Coastal Resilience & GIS Extension Specialist

The South Carolina Sea Grant Consortium (Consortium) is seeking a Coastal Resilience and GIS Extension Specialist to support the Consortium's Resilience Extension Program. The Specialist will work closely with coastal communities, local governments, nonprofit organizations, state and federal agencies, academic partners, and other stakeholders to strengthen resilience to flooding, coastal hazards, climate variability, and environmental change. The position combines extension programming, community engagement, technical assistance, applied geospatial analysis, and partnership development to help coastal decision-makers identify and implement science-based resilience solutions. The Specialist will facilitate resilience planning efforts, conduct and support geospatial analyses, develop decision-support tools and web-based applications, and help communities understand and address current and future coastal risks. The position will also serve as a key liaison between the Consortium and the South Carolina Office of Resilience (SCOR) while strengthening the Consortium's capacity to provide stakeholder-driven data products, technical assistance, and resilience resources. The Consortium is a state agency established to manage the Sea Grant College Program for South Carolina and is based in Charleston, South Carolina. Our purpose is to optimize the environmental, social, and economic potential of the coastal and marine resources of the state and region through the support and dissemination of high-quality research, extension, and education programming. Primary ResponsibilitiesCoastal Resilience Extension and Community Engagement

• Develop and lead extension programs that help coastal communities address resilience challenges related to flooding, coastal hazards, climate variability, and environmental change.
• Build and maintain partnerships with local governments, community organizations, state and federal agencies, academic institutions, and other stakeholders.
• Facilitate meetings, workshops, trainings, and stakeholder engagement activities that support resilience planning and decision-making.
• Provide technical assistance and science-based information to communities and decision-makers.
• Represent the Consortium at meetings, conferences, workshops, and outreach events throughout South Carolina and the region.

GIS, Data Analysis, and Decision Support

• Conduct geospatial analyses using environmental, socioeconomic, hazard, and infrastructure datasets to support resilience planning and coastal management.
• Develop and maintain maps, StoryMaps, dashboards, web applications, and other geospatial products that communicate resilience information and support informed decision-making.
• Support vulnerability assessments, resilience planning efforts, and applied research and extension projects through GIS analysis and data visualization.
• Strengthen the Consortium's geospatial capacity by providing technical support, training, and innovative decision-support tools.

Program Development, Partnerships, and Reporting

• Collaborate with Consortium staff, member institutions, and partner organizations to develop and implement resilience-focused projects and initiatives.

• Identify funding opportunities and contribute to the development and management of grant proposals and externally funded projects.

• Maintain program records and document outputs, outcomes, and impacts to support agency, state, and federal reporting requirements.

• Develop outreach materials, presentations, reports, and communications products that share program accomplishments and promote resilience best practices.

• Participate in strategic planning, program evaluation, and regional and national Sea Grant activities as appropriate.

• Bachelor's degree in geography, GIS, environmental science, marine science, natural resources, planning, environmental policy, public administration, coastal management, or a related field.

• Experience using GIS software such as ArcGIS Pro, ArcGIS Online, or similar geospatial technologies.

• Experience with geospatial data analysis, visualization, and map development.

• Experience with community engagement, outreach, extension, planning, or stakeholder-driven initiatives.

• Strong written and verbal communication skills.

• Strong organizational and project management skills.

• Ability to work independently and collaboratively as part of a team.

• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and other common workplace software.

• Valid driver's license.

• Master's degree in a relevant field.

• Two or more years of experience in coastal resilience, environmental planning, climate adaptation, hazard mitigation, GIS, extension, or community engagement.

• Experience working with coastal communities, local governments, nonprofit organizations, state or federal agencies, or university-based programs.

• Experience facilitating workshops, trainings, public meetings, or stakeholder engagement processes.

• Experience developing StoryMaps, dashboards, web-based mapping applications, or other geospatial communication tools.

• Experience with resilience planning, vulnerability assessments, flood-risk assessments, or adaptation planning.

• Experience with grant-funded projects and proposal development.

• Knowledge of South Carolina coastal issues and resilience challenges.

The SC Sea Grant Consortium offers an exceptional benefits package for full time (FTE) employees:

• Health, dental, vision, long-term disability, and life insurance for employees, spouse, and children. Click here for additional information.
• 15 days annual (vacation) leave per year
• 15 days sick leave per year
• 13 paid holidays
• Paid Parental Leave
• S.C. Deferred Compensation Program available (S.C. Deferred Compensation)
• Retirement benefit choices *• State Retirement Plan (SCRS)
• State Optional Retirement Program (State ORP)