Natural Resources Science Communications Specialist

Available Title(s):
516L-YN_CS_NPS – Natural Resource Scientist 2

Business Title:
Natural Resources Science Communications Specialist

Employee Type:
Classified (+) (Fixed Term)

Time Type:
Full time

Position Term:
12 Month

Position Details:

Summary of Duties:

This position will carry out specific and limited research objectives in the area of science communications relating to climate change and artificial intelligence in the agricultural domain. Informed by input from internal and external stakeholders, consult with management to determine needs, goals and objectives, and define research projects to respond to those needs.

This position will collaborate with other research teams and collaborators to carry out research, including data collection, data management, and synthesis/analyses of existing research results. Cultivate relationships with stakeholder clientele and respond to expressed needs. Conduct surveys, develop record-keeping, analysis, and reporting procedures. Formulate and justify conclusions and recommendations. Develop and edit scientific figures and communications products that support reader understanding of current status of scientific knowledge. Develop project reports, scientific publications, Extension publications, curriculum and other materials in a variety of traditional and non-traditional formats for dissemination to clientele. This position will also carry out literature reviews; analyze and apply related research work conducted by others, provide consultations as needed to agricultural and resource managers. Travel within the state, region, and beyond is periodically required.

Research and Extension Scholarship and Outreach | 70%

• Consult with management to determine needs, goals and objectives; define research projects to respond to those needs.
• Design and conduct essential data collection, record-keeping/data management, and analysis activities as part of an interdisciplinary team.
• Conduct data analysis, develop and edit figures to convey complex scientific information, formulate and justify conclusions and recommendations.
• Coordinate with colleagues to disseminate results, including webinars, blog articles, social media dissemination, etc.
• Pursue targeted Journal articles and peer-reviewed Extension publications.
• Conduct literature reviews, analyze and apply related research work conducted by others to set the work in context and provide consultations as needed to resource managers and other stakeholders.
• Establish and develop relationships with stakeholders; respond to expressed needs.
• Identify and support opportunities for continued project development.

Program coordination and reporting | 25%

• Coordinate collaborating teams including setting and managing meeting agendas, timelines, project execution, and project grant reporting.
• Manage logistics, including virtual and in person meetings when needed.
• Work with teams to prepare, edit, revise and p
• Anticipate problems, work quickly toward solutions, and implement policies and procedures to reduce future anticipated challenges.

Other | 5%

• Additional duties as needed and assigned.

Required Qualifications:

• A Bachelor’s degree with major study in a natural science. AND Three years-professional research work experience in a specific specialty field (the specialty field is designated for each position).
• A Master’s degree will substitute for two years and a Ph.D. degree will substitute for all of the required experience, provided the field of major study was in the specific specialty.
• Note: Some positions require possession of a valid Washington State Geologist license. Some positions may additionally require possession of a Washington State Engineering Geologist specialty license and/or a Washington State Hydrogeologist specialty license.

• Masters degree in a relevant field.
• Three years’ experience in water and/or sustainable agriculture / climate / environment issues (PhD degree will substitute for 2 years of experience).
• Knowledge of statistical theory and techniques; logic and grammar, basic methods of problem solving; research methods; the body of knowledge relating to science communications.
• Ability to: reason logically, draw valid conclusions and make appropriate recommendations; gather and analyze data; participate in conferences and interviews; speak and write effectively; establish and maintain effective working relationships.
• Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience working on research, communications and extension related to agriculture, water and/or natural resource issues.
• Expertise relating to science communications for potentially sensitive issues, including climate change and artificial intelligence.
• Record of publications, including journal articles, extension publications, and/or popular media.
• Demonstrated ability to effectively interact with peers, professionals, and the general public.
• Demonstrated experience integrating diversity, equity, and inclusion considerations into ongoing areas of work with communities.

Additional Information:

Area/College:

College of Agricultural, Human and Natural Resource Sciences (CAHNRS)

Department Name:

Center for Sustaining Agriculture and Natural Resources (CSANR)

City, State, Zip:

Wenatchee, WA / Mount Vernon, WA / Puyallup, WA | Remote/Hybrid options may be available within the western US

Department Link:

WSU CAHNRS

Monthly Salary:

Range 52 | $4,497.00 – $6,046.00 (Steps A – M) | Successful candidates typically begin at the beginning of the salary range and receive scheduled salary increment increases in accordance with WAC 357-28.

WSU offers a comprehensive benefits package which includes: paid sick and vacation leave; paid holidays; medical, dental, life and disability insurance package for employees and dependents; retirement; deferred compensation and optional supplemental retirement accounts.

For a more detailed summary of benefits offered by WSU for classified staff visit: https://hrs.wsu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/2023-Benefit-Overview-for-Civil-Service.pdf .

Find total compensation here: https://hrs.wsu.edu/managers/recruitment-toolkit/total-compensation/.

FTE:

100%

Position Type:

This is a temporary position. Renewal is dependent on the need for extension and/or if additional funding is secured to extend.

Posting Close Date:

Applicants must submit their completed application December 19, 2023 at 11:59 p.m. .

Background Check: This position has been designated by the department to require a background check because it requires access to children or vulnerable adults as defined by RCW 74.34, engages in law enforcement, requires security clearance, interacts with WSU students in a counseling or advising capacity, has access to personal identifying and/or financial information, unsupervised access to university buildings/property, or other business-related need. A background check will not be completed until an initial determination of qualification for employment has been made.

Application Instructions:

All applicants must upload a cover letter and resume/cv to their online application. Application materials should clearly communicate how the applicant meets all required qualifications. Documents may be submitted in one file or separate files. Applicants are encouraged to upload as a PDF if possible. Applicants will be requested to provide contact information for professional references within the online application.

• External candidates, please upload all documents in the “Resume/CV” section of your application.
• Internal candidates, please upload all documents in the “Resume/Cover Letter” section of your application.

Required Documents:

• Resume/CV
• Cover Letter
• Diversity Statement
• 2 Letters of Reference

WASHINGTON STATE UNIVERSITY IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY/AFFIRMATIVE ACTION EDUCATOR AND EMPLOYER. Members of ethnic minorities, women, special disabled veterans, veterans of the Vietnam-era, recently separated veterans, and other protected veteran, persons of disability and/or persons age 40 and over are encouraged to apply.

WSU employs only U.S. citizens and lawfully authorized non-U.S. citizens. All new employees must show employment eligibility verification as required by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.

WSU is committed to providing access and reasonable accommodation in its services, programs, activities, education and employment for individuals with disabilities. To request disability accommodation in the application process, contact Human Resource Services: 509-335-4521 (v), Washington State TDD Relay Service: Voice Callers: 1-800-833-6384; TDD Callers: 1-800-833-6388, 509-335-1259(f), or hrs@wsu.edu.

To apply, visit https://wsu.wd5.myworkdayjobs.com/en-US/WSU_Jobs/job/Wenatchee-WA/Natural-Resources-Science-Communications-Specialist_R-10861

Washington State University is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Educator and Employer.

jeid-5cef6be8a580cc43a8c7fbffa2d0d69d