Junior Extension Agent

Location: UH Manoa – SOEST, Honolulu, HI
Job Type: Full-Time Temporary
Job Number: 2026-00994
Department: University of Hawai’i at Manoa – SOEST – Sea Grant College Program
Opening Date: 05/15/2026
Closing Date: 6/1/2026 11:59 PM Hawaii
Position Number: 0084705T

Description

Position: Junior Extension Agent

Position Title: Coastal Community Resilience Specialist

Position Number: 0084705T

Department: University of Hawai‘i

School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology

Sea Grant College Program

Geographic Location: O‘ahu

Date Posted: May 15, 2026

Closing Date: June 1, 2026

Monthly Type: 11 Month

Tenure Track: Non Tenure

Full Time/Part Time: Full Time (100% 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) is one (1) of thirty-four (34) Sea Grant programs nationwide that comprise a functional network within our nation’s universities and colleges that promote enhanced understanding, conservation, and wise use of coastal resources in the state, region, and nation. In partnership with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Hawai‘i Sea Grant supports and conducts an innovative program of research, education, and extension services that provide links among academia, federal, state and local government, industry, non-governmental organizations, and the local community. As part of the University of Hawai‘i at Manoa’s (UHM) prestigious School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology (SOEST), Hawai‘i Sea Grant is a system-wide and statewide program in Hawai‘i with a presence in American Samoa, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, and the Federated States of Micronesia.

Hawai`i Sea Grant embraces individuals of all ages, races, ethnicities, national origins, gender identities, sexual orientations, disabilities, cultures, religions, citizenship types, marital statuses, job classifications, veteran status types, and income, socioeconomic status types and intersectionality experienced by individuals. Hawai`i Sea Grant is committed to building inclusive research, extension, communication, and education programs that serve people with diverse backgrounds, circumstances, needs, perspectives, and ways of thinking.

The incumbent will serve as a member of the extension faculty of the University of Hawai`i with a locus in Hawai‘i Sea Grant in partnership with the North Shore Community Land Trust. The responsibilities of this position include developing a program of extension and education activities focused on ridge-to-reef watershed planning and holistic approaches toward achieving sustainable practices in support of resilient communities and the environment. Aspects of this position will include place-based foci in support of increasing sustainability and resilience of environments, economies, and communities. Topics of emphasis will include and range from energy, water, and food sustainability; aloha aina (love of the land); climate change adaptation; fisheries and aquaculture; watershed restoration; and community building.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Create an extension and education program that is place-based and culturally grounded.
Develop and coordinate the implementation and evaluation of extension, education/outreach, and restoration projects in and around North Shore O`ahu communities with emphasis on coastal and marine resource management, coastal community resilience, watershed restoration, health and wellness, community-based monitoring of ocean and coastal resources, and Indigenous ecological knowledge specifically related to Native Hawaiian research, inquiry, and knowledge systems.
Work with the Hawai‘i Sea Grant Centers of Excellence, Center partners, and Hawai‘i Sea Grant extension faculty in collaborative and interdisciplinary projects to improve the sustainable management of Hawai‘i’s natural resources.
Develop and lead environmental education programs with a resilience focus that connect community members and students to ‘aina (land) in place-based and culturally meaningful ways that perpetuate the continuity of aloha `aina in communities.
Support the communication of climate science-related information to various audiences ranging from community members to partners to ensure accessibility of information to a wide range of users and stakeholders.
Support coastal resilience to hazards including sea-level rise and climate change impacts by identifying research gaps and studies that integrate research with extension and education activities.
Design, coordinate, facilitate, and deliver extension and outreach products including, but not limited to, meetings, oral presentations, conferences, workshops, trainings, and other materials.
Develop proposals to funding agencies that add capacity and/or provide additional resources in support of current project objectives or enhancing Hawai‘i Sea Grant capacity to increase resilience in the state and the region.
Produce annual work plans and performance reports that satisfy Hawai‘i Sea Grant and the National Sea Grant College Program reporting requirements.
Attend regular Hawai‘i Sea Grant faculty/staff meetings and other trainings or conferences as may benefit the position.
Other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:

A Bachelor’s degree from a college or university of recognized standing, with major work in ocean or earth science, marine biology, natural resource conservation, or natural resource management with major course work in biological sciences, coastal science, ocean policy, coastal zone management, natural resource or ecosystem management, planning or a related field, whichever is appropriate.
Evidence of ability for successful practice in extension, outreach, community engagement, or communications activities with diverse audiences.
Professionalism in meeting and conferring with others.
Good oral and written communication skills, including the ability to develop and provide presentations to school groups, community groups, various government agencies at all levels and other user groups.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office.
Knowledge of general sources of information related to watershed restoration, coastal community resilience, bio-cultural approaches to coastal restoration, and climate change adaptation.
Familiarity with and ability to collect, verify, and analyze comprehensive datasets.
Ability to plan, coordinate, and carry out a range of outreach activities, such as meetings, workshops and trainings.
Knowledge and experience in science communication and messaging on ocean and climate change issues including technical writing, proof reading and copy editing.
Considerable working knowledge and understanding of applicable federal and state laws, rules, regulations and theories and systems associated with watershed restoration, coastal resilience, community building, and coastal resource management.
Demonstrated knowledge, interpersonal skills, presence, and ability to create and maintain effective community partnerships and broker disagreements and/or conflicts.
Demonstrated ability to work within a multi-stakeholder, collaborative decision-making process dealing with growth and development issues and achieve successful outcomes.
Demonstrated ability to resolve wide ranging complex problems through the use of creative reasoning and logic to accurately determine the cause of the problems and the resolution of the problems in an effective, innovative and timely manner.
Demonstrated ability to interpret and present information and ideas clearly and accurately in writing, verbally and by preparation of reports and other materials.
Demonstrated ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with internal and external organizations, groups, team leaders and members, and individuals.
Demonstrated ability to operate a personal computer and apply word processing software.
For supervisory work, demonstrated ability to lead subordinates, manage work priorities and projects, and manage employee relations.

Desired Qualifications:

A Master’s degree from a college or university of recognized standing in ocean or earth science, marine biology, natural resource conservation, or natural resource management with major course work in biological sciences, coastal science, ocean policy, coastal zone management, natural resource or ecosystem management, planning or a related field.
Experience providing coordination, oversight and guidance for conservation or resilience activities.
Experience working collaboratively with Indigenous communities in Hawai‘i.
Demonstrated experience successfully implementing programs engaging local communities and community-based organizations in watershed management, Native Hawaiian natural resource management, leadership and generational development, innovative research inquiry to support natural resource management, productive and resilient communities, and intergenerational transfer of knowledge.
Working knowledge of Hawai‘i’s coastal and terrestrial ecosystems and understanding of the challenges facing island communities in maintaining watershed health.
Knowledge of Hawaiian culture and language as it relates to ocean and coastal resources.
Demonstrated ability to write, be awarded, and manage grants.

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/

11 days remaining