Job no: 511296
Position Type: Hourly
Campus: UMass Boston
Department: Graduate Studies & Admissions
Pay Grade: No Pay Grade
Date opened: 01 Dec 2021 Eastern Standard Time
Applications close: 31 Dec 2021 Eastern Standard Time

Job description:

The Urban Harbors Institute at UMass Boston is seeking a research assistant to support a NOAA-funded project entitled: Regional Collaboration to Address Marine Debris in the Gulf of Maine. This position has an intended start date of January 2022 and end date of December 2022, with the potential to renew for a second year.

In coordination with UHI staff, Research Assistant tasks will include:

• Organizing and conducting coastal cleanups along the coast of Massachusetts and performing associated tracking of marine debris removal. Estimated number of cleanups is approximately 18 over two years
• Recruiting volunteers to participate in coastal cleanups
• Ensuring cleanups comply with environmental compliance steps required by the NOAA marine debris team
• Working with the Center for Coastal Studies to expand documentation regarding presence and impacts of abandoned, lost, or discarded fishing gear (ALDFG)
• Developing outreach and engagement opportunities to raise awareness about the impacts of marine debris on marine life and promote marine debris prevention and removal activities
• Developing and distributing educational guides and outreach materials
• Developing a fact sheet / field guide highlighting actions for recreational boaters and fishers to reduce marine debris
• Working with Center for Coastal Studies to finalize, publish, and distribute various marine debris flyers
• Participating in gulf-wide bi-national engagement opportunities to raise awareness and share tools and resources
• Promoting project activities and messaging via outreach strategies and social media tools
• Tracking project metrics per NOAA requirements
• Collaborating with the NOAA marine debris team and the project team to ensure use and integration of existing NOAA tools to support outreach related to this project

Preferred skills: Working towards a graduate degree in environmental sciences or public policy; research experience; education and outreach experience; attention to detail; ability to work independently or as a team; strong communication skills, including being comfortable speaking to small crowds; strong decision making, time management, and problem-solving skills; knowledge of marine debris preferred; familiar with Microsoft word, excel; flexible hours; willingness to travel within Massachusetts on occasion -- must have own reliable car and be willing to drive (will be compensated for mileage).

Compensation:

The position is 13.5 hours a week during the Spring and Fall Semester and 10 hours/week during the summer. Time commitment may be flexible given student’s schedule and potential graduation dates.

The position is a ¾ Research Assistant with an hourly wage of $27.92/hour and receive relevant UMB tuition waivers and health insurance.

To Apply: Do not apply online. Please submit your cover letter and resume by email to Kimberly Starbuck Kimberly.Starbuck@umb.edu. Applicants will be reviewed as they are received.

Applications close: 31 Dec 2021 Eastern Standard Time