Associate Extension Agent (Position #0085866T)

Position: Associate Extension Agent

Position Title: Associate Director for Strategic Communications and Engagement

Position Number:T

Department: University of Hawaii

School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology

Sea Grant College Program

Geographic Location: Oahu Hawaii

Date Posted: December 18 2025

Closing Date: January 5 2026

Monthly Type: 11 Month

Tenure Track: Non Tenure

Full Time/Part Time: Full Time (100% FTE)

Temporary/Permanent: Temporary

Other Conditions: Renewal contingent upon availability of funds and satisfactory performance of duties.

The Associate Director for Strategic Communications and Engagement serves within the directors office as a faculty member of the University of Hawaii Sea Grant College Program and provides program-wide leadership for strategic communications public engagement and storytelling. This position is the lead for all Hawaii Sea Grant communications ensuring that research extension and education impacts are clearly communicated culturally grounded and accessible to diverse audiences across Hawaii and the Pacific Region.

This position carries a primary extension appointment and advances Hawaii Sea Grants mission by translating research into practice through strategic communications and public engagement. The Associate Director applies extension principles to co-develop share and evaluate knowledge with coastal and island communities decision-makers educators and practitioners. Emphasis is placed on two-way knowledge exchange culturally grounded engagement and communications that support informed decision-making capacity building and community resilience across Hawaii and the Pacific Region.

The position advances Hawaii Sea Grants mission as an Organized Research Unit within the School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology (SOEST) and supports the University of Hawaii at Manoas commitment as a Native Hawaiian Place of Learning. The Associate Director integrates science communication Indigenous and local knowledge and community-driven engagement practices to elevate the visibility relevance and impact of Hawaii Sea Grant programs.

The position is based at the University of Hawaii at Manoa with statewide and regional responsibilities.

Duties and Responsibilities:

The responsibilities and primary functions of the position include but are not limited to:

1. Strategic Communications Leadership:
   • Serve as program lead for Hawaii Sea Grant communications providing vision strategy and oversight for all internal and external communications.
   • Develop implement and regularly update a comprehensive Hawaii Sea Grant strategic communications plan aligned with program priorities NOAA Sea Grant requirements and UH Manoa goals.
   • Ensure consistent accurate and compelling messaging that reflects Hawaii Sea Grants values impacts and commitments to community-driven place-based work.

1. Program-Wide Messaging and Storytelling:
   • Translate complex scientific research extension outcomes and education initiatives into clear engaging and culturally resonant communications for diverse audiences.
   • Lead development of impact stories success narratives and visual content that highlight community partnerships Indigenous knowledge student engagement and applied research outcomes.
   • Elevate the voices and perspectives of community partners practitioners faculty and students in Sea Grant communications.

1. Communications Platforms and Media Relations:
   • Oversee and coordinate all Hawaii Sea Grant communications platforms including websites newsletters reports social media media releases and outreach materials.
   • Serve as a key liaison for media and public communications working with UH communications offices and external partners as appropriate.
   • Ensure communications products meet accessibility equity and inclusion best practices.

1. Engagement and Capacity Building:
   • Collaborate with extension research and education personnel to integrate effective communication and engagement strategies across all programs and initiatives.
   • Develop tools templates and guidance to build staff and faculty capacity in science communication community engagement and public outreach.
   • Provide training mentorship and consultation to Sea Grant personnel on effective ethical and reciprocal engagement practices.

1. Evaluation Reporting and Compliance:
   • Develop and apply qualitative and quantitative metrics to evaluate the effectiveness of communications and engagement efforts.
   • Contribute to required state university and federal reports by leading communications-related reporting and impact documentation.
   • Ensure alignment with NOAA Sea Grant communication expectations and national network initiatives.

1. Partnerships and Representation
   • Represent or delegate as needed representation for Hawaii Sea Grant in regional and national Sea Grant communication and engagement networks working groups and professional forums.
   • Support development of collaborative initiatives and proposals that advance communications engagement and broader impacts.
   • Contribute to interdisciplinary and multi-institutional projects that require integrated communication and outreach leadership.

1. Service and Administration
   • Serve as the primary supervisor for faculty staff and students within the communications team.
   • Perform annual programmatic evaluation and provide workplan development guidance of all faculty and staff together with the directors office leadership team.
   • Participate in Hawaii Sea Grant faculty and staff meetings and contribute to program planning and governance.
   • Prepare annual work plans and performance documentation consistent with faculty expectations.
   • Perform other related duties as assigned in support of Hawaii Sea Grants mission.

Minimum Qualifications:

A Masters degree from a college or university of recognized standing with major work in social science of human dimensions communications physical or natural sciences marine sciences marine policy or related field or related field whichever is appropriate.

At least four (4) years experience as Extension faculty member or its equivalency in related fields in next lower rank.

Strong ability to lead and develop leadership in Cooperative Extension.

Proven administrative ability to conduct a well-organized program in Cooperative Extension or Sea Grant Extension program and to work harmoniously with the agents of other counties in an integrated Cooperative Extension program and with related public agencies.

Professionalism in meeting and conferring with others.

At least five (5) years of experience in community engagement.

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 and apply word processing software.

Demonstrated ability to lead subordinates manage work priorities and projects and manage employee relations.

Knowledge and understanding of a wide range of developing and emerging concepts principles and methodologies associated with communications and engagement initiatives.

Demonstrated leadership skills with the ability to foster teamwork that builds and maintains a climate of trust and inspires commitment and partnership from others to achieve goals and objectives.

Demonstrated exceptional interpersonal communication and presentation skills with the ability to motivate and positively influence in a multi-cultural and multi-ethnic environment by building effective partnerships and relationships with communities staff faculty and students to achieve established goals.

Demonstrated ability to interact with people in ways that enhance understanding respect cooperation collaboration and problem solving.

Demonstrated knowledge and experience in developing implementing and managing successful strategic communications and engagement activities.

Demonstrated knowledge and experience with data collection management and analysis.

Knowledge of federal state and UH equal opportunity/affirmative action policies laws and related compliance requirements regarding nondiscrimination in all areas covered by law and policy.

Any equivalent combination of education and/or professional work experience which provides the required education knowledge skills and abilities as indicated.

Desirable Qualifications:

PhD from a college or university of recognized standing with work in social science of human dimensions communications physical or natural sciences marine sciences marine policy or related field.

Significant expertise and a deep understanding of the graduate student experience and sensitivity to student needs and concerns.

Demonstrated ability to understand problems from a broad interactive perspective and use reasoning to discern underlying principles and issues when problem solving and apply creative thinking to resolve problems in new and unprecedented approaches.

Demonstrated successful proposal development and budget management.

Demonstrated knowledge of the University of Hawaii Sea Grant College Program.

To Apply:

Submit the following online through NEOGOV: 1) cover letter indicating how you satisfy the minimum and desirable qualifications; 2) current curriculum vitae; 3) names and contact information (phone and e-mail) of three (3) professional references; and 4) official transcripts (copies acceptable for application but if selected originals required at time of hire). All application materials must be submitted by the closing date. Failure to submit all application materials by the closing date shall deem an application incomplete and will not be considered.

Inquiries:

Darren Lerner; ;

The University of Hawaii 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: is contingent on satisfying employment eligibility verification requirements of the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986; reference checks of previous employers; and for certain positions criminal history record checks.

In accordance with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act annual campus crime statistics for the University of Hawaii may be viewed at: or a paper copy may be obtained upon request from the respective UH Campus Security or Administrative Services Office.

Accommodation Request: The University of Hawaii complies with the provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process should contact the EEO coordinator directly. Determination on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis. For further information please refer to the following link: Experience:

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