Return ‘Em Right Outreach Coordinator (Project Specialist I)

Texas A&M University System • Galveston, TX

20d • $65,000 - $70,000 • Onsite

About The Position

Texas Sea Grant at Texas A&M University is seeking a full-time Return ‘Em Right Outreach Coordinator (Project Specialist I), based in Galveston, Texas, to coordinate outreach across coastal Texas and Louisiana. The coordinator will serve as a regional ambassador for the Return ‘Em Right Program and work with Sea Grant programs and other project partners to increase understanding and adoption of fishing practices that reduce catch-and-release mortality, particularly practices addressing barotrauma in reef fish.

The role plans, coordinates, implements, and evaluates outreach, education, and communication activities. It engages recreational fishing communities and industry members through educational resources, workshops, presentations, trainings, events, and communications campaigns. The coordinator also supports project planning, budget tracking, contracts, progress monitoring, reporting, and evaluation. The position may require travel of up to 35% or more, work outside normal office hours and on weekends, and outdoor work aboard vessels in varied weather conditions. The position is grant- and/or contract-funded and contingent on continued funding and satisfactory performance.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree or an equivalent combination of training and experience.
• No prior experience required.
• Willingness to obtain saltwater fishing licenses in Texas and Louisiana.
• Ability to multitask and work cooperatively with others.
• Ability to communicate effectively through presentations, trainings, public speaking, and written communications.
• Ability to build and sustain partnerships.
• Skill in facilitating meetings, resolving conflicts, and engaging constructively with varied audiences.
• Ability to organize and conduct outreach and educational programming across Texas and Louisiana coastal communities.
• Ability to occasionally work outside normal working hours and on weekends, and to undertake some domestic travel.
• Ability to work outdoors and aboard vessels in varied weather conditions, including fishing from boats.
• Ability to move light, medium, or heavy objects with assistance and lift or carry outreach materials or field gear weighing up to 40 pounds.

Nice To Haves

• Master’s degree in fisheries, marine science, natural resource management, or a relevant field.
• Experience coordinating, developing, or delivering outreach, education, or stakeholder engagement programs for recreational fishing communities.
• Experience working with fishing communities in Texas, Louisiana, or other Gulf of America areas.
• Demonstrated knowledge of Gulf of America recreational saltwater fisheries and fisheries management.
• Extensive recreational saltwater and reef fish angling experience, including knowledge of target species, fishing gear, and handling practices.
• Knowledge of barotrauma and best release practices.
• Experience collaborating with state or federal fisheries management agencies, nonprofit organizations, Sea Grant programs, or fishing industry partners.
• Strong written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills, including public speaking.
• Experience facilitating or coordinating meetings, workshops, trainings, or public events involving varied stakeholder groups.
• Experience using social media and communications tools to support outreach and education.

Responsibilities

• Plan, coordinate, implement, and evaluate Return ‘Em Right outreach and education programming across Texas and Louisiana in collaboration with Sea Grant programs and project partners.
• Assist with project budget management and prepare contracts under the direction of the program director.
• Support strategic outreach and communications plans advancing Return ‘Em Right objectives in the Western Gulf.
• Participate in project work groups, committees, and development meetings, collaborating to establish and accomplish program goals.
• Serve as a regional ambassador for the Return ‘Em Right Program in the Western Gulf.
• Develop educational resources, outreach materials, and stakeholder engagement activities related to barotrauma mitigation and fish descending devices.
• Develop and deliver workshops, presentations, trainings, and outreach events promoting best practices to reduce catch-and-release mortality and use of fish descending devices.
• Engage stakeholders at fishing expos, tournaments, industry meetings, podcasts, and other public engagement opportunities.
• Build and maintain working relationships with fisheries stakeholders, coastal communities, and partner organizations.
• Represent Sea Grant and Return ‘Em Right at outreach events, conferences, and meetings.
• Develop promotional and outreach content for social media, newsletters, videos, photography, and digital communications platforms.
• Coordinate messaging and outreach materials with project partners and disseminate marketing and educational campaigns to fishing industry members in the Western Gulf.
• Assist with monitoring progress toward project goals and with reporting, evaluation, budget tracking, and documentation of project activities and impacts.

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.
• Automatic enrollment in the Teacher Retirement System of Texas.
• Free exercise programs and release time for health and wellness.
• Free LinkedIn Learning training and webinars, plus limited financial support to attend conferences, workshops, and other professional development.
• Employee tuition assistance and educational release time for completing a degree while employed by Texas A&M.

What This Job Offers

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