DEPARTMENT OVERVIEW

California Sea Grant is a statewide program and the largest in a national network of 34 Sea Grant programs operating in all coastal, Great Lakes states, and territories. The primary mission of California Sea Grant is to provide integrated research, extension, outreach, and education to help Californians balance diverse interests that intersect with the coastal and marine environments, and adapt to changing conditions and needs. We accomplish this by sponsoring marine research, extension services, and education activities and collaborating with a range of local, state, regional, national, and international partners to further the acquisition and application of relevant scientific knowledge.

POSITION DESCRIPTION

Serving as part of the California Sea Grant Science Integration Team and reporting to the Science Integration Team Lead, the Reporting and Evaluation Coordinator will support overall program reporting; and designing and implementing evaluation initiatives to best serve the organization. Responsibilities include assisting with preparation of progress (quarterly, semi-annual) and annual reports submitted by funded researchers, fellows, and extension staff, as well as coordinating and assisting in evaluation planning, survey design, data acquisition, data entry, data processing, data archiving and literature reviews as needed. The Reporting and Evaluation Coordinator will play a key role in maintaining and improving up-to-date records in proposal and project management files and systems (e.g., Excel/Sheets, eSeaGrant, Trello). The position coordinates California Sea Grant’s program-wide annual reporting requirements for NOAA (including PIER: Planning, Implementation, and Evaluation Resources; and RPPR: Research Performance Progress Report). The Reporting and Evaluation Coordinator tracks fellows and funded researchers to assess programming interests and agency priorities to inform the work of California Sea Grant's research investment, outreach programming, and other training opportunities. The Reporting and Evaluation Coordinator is responsible for developing and maintaining databases, statistical data reporting and surveys to facilitate strategic planning efforts. Broadly, the position will inform program decision-making with data-driven, evidence-based information. The position will also help the management team understand the effectiveness of various programs.

The Reporting and Evaluation Coordinator will work closely with funded scientists, California Sea Grant's Communications team and Extension Specialists, and agency partners to communicate the impact of various research, extension and education programs. In reviewing the reports, the Reporting and Evaluation Coordinator will help to identify and follow-up on noteworthy accomplishments, impacts, and performance measures to communicate to funding agency partners, National Sea Grant, and other relevant parties. This position prepares briefings, including reports and presentations, synthesizing program impacts and accomplishments. As relevant to reporting and communication duties, this position will coordinate and participate in workshops, meetings, and advisory committee activities, and liaise with university and agency officials, industry, and the public. The Reporting and Evaluation Coordinator will participate in Sea Grant Network committees and Communities of Practice (CoP), including the eSeaGrant CoP and economic evaluation CoP. The position may serve on other relevant Sea Grant, UCSD/SIO, or other committees as time and interest allow (e.g. DEIJA).

The Reporting and Evaluation Coordinator will provide support to California Sea Grant’s research and education programs, especially in proposal coordination through eSeaGrant (Sea Grant's proposal management system) and transitioning selected researchers/fellows from pre- to post-award. Responsibilities in this area include: setting up proposal and application submission opportunities using eSeagrant; compiling and reviewing received applications/proposals for completion; setting up and tracking reviewers using eSeaGrant; and providing a support role in coordinating calls for research proposals and fellowship applications.

In general, the Reporting and Evaluation Coordinator develops knowledge about and remains current with the program's focus areas as well as community issues. Preferably, the position will have a background in and provide research-based information and leadership in one of the targeted areas of coastal water quality and/or resources, coastal community sustainability, or marine ecosystem-based management or other topics of importance to California Sea Grant.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Proven program planning and management of projects. Experience with identifying, initiating, and carrying out projects and activities with state and federal agencies with interests in research and applied science.

• Experience with research proposal and fellowship application administration, including request for proposal development, review committee recruitment, merit review, proposal evaluation and decision-making, and result/decision notification.

• Strong knowledge of science, the scientific method and familiarity with marine or environmental science.

• Demonstrated capacity to comprehend and interpret scientific publications and reports and from them identify and summarize major accomplishments and impacts of interest to funding agencies, stakeholders and the public.

• Knowledge of organizational and operational aspects of federal and state agencies, universities throughout the state and ability to negotiate decisions with funding agencies and principal investigators.

• Knowledge of marine resource priorities for the State of California and of federal agencies in related fields.

• Demonstrated capacity to read, comprehend and interpret scientific proposals and from them identify qualified and unconflicted external reviewers.

• Strong oral and written communication skills.

• Strong ability to think creatively and independently on concepts requiring advanced analytical skills. Demonstrated proven abilities to recognize problems, develop potential solutions, implement appropriate solutions, and evaluate results or progress.

• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work collaboratively with internal and external peers, managers and teams. Proven ability to interact comfortably and professionally with faculty, university administration, government scientists, agency representatives, the public and stakeholders.

• Academic background and experience in selected area of research required.

• Experience and ability to advise management and/or advisory committees on project-specific recommendations, program priorities and long-term direction in all scientific areas of the program.

• Must demonstrate good judgment, maintain confidentiality in all matters, and make decisions.

• Proven ability to adapt to interruptions and a fluctuating workload, organize work and prioritize tasks to meet established and variable deadlines, and function effectively under deadline pressure to fulfill assignments on schedule.

• Proficiency with word-processing, spreadsheet, database, presentation (e.g., PowerPoint), Google Workspace products, and email software using Mac-based platforms.

SPECIAL CONDITIONS

• Job offer is contingent upon satisfactory clearance based on Background Check results.

• Must be able to work non-standard work hours to fulfill job requirements.

• Occasional out-of-town travel is required, mostly within the state of California.

• Must have a driver's license.

• Confidentiality is a condition of employment due to access to sensitive materials found in proposals and fellowship applications.