CIRCA partnered with Connecticut’s Division of Emergency Management and Homeland Security (DEMHS) to host a July 20 webinar focusing on FEMA’s Hazard Mitigation Assistance (HMA) Program. Since several grants fall under the HMA umbrella, CIRCA kicked off the webinar and described the importance of this program for implementing resilience projects.
Opening remarks by Senator Chris Murphy described the importance of climate resilience at the state and local levels and near-term plans for federal funding of municipal projects through his new role as Chairman of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Homeland Security overseeing FEMA.
Presenters from DEMHS and FEMA provided a detailed description of: 1) the HMA Program and application process; 2) FEMA GO – the online platform for grants management and application submission; and 3) the importance of Benefit Cost Analysis for projects, tips for success, and pitfalls to avoid.
And to better understand projects that were selected for further review in the FY20 FEMA BRIC cycle, CT DEEP compiled 2020 FEMA BRIC Selected Project summaries that demonstrates projects selected include the use of nature-based solutions and a community-wide impact.
CIRCA hosted a nine-part Resilient Connecticut research webinar series in June. Focused on specific topics and condensed on time, each event included presentation and Q&A moderated by CIRCA’s Assistant Director of Research,
Dr. Yaprak Onat. More information about each project can be found in the “Program Details” on the Research Webinar Website, including an abstract, fact sheet, and presentation slides. If you missed the live events, you can watch them on CIRCA’s YouTube channel. UConn Today also covered many of the webinars with news coverage – click on the titles below to read more about the topics:
After years of warning from scientists, the global climate crisis is impacting Americans across the country. This year, we’ve already seen unprecedented ice storms across Texas and one of the worst droughts in modern history in the west. But what kind of changes can we expect in Connecticut? Dr. Khalilah L. Brown-Dean from NPR’s Disrupted, featured CIRCA’s Executive Director Jim O’Donnellalong with two other speakers who discussed the ways the changing climate is affecting our state.
Dr. Brown-Dean asks Professor O’Donnell about the consequences of sea level rise and how coastal towns can adapt to these changes. He explains how the frequency of flooding is expected to increase along with the consequences for coastal communities. The history of Connecticut’s settlement and supporting infrastructure along the coast having made communities more vulnerable to flooding.
CIRCA’sResilient Connecticutproject is taking a broad view of the benefits of risk reduction. Dr. O’Donnell explains that the project is trying to “figure out how to do urgent projects that protect critical infrastructure but also provide additional values.” These include protecting housing, raising roads, or protecting regional assets like wastewater treatment plants, water supplies, or energy facilities that serve multiple communities. Resilient Connecticut seeks to, “make the money we spend in flood risk reduction have broader and more equitable outcomes.”
This story aired on Connecticut NPR June 16, 2021. Disrupted is a weekly radio program with new episodes broadcast each Wednesday at 2 pm.
Scientists including Professor Jim O’Donnell at the UConn Avery Point campus in Groton have said sea level rise has been accelerating at a rate, where within 30 years, it could be nearly 20 inches higher right off the Connecticut coast. As an example, O’Donnell said that flooding events that occur once every 10 years at Avery Point could occur as often as every two years by 2050.
“Smaller storms will cause more flooding, right, because the mean sea level is higher and it’s that in which I think people are recognizing,” O’Donnell explained.
O’Donnell added that the frequency of flooding will damage homes and make them irreparable long before they are permanently underwater. “Consequently, if your insurance rates or your repair costs are driven by flooding then you should expect a 5-10 times increase in the cost of those insurance or repairs.”
O’Donnell suggests that homeowners in the FEMA 100 year flood zone are most at risk.
“I don’t think there’s much any individual can do by themselves, except in some areas where they can raise their home. And that’s probably a smart thing to do if you’re in the flood zone,” says O’Donnell, stressing that communities need to work together.
There are multiple strategies for communities dealing with sea-level rise…tools in the toolbox to make them more “resilient.” Some include:
Accommodation-which includes raising buildings above ground
Advance-actually extending land outward
Retreat-moving exposed people and property out of the coastal hazard zone
Even if sea level rise isn’t as severe as the direst predictions, and many of these resiliency moves may not be needed, the City of Groton has not been taking any chances. It has received high marks from regional leaders, applauding how it has taken the difficult first steps in combating sea level rise.
Throughout the month of June, hear about innovative Resilient Connecticut climate change research in this CIRCA “brown bag” webinar series. Focused on specific topics and condensed on time, enjoy one or all nine of these free webinars by clicking on the Register link above.
Each event will be held for 30 minutes during the lunch hour with ~ 20 minutes of presentation and 10 minutes of Q&A. The final webinar on June 25 will run an extra 30 minutes and feature a panel of previous speakers who will discuss policy implications of their work in a moderated Q&A format. Each event will be moderated by CIRCA’s Assistant Director of Research, Dr. Yaprak Onat. Learn more.
Search #:495562 Work type:Full-time Location:Avery Point Campus Categories:Research
JOB SUMMARY
The University of Connecticut (UConn) seeks applicants for the position of Assistant Director of Research (Research Associate 1) in the Connecticut Institute for Resilience and Climate Adaptation (CIRCA) to provide support for activities associated with theResilient Connecticutproject. CIRCA is a multi‐disciplinary center that coordinates applied research and engagement programs to develop and advance practical solutions to problems caused by changing climate.
The Assistant Director of Research (ADR) will coordinate a team developing hydrologic science and engineering that supports a project to develop a prototype resilience framework for Connecticut. With the supervision of the Executive Director, the ADR will coordinate the development, testing, and application of numerical models of flooding in complicated urban and rural areas to determine levels and patterns of flood risk. Assessment of the effectiveness of proposed risk reduction strategies will also be required.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Coordination of the planning, development, design, implementation, and evaluation of flood risk simulations.
Coordination of the planning, development, design, implementation, and evaluation of fieldwork/observation campaigns.
Preparation of data summaries, analyses, and reports.
Preparation of journal articles.
Management of CIRCA staff and postdoctoral scholars in coordination with the Director of Resilience Planning, and faculty engaged in the project.
Participation in workshops and meetings for municipalities and regional councils of government on climate resilience and adaptation.
Participation in capacity-building studies and engagement programs, including climate science communication, and training in design and engineering.
May be responsible for miscellaneous administrative duties as assigned.
May participate in the planning, and development of research proposals.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Ph.D. in Hydrology, Hydraulic Engineering, and 3 years or closely related field; or an M.S. and 10 years of relevant experience.
Experience using and evaluating modern community hydrology models
Experience with computing technology (e.g. Matlab, FORTRAN) and data management.
Ability to travel throughout the state and region, conduct oceanographic field work, and participate in occasional evening and weekend meetings.
A record of peer-reviewed publications.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
Experience leading a team of collaborators.
Excellent communication skills (verbal and written).
Experience with the model and related tools.
Experience project management.
Experience in proposal preparations.
APPOINTMENT TERMS
This is a full-time, 12-month position with an anticipated start date of September 24, 2021. Salary will be commensurate with qualifications and experience.
TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT
Employment at the University of Connecticut is contingent upon the successful candidate’s compliance with the University’s Mandatory Workforce COVID-19 Vaccination Policy. This Policy states that all workforce members are required to have or obtain a Covid-19 vaccination as a term and condition of employment at UConn, unless an exemption or deferral has been approved.
Employment of the successful candidate is contingent upon the successful completion of a pre-employment criminal background check.
TO APPLY
Please apply online at https://hr.uconn.edu/jobs, Staff Positions, Search #495581 to upload a resume,cover letter, and contact information for three (3) professional references. Evaluation of applicants will begin immediately.
This job posting is scheduled to be removed at 11:55 p.m. Eastern time on October 14, 2021.
The University of Connecticut is committed to building and supporting a multicultural and diverse community of students, faculty and staff. The diversity of students, faculty and staff continues to increase, as does the number of honors students, valedictorians and salutatorians who consistently make UConn their top choice. More than 100 research centers and institutes serve the University’s teaching, research, diversity, and outreach missions, leading to UConn’s ranking as one of the nation’s top research universities. UConn’s faculty and staff are the critical link to fostering and expanding our vibrant, multicultural and diverse University community. As an Affirmative Action/Equal Employment Opportunity employer, UConn encourages applications from women, veterans, people with disabilities and members of traditionally underrepresented populations.
Advertised:Sep 14 2021Eastern Daylight Time Applications close:Oct 14 2021Eastern Daylight Time
The University of Connecticut (UConn) seeks applicants for the position of Postdoctoral Research Associate at the Connecticut Institute for Resilience and Climate Adaptation (CIRCA) to provide support for activities associated with the development of the Resilient Connecticut project. CIRCA is a multi‐disciplinary center that coordinates applied research and engagement programs to develop and advance practical solutions to problems caused by changing climate.
The Postdoctoral Research Associate (PDRA) will work in a team developing science that supports the resilience framework for Connecticut. The PDRA will gain experience working in a research team environment at CIRCA and have opportunities for professional development. With the supervision of the Assistant Director of Research, the PDRA will work on the development, testing and application of numerical models of circulation in complicated coastal areas to determine levels and patterns of flood risk. Assessment of the effectiveness of proposed risk reduction strategies will also be required.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Develop, test and execute simulations of wave impacts and flooding in coastal areas.
Participate in field work/observation campaigns.
Critically analyze results and prepare reports and publications.
Prepare journal articles.
Participate in workshops and meetings for municipalities and regional councils of government on climate resilience and adaptation.
May participate in the planning, development and implementation of grant proposals.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Ph.D. in Physical Oceanography, Coastal Engineering, or a closely related field.
Experience with modern, community models of coastal circulation and wave dynamics.
Experience with computing technology (e.g. Matlab, FORTRAN) and data management.
Excellent communication skills (verbal and written).
Strong organizational skills and ability to work effectively with a team of collaborators.
Ability to travel throughout the state of Connecticut and New England region, conduct oceanographic field work, and participate in occasional evening and weekend meetings.
Available to start work at Avery Point, Groton, CT within one month of offer.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
A record of scientific publications and communications
APPOINTMENT TERMS
The initial appointment is for one year, with the possibility of renewal. Salary and benefits are competitive and will be commensurate with experience. The successful candidate’s academic appointment would start as soon as possible at the Avery Point campus in Groton, CT.
TO APPLY
Please apply online at https://hr.uconn.edu/jobs, Staff Positions, Search #495222 to upload a cv, cover letter, and contact information for three (3) professional references.
Employment of the successful candidate is contingent upon the successful completion of a pre-employment criminal background check.
This job posting is scheduled to be removed at 11:55 p.m. Eastern time on May 30, 2021.
All employees are subject to adherence to the State Code of Ethics which may be found at http://www.ct.gov/ethics/site/default.asp.
The University of Connecticut is committed to building and supporting a multicultural and diverse community of students, faculty and staff. The diversity of students, faculty and staff continues to increase, as does the number of honors students, valedictorians and salutatorians who consistently make UConn their top choice. More than 100 research centers and institutes serve the University’s teaching, research, diversity, and outreach missions, leading to UConn’s ranking as one of the nation’s top research universities. UConn’s faculty and staff are the critical link to fostering and expanding our vibrant, multicultural and diverse University community. As an Affirmative Action/Equal Employment Opportunity employer, UConn encourages applications from women, veterans, people with disabilities and members of traditionally underrepresented populations.
Following up on recentwinter workshops, join the Resilient Connecticut team for our spring workshop series to be held with four Councils of Governments (COGs) in New Haven and Fairfield Counties. These May events will focus on the regional vulnerability results that emerged from our outreach, research, and technical analysis. Each workshop will present highly vulnerable areas and potential resilience opportunity areas in the four COGs. The workshops will also include small group collaborative exercises to explore select resilience opportunity areas.
Your local knowledge and expertise are important as we wrap up this phase of the Resilient Connecticut project. We encourage you to learn more by reading the projectStory Mapand use the “Provide Input” tab to help shape resilient communities in your region. Please register for workshop(s) in advance:
South Central Regional COG (SCRCOG) |May 24, 1:00 – 3:00
Metropolitan COG (MetroCOG)| May 25, 1:00 – 3:00
Western Connecticut COG (WestCOG) | May 26, 1:00 – 3:00
Naugatuck Valley COG (NVCOG) |May 27, 1:00 – 3:00
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email on how to join the meeting. Participants will also receive information beforehand to prepare for this collaborative workshop.
Climate Change Vulnerability Index – March Webinar Materials Available
The Resilient Connecticut team hosted a webinar on March 23 to highlight new results for the Climate Change Vulnerability Index(CCVI) mapping tool. The webinar included a brief overview of the latest flood CCVI along with a description of new heat and wind vulnerability data. Ultimately, a better understanding of how flood, heat, and wind stressors combine will inform regional resilience opportunities and pilot projects – this will be the focus of workshops to be announced in late May (be sure to read next month’s Roundup for those event updates and registration). In the meantime, check out the March 23 webinar video and a new CCVI fact sheetto learn more.
Resilient Connecticut Collaborative Update
The CIRCA team launched the Resilient Connecticut Collaborative (RCC) in January of this year. RCC members represent conservation, utility, real estate, historic resources, planning, agriculture, food, and environmental justice organizations. The RCC met for the second time on April 1 for a workshop on “PERSISTS”, a decision-support tool identified in the Resilient Connecticut Planning Framework. RCC members learned about PERSISTS (Permittable, Equitable, Realistic, Safe, Innovative, Scientific, Transferable, and Sustainable) and how it will be used in the Resilient Connecticut project. A workshop exercise included two breakout groups where participants created criteria for each PERSISTS category. For example, criteria identified for “Realistic”: the proposed project is identified in an existing plan, has a design proportionate to the vulnerability, or has the potential to receive state and/or federal grant funding. Criteria will be further refined with the RCC and other project partners to support the work in Phase III of Resilient Connecticut. If you have questions, please contact Joanna Wozniak-Brown, Assistant Director of Resilience Planning joanna.wozniak-brown@uconn.edu
CIRCA is seeking applicants for a Postdoctoral Research Associate to support the Resilient Connecticut project. CIRCA invites applications from recent graduates with a Ph.D. in Geography, or closely related field, to participate in the development of technology and quantitative techniques to identify and map critical infrastructure and community lifelines across different spatial scales in support of ongoing climate adaptation planning in Fairfield and New Haven Counties in Connecticut. Candidates with experience in the application of Big Data approaches in social science, geofencing applications, and the analysis of digital trace or social networking service data, are encouraged to apply. The position will report to the Assistant Directors of Research and Resilience Planning, and collaborate in the Institute’s resilience and adaptation planning projects.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Conduct original research, including the preparation of reports, reviews, IRB applications, and participate in research collaborations with CIRCA staff and partners.
Serves as a resource for staff and others on geoinformatics.
Develop webinars and fact sheets in coordination with program staff designed to collect, communicate, and/or interpret information with stakeholders.
Assist in the planning, development, design, and implementation of geospatial analysis and modeling required to characterize human-environment interactions.
Responsible for the successful completion of individual projects.
May represent the program or Institute to external groups.
Related duties as required.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Ph.D. in Geography or a closely related field (computer science, statistics, mathematics, etc.)
Comprehensive knowledge of GIS, statistics, computer programming and data management
Experience in use of innovative technology and analysis methods in social science
Excellent written and oral communication skills
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
A record of scientific publications and communications
Experience related to disaster or climate change resilience and adaptation or community planning
APPOINTMENT TERMS
The initial appointment is for one year, with the possibility of renewal. Salary and benefits are competitive and will be commensurate with experience. The successful candidate’s academic appointment would start as soon as possible at the Avery Point campus in Groton, CT.
TO APPLY
Please apply online at https://hr.uconn.edu/jobs, Staff Positions, Search #495125 to upload a cv, cover letter, and contact information for three (3) professional references.
Employment of the successful candidate is contingent upon the successful completion of a pre-employment criminal background check.
This job posting is scheduled to be removed at 11:55 p.m. Eastern time on April 25, 2021.
All employees are subject to adherence to the State Code of Ethics which may be found at http://www.ct.gov/ethics/site/default.asp.
The University of Connecticut is committed to building and supporting a multicultural and diverse community of students, faculty and staff. The diversity of students, faculty and staff continues to increase, as does the number of honors students, valedictorians and salutatorians who consistently make UConn their top choice. More than 100 research centers and institutes serve the University’s teaching, research, diversity, and outreach missions, leading to UConn’s ranking as one of the nation’s top research universities. UConn’s faculty and staff are the critical link to fostering and expanding our vibrant, multicultural and diverse University community. As an Affirmative Action/Equal Employment Opportunity employer, UConn encourages applications from women, veterans, people with disabilities and members of traditionally underrepresented populations.
