OPS - Aquaculture Program Specialist

University of Florida

19h • $30 • Onsite

About The Position

This position is based at the UF/IFAS Tropical Aquaculture Lab in Ruskin, FL and will report directly to Florida Sea Grant Specialist/Extension Scientist (Angela Collins). The Aquaculture Program Specialist (APS) will assemble, organize, and manage an Advisory Board by facilitating regular meetings, tracking project progress, and synthesizing information to provide regular updates to the project team. The APS will also serve as a liaison who can represent the HARVEST program and/or FSG and TAL at outreach and industry events. The APS must be able to work independently and proactively from general guidance provided by supervisor (and project team). The APS will work closely with FSG’s Project Team, and an Advisory Board as described above, who will evaluate activities and performance over the course of the project.

Requirements

• High School Diploma
• Experience with and interest in organizing and communicating with groups of people, including preparing for and running efficient meetings.
• Experience in the development and implementation of communication materials, writing (articles, blogs, story maps, etc.), editing, and social media.
• Critical and analytical capabilities for quantifying and evaluating program impacts and success.
• The ability to plan, organize, and coordinate work assignments independently.
• Demonstrated ability to coordinate, lead, and work collaboratively as part of a team.
• Experience with or interest in grantsmanship, conference organization, and communicating with faculty in an academic setting.
• Experience and knowledge specific to Florida’s aquaculture industries, aquaculture technologies and challenges. Knowledge and interest of aquaculture markets and production.
• Must be able to work independently and proactively from general guidance provided by supervisor
• Florida driver's license

Nice To Haves

• Experience with and interest in organizing and communicating with groups of people, including preparing for and running efficient meetings.
• Experience in the development and implementation of communication materials, writing (articles, blogs, story maps, etc.), editing, and social media.
• Critical and analytical capabilities for quantifying and evaluating program impacts and success.
• The ability to plan, organize, and coordinate work assignments independently.
• Demonstrated ability to coordinate, lead, and work collaboratively as part of a team.
• Experience with or interest in grantsmanship, conference organization, and communicating with faculty in an academic setting.
• Experience and knowledge specific to Florida’s aquaculture industries, aquaculture technologies and challenges. Knowledge and interest of aquaculture markets and production.
• Must be able to work independently and proactively from general guidance provided by supervisor

Responsibilities

• Assemble, organize and manage an Advisory Board by facilitating regular meetings (online and/or in-person), tracking project progress and synthesizing information to provide regular updates to the project team.
• Serve as a liaison who can represent the HARVEST program and/or FSG and TAL at outreach and industry events.
• Assist in the recruitment, selection and onboarding of host entities and apprentices.
• Track progress of interns/apprentices through regular communication and meetings that include hosts, apprentices, and Advisory Board members (i.e., extensive email/text communication as well as scheduled online meetings, site visits, and both in-person group and one-on-one meetings).
• Synthesize and evaluate program successes and challenges, including overall impact (e.g., economic benefit to industry, increased production capacity, workforce development, and enhanced entry to aquaculture jobs).
• Develop methods to highlight HARVEST and Florida’s aquaculture industry at workshops/job fairs designed to reach target audiences, including working with media to produce and publish success stories.
• Evaluate and report on the impact of the program.
• Support research and Extension programming for Florida’s aquaculture industry, to include development of educational and research materials, participation in on-farm research, production, and demonstration activities, and other duties as assigned by supervisor.

What This Job Offers

• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: High school or GED
• Number of Employees: 1-10 employees