Academic Program Coordinator I
Full Time / On-Site (La Jolla, CA; potential for hybrid work)

All applicants must meet the following requirements to be considered for this position:

• Shall be a US Citizen
• Shall successfully pass a government background check (to obtain a Dept. of Commerce Public Trust security clearance)
• Shall successfully pass a pre-employment drug screen

Overview
Montech Inc. is currently recruiting for an Academic Program Coordinator I in support of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), Southwest Fisheries Science Center (SWFSC) Director's Office. This office provides overall leadership, coordination, and communication for the Center's science programs. Additionally, the Director's Office works to strengthen existing SWFSC academic programs and develop new programs to provide educational experiences and training to students who are preparing to conduct the types of research critical to the NOAA mission. The programs help NOAA and SWFSC recruit a workforce that is skilled, talented, and as diverse as the nation we serve.

Place of Performance
Work shall be conducted at a SWFSC Facility located at 8901 La Jolla Shores Dr, La Jolla, CA 92037 and/or via remote offsite location pre-approved by the Contracting Officer Representative (COR) and Project Lead.

Hours of Operation
SWFSC Facility access is from 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, unless prior approval is received.

Summary of Responsibilities
The role of the Academic Program Coordinator I (Coordinator) in the SWFSC Director's Office is to strengthen existing programs and to develop new programs throughout the Southwest Fisheries Science Center. These academic programs provide educational experiences and training to students who are preparing to conduct the types of research and management tasks critical to NOAA's mission. The programs help NOAA and SWFSC recruit a workforce that is skilled, talented, and as diverse as the nation we serve. The Coordinator shall also work on educational programs for the general public and for younger students, promoting scientific literacy and supporting SWFSC's stewardship effort. The Coordinator will support SWFSC efforts in recruitment, retention, and inclusion. The Coordinator shall help assess existing programs, help develop tools for evaluating academic and educational programs, facilitate efforts to improve curriculum and materials, and establish a system for tracking participants. The position will assist with maintaining and strengthening existing partnerships and networks by serving on committees and working groups within NOAA and with partners outside NOAA. The position shall maintain and help expand communications efforts relative to academic programs and recruitment, including social media.

The duties include the following:

• Assist or lead the coordination of student programs, notably the Inclusive NOAA Fisheries Internship Program (IN FISH), hosted by or at SWFSC facilities. Coordination includes helping to recruit and select participants, helping plan program activities, having the lead on organizing events, and interacting with and mentoring students on a day-to-day basis.
• Support the NOAA IN FISH Internship Program, coordinating SWFSC efforts with other NMFS Centers and Regions, and with partner institutions to assure program meets transportation, housing, food, educational, and mentoring needs of interns at various sites around the country.
• Support communications with interns, mentors, faculty, and other institutional partners participating in undergraduate internship programs.
• Visit campuses and student organizations (virtually and in-person) to recruit internship applications and build and strengthen relationships with students and faculty, especially faculty at Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs) including Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs), Tribal Colleges & Universities (TCUs), and Historically Black Colleges & Universities (HBCUs).
• Establish a system for tracking graduates of IN FISH and other SWFSC academic programs; locating participants from previous years and setting up a system for continuing to gather data from previous and future participants.
• Establish and maintain an internship program alumni association and/or network.
• Work with education professionals within NOAA and partner institutions to identify tools for monitoring and evaluating programs; particular emphasis on identifying different evaluation tools for different types of programs.
• Assist the DO in developing a system for reviewing existing programs throughout the Center. Identify ways existing programs can be improved and advise on any new programs to be established. Tasks may involve travel to SWFSC laboratories to observe and strengthen existing programs and assist in setting up new programs.
• Assist with the development of a system to effectively gather and report SWFSC academic program metrics in response to data calls.
• Assist in recruiting students for SWFSC academic programs. Recruitment may involve travel for campus visits and participation in professional meetings and conferences.
• Represent the DO and SWFSC on internal NOAA and external committees with missions and goals that align with SWFSC academic program goals.
• Work with SWFSC Communications staff on maintaining an updated, efficient SWFSC internship website and other social media – writing, editing, posting, and gathering new materials and assisting with design.
• Some travel shall be required, which may involve driving a government or rental vehicle.

Deliverable

• Monthly progress reports include, but not limited to the following: accomplishments, issues encountered, travel (including purpose, significant outcomes, action items), and recommendations if applicable.

Qualifications
The Academic Program Coordinator I shall have a bachelor’s degree with at least one (1) year experience in education and/or program coordination and support. In addition, the Coordinator will have:

• Background in science that includes undergraduate major or minor (or significant coursework) in natural or social sciences and/or research experience in a natural or social science, and/or previous successful experience administering a science-based program.
• Demonstrated leadership working with and/or engaging students including high school and undergraduates, and from communities underrepresented in STEM. Experience should include day-to-day engagement and/or supervision of diverse groups of students and/or communities, and teaching and/or mentoring relationships with individual students.
• Experience in program administration and demonstrated ability to make program decisions independently and demonstrated ability to determine when program decisions should be shared and/or approved (Level II).
• Success working with education professionals in academic and research environments on issues of program evaluation, barrier analyses, curriculum development, recruitment, and diversity and inclusion.
• Experience with social media and creative engagement using social media to communicate with students and communities, particularly underserved communities and/or students underrepresented in STEM.
• Proficiency in using MS Word, MS Excel, MS Power Point.
• A valid driver’s license.

Security
The Academic Program Coordinator I shall be a U.S. citizen, successfully pass a government background check (to obtain a Public Trust security clearance), and successfully pass a pre-employment drug screening.

Rules, regulations, directives, and requirements that are issued by the Department of Commerce and NOAA under its responsibility for good order, administration, and security are applicable to all personnel who enter the Government installation and facilities.

Professionalism, Responsiveness, and Quality
The Academic Program Coordinator I must demonstrate the following abilities: Sound judgment, foresight, and problem solving skills, possess excellent oral and written communications, and customer service skills, able to adapt to fast-paced work/office environment with accuracy under pressure, demonstrated competency managing schedules, documentation, and automated systems, demonstrate leadership, excellent research and data gathering skills and ability to interpret/analyze complex information, ability to work independently within the bounds and guidelines of the contract requirements and client, knowledge of and experience using the Microsoft Office Suite, and the ability to work and communicate with diverse group of customers and clients within and outside the Federal Government. All personnel are required to maintain a clean and neat appearance and shall not wear dirty or wrinkled clothing. The goal is to present a positive image to the public.

The Academic Program Coordinator I must always present a professional demeanor while on site. The Academic Program Coordinator I shall treat all persons with courtesy and respect; striving to earn positive feedback from customers.

Any notification from the Government to Montech notifying that the employee has compromised the security requirements will warrant immediate termination from employment on the contract.

Equal Opportunity Employer
Montech Inc. is dedicated to the principles of equal employment opportunity (EEO) in any term, condition, or privilege of employment. The Company prohibits unlawful discrimination against applicants or employees on the basis of age (40 and over), race, color, religion, national origin, disability, genetic information, sexual identity, sexual orientation, pregnancy, veteran status, marital status, or any other status protected by federal, state or local laws.

This job description is not all inclusive of tasks that may be assigned to the Academic Program Coordinator I.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $20.00 - $25.00 per hour

Expected hours: 80 per week

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift
• Monday to Friday

Education:

• Bachelor's (Required)

Experience:

• Education/Program Coordination: 1 year (Required)
• Natural Social Science: 1 year (Required)
• Research: 1 year (Required)
• Leadership: 1 year (Required)
• Social Media Management: 1 year (Required)
• Presentation skills: 1 year (Required)

Ability to Commute:

• La Jolla, CA 92037 (Required)

Ability to Relocate:

• La Jolla, CA 92037: Relocate before starting work (Required)

Work Location: In person