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

The National Science Foundation Center for Braiding Indigenous Knowledges and Science (CBIKS) Visual Note Taker facilitates qualitative research processes in Hub and Working Group Talking Circles.

Essential Functions

• Facilitates CBIKS research, educational activities and stakeholder communications by attending Talking Circles, meetings, workshops and events to transcribe discussion through the use of word maps, sketches, graphic symbols.
• Processes and synthesizes meeting information into visual language elements to show connections.
• Graphically emphasizes ideas, key themes and action items in the notes.
• Collaborates with CBIKS staff, researchers and stakeholders to refine and edit notes for distribution.

Other Functions

• Performs other duties as assigned.

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

• Bachelor’s Degree.
• Ability to actively listen to in-person and virtual group meetings and quickly synthesize information into an effective visual presentation.
• Ability to quickly write and sketch meeting notes to visually engage meeting attendees and enhance discussion.
• Highly legible handwriting and basic drawing skills.
• Ability to foster productive discussion.
• Excellent organizational skills and acute attention to detail.
• Excellent writing and editing skills.
• Superlative communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to develop and maintain productive relationships.
• Ability to coordinate and work well with faculty, staff and constituents outside the University.
• Ability to ensure compliance with rules, policies, and procedures governing assigned activities.
• Excellent computer skills including MS Office and other software relevant to position success.

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

• Understanding of Indigenous communities.

Physical Demands/Working Conditions

• Typical office environment.

Additional Details

• This is a 5-year, term-limited position. Continuation of the position is contingent upon grant funding.
• May supervise graduate and undergraduate assistants.
• Overnight travel is required 3-4 times per year.
• This position has the opportunity for a hybrid work schedule, which is defined by the University as an arrangement where an employee’s work is regularly performed at a location other than the campus workspace for a portion of the week. As this position falls within the Professional Staff Union, it is subject to the terms and conditions of the Professional Staff Union collective bargaining agreement.

Work Schedule

• Monday – Friday, 8:30 am - 5:00 pm.

Salary Information

Salary commensurate with skills and experience.

Special Instructions to Applicants

Along with the application, please submit a resume, cover letter and contact information for three (3) professional references. The search will remain open until the position is filled.

UMass Amherst is committed to a policy of equal opportunity without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, age, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, disability, military status, or genetic information 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 the UMass Amherst to comply with the applicable federal and state statutes, rules, and regulations concerning equal opportunity and affirmative action.