Number of Vacancies: 1

Area of Consideration: Open to the Public

Position Status: Full-Time, Regular

Pay Plan, Series & Grade: DS0058/7

Salary Range: $55,488.16 - $68,340.50 ($26.67- $32.86 hourly)

Closing Date: Open Until Filled

Location:  4200 Connecticut Avenue NW Washington, DC 20008

Brief Description of Duties

The Project Specialist for Environment & Public Health reports to the Assistant Director of the Center for Sustainable Development & Resilience which is one of five land-grant Centers of the College of Agriculture, Urban Sustainability and Environmental Sciences (CAUSES) of the University of the District of Columbia (UDC). Consistent with the Landgrant mission of CAUSES, the Project Specialist has three primary responsibilities: community outreach, research, and teaching. This may include assessing community needs; developing and implementing an applied research agenda to address identified needs; designing, implementing and assessing programs to address identified needs; identifying and securing resources to build identified research and program goals; collaborating with community partners, incl. District and Federal agencies, schools, non-profit and private sector organizations to achieve identified goals and objectives. The incumbent must be a team player, work effectively and efficiently with diverse constituencies’ incl. populations from different cultural, religious, and ethnic backgrounds, maintain professional competencies and skills required for professional practice, and ensure alignment of research and programs with the strategic objectives of CAUSES and UDC. The Project Specialist is expected to be self-motivated, outcomes driven, work well under pressure of deadlines, and be familiar (or familiarize themselves) with the policies, procedures, and regulations of CAUSES, UDC, and program sponsors. Project Specialist will have supervisory responsibilities.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Develops, implements, and evaluates education programs, incl. workshops and certificates and materials addressing identified needs in sustainable development, urban forestry, and other urban environmental needs.
• Develops and implements and active program of research to address existing and emerging needs in environmental and public health issues.
• Teaches one academic course per semester or its equivalent in landgrant certificates in the field of environmental health and/or agroecology.
• Maintains and completes required reports, including plan of work, program outcomes and achievements, and other documentation needed to assess program and research effectiveness.
• Maintains productivity standards prioritizing tasks effectively and managing resources (time, materials, and staff) in an efficient and effective manner.
• Develops and maintains an awareness of community needs by involving organizations, professionals and community members in program- and research planning related to urban sustainability.
• Utilizes a variety of available delivery modes to implement and assess program and research objectives using evidence based results.
• Collects information and data on the impact of programs and research projects and reports and reviews outcomes and objectives with program sponsors, community partners, and other appropriate stakeholders.
• Maintains professional and leaderships competencies, and pursues opportunities for professional practice and leadership development.
• Demonstrates accountability for the proper use of protected data and other relevant information

• Works effectively and collaboratively with the Director, Assistant Director and program staff in the Center for Sustainable Development and other staff members in CAUSES and its land grant and academic programs.
• Serves as a resource for educators, community groups, and agencies in the District of Columbia and beyond.
• Monitors and evaluates neighborhood and District wide demographic trends for use in program and community development and research opportunities.
• Assists in identifying funding sources and actively pursues grant opportunities to meet program development and research interests.
• Participates in interagency meetings, task forces, and projects as needed.
• Performs other duties as assigned including special assignments related to nutrition, health and wellness related needs of the college and community.

Minimum Job Requirements

• The incumbent will hold a Master’s degree (PhD preferred) from an accredited college or university in Environmental Science, Environmental Health, Public Health, or Urban Sustainability related degree with commensurate professional experience.
• List specific licensure requirements if applicable
• A minimum of three years of experience in increasingly responsible position
• A proven commitment to continuous improvement and to proactive, outcomes oriented work

Information to Applicant

Collective Bargaining Unit (Union): This position is not part of the collective bargaining unit.  

Employment Benefits: Selectee will be eligible for health and life insurance, annual (vacation) and sick leave and will be covered under the University of the District of Columbia' s retirement plan (TIAA).

Equal Opportunity Employer: The District of Columbia Government is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified candidates will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, marital status, personal appearance, sexual orientation, family responsibilities, matriculation, physical handicap, or political affiliation.

Notice of Non-Discrimination: In accordance with the D.C. Human Rights Act of 1977, as amended, D.C. Official Code, Section 2-1401.01 et. seq., (Act) the University of the District of Columbia does not discriminate on the basis of actual or perceived actual race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, family responsibilities, matriculation, political affiliation, marital status, personal appearance, genetic information, familial status, source of income, status as a victim of an intrafamily offense, place of residence or business,  or status as a covered veteran, as provided for and to the extent required by District and Federal statutes and regulations. Sexual harassment is a form of sex discrimination which is also prohibited by the Act.  In addition, harassment based on any of the above protected categories is prohibited by the Act.  Discrimination in violation of the Act will not be tolerated.  Violators will be subject to disciplinary action.

Veterans Preference:  Applicants claiming veterans preference must submit official proof at the time of application.

Visa Sponsorship: At this time, the University of the District of Columbia does not provide sponsorship for visas (e.g. H-1B). This position is also ineligible for Optional Practical Training (OPT).

Residency Preference: The Residency Preference Amendment Act of 1988, D.C. Law 7-203, created a system in which provides that any applicant for employment in the Career or Educational Services who is a bona fide resident of the District of Columbia may claim a residency reference at the time of application. An applicant selected for an appointment based on District residency will be required to submit no less than eight (8) proofs of bona fide District residency. Bona fide District residency must be maintained from the date of appointment to the position for seven (7) consecutive years. Failure to maintain bona fide District residency for the (7) year period will result in forfeiture of employment.

Drug-Free Workplace: Pursuant to the requirements of the Drug-Free Workplace Act of 1988, the individual selected to fill this position will, as a condition of employment, be required to notify his/her immediate supervisor, in writing, not later than five (5) days after conviction of any criminal drug statute occurring in the workplace.

Background Investigation: Employment with the University of the District of Columbia is contingent upon a satisfactory background investigation.  The determination of a "satisfactory background investigation" is made at the sole discretion of the University of the District of Columbia.  The University may refuse to hire a finalist, rescind an offer of employment to a finalist or review and may terminate the employment of a current employee based on the results of a background investigation.

Disposition of Resume: Resumes received outside the area of consideration and/or after the closing date will not be given consideration. You must resubmit your resume to receive consideration for any subsequent advertised position vacancies. For the purpose of employment, resumes are not considered job applications. Therefore, if selected for employment a UDC application will be required.

Job Offers: Official Job Offers are made by the University of the District of Columbia, Office of Human Resources Only.

Contact Information:  All inquiries related to employment and job applications should be directed to UDC Office of Human Resources at (202) 274-5380.

The University of the District of Columbia is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action institution. Minorities, women, veterans and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply. For a full version of the University’s EO Policy Statement, please visit: http://www.udc.edu/equal opportunity/.