NOAA MARINE DEBRIS PROGRAM - CALIFORNIA SEA GRANT MARINE DEBRIS EXTENSION FELLOWSHIP

APPLY TO BE A CALIFORNIA SEA GRANT MARINE DEBRIS EXTENSION FELLOW

NOTE: Eligibility section was updated on 10/29/2024. 

Timeline Highlights
Overview
Project and Tasks
Eligibility
Stipend and Expenses
How to Submit an Application
Application Requirements
Evaluation Criteria
Timeline
Contact

TIMELINE HIGHLIGHTS

All times listed in Pacific Standard Time (PST)

• December 16, 2024, 5:00 PM: Fellowship applications due
• Mid to late January, 2025: Interviews
• Early March, 2025: Fellowship begins

OVERVIEW

Since 2018, California has made significant progress in addressing marine debris from source to sea through the California Ocean Litter Prevention Strategy (OLS). A partnership between the California Ocean Protection Council (OPC), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Marine Debris Program (MDP), and California Sea Grant, has overseen the implementation of the updated Strategy by bringing stakeholders together to collaboratively work toward six goals to address ocean litter in California: 1) source reduction; 2) changes in product design; 3) waste management and land-based interventions; 4) research; 5) behavior change; and 6) ocean-based debris prevention and clean-up.

The NOAA Office of Response and Restoration (OR&R) Marine Debris Program is the United States government’s lead for addressing the impacts of marine debris on our oceans, waterways, and Great Lakes. The NOAA Marine Debris Program works with organizations around the United States and globally to prevent marine debris from entering the environment, remove it from coastal areas, better understand the problem through research and shoreline monitoring, and respond to debris created by disasters. Learn more about the Marine Debris Program here. The NOAA Marine Debris Program has a California Regional Coordinator based in Oakland, CA who supports local marine debris initiatives through coordination across the state, guides implementation of the OLS, and identifies and addresses the needs of the marine debris community. 

California Sea Grant College Program (CASG) is a federally funded, university-affiliated organization that supports applied ocean and coastal science for all of California through research grants, fellowships, extension programming, and communications and outreach. CASG’s mission is to provide the information, tools, training, and relationships needed to help California conserve and sustainably prosper from our coastal and marine environment. 

The CASG Extension Program, situated within CASG, aims to extend knowledge from universities to California communities to better balance use and conservation of coastal & marine resources. Through building relationships and trust, Extension Specialists work with state and federal agencies, municipalities, nonprofit organizations, local businesses, and members of the California coastal community to identify emerging marine resource problems and opportunities, conduct applied scientific research, and share findings with stakeholder groups. CASG Extension Program has a Marine Debris Research Associate based in San Diego, CA who has the expertise and resources to work with, support, and connect the Marine Debris Extension Fellow to appropriate stakeholders.

pROGRAM DESCRIPTION

California Sea Grant and NOAA Marine Debris Program are soliciting applications for the NOAA Marine Debris Program - California Sea Grant Marine Debris Extension Fellow. The Marine Debris Extension Fellow will support the Marine Debris Program’s work in California and assist the Marine Debris Program and the California Ocean Protection Council (OPC) with the planning and implementation of the next iteration of the OLS. The Extension Fellow will be mentored by the Marine Debris Program’s California Regional Coordinator (80%) and the CASG Marine Debris Research Associate (20%). 

Growth in skills can be expected through workshop planning and facilitation, project management, coordination of multiple partners across various sectors, and exposure to both a small federal program mandated to lead the nation’s efforts to address marine debris and an applied research program that focuses on community engagement and co-production of knowledge to find solutions to coastal and ocean problems.

length and location of assignment

The length of the assignment is 24 months (non-renewable) beginning March 2025. The fellowship will be a full-time hybrid position located in either Oakland or San Diego, California. Some tasks will be self-guided, others will be performed in close coordination with Marine Debris Program staff. The NOAA Marine Debris Program is headquartered in Silver Spring, Maryland but supports a cross-regional team in 11 field offices. The Fellow has the opportunity to be located with a small, close-knit team based in a dynamic office in downtown Oakland shared with representatives from other parts of NOAA. Alternatively, the fellow has the opportunity to be located with the California Sea Grant team based in La Jolla, CA on the Scripps Institution of Oceanography campus at the University of California, San Diego. 

project and tasks

1. OLS Stakeholder Coordination 

A primary function of the Extension Fellow will be to assist with the close out of the current 2018-2024 OLS and the start of the new 2025 OLS planning, which includes assisting the NOAA Marine Debris Program and OPC with workshop planning and preparation (e.g. meeting logistics and compiling progress updates on OLS actions), workshop facilitation, and follow-up (e.g. developing an interim report on OLS progress and next steps). Additionally and depending upon the fellow’s interests and expertise, the fellow can support the Marine Debris Program and OPC in improving communication among the CA marine debris community such as surveys, focus groups, and other engagements that would provide substantial feedback. If timing allows, the Extension Fellow may work toward advancing one or more new OLS Action Items.

2. Expanding Equity

An important aspect of the Extension Fellowship is to strengthen the Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Justice, and Accessibility (DEIJA) focus of the next iteration of the OLS to increase the accessibility, equitability, and justice of litter pollution solutions in California. The fellowship will expand on previous work conducted by CASG to identify and engage with those who are missing from the OLS. The fellow will be responsible for ensuring findings from the Los Angeles City Needs Assessment were incorporated into the new iteration of the OLS. The fellow will also continue the OLS equitable funding opportunities initiative to identify how to better connect under-resourced communities to funding opportunities by maintaining the OLS Funding Repository. 

3. Addressing Other MDP and CASG Goals 

The NOAA Marine Debris Program will serve as the primary mentor for the Extension Fellow, with additional mentorship from CASG. Depending on the Extension Fellow's interests and expertise, they may engage in other efforts that advance the goals of both the Marine Debris Program and CASG. 

As an integrated member of the NOAA Marine Debris Program team, the Extension Fellow will have the flexibility to pursue achievements on multiple diverse projects. As time allows, the fellow will have the opportunity to work across the programs and regions of the NOAA Marine Debris Program, depending on their expertise and interests. Potential additional opportunities include:

• Support NOAA’s Marine Debris Monitoring and Assessment Project
• Contribute to the development of the Marine Debris Program's next strategic plan goals
• Lead regional outreach and education initiatives
• Provide support to projects in other regions as needed

Through this fellowship, the Extension Fellow will also become part of a dynamic team of CASG Extension Specialists who work with state and federal agencies, municipalities, nonprofit organizations, local businesses, and members of the California coastal community to identify emerging marine resource problems and opportunities, conduct applied scientific research, and share findings with stakeholder groups. The Extension team has the expertise and resources to work with, support, and connect the Extension Fellow to appropriate stakeholders based on project needs. Depending on their expertise and interests, the Extension Fellow could support CASG’s marine debris efforts through their marine debris-funded projects across the state including:

• Outreach to agricultural stakeholders on best management practices for reducing plastic leakage and end-of-life solutions for plasticulture
• Support the planning of a cross-border U.S./Mexico Marine Debris Leadership Coalition
• Pilot a community science urban street trash monitoring protocol and accompanying educational lesson plans

ELIGIBILITY

NOTE: Eligibility section was updated on 10/29/2024. 

Applications may be submitted by a graduate student close to completing their degree (Masters, Ph.D., or J.D) in a field in or related to materials science, environmental studies/science, human ecology, behavioral science, conservation, management, public policy, law of marine, coastal, and/or watershed environments, or equivalent at any accredited institution of higher education. 

Graduate students who recently completed their degree in a similar field stated above from any accredited institution of higher education with graduation date [i.e. the date the degree was awarded by the university] after May 1, 2023, are also eligible to apply. All degree requirements must be completed before starting the fellowship. Successful applicants must be able to pass a background check. 

Foreign national applicants must have a valid social security number and have the appropriate visa to work in the United States for the duration of the two year fellowship. California Sea Grant cannot provide support for visas (e.g., proof of employment, proof of being affiliated with an education program). Some limitations to duty stations may apply. 

Sea Grant and the NOAA Marine Debris Program are committed to increasing the diversity of the Sea Grant workforce and of the communities we serve. Sea Grant and the NOAA Marine Debris Program embrace individuals of all ages, races, ethnicities, national origins, gender identities, sexual orientations, disabilities, cultures, religions, marital statuses, job classifications, veteran status types, and income, and socioeconomic status types. Sea Grant and the NOAA Marine Debris Program are committed to building inclusive research, extension, communication, and education programs that serve people with unique backgrounds, circumstances, needs, perspectives, and ways of thinking.

stipend and expenses

The Fellow will receive $121,656 in total stipend to cover living expenses ($5,069/month) and health insurance premiums ($317/month) for the 24-month assignment for a monthly stipend of $5,386/month. Health insurance is mandatory for the full length of the fellowship award (24 months). Additional funds will be available to cover fellowship-related travel ($5,000/year).

HOW TO SUBMIT AN APPLICATION

The electronic files comprising your application must be submitted as PDFs using eSeaGrant, California Sea Grant’s online submission portal.

You will need to register for an account in eSeaGrant if you have not done so in the past year (click on the banner labeled “Register”). You can change the randomly generated password once you log in successfully to the website. To apply for this fellowship, follow the eSeaGrant instructions specific to this opportunity. Click on the eSeaGrant link for the NOAA Marine Debris Program - California Sea Grant Extension Fellowship, and select “Add Fellowship Application” to start the application process. 

Please make sure to include your last name in the file names for each uploaded section of the proposal (e.g., Smith_statement.pdf or Smith_cv.pdf). When naming the document please do not use apostrophes. Once submitted through the website, PDFs may not be edited. To change a PDF, it must be deleted and resubmitted. For electronic files larger than 6 MB, contact sgproposal@ucsd.edu to make other arrangements. Only Acrobat documents (pdf) are accepted.

For technical issues with submitting your application through eSeaGrant please contact sgproposal@ucsd.edu‬.

Application Deadline: 5:00 PM PST Monday, December 16th, 2024.

NOTE: the eSeaGrant proposal portal will automatically close at the date and time stated above, and late applications (even 1 minute late) cannot be accepted. We strongly encourage applicants to log into eSeaGrant well before the deadline and not wait to submit until the last day. eSeaGrant can experience delays during submission so please be aware. It is the applicant’s responsibility to get materials submitted before the deadline.

application requirements

*Personal information (birth dates, addresses, student ID numbers, social security numbers, etc.) should be redacted from all application materials before it is submitted through eSeaGrant.

A complete application must include:

1. Resume/curriculum vitae (not to exceed two pages using 12-point font).
2. A personal background and career goal statement that emphasizes the applicant's abilities and interest to pursue a career in a field related to environmental studies/science, materials science, human ecology, behavioral science, conservation, management, public policy, or law of marine, coastal, and/or watershed environments, or equivalent, how their background equips them to be successful in the project tasks of this fellowship, and describe the applicant's expectations of the career development experience (1,000 words or less). Specifically, the statement should address the following:
   • Why is the applicant interested in the NOAA Marine Debris Program - California Sea Grant Marine Debris Extension Fellowship? 
   • What experiences and transferable skills from their personal, professional, and academic backgrounds would they bring to the fellowship that will ensure the project tasks are carried out with success? 
   • What experiences does the applicant have with incorporating principles of diversity, equity, inclusion, justice, and/or accessibility into their personal, professional, or academic work? Or how do they envision incorporating these principles into their fellowship?
   • How does this fellowship support the applicant’s career pathway and what the applicant hopes to get out of the experience?
3. Two letters of professional recommendation, including one from the student's major professor. If no major professor exists, the faculty member who is most familiar with the applicant academically may be substituted. Letters should demonstrate knowledge of the student and their abilities, speak to the leadership potential, confidence, maturity, and self-direction of the student, provide evidence of the student's willingness and flexibility to tackle issues beyond their area of expertise and openness and capacity to expand experiences. Additionally, the letters should provide evidence of the student's ability to convey scientific knowledge in broader, non-scientific contexts.
   • To maintain confidentiality, letters of recommendation are submitted directly from the referee to California Sea Grant through eSeaGrant and must be submitted by the application deadline to be considered. If your letter writers encounter any issues in submitting letters via eSeaGrant, please ask them to contact us at sgproposal@ucsd.edu.
   • Letters should be addressed to Dr. Shauna Oh, Director of California Sea Grant. 
   • Late submissions may lead to the rejection of incomplete applications. Candidates are encouraged to work with referees to meet the deadline.
4. Copies of all undergraduate and graduate student transcripts. Unofficial copies will be accepted.
5.  Please use the eSeaGrant form to select your location preference for a hybrid schedule (San Diego, Oakland, or open to either). This can be changed and discussed further during the interview and hiring process if needed.

evaluation criteria

Selection of finalists is made by California Sea Grant and NOAA Marine Debris Program staff based upon review of written application materials and interviews (via Zoom and/or phone) of high-scoring applicants. Evaluation criteria for finalists include: 

Curriculum Vitae (20%): 

• The applicant demonstrates a diversity of academic, professional, or personal experiences (employment, volunteer, or extracurricular activities in academic, applied, research, administration, outreach, management, or policy positions) that are relevant and applicable to the Project & Tasks outlined for this Fellowship
• The education and experience (personal and professional) in the student’s area of expertise are appropriate to the career stage (e.g., listed publications, presentations, awards, training, certifications, etc.)
• The applicant’s experiences show prior leadership roles relevant to their career stage (e.g., student government, faculty committees, advisory committees, professional societies, community initiatives, etc.).

Personal Background and Career Development Statement (55%): 

• The applicant is specific, direct, and concise while discussing the skills they have cultivated throughout their academic and professional career. The applicant clearly links their background and experiences to the Project & Tasks outlined for this Fellowship and how the skill set demonstrated will provide a foundation for success. 
• The applicant demonstrates their ability to convey scientific knowledge in broader, non-scientific contexts, creative thinking, and analytical skills, and/or indicates their capacity and willingness to make connections between science and broader economic, social, and political issues. 
• The applicant demonstrates an interest in contributing to public programs or services (including but not limited to volunteering, leadership, extension, or education experiences. These do not have to be directly related to the mission of CASG or the NOAA Marine Debris Program.) 
• The applicant describes their experience with and interest in working with a variety of collaborators, community members, and/or interested partners, especially those from diverse backgrounds. 
• The applicant discusses what they would gain from the Extension Fellowship and how this opportunity may benefit their overall career path.

Letters of Recommendation (10%): 

• The letters demonstrate knowledge of the student and their abilities, speak to the leadership potential, confidence, maturity, and self-direction of the student, provide evidence of the student's willingness and flexibility to tackle issues beyond their area of expertise and openness and capacity to expand experiences. 

• Additionally, the letters provide evidence of the student's ability to convey scientific knowledge in broader, non-scientific contexts.

Academic Ability (10%): 

• The undergraduate and graduate transcripts demonstrate the applicant's ability in materials science, environmental studies/science, human ecology, behavioral science, conservation, management, public policy, law of marine, coastal, and/or watershed environments, or equivalent related coursework. 

Overall Application Cohesion (5%): 

• All aspects of the application materials (CV, Personal Background and Career Development Statement, Letters of Recommendation, Undergraduate and Graduate Transcripts) complement each other
• The student brings diverse perspectives to the program, and the application materials provide a clear picture of what the student would bring to and gain from the Extension Fellowship.

TimeLINE

All times listed in Pacific Standard Time (PST)

• December 16, 2024, 5:00 PM: Fellowship applications due
• December 19, 2024 - January 13, 2025: Screening of fellowship applications
• Mid to late January, 2025: Interviews
• Early February, 2025: Candidate notified
• Early March, 2025: Fellowship begins

CONTACT

For general questions about the Extension Fellowship, please contact:
Christy Kehoe, California Regional Coordinator, NOAA Marine Debris Program
christy.kehoe@noaa.gov 

For eSeaGrant application questions, please contact:
Tanya Torres, Marine Debris Research Associate - Science Integration Team
California Sea Grant
sgproposal@ucsd.edu

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