HCRI Reef Habitat Monitoring Technician

HCRI REEF HABITAT MONITORING TECHNICIAN – ID# 220145. 

Social Science Research Institute.  Regular, Full-Time, RCUH Non-Civil Service position with the Social Science Research Institute (SSRI). Primary work location will be at the Division of Aquatic Resources (DAR), Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) in Honolulu, Hawai‘i.  Continuation of employment is dependent upon program/operational needs, satisfactory work performance, availability of funds, and compliance with applicable Federal/State laws. 

MONTHLY SALARY RANGE:  $2,600-$2,773.32/Mon. 

DUTIES:  Performs underwater SCUBA (self-contained underwater breathing apparatus) and snorkel surveys utilizing established survey techniques and standard equipment. Assists with invasive algae removal, native sea urchin collection, translocation, outplanting, and coral outplanting and re-attachment. Assists with monthly spawning of urchins and spat counts.  Accesses worksites by trailering and driving a small boat. Provides aquatic resource technical assistance or fieldwork support to other DLNR divisions. Performs data entry, data verification, and some analysis. Tracks and compiles monitoring data. Drafts reports related to activities and results. Uses spreadsheet, database, and image processing software to compile, enter, process, and quality control data. Safely trailers, launches, recovers, and operates small vessels in near coastal and inshore Hawaiian waters. Conducts maintenance on small vessels, field gear, and scientific equipment. Performs janitorial duties. Completes administrative and maintenance duties (e.g., maintaining records, reference material inventory, equipment, samples, vehicles, and radios). Assists with planning and scheduling field activities, procurement, design, fabrication, and maintenance and preparation of field gear. Assists with analyzing and summarizing  multi-disciplinary  data  from coral reef monitoring surveys for summary reports, publication, and presentation. Willingness to work long and irregular hours, including weekends and evenings, and occasionally to perform tasks under hazardous conditions, such as climbing in and out of small boats in rough seas. 

PRIMARY QUALIFICATIONS: EDUCATION/TRAINING:  Associate’s Degree from an accredited community college in Marine Science, Biological Science, Environmental Science, Oceanography, or other related field involving studies of coral reef ecosystems. (At least two (2) years of college level coursework in marine science, biological science, environmental or oceanographic science, or related field may substitute for an Associate’s Degree.). 

EXPERIENCE:  One to three (1-3) years of scientific research and marine fieldwork, which must include experience with diving, and underwater survey techniques; and trailering, launching, recovering, and operating small vessels with outboard motors.  Experience using basic data processing programs and photo-editing and graphics programs. 

ABIL/KNOW/SKILLS:  Demonstrated competence with benthic digital image analysis software and basic data entry programs, such as Microsoft Excel and Access. Working knowledge of commonly used underwater scientific survey techniques, such as belt transect, line point intercept, quad point intercept, digital photo quadrat, rugosity measurement, and other established survey methodologies. Ability to work and collaborate on a research team. Ability to operate small boats. Willingness and ability to learn boat maintenance, including outboard motor maintenance and repair. Ability to understand and follow oral and written instructions and information. Must be SCUBA certified (NAUI, PADI, etc.) and meet the standards established by DAR’s diver certification process (which meets the standards set by the Occupational Safety & Health Administration) and hold the current certifications in CPR, First Aid, and Emergency Oxygen Administration, and maintain throughout duration of employment. Must possess good snorkeling and free diving skills. Must possess a valid driver’s license (and if use of personal vehicle on the job is required, must also have valid personal driver’s insurance equivalent to Hawai‘i’s No-Fault Driver’s Insurance) and maintain throughout the duration of employment.  Post Offer/Employment Condition: Must be able to obtain and maintain boat operator certification within one (1) month from date of hire and maintain throughout period duration of employment. 

PHYSICAL/MEDICAL REQUIREMENTS:  Must be able to qualify as a DAR Scientific Diver and retain this status throughout employment. Must be capable of handling all necessary diving equipment and procedures required in conducting underwater research from shore or small boats. Must be able to work long hours in the sun, aboard small boats in coastal and oceanic waters. Ability to lift and carry up to fifty (50) pounds of SCUBA gear and equipment unassisted.

POLICY AND/OR REGULATORY REQUIREMENTS:  As a condition of employment, employee will be subject to all applicable RCUH policies and procedures and, as applicable, subject to University of Hawai‘i's and/or business entity's policies and procedures.  Violation of RCUH's, UH's, or business entity's policies and/or procedures or applicable State or Federal laws and/or regulations may lead to disciplinary action (including, but not limited to possible termination of employment, personal fines, civil and/or criminal penalties, etc.).  

SECONDARY QUALIFICATIONS:  Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited four (4) year college or university in Marine Science, Biological Science, Environmental Science, Oceanography, or related field involving studies of coral reef ecosystems. Completion of Quantitative Underwater Ecological Survey Techniques (QUEST) or other specific underwater monitoring training program. SCUBA certification above basic entry level with a minimum certification of Rescue diver from a nationally, or internationally recognized diver training agency (PADI, NAUI, etc.). DAR Scientific Diver Certification or have a minimum of  forty (40) logged dives, NOAA Scientific or Working Diver Certification or previous authorization as a scientific diver from an  American Academy of Underwater Sciences (AAUS) accredited organization. Experience with GPS (global positioning system) receivers and data. Experience with image analysis or photomosaic processing. Working knowledge of Hawaiian and Indo-Pacific marine life and aquatic invasive species. Experience performing boat maintenance. 

INQUIRIES:  Kira Yamashita 956-4583 (Oahu) or hcri@hawaii.edu. 

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS: Please go to www.rcuh.com and click on “Job Postings.” You must submit the following documents online to be considered for the position: 1) Cover Letter, 2) Resume, 3) Supervisory References, 4) Copy of Degree(s)/Transcript(s)/Certificate(s). All online applications must be submitted/received by the closing date (11:59 P.M. Hawai‘i Standard Time/RCUH receipt time) as stated on the job posting. If you do not have access to our system and the closing date is imminent, you may send additional documents to rcuh_employment@rcuh.com. If you have questions on the application process and/or need assistance, please call (808)956-8344 or (808)956-0872.  CLOSING DATE:  April 1, 2020.  

RCUH’s mission is to support and enhance research, development and training in Hawai‘i, with a focus on the University of Hawai‘i.

Equal Opportunities Employer – Minorities/Women/Disability/Veteran.