- Location: Honolulu, HI
- Job Type: Part-Time Temporary
- Job Number: 2025-01482
- Department: University of Hawai’i at Manoa – SOEST – Sea Grant College Program
- Opening Date: 07/03/2025
- Closing Date: 7/18/2025 11:59 PM Hawaii
- Position Number: 0085649T & 0085652T
Description
Position: Associate Extension Agent (2 positions)
Position Title: Pacific RISA Climate Adaptation Specialist Co-Lead
Position Number: 0085649T & 0085652T
Department: University of Hawai‘i
School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology
Sea Grant College Program
Geographic Location: O‘ahu, Hawai‘i
Date Posted: July 3, 2025
Closing Date: July 18, 2025
Monthly Type: 11 Month
Tenure Track: Non Tenure
Full Time/Part Time: Part Time (49% FTE)
Temporary/Permanent: Temporary
Other Conditions: Renewal contingent upon availability of funds and satisfactory performance of duties.
The University of Hawai’i Sea Grant College Program (Hawai’i Sea Grant) seeks two (2) Climate Adaptation Specialists to collaboratively co-lead and manage the University of Hawai’i at Manoa (UHM) Sea Grant partnerships of the NOAA-funded Pacific Research on Island Solutions for Adaptation (Pacific RISA) Climate Adaptation Partnerships (CAP) program. These positions are central to fulfilling Pacific RISA’s mission to support Pacific Island communities in adapting to climate change through collaborative, regionally relevant, and decision-driven research and outreach.
The Climate Adaptation Climate Specialist co-Leads will be responsible for strategic planning, research coordination, stakeholder engagement, partnership development, and implementation of adaptation-focused initiatives across Hawai’i and the U.S.-affiliated Pacific Islands. The specialists will work as part of a distributed leadership team across regional institutions and report to the Hawai’i Sea Grant Director.
Duties and Responsibilities:
The responsibilities and primary functions of the position include, but are not limited to:
- Program Co-Leadership and Strategy:
- Provide shared leadership for the UHM Sea Grant capacity in support of Pacific RISA.
- Contribute to and implement Pacific RISA’s strategic goals, ensuring alignment with Sea Grant’s regional needs and NOAA’s CAP program objectives.
- Participate in leadership meetings and decision-making across the regional Pacific RISA team.
2. Research Facilitation and Coordination:
- Foster interdisciplinary research, outreach, and education partnerships within UHM, including the Institute for Sustainability and Resilience, the Water Resources Research Center, the International Pacific Research Center, the Pacific Islands Climate Adaptation Science Center, and Hawai?i Sea Grant, and with Pacific RISA collaborators across the Pacific region.
- Coordinate, support, and lead projects that incorporate local and Indigenous knowledge systems, social science research, and stakeholder-driven adaptation strategies.
- Identify gaps and opportunities to advance impactful climate adaptation research.
3. Community and Stakeholder Engagement:
- Build and sustain relationships with local governments, Indigenous leaders, community-based organizations, and federal partners to co-develop research agendas and adaptation tools.
- Support stakeholder engagement activities, including listening sessions, workshops, and outreach events.
- Ensure Pacific RISA activities are grounded in trust-based partnerships.
4. Program Management and Reporting:
- Coordinate around planning, budgeting, and reporting related to Pacific RISA efforts conducted by UHM partners.
- Track performance metrics, deliverables, and outputs in coordination with the broader Pacific RISA.
- Contribute to annual NOAA CAP reporting and participate in program evaluations.
5. Science Translation and Communication:
- Translate Pacific RISA research into usable knowledge for decision-makers and community partners.
- Co-develop outreach materials, policy briefs, and tools for adaptation planning.
- Present findings at regional and national conferences and contribute to peer-reviewed publications.
6. Other duties as assigned.
Minimum Qualifications:
- A Master’s degree from a college or university of recognized standing, with major work in natural, physical, or environmental science, climate science, social science, policy or related field, whichever is appropriate.
- At least four (4) years’ experience as Extension faculty member or its equivalency in related fields in next lower rank.
- Strong ability to lead and develop leadership in Cooperative Extension.
- Proven administrative ability to conduct a well-organized program in Cooperative Extension or Sea Grant Extension program, and to work harmoniously with the agents of other counties in an integrated Cooperative Extension program and with related public agencies.
- Professionalism in meeting and conferring with others.
- At least four (4) years of progressively responsible experience in climate adaptation, resilience planning, extension, or applied research in the Pacific Islands or similar regions.
- Demonstrated experience with participatory, community-based, or co-produced research.
- Proven record of building cross-sector partnerships and facilitating collaborative initiatives.
- Deep understanding of climate impacts, adaptation pathways, and governance systems in Pacific Island contexts.
- Strong leadership, facilitation, and interpersonal communication skills.
- Demonstrated ability to manage complex projects, budgets, and interdisciplinary teams.
- Familiarity with Indigenous and local knowledge systems.
- Competence in Microsoft Office, Google Workspace, project management tools, and digital collaboration platforms.
Desirable Qualifications
- Experience with data synthesis, policy communication, or decision-support tools.
To Apply:
Submit the following online through NEOGOV: 1) cover letter indicating how you satisfy the minimum and desirable qualifications; 2) current curriculum vitae; 3) names and contact information (phone and e-mail) of three (3) professional references; and 4) official transcripts (copies acceptable for application, but if selected, originals required at time of hire). All application materials must be submitted by the closing date. Failure to submit all application materials by the closing date shall deem an application incomplete and will not be considered.
Inquiries:
Darren Lerner; 808-956-7031; lerner@hawaii.edu
EEO, Clery Act, ADA
The University of Hawai’i is an Equal Opportunity Institution and is committed to a policy of nondiscrimination in employment, including on the basis of veteran and disability status. For more information, visit: https://www.hawaii.edu/offices/eeo/policies/
Employment is contingent on satisfying employment eligibility verification requirements of the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986; reference checks of previous employers; and for certain positions, criminal history record checks.
In accordance with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act, annual campus crime statistics for the University of Hawai’i may be viewed at: https://www.hawaii.edu/titleix/help/campus-security/, or a paper copy may be obtained upon request from the respective UH Campus Security or Administrative Services Office.
Accommodation Request: The University of Hawai’i complies with the provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process should contact the EEO coordinator directly. Determination on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis. For further information, please refer to the following link: https://www.hawaii.edu/offices/eeo/accommodation-request/
Employer: University of Hawaii
Website: http://workatuh.hawaii.edu
