Stakeholder Engagement Specialist
Cooperative Institute for Great Lakes Research
School for Environment and Sustainability
University of Michigan
Summary
The Cooperative Institute for Great Lakes Research (CIGLR) is seeking an individual to engage stakeholders in the co-design of research that will lead to socially useful research products. As a member of a research team, you will design and implement collaborative research initiatives that bridge the gap between scientists and stakeholder groups (e.g., local water managers). You will identify targeted end users of the proposed research products and use an established collaborative research approach to facilitate researcher engagement with these groups, with the goal of co-designing research from project development to product distribution. This includes assessing end-user information needs and decision-making processes, generating recommendations for research product development based on those needs, and evaluating the usability of research product prototypes. Examples of research products developed using co-design methods include the Experimental Lake Erie Hypoxia Forecast and the Lake Erie Harmful Algal Bloom Forecast. In addition to leading the stakeholder engagement component of these projects, you will assist with reporting and representing the project team on various committees, advisory groups, and at scientific conferences.
Responsibilities
- Develop and implement stakeholder engagement strategies using social science research methods such as focus groups, interviews, and surveys.
- Analyze qualitative and quantitative results to identify stakeholder information needs, generate recommendations for research product development, and evaluate research product usability.
- Assist researchers with developing products to effectively communicate research results to stakeholders. Products may include web pages, emailed updates, fact sheets, or informative videos.
- Develop metrics to track CIGLR’s ability to support stakeholder information needs.
- Share the results of research co-design efforts through public presentations, webinars, conferences, reports, and contributions to peer-reviewed publications in collaboration with the research team.
- Coordinate CIGLR’s engagement activities with other NOAA groups and partner organizations in the Great Lakes through participation in working groups and conferences.
Required Qualifications
- Master’s degree and 1-3 years of experience in a social science field related to environmental or sustainability studies.
- Experience with social science methods for focus groups, interviews, and surveys including data analysis.
- Experience organizing and facilitating workshops, focus groups, and project teams.
- Strong communication skills. Must be able to produce technical reports, as well as translate science to a lay audience.
- Demonstrated ability to work independently as well as be part of an interdisciplinary team.
Desired Qualifications
- PhD and/or 3+ years of professional experience in a social science field related to environmental or sustainability studies.
- Experience working with researchers and stakeholders in the Great Lakes region.
- Knowledge of relevant Great Lakes and national water quality policies and research.
- Experience working with individuals or groups that represent disadvantaged communities.
For more information and to apply, visit
https://careers.umich.edu/job_detail/209300/stakeholder-engagement-speci...
The application deadline is 1/18/22.