Application opens: September 12, 2011 Remains open: until filled
RESEARCH AMBASSADOR PROGRAM PROJECT ADMINISTRATOR SPECIAL NOTE This position is an "at will" appointment. This is a full time 12-month position funded for one year, with support thereafter dependent on grant award and renewal. BACKGROUND Funded by a grant from the National Science Foundation, the Research Ambassador Program (http://www.researchambassador.com/) helps scientists and underserved audiences work across the traditional boundaries of academia, research and conservation. In this program, both scientist and newcomer become ambassadors to each other's culture - learning the language, exchanging ideas and working toward common goals. By interacting with people who typically have little or no access to nature or opportunities in science, the Research Ambassador Program gives scientists a powerful opportunity to expand their work through the fresh perspectives and creative energy of new audiences. POSITION PURPOSE Supporting two linked scientific outreach programs at the University of Utah's Center for Science and Mathematics Education - the Research Ambassador Program and Sustainable Prisons Project - the Project Administrator (PA) coordinates activities in research, conservation, and education that connect scientists - particularly ecologists - to communicate results of their studies to underserved public audiences (e.g., prison inmates, urban youth, people in assisted living centers). The PA links scientists and the public with a broad spectrum of partners, e.g., artists, land and resource managers, conservation groups, government agencies, private businesses, and other groups. NATURE AND SCOPE The PA reports to Dr. Nalini Nadkarni, an ecosystem scientist, University of Utah faculty member, Director of the Center for Science and Mathematics Education, and Director of the Research Ambassador Program and Sustainable Prisons Project. The PA is responsible for the design, implementation and evaluation of science communication activities involving the scientists, underserved public audiences and partners such as state resource management agencies, conservation groups, and individuals. The PA mentors and supervises graduate/undergraduate students while working with University of Utah faculty and staff, contracted scientists, evaluation experts, agency personnel, artists, and volunteers to complete program objectives in research, conservation and education. In addition to occasional instruction in his/her area of expertise, the PA ensures the smooth day-to-day operations of each program, including duties in administration, budgeting, reporting, community and partnership relations, website management and developing and maintaining information and tracking systems. UNIVERSITY PROFILE The University of Utah is the flagship institution of higher learning in Utah. Located in Salt Lake City in the foothills of the Wasatch Mountains, it serves over 31,000 students from across the U.S. and the world. With over 72 major subjects at the undergraduate level and 90 major fields of study at the graduate level, the University prepares students to live and compete in the global workplace. Known for its proximity to world-class ski resorts within 40 minutes of campus, the U encourages an active, holistic lifestyle, innovation and collaborative thinking to engage students, faculty and business leaders. COMPENSATION * Salary is $3,891 to $4,475 per month depending on qualifications; * A full benefits package which includes: 15 days of sick and 12 days of vacation leave per year, plus 2 personal days; paid holidays; a generous medical, dental, life and disability insurance package for employees and dependents; the TIAA-CREF retirement program; deferred compensation and optional supplemental retirement accounts are available. For more information about UU's excellent employee benefits, view http://www.hr.utah.edu/ben/summ/standard/paidleave.php * After six months of employment, employees are eligible for the Tuition Reduction Plan: http://www.hr.utah.edu/ben/summ/standard/tuition.php MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS * Master's degree in science or communication from an accredited college or university; * Three years of work experience in science, science communication, or project management; * Two years of professional experience working in a team or collaborative setting. DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS Additional consideration may be given to candidates demonstrating the following qualifications: * Advanced degree in environmental studies, resource management, public administration, or a related field; * Experience organizing scientific or environmental education, including the development and implementation of new programs; * Established connections with existing informal science education activities and institutions; * Professional experience within a public higher education setting; * Professional experience within a corrections or social justice institution or organization; * Experience in a supervisory role; ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS * Assist with recruitment of scientists and resource practitioners to participate inthe program by managing a database of professional contacts and establishing new contacts for current and prospective projects; * Provide information about the program at events, meetings and presentations to various groups; * Provide guidance, mentoring, assignment and assessment of work, set schedules and provide evaluations of graduate and undergraduate interns and volunteers; * Support and collaborate with existing and future programs on the UU; * In collaboration with the Director, draft research papers including results and syntheses; * Serve as a liaison between UU participants and administrators of participating groups; * Promote project activities in the media; work closely with Marketing, Communications, and College Relations at UU and others to promote the project; * Develop and maintain a project website; * Assist the Consulting Evaluator in implementing assessment tools to understand impacts of the program on scientists, audiences, and partners understand educational and behavioral effects of project activities; * Monitor the budget, approve expenditures; and provide informal interim reports to project personnel; * Oversee and facilitate program logistical arrangements such as: order equipment, prepare travel arrangements, schedule meetings, create correspondence and maintain operational office setting; * Foster working relationships with regional community leaders; * Follow developments in national organizations, (e.g., AAAS, NSF) and disseminate findings; * Compile and collate data, facilitate data inputting, analyze results and produce documentation of findings. KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES * Demonstrated ability to present scientific and complex information to individuals and groups; * Demonstrated skill and ability to research scientific information including: locating, identifying, reading, and interpreting scientific information and conveying it to various audiences; * Demonstrated ability to work efficiently and effectively in a highly collaborative, non-hierarchical interdisciplinary institution, and in a hierarchical, closely regulated institution; * Demonstrated ability to work effectively and respectfully in a collaborative, culturally diverse work environment including the ability to work well with people of different educational, racial, ethnic, gender orientation, and varying abilities and educational backgrounds; * Possess excellent written and public presentation skills; * Demonstrated skill and ability in researching articles and other scientific information; * Demonstrated ability to foster and maintain excellent working relationships across administrative, facilities, student, and institutional sectors; * Demonstrated skill and ability to produce reports, including graphical analysis and discussion of findings; * Proficient in the use of Microsoft Office including Word, Excel and Outlook; * Proficient is the use of databases, including data entry and extraction; * Possess strong interpersonal, communication and organizational skills; * Ability to work independently with minimal supervision; * Ability to interact with scientists in academia, governmental agencies, and the private sector; * Proven skill and ability to direct the work of others. * Possess exemplary professional integrity; * Knowledge of management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, leadership, and the coordination of people and resources; * Skill and ability to manage budgets; * Ability to work occasional evenings and weekends; and * Ability to travel * * * * * * * * To apply for this position, visit the University of Utah Job Board at: http://www.employment.utah.edu/ <https://www.umail.utah.edu/owa/redir.aspx?C=267f643914f34780bc315805a9602ee6&URL=http%3a%2f%2fwww.employment.utah.edu%2f> Select "Staff Jobs" and "Jobs for External Candidates", and then search for this job is posting number: PRN00478B No phone calls please. Nalini M. Nadkarni, Ph.D. Director, Center for Science and Mathematics Education Professor, Department of Biology The University of Utah 404 Alice Wilmot Skaggs Hall Salt Lake City, UT 84112 (360) 870-6632 [email protected] www.evergreen.edu/ican www.researchambassador.com <http://www.researchambassador.com/> www.sustainableprisons.org <http://www.sustainableprisons.org/> www.nalininadkarni.com <http://www.nalininadkarni.com/> http://www.ucpress.edu/books/pages/10606.html
