Social Science Outreach Assistant
Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant has an opening for a social science outreach assistant under the direction of environmental social scientist, Caitie Nigrelli. The successful applicant will spend the summer and fall semester working on issues affecting the Great Lakes. The position will include outreach, communication, and education components.
This is a great opportunity to gain professional experience among accomplished scientists and engineers. The position will provide excellent networking opportunities, as the assistant will interact with individuals from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Sea Grant programs, state natural resource agencies, private industries, and environmental NGOs.
The assistant will work approximately 40 hours/week during the summer and 20 hours/week during the fall semester. The position will begin May 2016 and end December 2016. The position will be paid $18/hour. The incumbent will be an academic hourly employee of the University of Illinois. Housing and transportation are not included.
The position is based at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign campus. Some work-related travel is expected and will be paid by IISG. The intern will periodically visit EPA at 77 W Jackson Blvd in Chicago, IL to collaborate with employees at the EPA’s Great Lakes National Program Office. The position may also include overnight travel to restoration sites around the Great Lakes, such as Muskegon, MI.
Duties
The assistant will perform outreach, communication, and education duties to help keep Great Lakes communities informed and engaged in Great Lakes Legacy Act sediment remediation and habitat restoration projects. In particular, the intern will assist Caitie and collaborate with partners at Sea Grant, EPA, state natural resource agencies, NGOs, and others, to:
- Create handouts, signage, and other written and visual aid materials explaining remediation and restoration activities
- Review and provide input on EPA contractor-related outreach outputs, such as posters and fact sheets
- Plan and host educational events, such as teacher workshops and classroom visits using the Sea Grant curriculum, Helping Hands
- Update and maintain the website, www.greatlakesmud.org, with the user-friendly Weebly platform
- Maintain a social media presence on Twitter, @gr8lakeslady, and Facebook, www.facebook.com/greatlakesmud
- Host conference calls with Legacy Act site outreach teams to discuss outreach ideas, tasks, and responsibilities
- Other outreach duties as deemed necessary
Qualifications
Graduate students enrolled in environmental science, ecology, human dimensions of natural resources, biology, or a related field are preferred. Individuals who have completed related bachelor’s degrees but are not currently enrolled in graduate programs will be considered. Applicants should be U.S. citizens, permanent residents or have an active F-1 visa. Applicants must be able to think creatively and work independently. Strong oral and written communication skills are required.
How to Apply
For your application, submit the following documents:· Curriculum vitae detailing education and work experiences (2 pages maximum)· Goal statement emphasizing your interest in the Great Lakes, the human-environment connection, and how this opportunity will further your career goals. (500 words or less)· Copy of unofficial transcript(s)
Application packets are due on March 6, 2016. Successful applicants will be notified of their acceptance by early April 2016. Send all application materials via email to Lisa Merrifield, lmorrisn@illinois.edu, and include “Social Science Outreach Intern” in the subject line. All questions should be directed to Ms. Merrifield via email or phone, 217-333-0045.
