VORTEX-SE Community Engagement Specialist

USM Foundation; Ocean Springs (MS); Hybrid; USD 60,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Southern Mississippi seeks a VORTEX-SE Community Engagement Specialist to act as a regional liaison, translating research into practical outreach and education for Southeast communities.

The role develops programs, publishes for non-technical audiences, and collaborates with MASGC, NSSL, and regional partners, with extensive travel and grant-funded terms.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree and three years of experience in community engagement, extension, outreach, emergency management, science communication, or related field.
• An equivalent mix of education and experience may be considered.

Responsibilities

• Synthesize and prioritize research results for transfer to communities in the Southeast.
• Develop and deliver extension programming through focus groups and workshops.
• Publish non-technical materials and plan at least two workshops annually.
• Contribute to outreach through social media, websites, newsletters, and media.
• Collaborate with MASGC, NSSL, and regional stakeholders and conduct program evaluations.
• Build relationships with emergency managers, governments, and community organizations.

Skills

Community engagement

Science communication

Project management

Public speaking

Stakeholder engagement

MS Office

Education

Bachelor's degree in emergency management, building science, disaster management, building construction, or related field

Job description

VORTEX-SE Community Engagement Specialist

VORTEX-SE Community Engagement Specialist

The University of Southern Mississippi is currently accepting applications for the position of VORTEX-SE Community Engagement Specialist.

Location Gulf Coast Research Laboratory

703 East Beach Drive
Ocean Springs, Mississippi, 39564
United States

Division Mississippi-Alabama Sea Grant Consortium

Position Type Staff

Employment Status Full Time

Grant Funded Yes

Salary Range 60,000.00 - 75,000.00

Pay Grade

Generic Grade

Posting Close Date Open Until Filled

Job Summary

The VORTEX-SE CommunityEngagement Specialist serves as a regional liaison between VORTEX-SE scientistsand the communities that rely on accurate and timely severe weatherinformation. This position facilitates the exchange of knowledge by translatingscientific research into practical outreach, education, and engagementactivities while also communicating community needs and priorities back toresearchers. The Specialist develops and delivers educational programs,outreach materials, workshops, and other engagement initiatives to supportinformed decision-making and strengthen community resilience across theSoutheast. This position works collaboratively with VORTEX-SE scientists, theNational Severe Storms Laboratory (NSSL), the Mississippi-Alabama Sea GrantConsortium (MASGC), and regional stakeholders and requires extensive travelthroughout the Southeast. This is a grant-funded, limited-term appointmentcontingent upon continued funding.

Primary Duties and 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.
  
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

A Bachelor’sdegree from an accredited college or university in emergency management,building science, disaster management, building construction, or a relatedfield. Such education and/or experience should include three (3) years ofprogressively responsible experience in community engagement, Extension,outreach, emergency management, science communication, or a related field. Anequivalent combination of years of experience and education may be consideredfor substitution of educational requirements (i.e. military experience).

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• 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 oruniversity in Emergency Management, Building Science, Disaster Management,Building Construction, Structural Engineering, Adult Education, or a closelyrelated field. Preference will be given to candidates with demonstratedexperience 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, sciencecommunication, facilitation, curriculum development, public speaking,stakeholder engagement, or working with local, state, and federal governmentagencies.

About The University of Southern Mississippi

Since our founding in 1910, The University of SouthernMississippi has remained dedicated to preparingstudents for success. We deliver programs to more than 13,000 studentsin Hattiesburg and Long Beach, at teaching and research sites across theMississippi Gulf Coast, as well as online. Weare a community-engaged Carnegie R1 university, earning distinction as one ofthe nation's leading research institutions.

Southern Miss is known for pioneering work inpolymer science, ocean science, spectator sports safety and security, and bringinglanguage to children with communication disorders. We are also a nationalleader in a broad range of disciplines, including cybersecurity, hydrography,nutrition, aquaculture, kinesiology, and economic development, among others.

We produce graduates ready to enterfields that are leading the way in emerging technologies through programssuchas computer engineering, information technology, and ocean engineering. We’re developing the next generation ofbusiness leaders, while also responding to critical workforce shortages byproducing skilled professionals in education and nursing. With a tradition ofexcellence in the arts, we are one of only 36 public institutions in the nationaccredited in four major areas of the arts. Home to the Golden Eagles, ourstudent-athletes compete in 17 NCAA Division I sports. With a culture marked by passion andpersistence, Southern Miss is delivering graduates who are ready for life. For more information, visit www.usm.edu .

Equal Opportunity Statement

The University of Southern Mississippi is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran status, or genetic information. The University is committed to providing access, equal opportunity and reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities in employment, its service, programs, and activities.

If reasonable accomodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and/or to receive other beneifts and privileges of employment, please contact:

The Office of Equal Employment Opportunity & Labor Regulatory Compliance

[e-mail]

McLemore Hall (MCL) 310 | 118 College Drive #5111 | Hattiesburg, MS 39406

Phone: [phone] | Fax: [phone] | TTY/TDD: 1.800.582.2233

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The University of Southern Mississippi is committed to the safety andsecurity of the USM community. The annual federal required compliancedocument which contains policy statements and crime statistics for theUniversity is available on the UPD website at http://www.usm.edu/police/ .You may also request a copy by contacting the University PoliceDepartment at Bond Hall, 1st Floor West, Hattiesburg, MS 39406 [phone]. The policy statements address the University's policies,procedures and programs concerning safety and security, for example,policies for responding to emergency situations and sexual offenses.Three years' of statistics are included for certain types of crimes thatwere reported to have occurred on campus, in or on off-campus buildingsor property owned or controlled by the University and on publicproperty within or immediately adjacent to the campus.