Program Specialist

Program Specialist (Outreach & Volunteer Program Specialist) Position Number: 0078567T Hiring Unit Office of the Vice President for Research and Innovation (OVPRI), Army Natural Resource Program on O‘ahu (ANRPO) Additional Salary Information: Commensurate with education and experience Full Time/Part Time: Full Time Temporary/Permanent: Temporary Other Conditions: This position is annually renewable contingent upon satisfactory performance and/or availability of funding. Duties and Responsibilities Leads the strategic planning, implementation, and adaptive management of ANRPO's outreach and volunteer program in alignment with biological opinions, federal consultations, and Army Integrated Natural Resource Management Plans (INRMPs). Target audiences include the general public, the military community, communities neighboring military and ANRPO managed lands, and educational institutions. Coordinates with program managers, coordinators, field supervisors, and biologists on outreach and volunteer program projects, initiatives, management plans, actions, and projects. Manages, directs, and implements ANRPO's volunteer program. Oversees and updates volunteer program policies and manages all administrative requirements. Utilizes good judgement to plan trips and match volunteer ability with field and baseyard tasks. Schedules, publicizes, and implements volunteer field days. Coordinates potential volunteer activities, including field, baseyard, and other events with ANRPO colleagues. Directs, supervises, and assigns work to volunteers. Transports volunteers to field sites. Manages, directs, and implements ANRPO's outreach program. Utilizes good judgement to provide appropriate information to groups in accordance with Army Public Affairs Office (PAO) guidelines. Communicates professionally. Develops and publishes outreach materials, including presentations, posters, exhibits, signage, pamphlets, articles, and social media. Manages the design, production, editing and distribution of the Directorate of Public Works (DPW) Ecosystem Management Bulletin. Directs ANRPO's internship program. This includes publicizing internships; evaluating candidates, hiring orienting, training; and coordinating with field teams on intern placement, performance, and overall experience. Coordinates work experience opportunities with other conservation programs, such as, but not limited to, Hawaii Youth Conservation Corps (HYCC), Americorps, Kupu, and Pacific Internship Program for Exploring Sciences (PIPES). Oversees outreach and volunteer program logistics, including scheduling, communications, gear and supply inventory, purchasing, grant-writing, facilities and vehicle maintenance, and ensuring successful action completion. Oversees and conducts staff training on leading and running volunteer and outreach events. Provides oversight, mentorship, and technical support for field teams, technicians, and temporary staff. Manages and analyzes volunteer and outreach program data to monitor program effectiveness, identify areas for improvement, and ensure data accuracy. Ensures the accuracy, quality, and timeliness of programmatic deliverables, including internal and external reports and presentations, action review, permit review and reporting, pesticide usage documentation, and collaborative agency updates. Manages workflows to meet deadlines and stakeholder expectations. Engages in interagency collaboration and coordination, collaborates with the Army PAO office, participates in cooperative working groups and meetings to inform, innovate, and implement shared conservation strategies related to environmental education, volunteer coordination, and natural resource management outreach. Reviews, revises, and enforces safety practices and standard operating procedures in relation to outreach and volunteer activities. Maintains high safety standards and ensures all safety practices are followed at volunteer events. Supports general ANRPO field operations, including rare taxa management, invasive threat management, and field team projects. Conducts operations in UXO-affected areas, supports helicopter missions, and may perform other high-risk tasks while ensuring safety and regulatory compliance. Other duties as assigned. Minimum Qualifications Possession of a baccalaureate degree in Biological Science, Natural Resource Management, Environmental Science, or related field, or Social Science with basic or related biology courses, and three (3) years of progressively responsible professional experience with natural resource management of biological resources, including two (2) years of experience in environmental education, public outreach or volunteer coordination; or any equivalent combination of education and/or professional work experience which provides the required education, knowledge, skills and abilities as indicated. Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Considerable working knowledge of principles, practices and techniques in the areas of natural resource management of biological resources in island ecosystems, public outreach, environmental education, and volunteer management. Considerable working knowledge and understanding of applicable federal and state laws, rules, regulations and theories and systems associated with the Endangered Species Act and environmental laws. Demonstrated ability to resolve wide ranging complex problems through the use of creative reasoning and logic to accurately determine the cause of the problems and the resolution of the problems in an effective, innovative and timely manner. Demonstrated ability to interpret and present information and ideas clearly and accurately in writing, verbally and by preparation of reports and other materials. Demonstrated ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with internal and external organizations, groups, team leaders and members, and individuals. Demonstrated ability to operate a personal computer, apply word processing software, and proficiency including but not limited to: Microsoft Word, Excel, Access, and PowerPoint or other presentation software; software for statistical analysis and graphing; and ArcGIS or other geospatial database software. Supplemental Minimum Qualifications Strong verbal and written communication, organizational, and project management skills. Demonstrated ability to manage volunteers. This includes motivating, engaging, providing guidance and clear direction, supervising, and managing safety for volunteers, while ensuring program goals are met. Demonstrated ability to initiate, plan, coordinate, and implement environmental education projects. Basic proficiency using design software, such as Adobe Acrobat, Adobe InDesign or similar. Basic proficiency in producing outreach materials, including but not limited to presentations, posters, signs, publications, articles, and other media. Knowledge of native ecosystems and rare, endangered, common, and invasive plants and animals in Hawai?i, including identification, biology, natural history, threats, and management strategies. Knowledge of trial and experimental design principles. Established proficiency in terrain navigation utilizing maps, compasses, and GPS. Required to complete a Department of Defense (DoD) security check for employment as an Army contractor, including a government security investigation and eligibility verification for access to unclassified information. Must possess Certification in First Aid/CPR or be able to obtain the certificate within three (3) months of hire through provided training. Certification must be maintained throughout the duration of employment. Must be able to complete helicopter safety courses within six (6) months from date of hire. Must be able to obtain and maintain State of Hawai‘i Certification for Application of Restricted Use Pesticides within six (6) months from date of hire and maintain throughout duration of employment. Must complete the online Hazard Communication training immediately after hire or no later than the employee's initial exposure to hazardous chemicals. Must complete Unexploded Ordnance (UXO) Training within six (6) months from date of hire and maintain throughout duration of employment. Requires a valid U.S. driver's license and the ability to drive a four-wheel-drive vehicle in various conditions. Ability to hike up to six (6) miles per day with a 35-pound backpack, camp in rugged terrain and in remote areas for up to four (4) days at a time, and conduct work under strenuous outdoor conditions (e.g., mud, extreme weather, steep terrain). Required to comply with all applicable RCUH, University of Hawai‘i, and business entity policies, procedures, and training as a condition of employment. Desirable Qualifications Education and experience in programs managing rare and endangered species and ecosystems on Army lands in Hawai‘i. Knowledge of Department of the Army natural resources programs in general and the policies and organizational contexts within which they are managed, especially safety and logistical requirements necessary to plan field operations around Army training schedules. Familiarity with integrative techniques used to inventory, assess, and monitor natural resource assets, environmental impacts and their interrelationships. Familiarity with biological database application and maintenance. Experience working with military groups on environmental education, outreach, and volunteer projects. Familiarity with grant writing. Experience in public speaking and presentation. Expertise using graphic design software, such as Adobe InDesign and Photoshop, or similar. Strong proficiency with ESRI data and presentation software, including but not limited to StoryMap, Survey123, FieldMap, etc. Expertise in creating professional quality outreach materials, including physical materials (signs, posters, pamphlets, displays), publications (articles, online publications), and/or digital materials (websites, social media posts, etc). Equal Opportunity Statement The University of Hawai'i is an Equal Opportunity Institution and is committed to a policy of nondiscrimination in employment, including on the basis of veteran and disability status. For more information, visit: #J-18808-Ljbffr