Public Service Assistant/ Coastal Tourism Specialist

Job Summary:

Marine Extension and Georgia Sea Grant program seeks a Coastal Tourism Specialist with a broad interest in tourism development and management who can help link conservation, culture and commerce to support sustainable tourism and outdoor recreation opportunities in coastal Georgia. This position will be responsible for developing, maintaining, and evaluating a comprehensive extension and applied research program that helps strengthen Georgia’s coastal tourism economy while promoting the sustained use of its natural and cultural resources and social well-being of the communities that depend on it. The position will engage a diverse group of stakeholders who have an impact on or are impacted by coastal tourism including, but not limited to destination marketing organizations, private businesses, tour operators, community and conservation organizations, academia, state and federal agencies, local officials and visitors. This is a full time, benefits eligible, non-tenured Public Service Faculty track position. This position is based in Brunswick, GA and will have a primary coastal focus with statewide responsibilities. Considerable local and regional travel along with some weekend and evening work will be required to ensure the most critical needs of the programmatic area are met.

This position is based in Brunswick, Georgia with travel to other locations as needed. Considerable local and regional in-state travel will be required to ensure the most critical needs of the programmatic area are met.

Responsibilities and Duties

·    Develop, implement and assess sustainable coastal tourism and outdoor recreation applied research programs, trainings, and outreach products independently and in collaboration with other Marine Extension and Georgia Sea Grant and UGA Public Service faculty, academic partners within and outside of UGA, external stakeholders and members of the tourism industry

·       Provide leadership among researchers and agency staff working in coastal tourism-related fields within Georgia and the region to share information and help to focus and coordinate research efforts

·        Actively build and maintain relationships, engage the community, and help residents and visitors create a mutually beneficial relationship through tourism planning, resource stewardship, and management

·       Facilitate information exchange and collaboration  between stakeholder groups to promote, diversify and/or strengthen nature-based/eco, cultural and heritage tourism efforts

·       Secure extramural funding through grants and/or contracts to support applied research and outreach programs that addresses stakeholder and industry needs

·        Represent Marine Extension and Georgia Sea Grant at community events, professional meetings, collaborative working groups and partnerships with other organizations in the field of tourism and outdoor recreation

Required Education/ Experience

·        Master’s degree in tourism, outdoor recreation, natural resources, or a related field at time of appointment

·       At least 3 years of professional experience in the areas of tourism, tourism development, or outdoor recreation management and development or related experience.

·       The successful candidate will be appointed at the rank of Public Service Assistant, Public Service Associate, or Senior Public Service Associate.
Rank on hire will depend on the candidate’s qualifications and experience, according to Public Service and Outreach Appointment and Promotion Guidelines found here: https://outreach.uga.edu/policies/appointment-and-promotion-guidelines/

Preferred Education and Experience

– Ph.D. in tourism, outdoor recreation, natural resources, or a related field at time of appointment
-At least 5 years of professional experience working in the tourism and hospitality sector
-Two years’ experience designing and delivering informal or formal educational programs in non-classroom environments
-Three years’ experience in community development, project management, communication, and/or sustainable tourism principles, and experience working with multiple and diverse stakeholders
-Expertise in applying for external resources to support applied research and outreach programming, including grants, fee-for-service, third party reimbursement, and other means
-A background bringing successful educational programs to underserved or marginalized communities

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

-Knowledge of sustainable tourism, tourism development and destination management principles, concepts and practices of economic development as applied to the development and promotion of tourism
-Familiarity of coastal and marine environments and issues, particular as it relates to boating, fishing, and seafood
-Ability to self-motivate, to work independently and as a member of a team, and to develop annual plans of work which include measurable outcomes
-Relevant skills applicable to educational and mass media outreach, public speaking, facilitation, technical writing, statistical analysis and computer use
-Strong ability to communicate both verbally and in writing, particularly as it pertains to interpreting/translating research-based technical information for the understanding and use by decision makers, practitioners, and the  public
-Strong ability to work in an interdisciplinary environment and to develop productive partnerships and collaborations with diverse stakeholders
-Demonstrated commitment to valuing diversity and contributing to an inclusive working and learning environment