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Job Title

Research Specialist I

Agency

Texas A&M University

Department

Institute For A Disaster Resilient Texas

Proposed Minimum Salary

Commensurate

Job Location

College Station, Texas

Job Type

Staff

Job Description

Our Commitment

Texas A&M University is committed to enriching the learning and working environment by promoting a culture that respects all perspectives, talents & lived experiences. Embracing varying opinions and perspectives strengthens our core values which are: Respect, Excellence, Leadership, Loyalty, Integrity, and Selfless Service.

Who We Are

The Institute for Disaster Resilient Texas, located at the Houston campus, works to facilitate and deliver critical research on disaster risk reduction, provide data analytics and decision-making tools, and generate evidence-based solutions that help Texas communities become more resilient over the longer term. To learn more, visit https://idrt.tamug.edu.

What We Want

The Research Specialist I, under general supervision, compiles and reviews data and metadata. Computes projections and performs analysis and tests.

What You Need To Know

Compensation will be commensurate to the selected hire’s experience.

A cover letter and resume are strongly recommended.

Qualifications

Required Education and Experience

+ Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

+ Four years of related experience in a specialized and relevant field of research.

+ Experience in Land use planning, hazard mitigation planning and policy development.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

+ Knowledge and experience in the disaster resilience frameworks, particularly related to risk, mitigation, and recovery.

+ Strong understanding of FEMA guidelines, risk assessment methodologies, and community engagement strategies regarding hazard mitigation planning and local/state planning processes.

+ Demonstrated ability to develop and review hazard mitigation plans, including data-driven strategies, spatial analysis including risk assessments and mitigation strategies.

+ Experience with programming languages (e.g., Python, R) for data analysis, modeling, and automation of planning workflows.

+ Skilled in managing, cleaning, and analyzing large datasets using SQL, spreadsheets, or statistical tools to support evidence-based planning.

+ Experience working across interdisciplinary teams, especially involving local governments, academic institutions, and technical consultants.

+ Engage in outreach activities to promote evidence-based disaster resilience solutions.

+ Excellent writing, communication, and project management skills, with the ability to handle multiple deadlines and present technical findings to both expert and non-technical audiences.

+ Ability to effectively utilize a computer and applicable software.

+ Attention to detail.

Preferred Qualifications

+ Experience in natural Hazards or a closely related environmental science field.

+ Experience in Land use planning, hazard mitigation planning and policy development; familiarity with federal and state regulations regarding land use or hazard mitigation plans.

+ FEMA certification in Hazard Mitigation Training (e.g., IS-393.B, IS-318); additional certifications such as Certified Floodplain Manager (CFM), AICP, GISP, or PE are highly desirable depending on the applicant’s background and project role.

+ Master’s degree in Urban Planning, Environmental Science, Geospatial Science, Geography, or a closely related field with a strong subject matter knowledge in environmental/disasters and expertise in geospatial or data science.

Responsibilities

+ Data Analysis and Testing- Compiles, reviews, and organizes quantitative and qualitative data, ensuring accuracy and consistency across datasets. Develops and maintains protocols for data collection, processing, and documentation to ensure reproducibility and integrity. Conducts data analysis, modeling, and projections using appropriate computational or statistical tools. Performs tests, simulations, or evaluations to assess research hypotheses or inform technical conclusions.

+ Research Publications- Utilizes summarized results in scientific and/or clientele-oriented publications. Prepare technical report and grant deliverables. Prepares and writes proposals to funding agencies and maintains financial accounts related to research projects.

+ Training and Engagement- Trains undergraduate and/or graduate students and other laboratory, technical or field staff involved in research. Develops and maintains training materials for external users. Engage with partners and funding agencies for product support and training.

REQUIRED

+ This position is security sensitive.

+ This position requires compliance with state and federal laws/codes and Texas A&M University System/TAMU policies, regulations, rules and procedures.

+ All tasks and job responsibilities must be performed safely without injury to self or others in compliance with System and University safety requirements.

+ May have to work on the weekends and/or after normal hours.

+ May travel as required. ​

Why Texas A&M University?

We are a prestigious university with strong traditions, Core Values, and a community of caring and collaboration.  Amenities associated with a major university, such as sporting and cultural events, state-of-the-art recreation facilities, the Bush Library and Museum, and much more await you.  Experience all that a big city has to offer but with a reasonable cost-of-living and no long commutes.

+ Health (https://www.tamus.edu/business/benefits-administration/medical/) , dental (https://www.tamus.edu/business/benefits-administration/dental/) , vision (https://www.tamus.edu/business/benefits-administration/vision-insurance/) , life and long-term disability insurance (https://www.tamus.edu/business/benefits-administration/life-add/) with Texas A&M contributing to employee health and basic life premiums

+ 12-15 days (https://employees.tamu.edu/employee-relations/leave/index.html) of annual paid holidays

+ Up to eight hours of paid sick leave (https://employees.tamu.edu/employee-relations/leave/paid/sick.html)  and at least  eight hours of paid vacation each (https://employees.tamu.edu/employee-relations/leave/paid/vacation.html) month

+ Automatically enrollment in the Teacher Retirement System of Texas

+ Health and Wellness: Free exercise programs and release time (https://flourish.tamu.edu/wellness-release-time/)

+ Professional Development: All employees have access to free  LinkedIn Learning (https://linkedinlearning.tamu.edu/)  training, webinars, and limited financial support to attend conferences, workshops, and more

+ Employee Tuition Assistance (https://livingwell.tamu.edu/employee-tuition-assistance/) and Educational Release time (https://employees.tamu.edu/employee-relations/leave/paid/educational.html) for completing a degree while a Texas A&M employee

Instructions to Applicants: Applications received by Texas A&M University must either have all job application data entered or a resume attached. Failure to provide all job application data or a complete resume could result in an invalid submission and a rejected application. We encourage all applicants to upload a resume or use a LinkedIn profile to pre-populate the online application.

All positions are security-sensitive. Applicants are subject to a criminal history investigation, and employment is contingent upon the institution’s verification of credentials and/or other information required by the institution’s procedures, including the completion of the criminal history check.

Equal Opportunity/Veterans/Disability Employer.