Coral Reef Management Fellow

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Job Title:

Coral Reef Mgmnt Fellow - PR - 992771

Location:

San Juan, Puerto Rico

Work Type:

Full Time with Full Benefits

Job Category:

Exempt

Hiring Range:

Pay Basis:

Annually

Subject to Grant Funding?:

Yes

Essential Job Functions:

The three goals of this coral fellowship are to:
1. To consolidate information regarding in-situ and land-based coral reef restoration sites in Puerto Rico by identifying established (or in progress) in-situ and land-based nurseries in Puerto Rico, developing a GIS-layer within the PR SCTLD Dashboard that help visualize coral restoration sites alongside SCTLD impacted sites and promote coral restoration awareness by encouraging participation of citizen scientists by collecting data at coral reef restoration sites.

2. Establish a clear and concise standard operating procedure for coral restoration to guide the process for soliciting relevant state and federal permits.
3. Facilitate conversations between research, education, rescue, and management groups to maximize collaboration in coral reef emergency response and restoration efforts.

The Fellow will also provide support for ongoing PRCRMP initiatives and projects and will work closely with managers and staff to implement program goals.

Specific tasks include:

a. Gather and consolidate information regarding coral reef restoration efforts in Puerto Rico, including identifying established or developing coral restoration projects.
b. Develop a GIS-layer within the PR SCTLD Dashboard (created by PR Sea Grant and the DNER) that helps visualize coral reef restoration sites alongside SCTLD impacted sites.
c. Develop clear and concise standard operating procedures that detail the process of soliciting state (and federal) permits for the development of coral reef restoration projects and in-situ vs. land-based nurseries in Puerto Rico.
d. Help plan and implement activities for the Annual Coral Reef Week celebration.
e. Work with citizen scientists to collect data and use data collected from the citizen science program to update database and GIS layer of hotspots of SCTLD around Puerto Rico.
f. Develop training materials to ensure resources are available to the DNER’s Ranger Corps and for interested citizen scientists, managers, researchers and citizens in general.
g. Help facilitate conversations between rescue and restoration, management, environmental, research, and education groups to maximize collaboration in SCTLD response and coral restorations efforts in Puerto Rico.
h. Help plan and facilitate bi-monthly SCTLD response meetings.
i. Attend disease advisory calls in Florida and the USVI and maintain ongoing communication with jurisdictional partners.

Marginal Job Functions:

The Fellow will provide additional support to the DNER Coral Reef Program management and staff, including assisting DNER’s response program to high wave energy events, Stony Coral Tissue Loss Disease and other coral emergencies and maintaining the database and map of coral disease distributions in Puerto Rico.

Required Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities:

1) Complete fluency in Spanish with strong oral and written communication skills in Spanish and English. Demonstration of ability to communicate in both languages will be requested
2) Ability to synthesize information in both Spanish and English. Examples of experience in writing, reviewing, and editing (grammar and punctuation) information of a scientific and/or technical nature may be requested.
3) Experience in the design and implementation of tools for gathering data from primary sources, such as survey designs, interviews, focus groups and/or workshops
4) GIS experience with software ArcGIS for illustrating data
5) Experience swimming and snorkeling on coral reefs
6) Experience in public speaking, networking, and building partnerships
7) Proficient with PC computers and Microsoft Office software (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, OneDrive and Microsoft Teams)
8) Valid driver’s license with the ability to obtain and maintain a valid Puerto Rico Driver’s License

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS / WORKING CONDITIONS:

1. Ability to conduct field work including hiking, swimming, snorkeling, carrying loads up to 40 lbs. over uneven terrain.

2. Ability to drive motor vehicles for a couple of hours, if needed.

Job Requirements:

Required Certifications/Licensures:

Required Education:

Bachelor’s degree

Major (if required):

Social, natural, marine or environmental science

Required Experience:

Bachelor's degree in related field, such as such as marine biology, biology, environmental science/policy and at least three (3) years of relevant experience. -OR-

Master's degree in a related area of study and at least one (1) year of experience.

AND

Complete fluency in Spanish with strong oral and written communication skills in Spanish and English.

Preferred Qualifications:

1. Familiarity with coral reef ecosystems and experience with coral diseases and coral reef restoration

2. Demonstrated Education and Outreach experience. Good communicator with ability to translate scientific content into presentations and education and outreach materials, considering the audience knowledge of the topic.

3. Ability to synthetize information, review, and edit content and grammar of a technical and scientific nature.

4. Data management skills and familiarity with graphic design programs (e.g. Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, InDesign).

Is this a safety sensitive position?

No

Background Screening Required?

No

Pre-Employment Conditions:

To ensure a safe learning environment for students and staff, as a condition of employment the selected candidate will need to provide proof of a completed COVID-19 vaccination prior to commencement of employment or an approved exemption and reasonable accommodation.

Sensitivity Disclaimer:

Nova Southeastern University is in full compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and does not discriminate with regard to applicants or employees with disabilities, and will make reasonable accommodation when necessary.