The University of Georgia Marine Extension and Georgia Sea Grant program seeks a Fisheries Extension Specialist with a broad interest in socioeconomic aspects of commercial and recreational fisheries. This is a full time, benefits eligible, non-tenured Public Service Faculty track position to be assigned to Marine Extension and Georgia Sea Grant’s Brunswick station. This position will be responsible for developing, maintaining, and evaluating a comprehensive extension and applied research program primarily focused on Georgia’s marine fisheries and the businesses and communities associated with them. The specialist will investigate how environmental, regulatory, social and/or economic factors affect the function and well-being of Georgia’s fishing sectors and the coastal communities that depend on them as well as identify sources of resiliency and vulnerability to help evaluate and inform management decisions. The position will develop close working relationships and engage regularly with industry, resource managers, researchers, public user groups and other relevant stakeholders to better understand trends in Georgia’s fisheries and coastal communities as well as assist these groups in their decisions to effectively manage, utilize and invest in Georgia’s coastal and marine resources.
Duties will include the following, depending on the candidate’s interests and experience:
- Conduct socioeconomic analysis of fisheries-related issues to identify knowledge gaps, assess impacts, and meet the needs of relevant stakeholder groups. Topic areas could include, but not be limited to commercial and recreational fisheries management, aquaculture production, seafood marketing, coastal zone and marine resource management, working waterfronts and other water-dependent business, and/or environmental quality and change.
- Design, implement and disseminate applied research projects and scholarly works focused on economic and social issues that will provided useful and relevant data for fisheries and marine resource management in Georgia and the region.
- Facilitate the ability of fishery constituent groups to participate effectively and collaboratively in responding to pressing issues that impact their industries and livelihoods.
- Provide outreach on fisheries and marine resource socioeconomics and management to fisheries constituents, agency staff, legislators, and other stakeholder groups through workshops, publications, demonstration projects, social media and other relevant extension methods.
- Provide leadership among researchers and agency staffs working in fisheries and social science fields within Georgia and the region to share information and help to focus and coordinate research efforts.
- Secure and manage extramural funds to support Extension and applied research efforts.
- Collaborate with other Marine Extension and Georgia Sea Grant faculty and staff as well as Sea Grant faculty from other states on topics of common interest and applicability.
- Represent Marine Extension and Georgia Sea Grant at community events, professional meetings, collaborative working groups and partnerships with other organizations in the field of fisheries/marine science.
Education/Experience Requirements
- Master’s degree in a discipline relevant to the duties and responsibilities of this position such as fisheries, biology, marine/coastal policy, natural resource economics, ecology or similar.
- At least 2 years of professional experience engaging commercial and/or recreational fishermen, resource managers, and/or policy and decision-makers.
Preferred Education and Experience
- PhD in one of the disciplines relevant to the duties and responsibilities of this position such as fisheries, biology, marine/coastal policy, natural resource economics, ecology or similar.
- At least one degree in a relevant social science discipline including, but not limited to: sociology, geography, psychology, anthropology, economics, political science, public policy and/or environmental studies.
- Demonstrated ability to secure extramural funding.
- Familiarity with coastal and marine issues, particularly commercial and recreational fishing, fisheries management, working waterfronts, aquaculture, and/or seafood marketing.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
- Ability to self-motivate, to work independently and as a member of a team, and to develop annual plans of work which include measurable outcomes.
- Relevant skills applicable to educational and mass media outreach, public speaking, technical writing, statistical analysis and computer use.
- Strong ability to communicate both verbally and in writing, particularly as it pertains to interpreting/translating research-based technical information for the understanding and use by decision makers, practicioners, and the general public.
- Strong ability to work in an interdisciplinary environment and to develop productive partnerships and collaborations with diverse stakeholders.
TO APPLY
The direct link to the posting is https://facultyjobs.uga.edu/postings/3470. Posting number is 2018_00602F
Interested candidates should submit a cover letter, resume and contact information, including phone numbers, for three professional references. All applications received by March 30, 2018, will be assured consideration.
The University of Georgia is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, ethnicity, age, genetic information, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation or protected veteran status. Persons needing accommodations or assistance with the accessibility of materials related to this search are encouraged to contact Central HR (facultyjobs@uga.edu). Please do not contact the department or search committee with such requests.
