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 Air Force Station in Oahu, Hawaii. The AERC serves as a platform for environmental consultancy between industry and the University of Alaska (UA), acting as a bridge to resources, expertise, and talent across the UA system.

The center offers research and technical assistance, professional education, and youth entrepreneurship programming. Through its work, the AERC connects UA research programs and supports 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 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 designing and implementing 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. You will also 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.

• Manage cross-functional teams and oversee client-driven environmental and natural resource projects

• Coordinate with faculty, investigators, federal/state partners, contractors, and funding agencies to ensure compliance and alignment

• Design and implement research plans; supervise data collection and analysis using GIS, GPS, field logs, and large datasets

• Prepare reports and presentations; manage travel, procurement, and meeting logistics

• Develop procedures to anticipate client needs; monitor progress with internal reporting systems; evaluate program effectiveness

• Support proposal development, budgeting, sub-award contracts, and funding acquisition

• Foster student involvement, research internships, and collaborative opportunities while ensuring regulatory compliance

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 Qualifications: 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, and 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.

This position is located on Bellows Air Force Station, Oahu, Hawaii. This is a term-funded, full-time, exempt staff position with a competitive salary and a full employee benefits package. UA provides a generous compensation package including retirement options, annual leave, 12 paid holidays per year, tuition waivers for employees and family members, and medical, dental and vision 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…