AERC Field Lead Environmental Research Specialist

The Applied Environmental Research Center (AERC), a unit within the Office of Research at the University of Alaska Anchorage, is currently hiring for multiple remote positions based at Bellows Airforce Station in Oahu, Hawaii. The AERC serves as a platform for high-level environmental consultancy between industry and the University of Alaska (UA), acting as a bridge to resources, expertise, and talent across the entire UA system. The center offers research and technical assistance, high-level professional education, and youth entrepreneurship programming. Through its work, the AERC not only connects UA research programs but also supports and enhances environmental capacities across Alaska.

As the AERC Field Lead, you will manage cross-functional operational and research teams to execute complex, client-driven environmental and natural resource projects, primarily at Bellows Air Force Station. You will coordinate closely with university faculty, principal investigators, federal and state partners, contractors, and funding agencies, serving as a liaison to ensure seamless communication, regulatory compliance, and project alignment. You will assist in the design and implementation of research plans, supervise data collection and analysis—including ArcGIS, GPS, field logs, and large datasets—prepare reports and presentations, and manage logistical support for travel, procurement, and meetings. You will develop procedures to anticipate client needs, monitor project progress through internal reporting systems, and evaluate effectiveness through cost-benefit and staff efficiency analyses. Additionally, you support proposal development, budgeting, sub-award contracts, and funding acquisition, while fostering collaborative opportunities such as student involvement and research internships, ensuring all projects comply with federal, state, and University regulations.

To thrive in this role, candidates should have experience in project and team leadership, with the ability to manage multiple priorities under tight deadlines. Strong organizational and analytical skills are essential for coordinating complex, client-driven projects, overseeing data collection and quality control, and producing high-quality research deliverables. The role requires working effectively with faculty, staff, executives, contractors, and funding agencies, as well as expertise in developing work plans, monitoring project progress, and ensuring compliance with federal, state, and university regulations. Proficiency in written communication, Microsoft Office, GIS tools, and other data management applications is essential. Familiarity with higher education environments, research project coordination, environmental or natural resource data collection, and logistical planning is highly desirable. Candidates should also have experience supporting proposal development, budget management, and stakeholder engagement to advance research initiatives and secure funding. Additionally, excellent problem-solving abilities, judgment, tact, and discretion in handling sensitive matters are invaluable.

Minimum Qualifications:

A Bachelor’s Degree in environmental science, biology, resource management or related field and one year relevant research experience or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.

Preferred: Experience with project management, Lean Six Sigma Green Belt, and ESRI ArcGIS certifications, including cartography, Geo Apps, and spatial analysis. Experience leading and developing projects for the Department of Defense and other federal entities, as well as knowledge of military culture, military families, or prior military service. Experience with Bellows AFS, dune and coastal restoration, permitting, and tree felling is preferred. Strong knowledge of federal contract compliance, project performance management, and civilian DoD contracting regulations and policies is also preferred.

Position Details:

This position is located on Bellows Airforce Station, Oahu, Hawaii. This is a term-funded, full-time, exempt staff position complete with both a competitive salary and full employee benefits package. UA provides a generous compensation package that includes retirement options, annual leave, 12 paid holidays per year, tuition waivers for employees and family members, and affordable medical, dental and vision care coverage. New hires will be placed on the UA Staff Salary Schedule, Grade 79, based on education and experience.

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until a successful candidate is identified. Review of application materials will begin immediately. Search and selection procedures will be closed when a sufficient and viable number of qualified candidates have been identified.

A valid driver's license and clean driving record in compliance with UA Safe Driving Criteria will be required.

This position is located on Oahu, Hawaii; relocation assistance may be provided. 

The University of Alaska (UA) reserves the right to require employees to work on-site at the UA facilities. Hybrid and remote work may be approved for employees based in Alaska at the University's discretion. Remote work for employees based outside the State of Alaska may be approved only in exceptional circumstances or when required by the position's job duties.

📃To view the full list of job responsibilities, please click HERE.

☎️If you have any questions regarding this position, please contact Jeffrey Libby at jllibby@alaska.edu.

*To be eligible for this position, applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States without restriction.  Applicants who now or may in the future require visa sponsorship to work in the United States are not eligible.

The University of Alaska (UA) is responsible for providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities throughout the applicant screening process. If you need assistance in completing this application or during any phase of the interview process, please contact UA Human Resources by phone at 907-450-8200.

The University of Alaska (www.alaska.edu) is an Equal Opportunity/Equal Access Employer and Educational Institution.  The University is committed to a policy of non-discrimination (www.alaska.edu/nondiscrimination) against individuals on the basis of any legally protected status.

The successful applicant is required to complete a background check. Any offer of employment is contingent on the background check.

Your application for employment with the University of Alaska is subject to public disclosure under the Alaska Public Records Act.

All employees at the University of Alaska are expected to uphold the highest standards of ethics and professionalism when conducting or engaged in university business.

*Each university within the University of Alaska system publishes an Annual Security and Fire Safety Report which contains information regarding campus safety and security including topics such as: campus law enforcement authority; crime reporting policies; campus alerts (Timely Warnings and Emergency Notifications); fire safety policies and procedures; programs to prevent dating violence, domestic violence, sexual assault and stalking; the procedures the University will follow when one of these crimes is reported; and other matters of importance related to security on campus. The report also contains information about crime statistics for the three most recent calendar years concerning reported crimes that occurred on campus; in On-Campus Student Housing Facilities; in Noncampus buildings or property owned or controlled by the University or a recognized student organization; and on public property within, or immediately adjacent to and accessible from, the campus.  The report also contains fire statistics for any fires occurring in an On-Campus Student Housing Facility during the three most recent calendar years.  

Access to the reports is available at:

UAA: (Addresses Anchorage campus, Aviation Technology Complex, JBER - Elmendorf Extension, JBER - Richardson Extension, Kenai Peninsula College - Kachemak Bay campus, Kenai Peninsula College - Kenai River campus, Kodiak College, Kodiak High School Extension, Matanuska-Susitna College, Prince William Sound College, and Prince William Sound College - Cordova Extension) Online: https://www.uaa.alaska.edu/students/safety. Request a paper copy in person: UAA Police Department Office at Room 114 of Eugene Short Hall on the Anchorage campus / UAA Dean of Students Office at Room 122 of Rasmuson Hall on the Anchorage campus. Request a paper copy by mail: 907-786-1120 or police@uaa.alaska.edu / 907-786-1214 or uaa_deanofstudents@alaska.edu. 

UAF: (Addresses Fairbanks Campus, Bristol Bay Campus, Chukchi Campus, Community and Technical College, Kasitsna Bay Campus, Seward Marine Center, Tok Campus, Kuskokwim Campus, and Northwest Campus) Online: https://www.uaf.edu/orca/files/ASFSR.pdf. Request a paper copy in person: UAF Office of Rights, Compliance and Accountability on the 3rd Floor of Constitution Hall. Request a paper copy by mail: 907-474-7300 or uaf-orca@alaska.edu.

UAS: (Addresses the Juneau Auke Bay Campus, Juneau Technical Education Center, Sitka Campus, & Ketchikan Campus) Online: https://uas.alaska.edu/equity-and-compliance/docs/clery/UAS_ASFSR.pdf. Request a paper copy in person: Hendrickson Building, Suite 202 on the Juneau campus. Request a paper copy by mail: 907-796-6371 or emailing uas.clery@alaska.edu.