Temporary Project Assistant– Water Resilience

Syracuse University; City of Syracuse (NY); On-site; USD 29,000 - 34,000; Part time

Job summary

The Syracuse University Institute for Sustainability Engagement (ISE) is seeking a Temporary Project Assistant to support water resilience initiatives, coordination of technical assistance, and event delivery on campus. The role involves working across multiple sponsored projects with municipal staff, utilities, and industry partners, handling logistics, data tracking, and reporting.

Ideal candidates have a bachelor’s degree in public administration or environmental fields, strong communication

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in public administration, environmental science/studies, public health, communications, sustainability studies, or a related field.
• Experience with water resource topics, including policy, state and federal programs, and understanding of water sector stakeholders is a plus.
• Previous experience in a program or event coordination role, or related support role, is preferred but not required.

Responsibilities

• Support technical assistance projects with water/wastewater utilities and municipalities; assist with reports, workplans, and tracking documents; coordinate internal meetings and external consultations; maintain outreach communications.
• Provide logistical support for virtual and in-person events; manage registration; communicate with registrants; develop and distribute attendance certificates; assist at industry events and conferences.

Skills

Verbal communication

Organizational skills

Writing/editing

Data tracking

Attention to detail

Critical thinking

Adaptability

Education

Bachelor's degree in public administration/environmental science/public health/communications/sustainability studies

Job description

Temporary Project Assistant– Water Resilience

Job Title Temporary Project Assistant– Water Resilience

Location

Campus

Commitment to On-Campus Experience

Syracuse University is committed to delivering an exceptional student experience through vibrant, engaged campus communities. This position is based at the above campus location and requires regular in-person presence to support our students, collaborate with colleagues, and contribute to our thriving academic environment. Syracuse University values the collaboration, mentorship, and spontaneous connections that happen when our community works together on campus. Remote work arrangements are limited in accordance with University policy.

Pay Range

Pay Range $23.00 Per Hour

Pay rates at Syracuse University are based on a combination of factors including, but not limited to, the job responsibilities; the candidate’s education, training, work experience and key competencies; the university’s strategic priorities; internal peer equity; applicable federal, state, local laws, grant funding and contractual requisites; and external market analyses.

Staff Level 00

FLSA Status

FLSA Status Non-exempt

Hours

Standard University business hours

8:30am – 5:00pm (academic year)

8:00am – 4:30pm (summer)

Hours may vary based on operational needs.

Job Type

Job Type Part-time

Unionized Position Code Not Applicable

Job Description

The Syracuse University Institute for Sustainability Engagement ( ISE ) is seeking a temporary project assistant to support mission-critical program outreach, technical assistance projects, in-person and virtual event delivery, and program evaluation and tracking for water and sustainability programming. The assistant will work across multiple sponsored projects that provide training, research, and technical assistance to water sector stakeholders including municipal staff, utility managers, and industry representatives. The project assistant will participate in strategic efforts to coordinate logistics and host virtual events, support technical assistance engagements, and organize program data to support reporting and impact evaluation across ISE’s Environmental Finance Center and a national network of environmental finance organizations. The successful candidate will demonstrate strong organizational skills, initiative, communication skills, and attention to detail.

Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in public administration, environmental science/studies, public health, communications, sustainability studies, or a related field.
• Experience with water resource topics, including policy, state and federal programs, and understanding of water sector stakeholders is a plus.
• Previous experience in a program or event coordination role, or related support role, is preferred but not required.

Skills and Knowledge

• Excellent verbal communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively with colleagues and stakeholders at all levels in a timely and professional manner.
• Strong organizational and project coordination skills, with the ability to manage multiple tasks and meet deadlines.
• Strong writing and editing skills, with the ability to create engaging content for various communication channels.
• Comfort working with data, with the ability to track, organize, and summarize quantitative and qualitative metrics for program reporting and impact evaluation.
• Detail-oriented mindset with a commitment to accuracy, quality, and professionalism in all communications and deliverables.
• Applies critical thinking to diagnose problems and develop effective solutions.
• Ability to adapt to changing priorities and work well under pressure.

Responsibilities

Technical Assistance (TA) project support:

• Support technical assistance projects with water/wastewater utilities and/or municipalities across EPA Region 2
• Assist with the preparation of technical reports, workplans, and tracking documents, keeping project information organized and up-to-date
• Facilitate logistics for internal meetings and coordinate external consultations, including tracking next steps and follow-up
• Help maintain outreach communications with new communities, demonstrating a strong skillset in public engagement and professionalism

Virtual and in-person event support:

• Provide logistical support during online events, including leading and/or acting as technical host for large virtual gatherings including webinars and online trainings
• Coordinate and facilitate meetings between speakers, project partners, and teammates
• Create and monitor event registration
• Correspond with registrants and attendees before and after training events
• Develop and distribute certificates of attendance
• Assist in coordinating, attending, and exhibiting at industry and community events, conferences, and trade shows.

Project evaluation and tracking:

• Input event details and participant information into established project management platforms, keeping program-related files organized and up-to-date
• Working with ISE managers and associates, support grant reporting efforts by organizing program attendance, engagement, and evaluation metrics, including event feedback and evaluation data
• Help document and communicate program impact by compiling and summarizing participation and evaluation data for internal and external audiences, including preparing post-event summaries and compiling data or findings to communicate program impact

Outreach and content development support:

• Provide support for outreach and marketing efforts to promote programs, services, events, and trainings
• Assist as needed with the development of outreach and marketing materials, such as brochures, flyers, presentations, and social media content
• Support efforts to increase visibility and attendance for events and trainings through targeted outreach
• Collaborate with staff on educational content development in web, digital, and print formats.

Other duties as assigned

Physical Requirements

Not Applicable

Tools/Equipment

Not Applicable

About Syracuse University

Syracuse University is a private, international research university with distinctive academics, diversely unique offerings, and an undeniable spirit. Located in the geographic heart of New York State, with a global footprint, and over 150 years of history, Syracuse University offers a quintessential college experience.

The scope of Syracuse University is a testament to its strengths: a pioneering history dating back to 1870; a choice of more than 200 majors, 100 minors, and 200 advanced degree programs offered across the University’s 13 schools and colleges; over 15,000 undergraduates and over 6,000 graduate students; more than a quarter of a million alumni in 160 countries; and a student population from all 50 U.S. states and 123 countries. For more information, please visit http://www.syracuse.edu.

About the Syracuse area

Syracuse is a medium-sized city situated in the geographic center of New York State approximately 250 miles northwest of New York City. The metro-area population totals approximately 500,000. The area offers a low cost of living and provides many social, cultural, and recreational options, including parks, museums, festivals, professional regional theater, and premier shopping venues.

Syracuse and Central New York present a wide range of seasonal recreation and attractions ranging from water skiing and snow skiing, hiking in the Adirondacks, touring the historic sites, visiting wineries along the Finger Lakes, and biking on trails along the Erie Canal.

EEO Statement

Syracuse University is an equal-opportunity institution. The University prohibits discrimination and harassment based on race, color, creed, religion, sex, gender, national origin, citizenship, ethnicity, marital status, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression, veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable law to the extent prohibited by law. This nondiscrimination policy covers admissions, employment, and access to and treatment in University programs, services, and activities.

Commitment to Supporting and Hiring Veterans

Syracuse University has a long history of engaging veterans and the military-connected community through its educational programs, community outreach, and employment programs. After World War II, Syracuse University welcomed more than 10,000 returning veterans to our campus, and those veterans literally transformed Syracuse University into the national research institution it is today. The University’s contemporary commitment to veterans builds on this historical legacy, and extends to both class-leading initiatives focused on making an SU degree accessible and affordable to the post-9/11 generation of veterans, and also programs designed to position Syracuse University as the employer of choice for military veterans, members of the Guard and Reserve, and military family members.

Commitment to a Respectful and Welcoming Community

Syracuse University fosters a welcoming learning environment where students, faculty, administrators, staff, curriculum, social activities, governance, and all aspects of campus life reflect a broad range of perspectives and experiences. The University community values the many similarities and differences among individuals and groups. At Syracuse, we are committed to preparing students to engage with and appreciate the richness of backgrounds, beliefs, and experiences that shape our society. To achieve this, we strive to cultivate a community that respects and encourages open dialogue, understanding, and mutual respect.