THE UNIVERSITY OF RHODE ISLAND                   Class Code:….0800AG

Position Description 

position is limited to 6 months, with extension contingent on funding.

TITLE: Research Assistant II (Composting and Recycling)

DIVISION: Academic Affairs (CELS: Outreach Center)

REPORTS TO: Director, Cooperative Extension Education Center

GRADE: 3

SUPERVISES: Volunteers, student interns, and other staff as directed

BASIC FUNCTION:

Assist in research of small-scale composting technologies suitable for use on individual house lots. Under the Director, research, develop, plan and implement organic waste management programs, including training programs for volunteers, municipalities and the private sector. Assist the Director and other staff in planning and implementing special events for the College of the Environment and Life Sciences to showcase college research and extension activities.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Assist in research of small-scale composting technologies suitable for use on individual home lots.

Assist in developing and refining composting training curricula for the general public, municipalities and the private sector.

Develop and maintain a database to track composting activities conducted by individuals and by communities, and evaluate performance of programs.

Investigate organic waste management composting technologies.

Validate, collect and report data and performance metrics needed to gauge consumer acceptance of composting, and track adoption of composting technologies.

Assess the suitability of composting technologies for Rhode Island, including on-campus composting and composting on farms, nurseries or municipal sites.

Assist in developing and implementing other educational programs, including municipal compost/recycling workshops and other technical training programs.

Assist the Director in developing grant proposals to support research/extension programs.

Coordinate with regional, national and international groups on compost, recycling and other environmental topics.

OTHER DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Assist the Director and staff at the CELS Outreach Center in planning and implementing special events to raise community awareness of CELS research/Extension activities.

Disseminate information on a range of environmental topics.

Perform additional duties as required.

LICENSES, TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT:

Personal computers, printers; word processing, database management and spreadsheet software, preferably Microsoft Word 6.0, PageMaker 5.0 and Excel.

ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS:

This position is not substantially exposed to adverse environmental conditions.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Required: Bachelor's degree in environmental or animal sciences or a related field; two years of experience working in environmental and science programs which include some element of compost training; strong interpersonal skills and the ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing; computer skills, including experience with word processing, database management and spreadsheet software; ability to organize, coordinate and supervise students and others as required. Preferred: Experience with Microsoft Word 6.0, PageMaker 5.0 and Excel..

TO APPLY:

Submit (no emails or faxes, please) a resume and cover letter postmarked by 06-20-08 to:

Salary Range: $26,729-$33,517
Marion S. Gold, Search Chair
Requisition # 12156
University of Rhode Island
PO Box G
Kingston, RI 02881

An Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer

ALL REQUIREMENTS ARE SUBJECT TO POSSIBLE MODIFICATION TO REASONABLY ACCOMMODATE INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES.