Research Associate I (Onsite Wastewater Resource Center) (OWRC)

Posting Number SF02080

Job Title Research Associate I (Onsite Wastewater Resource Center) (OWRC)

Position Number 109987

FTE 1.00

FLSA Exempt

Position Type Professional Staff

Union PSA/NEA – Professional Staff Assoc

Pay Grade Level Grade Level: 7

Pay Grade Range Anticipated Hiring Salary = $47,768 to $59,329

Status Calendar Year, Full-time, Limited

Department Natural Resources Science

Contact(s)

Please note: Job applications must be submitted directly online only at: (https://jobs.uri.edu)

Contact Phone/Extension

Contact Email

Physical Demands

Campus Location Kingston

Grant Funded No

Extension Contingency Notes

This is a full time, calendar year position limited to June 27, 2026 with anticipated renewal.

Job Description Summary

The search will remain open until the position has been filled. First consideration will be given to applications received by November 14, 2025. Applications received after November 14, 2025 may be reviewed depending on search progress and needs but are not guaranteed full consideration.

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About URI:

The University of Rhode Island enrolls approximately 17,000 students across its graduate and undergraduate programs and is the State’s flagship public research university, as well as the land grant and sea grant university, for the state of Rhode Island. The main campus is located in the historic village of Kingston, and the Bay Campus is located in Narragansett. Both campuses are near major beaches in a beautiful coastal community. URI is just 30 minutes from Providence, RI and within easy reach of Newport, Boston, and New York City.

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Please Note: A hybrid work schedule is possible after six months.

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POSITION SUMMARY:

The Program Coordinator will support the mission of the Onsite Wastewater Resource Center (OWRC) and the New England Onsite Wastewater Training Program (NEOWTP) by coordinating and delivering technical and public programming related to Onsite Wastewater Treatment Systems (OWTS, i.e., septic systems). Working closely with the Director, the Coordinator will assist with workshop logistics, stakeholder engagement, student supervision, and co-coordinate collaborative water quality initiatives across the Water Quality Cooperative Extension Group.

Duties and Responsibilities

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Program Coordination & Delivery

• Co-develop and co-deliver technical and public programming related to OWTS, water quality, and watershed protection for diverse audiences including wastewater professionals, inspectors, regulators, homeowners, realtors, and students.
• Lead planning and logistics for OWRC and other Water Quality program public-facing events, including scheduling, advertising, stakeholder coordination, and material development.
• Support development of online self-paced coursework based on existing live courses and/or education or training materials.

Workshop & Training Support

• Manage NEOWTP workshop logistics including course schedules, online registration platforms, payment records, deposits, class materials, catering, transportation logistics, attendance documentation, and certificate issuance.
• Coordinate with external instructors and follow university protocols for speaker payments and workshop arrangements.
• Maintain and manage the NEOWTP online registration platform (Cvent and Course Merchant), including site development and maintenance, technical support, and fee dispute resolution.
• Serve as the initial point of contact for OWRC and NEOWTP inquiries.

Professional & Regulatory Engagement

• Provide direct assistance to wastewater professionals seeking licensing support, with familiarity in RI, MA, NY, VT, and NH regulatory requirements.
• Coordinate with state regulatory agencies to obtain approvals for new NEOWTP programming and ensure accurate dissemination of registration information.
• Maintain NEOWTP professional registries and ensure updates are reflected on relevant industry websites.

Communications & Outreach

• Maintain and update the OWRC and related water quality programming website (WordPress) as needed or assigned, support development of new content for professionals and the public.
• Co-develop informational materials such as factsheets, presentations, and web content to support community engagement and educational events around water quality protection, in collaboration with OWRC and other Water Quality program staff.

Administrative & Student Support

• Maintain administrative records and systems documentation for OWRC and NEOWTP.
• Support coordination of programmatic initiatives, grant-funded activities, grant applications and other cross-program activities with other Water Quality programs and staff.
• Provide support and supervision to undergraduate and graduate students, interns, and volunteers working on OWRC projects and public programming.

OTHER DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Support Program Director in collecting program evaluation data and analyzing it for program assessment.

Support Director in Grant administration/reporting activities.

Support reporting and publication efforts as needed.

Explore grant opportunities to support programming updates and/or novel programming to meet community needs and draft applications for appropriate grants.

Explore, develop, support and/or implement special projects to support the OWRC’s mission as time, interest, and funding permit.

Perform other duties as assigned.

LICENSES, TOOLS, AND EQUIPMENT:

Personal computers, printers and word processing, database management and spreadsheet software. MS Office Suite (Teams. Word, Excel) and Adobe PDF software. Must provide own transportation. Willingness to travel within the State of Rhode Island.

Required Qualifications

REQUIRED:

1. Bachelor’s degree in environmental science, environmental engineering, science communication, education, business administration, or related field.

2. Minimum of three years of professional experience in an office setting.

3. Minimum of one year of experience working and performing administrative duties, program coordination, science-based communication and/or technical training or Cooperative Extension work.

4. Strong interpersonal and verbal communication skills.

5. Proficiency in written communication and computer skills (Microsoft Office; Web editing).

6. Experience or willingness to learn inclusive teaching and science communication practices related to technical environmental science, engineering, and/or technology fields.

7. Knowledge of or willingness to learn technical and regulatory aspects of onsite wastewater treatment systems in the New England and northeastern U.S. region (i.e., to provide technical assistance to households, housing industry-related professionals, regulators, and professionals in the onsite wastewater treatment industry).

8. Willingness to travel within the State of Rhode Island.

9. Ability to work with diverse groups/populations.

10. Must provide own transportation.

Preferred Qualifications

PREFERRED:

• Master’s degree in environmental science, environmental engineering, science communication, education, business administration, or related field.
• Supervisory experience.
• Experience writing and/or administering grants.
• Professional experience managing logistics for workshops, projects, office administration, or similar.

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URI is unwavering in its commitment to equal opportunity, community, equity, and diversity. In furtherance of its mission to serve and support all learners as the state’s public flagship university, URI continues to expand efforts to recruit and retain a broadly representative workforce as well as to regularly evaluate the effectiveness of those efforts.

All employment decisions, including hiring, are made without regard to protected status. Qualified individuals with disabilities may request a reasonable accommodation by contacting the URI benefits office at 401-874-2416. For TTY assistance, contact R.I. Relay Services at 711.

Environmental Conditions

This position is not substantially exposed to adverse environmental conditions.

Posting Date 10/24/2025

Closing Date

Special Instructions to Applicants

Please attach the following 2 (PDF) documents to your online Employment Application:

(#1) Cover letter.

(#2) Resume.

Note: References will be upon request by the search committee.

Quicklink for Posting https://jobs.uri.edu/postings/15846

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