POSITION ANNOUNCEMENT
Title: Graduate Research Assistant Functional Title: Meeting Facilitator/GIS Technician/ Data Transcriber Category Status: Full-Time, Term Appointment, academic year 2012-2013, summer 2013 Location: University of Maryland, College Park(UMCP) and sites in the Mid- Atlantic Region Nature and Purpose: This full-time position as a Graduate Research Assistant (GRA) for the academic year 2012/2013 offers the opportunity for the GRA to gain experience as part of a scientific investigative team. The GRA's main function will be as the facilitator during meetings where members of a community work collaboratively to develop an understanding of their flood risk. During these meetings, one of two computer-assisted decision support systems will be tested for its effectiveness. At times, the GRA may be asked to fill the role of GIS technician, instead of facilitator. During the time between meetings, the GRA will be expected to enter data and perform other tasks related to the project. Duties and Responsibilities: Facilitator for collaborative learning in non-traditional instructional settings (community meetings) GIS Technician (all software is provided) Data Transcriber (text entry in text-reader software, spreadsheets and/or databases all software is provided) Become familiar with the project protocol for both treatments (i.e. the two computer-assisted decision support systems) and participate in training sessions. As a facilitator, introduce the project and facilitate collaborative learning among the meeting participants; wrap-up the meeting; and encourage completion of the post-meeting surveys. Become familiar with the Federal Emergency Management Agency ( FEMA) HAZUS-MH program run in the ESRI ArcGIS 10 format (software and training provided); enter local geographical/meteorological data and display on a large screen during community meetings. Become familiar with Google Earth maps, applications, such as the FEMA DFIRMs in a KMZ file, and drawing tools (training provided). Perform other tasks as assigned related to the project, such as participating in discussions of protocol improvements, loading and unloading meeting supplies, researching community flood histories, and providing feedback to stakeholders participating in the meetings. Qualifications: Required Currently enrolled as a University graduate student Experience teaching: may be professional, volunteer, or a combination. Include at least one letter of recommendation from an individual familiar with your teaching experience. Experience with ESRI ArcView or ArcGIS. Provide your own laptop capable of running ESRI ArcGIS 10 and FEMA HAZUS-MH (software provided) with cable connection available for transmitting to a large screen. (Hardware specifications can be found online at http://www.mmrs.fema.gov/plan/prevent/hazus/hz_reqmnts.shtm) Speak English well and be able to interact with the general public. Be able to travel within the mid-Atlantic region for one to three days per trip for a maximum of twelve trips. (Transportation, meals and lodging on the trips will be paid by project funds.) Preferences - The following are not required, but will add value to your application: Certification in ESRI ArcView or ArcGIS. Include a copy of your ESRI certificate(s) or ESRI transcript with your application. Familiarity with Google Earth maps, applications, such as the FEMA DFIRMs in a KMZ file, and drawing tools. Experience with FEMA HAZUS-MH and/or other GIS programs/formats. Experience with spreadsheets, such as MSExcel; databases such as MSAccess; and statistical programs, such as SAS. Experience teaching using collaborative learning techniques. Supervision: The GRA will work under the supervision of V. Beth K. Olsen, doctoral candidate, as directed by Dr. Bahram Momen, P.I. and Dr. Kaye Brubaker and Dr. Stacy Langsdale, Co-P.I.s. Geographical Assignment: Some training sessions will be on the UMCP campus. Other training and data collection sites will be off-campus within the mid- Atlantic region. (Transportation, meals and lodging on the trips will be paid by project funds.)Travel schedule details: Initial training sessions and project follow-up meetings are flexible and efforts will be made to accommodate the personal schedules of individual participants whenever possible. The location, date, and time of the community meetings will be set by FEMA and are therefore not flexible. Dates will usually be set about one month in advance. We anticipate that most community meetings will occur on weekdays, October through December 2012 (No meetings will occur between Christmas and the New Year.) Some meetings may be close to College Park and require 1-2 days of preparation on or near UMCP followed by a day-trip to the meeting. Meetings may be up to 500 miles away, in which case a 2-3 night stay may be required. Salary & Benefits: This is a 12-month Graduate Assistantship, which requires a 20- hour per week commitment during the fall 2012 and spring 2013 semesters and summer 2013 sessions. Hiring Range Minimum: Salary for a Step I - first year Masters student - $20,523. Salary for Step II - 2nd year Masters student or PhD student - $21,056. Salary for Step III - Ph.D. candidate in their final year - $21,934 All steps include University benefits. Please see the University of Maryland Graduate School's Policies for Graduate Assistantships for more information about compensation and benefits: http://www.gradschool.umd.edu/catalog/assistantship_policies.htm Applications: A complete application packet includes a letter of application, resume, at least three professional references, including name, telephone number, and E-mail address, and at least one letter of recommendation. Include any relevant transcripts and/or certifications with your application. Specific questions or inquiries can be sent to: Beth Olsen, doctoral candidate, UM Marine, Estuarine, and Environmental Science Program: Cell Phone: 301-325-6770. E-mail: [email protected] Send applications to Beth Olsen, E-mail: [email protected] Closing Date: Applications will be accepted until October 8, 2012 or until a suitable candidate is selected.
