement initiatives to support informed decision-making and strengthen community resilience across the Southeast.

This position works collaboratively with VORTEX-SE scientists, the National Severe Storms Laboratory (NSSL), the Mississippi-Alabama Sea Grant Consortium (MASGC), and regional stakeholders and requires extensive travel throughout the Southeast. This is a grant-funded, limited-term appointment contingent upon continued funding.

Responsibilities

  • Work with the NSSL VORTEX Program Lead and VORTEX scientists to help synthesize and prioritize research results for transition and knowledge transfer to appropriate communities in the Southeast through the MASGC VORTEX-SE extension project.
  • Develop and execute (through focus groups and workshops) extension programming grounded in VORTEX funded science and related research and the needs of target audiences and communities.
  • Author 1-3 publications for non-technical audiences each year and participate in planning at least two workshops/trainings each year to share VORTEX research results within the geographic area (e.g., hosting science seminars and/or theme-based workshops).
  • Contribute to other outreach activities supported by VORTEX such as social media, website(s), YouTube videos, newsletters, TV and radio segments, and other local, regional, and national media reports where appropriate.
  • Work with VORTEX Engagement Coordinator for regional consistency, coordination and synthesis of outreach products, conduct program evaluations, and submission of annual reports.
  • Develop and maintain collaborative relationships with emergency managers, local governments, building officials, extension professionals, community organizations, and other stakeholders throughout the region.
  • Perform other duties as assigned.

Requirements

  • A Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in emergency management, building science, disaster management, building construction, or a related field.
  • Three (3) years of progressively responsible experience in community engagement, Extension, outreach, emergency management, science communication, or a related field.
  • An equivalent combination of years of experience and education may be considered for substitution of educational requirements (e.g., military experience).

Skills

  • Knowledge of community engagement, outreach, extension programming, or adult education principles, with the ability to develop, implement, and evaluate educational programs.
  • Ability to interpret complex scientific or technical information and communicate it effectively to technical and non-technical audiences through written, verbal, and presentation formats.
  • Strong project management, organizational, analytical, and planning skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and complete projects independently with minimal supervision.
  • Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to build collaborative relationships and work effectively with diverse stakeholders, partner organizations, and multidisciplinary teams.
  • Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite and other computer, communication, and virtual collaboration technologies.
  • Ability to facilitate meetings, workshops, and public engagement activities while adapting to changing priorities and effectively managing multiple assignments.
  • Ability to travel extensively throughout the Southeast region and work occasional evenings and weekends as needed.
  • Knowledge or experience in one or more relevant subject areas, such as severe weather awareness, disaster resilience, wind mitigation, building science, or related disciplines.

Preferred Qualifications

  • Master's degree from an accredited college or university in Emergency Management, Building Science, Disaster Management, Building Construction, Structural Engineering, Adult Education, or a closely related field.
  • Demonstrated experience in one or more of the following areas: emergency management, building science, structural engineering, hazard identification and assessment, building construction and code compliance, adult education, science communication, facilitation, curriculum development, public speaking, stakeholder engagement, or working with local, state, and federal government agencies.

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