Risk Communication Scientist

Risk Communication Scientist

About University at Albany:

Established in 1844 and designated a University Center of the State University of New York in 1962, the University at Albany's broad mission of excellence in undergraduate and graduate education, research, and public service engages a diverse student body of approximately 17,000 students in nine schools and colleges across three campuses.

Located in Albany, New York, New York State's capital, the University is convenient to Boston, New York City, and the Adirondacks.


Job Description:

This position within the New York (NY) State Weather Risk Communication Center (SWRCC) will serve as the primary expert regarding general risk communication strategies across a variety of mediums. This expertise is expected to improve the meteorological services the SWRCC provides to critical state and other public sector stakeholders. Most NY agencies and authorities do not possess hired meteorologists, which makes the process of preparing for-, responding to-, and examining impactful weather events challenging. This position will work to fill this gap alongside operational weather forecasters and other domain experts, and will contribute to the greater educational and research environment at UAlbany where appropriate. This position may also propose and contribute to externally funded research endeavors, where those endeavors assist with the SWRCC mission. SWRCC appointments are for 10 months per year recurring annually, with the remaining two months being eligible to be filled via research-funded effort.

Primary Responsibilities during the SWRCC 10-month appointment only:

• Translate real-time weather risk information during critical events and Emergency Operation Center activations
• Hold consistent meetings and communicate with stakeholders at various state agencies such as DHSES, NYSDOT, and others
• Build and maintain relationships with core State agencies and authorities
• Conduct annual and ad-hoc assessments with all partners on their current weather risk communication needs using rigorous social science methods
• Translate risk communication/weather briefings from physical scientists to end-users
• Work with SWRCC staff to identify ideal color palettes for products and SWRCC websites, ideal product and text placements on SWRCC websites, and ideal word choices on briefing materials for maximum interpretability by SWRCC stakeholders
• Conduct operations-focused research using yearly assessments and stakeholder needs, and present findings at annual research and operational conferences
• Contribute to the teaching of microcredentials operated by the SWRCC
• On rare occasions, contribute to real-time weather briefing products during times of highly impactful weather
• Seek external funding - in partnership with SWRCC staff, UAlbany researchers, and/or state partners - to conduct and translate cutting-edge social science research in weather risk communication and other disciplines to improve information sharing with partners and the public

During optional two months of research-funded time, the scientist will work either independently or with other scientists at or beyond UAlbany on externally funded projects. These projects may or may not directly contribute to the Risk Communication Scientist's 10 month appointment foci, and the SWRCC director may not direct them
to contribute to their 10 month appointment foci without additional extra effort compensation. The SWRCC director may assist the Risk Communication Scientist in procuring additional research funding when qualified to do so.

Functional and Supervisory Relationships:

• This position will report to the director at the SWRCC.

Requirements:

Minimum Qualifications:

• MS degree (or PhD) in meteorology, atmospheric science, disaster science, emergency management, risk communication, or a substantially similar field
• Ability to apply risk communication theories to practice
• Experience developing, conducting, and analyzing data from qualitative research including interviews, focus groups, and content analysis
• Experience developing, conducting, and analyzing data from quantitative methods including surveys
• Familiarity with emergency management concepts and theories
• Ability to work with stakeholders from different state agencies
• Familiarity with the National Incident Management System and the Incident Command System
• Foundational background in atmospheric science including operational meteorology
• Ability to conduct quantitative risk assessments to meet partner needs
• Basic knowledge of National Weather Service products and weather forecasting principles
• Excellent written and oral communication skills
• Good teamworking ability
• Able to work competently on independent projects without significant supervision
• Applicants must demonstrate an ability to develop inclusive and equitable relationships within our diverse campus community
• Applicants must demonstrate an ability to support diversity, equity, access, inclusion, and belonging relative to their role

Preferred Qualifications:

• PhD preferred
• Teaching experience
• Basic programming experience (Python, etc) and/or basic web development experience
• Have completed National Incident Management System courses offered by FEMA
• Experience contributing to (or leading) proposals leading to externally funded research endeavors

Working Environment:

• A typical individual office with standard M-F work hours.
• Rare but occasional weekend or evening work when working in coordination with a state partner on this position's responsibilities during the 10 month SWRCC appointment.

Additional Information:

Professional Rank and Salary Range: Research Assistant, R3, $65,000

The Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act, or Clery Act, mandates that all Title IV institutions, without exception, prepare, publish, and distribute an Annual Security Report. This report consists of two basic parts: disclosure of the University's crime statistics for the past three years; and disclosures regarding the University's current campus security policies. The University at Albany's Annual Security Report is available in portable document format [PDF] by clicking this link http://police.albany.edu/ASR.shtml

Pursuant to NYS Labor Law 194-A, no State entity, as defined by the Law, is permitted to rely on, orally or in writing seek, request, or require in any form, that an applicant for employment provide his or her current wage, or salary history as a condition to be interviewed, or as a condition of continuing to be considered for an offer of employment, until such time as the applicant is extended a conditional offer of employment with compensation, and for the purpose of verifying information, may such requests be made. If such information has been requested from you before such time, please contact the Governor's Office of Employee Relations at (518) 474-6988 or via email at info@goer.ny.gov .

THE UNIVERSITY AT ALBANY IS AN EO/AA/IRCA/ADA EMPLOYER

Please apply online via http://albany.interviewexchange.com/candapply.jsp?JOBID=180 822


Application Instructions:

Applicants MUST submit the following documents:

• Resume/CV
• Cover letter stating all the required minimum qualifications and any of the applicable preferred qualifications
• Contact information for three professional references

Note: After submitting your resume/CV, the subsequent pages give you instructions for uploading additional documents (i.e. cover letter etc.).

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A review of applications will start on September 20, 2024 and the search will remain open until the position is filled.