Departmental Assistant - Seafood Economics

About UMass Amherst

UMass Amherst, the Commonwealth's flagship campus, is a nationally ranked public research university offering a full range of undergraduate, graduate and professional degrees. The University sits on nearly 1,450-acres in the scenic Pioneer Valley of Western Massachusetts and offers a rich cultural environment in a bucolic setting close to major urban centers. In addition, the University is part of the Five Colleges (including Amherst College, Hampshire College, Mount Holyoke College, and Smith College), which adds to the intellectual energy of the region.

Job Summary

Department Assistant position at the University of Massachusetts Amherst performing research as part of a single or multi-disciplinary research project. Opportunity to work on a collaborative seafood project focused on delineating a feasibility study for distribution of local seafood to underserved communities.

Essential Functions

• Assist with data collection and financial analysis that would determine the feasibility of moving local seafood products into local food banks and retail marketplace.
• Assist the project team in research to expand opportunities to highlight sustainable fishery practices from seafood-dependent communities, supporting the seafood industry in MA.
• Examine the cost and benefits, and all elements of expense and revenue to enter into the retail space, how local markets, fish markets, and restaurants might be engaged, and create a sense of how we might proceed with what amounts to a community-based proof of concept study for distribution of underutilized seafood products to local communities.

Other Functions

• Work collaboratively and effectively to promote teamwork, diversity, equality and inclusiveness.
• Work in partnership with colleagues within the CNS community and across the campus to support the Dean's strategic priorities.
• Perform other duties as assigned in support of the mission and goals of the College of Natural Sciences.

Minimum Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, Education, Experience, Certifications, Licensure)

• Associate's degree with two (2) years of related experience. A Bachelor's degree in a related field may substitute for the required experience.
• Demonstrated eagerness to learn lab, fieldwork and research methods, and ability to work well on a team and independently in challenging physical conditions and sometimes stressful scenarios.
• Strong ability to be adaptable, communicative, cooperative, and detail oriented.
• Strong communication skills.
• Ability to acquire knowledge of research methods and use them appropriately.
• Ability to multitask, work under pressure, and work effectively in both independent and team-based environments.
• Excellent time management skills.

Preferred Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, Education, Experience, Certifications, Licensure)

• Prior research experience, market analysis and financial feasibility planning are desired.
• Bachelor's degree in a field related to the research performed.
• Demonstrated experience for strategic and business planning is desired.
• Ability to perform economic analysis of available markets is desired.

Physical Demands/Working Conditions

• The research project may require work in typical office environments and working remotely from home or other location.

Work Schedule

• Variable Schedule: Monday - Friday, as needed.
• This is a temporary, non-benefited position.

Salary Information

• $17.00 - $25.00 per hour.

Special Instructions to Applicants

Along with the application, please submit a resume, a cover letter, including the name and contact information (name, affiliation, e-mail address, phone number) for one faculty advisor for recommendation.

Please contact Dr. Jynessa Dutka-Gianelli (jgianelli@umass.edu), Gloucester Marine Station, UMass Amherst, Dept. of Environmental Conservation with any questions or for further information.

At UMass Amherst and in CNS, we strive to be a community where every individual feels a sense of belonging, where every individual is included, and where every individual is valued. You can find these values and goals here (https://www.umass.edu/strategicplan/strategic-plan).

UMass Amherst is committed to a policy of equal opportunity without regard to race, color, religion, caste, creed, sex, age, marital status, national origin, disability, political belief or affiliation, pregnancy and pregnancy-related condition(s), veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, genetic information, natural and protective hairstyle and any other class of individuals protected from discrimination in employment, admission to and participation in academic programs, activities, and services, and the selection of vendors who provide services or products to the University. To fulfill that policy, UMass Amherst is further committed to a program of affirmative action to eliminate or mitigate artificial barriers and to increase opportunities for the recruitment and advancement of qualified minorities, women, persons with disabilities, and covered veterans. It is the policy of UMass Amherst to comply with the applicable federal and state statutes, rules, and regulations concerning equal opportunity and affirmative action.