About UMass Amherst
UMass Amherst, the Commonwealth’s flagship campus, is a nationally ranked public research university offering a full range of undergraduate, graduate and professional degrees. The University sits on nearly 1,450-acres in the scenic Pioneer Valley of Western Massachusetts, and offers a rich cultural environment in a bucolic setting close to major urban centers. In addition, the University is part of the Five Colleges (including Amherst College, Hampshire College, Mount Holyoke College, and Smith College), which adds to the intellectual energy of the region.
About the UMass Extension's Climate Program
UMass Extension’s Climate Program includes nationally-recognized initiatives and leadership on climate adaptation. Our work focuses on fostering collaboration, building capacity and connecting networks of climate practitioners and researchers. We are dedicated to advancing best practices and showcasing illustrative stories of climate adaptation on-the-ground. We also help match climate research needs on-the-ground with UMass and partners’ research capacity. See our statewide community of practice, the Massachusetts Ecosystem Climate Adaptation Network, as an example of our work. This will be a small team with a culture of collaboration.
Job Summary
The Climate Program Associate supports UMass Extension’s climate change initiatives to address the needs of diverse stakeholders including state and federal agency staff, regional or local government officials, natural resource managers, environmental consultants, community groups, organizations, researchers and Extension staff. This position will work closely with the Climate Adaptation Coordinator to implement programs and establish collaborations to foster adaptation to climate change.
Essential Functions
- Develops and implements collaborative projects and educational activities that involve stakeholders and partners both on and off-campus in addressing critical issues related to climate adaptation. These activities include: facilitating peer-to-peer learning among climate practitioners, fostering ambassadors who share best practices in adaptation, and promoting watershed-scale climate collaboration.
- Connects and expands networks and collaboratives for climate adaptation by organizing convenings, building relationships, conducting outreach, and providing information.
- Assesses climate adaptation-related needs of stakeholders and responds through our initiatives.
- Designs and disseminates communications and outreach materials about climate initiatives based on best practices in the field, including, amplify climate adaptation strategies and demonstration projects that provide co-benefits for people and nature, center racial equity, promote community engagement, or foster impactful collaborations.
Other Functions
- Works collaboratively and effectively to promote teamwork, diversity, equality and inclusiveness.
- Works in partnership with colleagues within the College of Natural Sciences community and across the campus to support the Dean’s strategic priorities.
- Performs other duties as assigned in support of the mission and goals of the College of Natural Sciences.
Minimum Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, Education, Experience, Certifications, Licensure)
- Bachelor's Degree.
- Three (3) years of professional experience working in a position relevant for climate change adaptation. Advanced degree in related field can substitute for two (2) years.
- Valid driver’s license with the ability to travel throughout Massachusetts occasionally for meetings.
- Professional or volunteer experience delivering education or outreach programs.
- Demonstrated excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Excellent interpersonal and group process skills.
Preferred Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, Education, Experience, Certifications, Licensure)
- Master's Degree in discipline related to climate change issues.
- Degree and/or work experience in educational disciplines, pedagogy, communications or website development.
- Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion.
Additional Details
- This is a 12-month, grant-funded position. Strong possibility of renewal pending additional funds.
Work Schedule
- Flexibility with full-time work schedule to be determined with successful candidate.
- This position has the opportunity for a hybrid work schedule, which is defined by the University as an arrangement where an employee’s work is regularly performed at a location other than the campus workspace for a portion of the week. As this position falls within the Professional Staff Union, it is subject to the terms and conditions of the Professional Staff Union collective bargaining agreement.
Salary Information
Level 25
PSU Hiring Ranges
Special Instructions to Applicants
Along with the application, please submit a letter of application, resume and contact information for three (3) professional references. The search will remain open until filled.
As part of a commitment to their own multicultural community, CNS seeks an individual with a demonstrated commitment to diversity and one who will understand and embrace university initiatives and aspirations (https://www.cns.umass.edu/diversity-equity-inclusion)
UMass Amherst is committed to a policy of equal opportunity without regard to race, color, religion, caste, creed, sex, age, marital status, national origin, disability, political belief or affiliation, pregnancy and pregnancy-related condition(s), veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, genetic information, natural and protective hairstyle and any other class of individuals protected from discrimination in employment, admission to and participation in academic programs, activities, and services, and the selection of vendors who provide services or products to the University. To fulfill that policy, UMass Amherst is further committed to a program of affirmative action to eliminate or mitigate artificial barriers and to increase opportunities for the recruitment and advancement of qualified minorities, women, persons with disabilities, and covered veterans. It is the policy of UMass Amherst to comply with the applicable federal and state statutes, rules, and regulations concerning equal opportunity and affirmative action.