Scientist/Writer, Climate Adaptation Program

Overview

We are looking to hire a scientist/writer to support the Climate Adaptation & Resiliency program at Utah State University (https://extension.usu.edu/climate/). We welcome applications from individuals with expertise in writing/journalism, climate adaptation science, policy, and/or data analysis and visualization. Examples of fact sheets we have previously published can be found on the website above.

 

The main focus of the position will be support of the Climate Adaptation & Resiliency program overall with a specific emphasis on the Climate Adaptation Intern Program (https://qanr.usu.edu/research/caip/). CAIP is a semester-long, cohort-style program where undergraduate interns work with experts and program leadership to create fact sheets, decision tools, or other resources that address climate adaptation needs in Utah and the surrounding region. Through CAIP, we partner with a host of partners (e.g., Utah Clean Energy, Swaner EcoCenter & Preserve, Utah Forest Restoration Institute).

 

Successful candidates will help us publish CAIP products through contributions to writing, editing, fact-checking, data analysis/visualization, and communication. Opportunities will also exist to leverage unique skills and ideas that candidates bring to the program. If you are selected for an interview, we will request 1-2 writing samples be provided at that time.

Responsibilities

• Attend a weekly staff meeting in person or on Zoom.
• Make significant contributions to program publications.
• Devote up to 25 hours per week to advancing the goals of the program.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications:

• Ability to attend in-person meetings on the main Logan campus.
• Background experience in science communication, journalism, or another type of professional writing.
• Experience using the Microsoft Office suite of programs, particularly Microsoft Word.

Preferred Qualifications:

• MS or PhD in relevant disciplines (journalism/communication, natural resources, environmental engineering)
• Experience in climate adaptation issues and policy in Utah and the Intermountain West.

Required Documents

Along with the online application, please attach:

Resume/CV to be uploaded at the beginning of your application in the Candidate Profile under “Resume/CV" 

Cover letter to be typed/pasted at the end of your application 

**Document size may not exceed 10 MB.**

Advertised Salary

$20-27/hour, depending on qualifications/experience

ADA

We strive to maintain an inclusive, flexible working environment. The primary demands of this position will be written and verbal communication and writing.

College/Department Highlights

The S.J. & Jessie E. Quinney College of Agriculture and Natural Resources is committed to enhancing lives and landscapes through education, research, and outreach. We work across biological, physical, and socioeconomic boundaries to better understand natural and managed ecosystems and to promote the ethical use of land, food, water, and economic resources. Our faculty are nationally and internationally recognized for their scholarship and engage in collaborations that advance discovery and innovation across disciplines. Many hold Extension appointments that connect their research directly to communities throughout Utah. 

  

With a statewide network of campuses and learning centers, the college serves people in both urban and rural communities as part of the university’s land-grant mission. We foster professional collaboration within and beyond the university, and experiential learning for students at all phases of their academic path. Faculty and students benefit from Utah’s remarkable and varied landscapes, which provide unparalleled opportunities for field-based research, education, and outreach. 

  

The Department of Watershed Sciences in QANR is a powerhouse in the science of ‘wet’ ecosystems, including rivers, lakes, wetlands, reservoirs, and the watersheds that feed them. Faculty are committed to making science useful for planning, management and restoration efforts, and are well-positioned to study and solve complex, interdisciplinary problems with a cadre of ecologists, hydrologists, geomorphologists, biogeochemists, and others. 

University Highlights

Founded in 1888, Utah State University is Utah’s premier land-grant, public service university. As an R1 research institution, Utah State is dedicated to advancing knowledge and serving the public good through innovative research and scholarly activities that are grounded in reciprocal engagement with local, regional, and global communities. USU prepares students to be active, civically engaged leaders who are prepared to address critica