Research Specialist I

Texas A&M University System • Galveston, TX

4d

About The Position

Texas Sea Grant is seeking a Healthy Coastal Ecosystems Fellow (Research Specialist I) to support programmatic development within the Healthy Coastal Ecosystems focus area. This new position will play a vital role in expanding our efforts to maintain and restore the health of Texas’s coastal ecosystems—critical for biodiversity, water quality, and regional economic vitality. The Fellow will contribute to identifying emerging environmental issues, supporting research initiatives, and translating scientific findings into practical tools and services that benefit coastal communities.

Requirements

• Bachelors degree in relevant field or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Four years of related experience in a specialized and relevant field of research.
• Ability to multi-task and work cooperatively with others.
• Ability to occasionally work outside of normal working hours and weekends, may require some domestic travel.
• Knowledge of state and federal natural resource management practices or policies and Texas marine and coastal ecosystems.
• Ability to effectively utilize a computer and applicable software.
• Ability to conduct structured assessments (e.g. surveys, interviews) with audiences both in person and online.
• Proficient in both written and verbal communication.

Nice To Haves

• Master’s degree in areas relevant to coastal and marine science, natural resource management, environmental science, environmental policy, coastal management, or combination thereof.
• Experience managing or developing projects or programs, or with strategic planning.
• Experience with literature reviews and needs assessments.
• Experience with grant writing and proposal development.
• Experience with survey design and qualitative analysis software.
• Excellent writing and interpersonal communication skills.
• Research or practical experience with relevant coastal ecosystem themes such as but not limited to marine debris, pollution, habitat restoration, water quality, watershed education, freshwater inflows, bays and estuaries, nature-based solutions, natural resource management, environmental policy, coastal management, or combination thereof.

Responsibilities

• Conduct a literature review of all HCE programs across the National Sea Grant Network to identify development areas and themes.
• Conduct a needs assessment to identify key interests of Texas Sea Grant’s primary audiences within the HCE focus area.
• Draft a HCE strategic plan using results from the literature review and needs assessment.
• Support development of HCE extension publications relevant to existing HCE work.
• Support current HCE programmatic extension activities (e.g., MRRP, iSeaTurtle, water quality projects ).
• Identify grant opportunities for HCE programming and assist with proposal development.

Benefits

• Health, dental, vision, life and long-term disability insurance with Texas A&M contributing to employee health and basic life premiums
• 12-15 days of annual paid holidays
• Up to eight hours of paid sick leave and at least eight hours of paid vacation each month
• Automatically enrollment in the Teacher Retirement System of Texas
• Health and Wellness: Free exercise programs and release time
• Professional Development: All employees have access to free LinkedIn Learning training, webinars, and limited financial support to attend conferences, workshops, and more
• Employee Tuition Assistance and Educational Release time for completing a degree while a Texas A&M employee

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level