We're Hiring! Coastal Resilience Fellow

New Hampshire Sea Grant seeks a Coastal Resilience Fellow to support a number of coastal resilience-related projects while building their experience and professional networks. Application review will begin June 16, 2025.

The New Hampshire Coastal Resilience Fellowship is a term-limited opportunity designed to build capacity in the region and serve as a career development experience. The Coastal Resilience Fellow will join a collaborative, multidisciplinary team based at New Hampshire Sea Grant (NHSG) and working with a large partner network across the Seacoast region. This position will support a number of coastal resilience-related projects while building their experience and professional networks. The Coastal Resilience Fellow will provide support for various projects and programming under the direction of NHSG’s Coastal Resilience Extension Specialist and in partnership with various organizations. These projects may include support for the NH Coastal Adaptation Workgroup (CAW), the Adapting Together program, the Flood Ready Neighborhoods project, flood-related programming for real estate professionals, and NH CoastWise.

This position will have access to networking and professional development opportunities within the region and within various partner networks as well, including with other fellows in the National Sea Grant Network. This is a grant funded fixed-term position (one year with the option to renew for a second year based on performance and available funds). Based at the University of New Hampshire, NHSG is one of 34 Sea Grant programs in the U.S. under the umbrella of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)'s National Sea Grant College Program. New Hampshire Sea Grant works to support a coastal environment that sustains healthy ecosystems, economies, and people through integrated research, extension, education, and communications efforts.

1. Provide support for various coastal resilience related programming activities under the direction of NHSG Coastal Resilience Extension Specialist and in partnership with various organizations (75%)

These activities are likely to include the following: 

• Support the NH Coastal Adaptation Workgroup (CAW), a collaborative network with members from over 40 different agencies, organizations, municipalities, and other entities working together to support resilient coastal communities. This includes contributing to planning and implementing programs such as the Picturing Rising Tides initiative and NH Climate Summit, managing a database of CAW projects and outcomes, and coordinating the CAW quarterly e-newsletter and other communications such as web and social media content.
• Contribute to the update of the NH Coastal Flood Risk Summary and associated engagement and outreach. 
• Provide support to the project team working to build resilience to flooding at the neighborhood scale, through the Flood Ready Neighborhoods program. 
• Participate in the Adapting Together program team, supporting Great Bay watershed communities to adapt to climate impacts. 
• Collaborate with partners to support programming for real estate professionals related to flooding.
• Explore development of new programming depending on stakeholders’ needs and Fellow’s interests.

2. Contribute to planning, implementation, and evaluation of the NH CoastWise program, a year-long, cohort-based immersion program for students and professionals working on coastal resilience and marine resource management issues in the state (15%)

• Participate in the NH CoastWise organizing team to plan and support in-person and virtual programs for CoastWise participants.
• Contribute to communications and evaluation activities for the program.

3. Pursue professional development and networking opportunities and support administrative activities (10%)

• Develop and implement a professional development plan to maintain and enhance proficiency in appropriate subject areas and professional skills such as program design and evaluation, collaboration, facilitation, etc.
• Participate in NH Sea Grant staff meetings, Sea Grant Climate Network quarterly meetings, Sea Grant Fellow convenings, and other relevant networking opportunities.
• Provide support for NH Sea Grant reporting efforts related to the activities outlined above.

• Associate’s Degree or equivalent combination of experience and education. Relevant degrees include but are not limited to community planning, environmental science/studies, natural resource related degrees, public or environmental policy, recreation policy and management, anthropology, etc. 
• At least one year of experience related to the duties and responsibilities described above (can be from a combination of education, volunteer service, professional experience, etc.). 
• Relevant experience includes but is not limited to event planning, communications (such as newsletter, website, and/or social media management), meeting coordination, etc.
• Applicants must be eligible to work in the United States without sponsorship.

• The ability to travel to sites in coastal NH in-person.
• Knowledge of current and emerging issues, practices, and trends in climate impacts/adaptation, coastal resilience, or other relevant fields.
• Excellent interpersonal, technical writing, and public communication skills.
• Proficiency with computer programs such as Microsoft Excel, Word and PowerPoint, as well as document management programs such as SharePoint/OneDrive.
• Ability to work both independently and effectively with others in a team environment.

• Bachelor’s Degree or two years relevant experience
• Research and/or applied experience related to climate and coastal resilience
• Facilitation training or experience
• Experience with program development, delivery and evaluation
• Experience with community engagement, including around contentious topics
• Experience with programs such as Adobe, Microsoft Teams, Zoom, WordPress, Salesforce, Qualtrics, and/or GIS
• Valid driver’s license (at least 2 years)

Position Type

• 100% (full-time, 40-hours/week), hourly, benefited. Option for 75% position can be discussed if selected for an interview.
• 1- to 2-year grant funded, fixed-term position (one year with the option to renew for a second year based on performance and available funds).
• Hiring range for this position is $21-$26/hr (equivalent to an annual earnings range of $45,000 to $55,000 annually), commensurate with qualifications and experience. 
• Salary is complemented by a comprehensive benefits package which includes medical, dental, retirement, tuition, and paid time off.
• This position is based at the NH Sea Grant main office in Durham, NH. Hybrid arrangements may be possible with approval from supervisor and administrators. Business hours are generally Monday through Friday 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; however, there may be times when work beyond regular business hours, including weekends, may be necessary in order to complete the requirements of the position.
• Some in-state and out-of-state travel is expected.

To Apply

Applicants must submit an application through the University System of New Hampshire Workday Jobs Portal, Posting Number JR2858: https://usnh.wd5.myworkdayjobs.com/en-US/Careers/job/New-Hampshire-Coastal-Resilience-Fellow_JR2858

Applicant instructions:

Applicants should be prepared to upload the following documents when applying online within the Resume/Cover Letter section of your application:

• Resume/CV
• Cover Letter
• Contact information for 3 professional, academic, or volunteer references (name, email address, phone numbers, and brief sentence noting your connection to the reference)

Your Cover Letter should address your preparedness for the specific Fellowship requirements, including connection to and/or interest in the region. Please be sure that your letter addresses:

• Your relevant background and how it fits the position
• What you hope to be able to contribute to the position
• Your career aspirations and how the position would help you advance those goals

APPLY HERE

This position is available immediately. Review of applications will begin on June 16, 2025 and will continue until the position is filled. Priority review will be given to applicants who submit materials before June 16. 

The University of New Hampshire is an R1 Carnegie classification research institution providing comprehensive, high-quality undergraduate and graduate programs of distinction. UNH is located in Durham on a 188-acre campus, 60 miles north of Boston and 8 miles from the Atlantic coast and is convenient to New Hampshire’s lakes and mountains. There is a student enrollment of 13,000 students, with a full-time faculty of over 600, offering 90 undergraduate and more than 70 graduate programs. The University actively promotes a dynamic learning environment in which qualified individuals of differing perspectives, life experiences, and cultural backgrounds pursue academic goals with mutual respect and shared inquiry.

The University System of New Hampshire is an Equal Opportunity/Equal Access employer. The University System is committed to creating an environment that values and supports diversity and inclusiveness across our campus communities and encourages applications from qualified individuals who will help us achieve this mission. The University System prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or marital status.