Community Engaged Research Assistant – WVU Center for Resilient Communities (9489899)
The WVU Center for Resilient Communities (CRC) invites applications from prospective graduate students in Geography, Social or Environmental Sciences or related fields for the position of Community Engaged Research Assistant (CERA). In addition to advancing in their degree programs and developing their own engaged research projects, CERAs gain training in research partnerships, team building, mentorship and contribute to the dynamic work of the CRC and its partners in the areas of just economic transition, environmental justice, climate action, and food system transformation. Incoming students will join a warm, diverse community of practice and transdisciplinary team made up of full-time staff, faculty affiliates, grassroots partners, and talented students.
First-generation college students and candidates from disadvantaged communities or underrepresented groups in post-graduate study are strongly encouraged to apply. Experience in social action or efforts to promote community wellbeing or social, economic and environmental justice in Appalachia and the South is also highly desired. We have special interest in recruiting doctoral students pursuing degrees in fields / disciplines that are aligned with our areas of inquiry and have a methodological orientation toward community-based or participatory action research. Students pursuing a Masters degree with interest in pursuing the PhD are also strongly encouraged to apply.
All CERA positions are 9 month appointments and are renewable for up to four years dependent on degree progress, work performance and availability of funding. CERAs in the CRC earn a competitive salary and work a maximum of 20 hrs per week. CERAs will have office space, access to computers and other technology necessary to complete work tasks. Orientation and training in CRC principles, practices and approaches will be required after onboarding. Some travel may be required. In addition to salary, students enrolled in Eberly College of Arts and Sciences will receive a tuition waiver. Tuition waivers for students from other colleges will be determined on a case by case basis.
The Community Engaged Research Assistant (CERA) will work in collaboration with the Executive Director, Project Coordinators and other CERAs of the WVU Center for Resilient Communities to advance lines of collective inquiry and action with community partners. Primary responsibilities of the position are to develop a collaborative research project partnership in one of our areas of inquiry, mentor undergraduate students, conduct research and analyses, and community results for various venues while adhering to CRC principles, practices and approaches. CERAs currently developed project partnership areas:
- Participatory and Community GIS
- Right to Food, Food Sovereignty
- Water Justice
- Flood Vulnerabilities and Resilience Planning
- Solidarity/Diverse Economies
- Rurality, Immigration, Belonging
- Youth Climate Leadership
- Education for Development / Social Action
- Farm to Institution / Food Hubs
- Food System Education
Applicants should please send in one PDF a curriculum vitae and 1-3 samples of writing and/or other evidence of your experience in research or social action to Dr. Bradley Wilson, Executive Director - brwilson@mail.wvu.edu by January 15, 2025 @ 5pm for full consideration. After initial screening, finalists for the position will be asked to interview via Zoom.
In order to be successful in this position, the ideal candidate will:
- Demonstrate a commitment to lifelong learning and cooperation
- Demonstrate a minimum understanding of the historic and present challenges of advancing equitable sustainable development and social justice in the Appalachian region and the South
- Thoughtfully engage the CRC’s decade of work in West Virginia and abroad and its principles for research, education and action
- Contribute to the weekly research and education activities of a small team of faculty, undergraduate, graduate and community partners to a high degree of effectiveness including
- Contribute to the annual research plan and updating progress of cooperative agreements partners
- Significant contributions to written communications such as a Quarterly Newsletter, Website, Reports, Publications
- Mentoring and supervising undergraduate interns in the Sustainable Development Internship Program
- Participation in the Community Engaged Research Training Program
- Regularly report on the progress to Executive Director, Development Director and Program Coordinators
- Work within the principles, practices and approach of the CRC to strengthen the bonds of trust between students, scholars and partners
- Participate actively in staff orientation, meetings, retreats and training
Qualifications
Minimum - Bachelor’s degree in a field related to geography, geoscience, sustainability and environmental studies and/or experience in community engagement or social action
Preferred – Master’s degree in a field related to geography, geoscience, sustainability or environmental studies and/or community engaged research
Experience desired in the following areas:
- Social science and/or environmental science research methods
- Geographic information systems, data visualization and mapping
- Excellent writing and communication skills
- Taught, mentored or supervised youth and/or adults in education or work settings
- Facilitated meetings, particularly in community settings
- Managed independent project(s), including planning and implementing work outcome in established timelines
- Coordinated research projects with diverse teams including those with limited abilities
- Collaborated with faculty or community partners in demanding environments where priorities are spread across multiple projects simultaneously
- Mentored and advised student interns and fellow graduate assistants while achieving project goals