Extension Agent (Position #0085912T)

Position: Extension Agent

Position Title: Climate Research Translation and Outreach Specialist

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: February 5 2026

Closing Date: February 20 2026

Monthly Type: 11 Month

Tenure Track: Non Tenure

Full Time/Part Time: Part Time (49% FTE)

Temporary/Permanent: Temporary

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

This position is administered by the University of Hawaii Sea Grant College Program and is supported by the National Science Foundation (NSF) Established Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (EPSCoR) Track-2 ChangeHI project the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) National Mesonet Program Hawaii Mesonet project and funding from the Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources Commission on Water Resource Management.

Hawaii faces daunting challenges as climate variability and change impact resource availability ecological sustainability economic vitality and human health in the islands. Natural resource managers emergency managers policy makers ranchers. agriculture producers and the community at large are in need of high-quality reliable climate data products and information that can be used to build capacity raise awareness and to make informed decisions.

The Hawaii Mesonet started in 2022 and the Hawaii Climate Data Portal (HCDP) launched in March 2022 respectively provide high-quality real-time weather data and streamlined access to timely high-quality reliable climate data and information from all sources for the State of Hawaii and for parts of the Pacific. The Hawaii Mesonet will consist of more than 100 stations distributed statewide when completed and currently includes 76 stations. Stations are located to fill gaps and provide data for places where it is most needed. Full Hawaii Mesonet stations provide 5-minute data for 21 variables including rainfall air temperature relative humidity wind speed and direction air pressure solar and net radiation soil moisture soil temperature and soil heat flux. HCDP uses data from Hawaii Mesonet and other stations to produce daily high-resolution (250 m) gridded maps of rainfall temperature humidity and other climate variables. HCDP maps and data are produced and made available in a near-real-time environment and can be easily accessed for visualization or download. HCDP users can also access the data through an Application Programming Interface (API) for the development of near-real-time decision support tools or weather forecasting applications. The HCDP also hosts a number of other tools and resources including an electronic library quick links to external tools and resources and information about Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK).

Working in collaboration with a team of researchers across the UH system and beyond this position will serve as the key interlocker as senior leadership with expertise in support of providing critical data translation and technical capacity for stakeholder use of the Hawaii Mesonet and HCDP in informing climate adaptation strategies.

Duties and Responsibilities:

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

1. Extension and Outreach: Facilitates technical working group meetings hui meetings and other targeted stakeholder meetings. Identifies stakeholder needs. Provides information access and technical assistance on climate tools. Travels to events conferences and meetings.

1. Program Management: Supervises Research Corporation of the University of Hawaii (RCUH) and UH student employees and provides guidance to other Hawaii Mesonet-HCDP team members.

1. Reporting and Project Administration: Submits quarterly reports on project progress. Tracks budgets and project progress.

1. Research: Conducts translation of high-level scientific data analyses. Conducts scientific literature reviews and syntheses.

1. Technical: Supervises the continuing deployment and maintenance of the Hawaii Mesonet coordinates the improvement of Hawaii Mesonet real-time data access website and develops new derived products.

1. Collaborations:Works cooperatively with other UH departments / teams and or institutions to develop new synergistic collaborations in climate adaptation.

1. Writes and edits proposals. Leads and co-leads peer-reviewed journal papers to advance the state of knowledge in climate adaptation. Assists in the development of fact sheets and other written materials.

1. Reports on activities accomplishments and impacts. Attends and participates in Hawaii Sea Grant quarterly faculty and staff meetings and professional development opportunities.

1. Other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:

A Masters degree from a college or university of recognized standing with major work in agriculture family and consumer sciences marine science resource management or related field as appropriate.

At least four (4) years of experience as an Extension faculty member or similar and equivalent work in the next lower rank.

Outstanding ability to lead and develop leadership in Cooperative Extension.

Proven administrative ability to conduct a well-organized Cooperative Extension or Sea Grant Extension program and to perceive and implement broad educational programs relevant to all community needs.

Proven ability to work harmoniously with agents in other counties and with other governmental agencies in an integrated Extension program.

Professionalism in meeting and conferring with others.

DesirableQualifications:

A PhD degree from a college or university of recognized standing with major work in climate science agriculture marine science resource management or related field as appropriate.

At least eight (8) years of experience demonstrating the ability to translate climate data for user groups across various sectors.

Demonstrated ability to garner large extramural grants.

Experience managing a team of employees and students at various levels of experience and competency.

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.

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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:

Unclear Seniority