Wetland Coordinator

Molokaʻi Land Trust (MLT) seeks a Wetland Coordinator:

Location: Molokaʻi preferred; will consider proposals from the Main Hawaiian Islands.

Applications close: Jan 15th, 2024 Start Date: Feb 1st, 2024

End Date: Jan 31st, 2025 with option to continue the contract, subject to funding and performance.

SUMMARY

This is a contract opportunitiy for a Molokaʻi Wetland Coordinator, who will oversee all aspects of the “Resilient Community and Waterbirds Project” on the island, providing strategic leadership and ensuring the related NFWF grant actions and administrative tasks are delivered on time and in full (a detailed brief of grant activities is available on request). The Coordinator will actively engage with the Molokaʻi Wetland Partnership, Molokaʻi community, state, federal and nonprofit partners to complete this work. In addition, the coordinator will manage the Molokaʻi Wetland Partnership, in conjunction with Pacific Birds Habitat Joint Venture, and will support the Executive Director of the MLT in wetland related tasks.

BACKGROUND

In 2022-23, the Molokaʻi Wetland Partnership (MWP), in collaboration with Pacific Island Climate Adaptation Science Center (PI-CASC), carried out a project to prioritize the wetlands of Molokaʻi for restoration. The project used 1) rapid field assessments of hydrology, vegetation, soils, and birds, 2) a comprehensive analysis of endangered bird habitat value, 3) site spatial characteristics, 4) sea-level rise projections for 2050 and 2100 and wetland migration potential, and 5) preferences of the Native Hawaiian and local community in a GIS site suitability analysis to prioritize restoration of coastal wetlands on the island of Molokaʻi. The site suitability analysis ranked sites in order of importance. MLT is now working on restoration planning at priority sites. They have been awarded a grant by the NFWF National Coastal Resiience Fund to advance work at three sites. In addition, MLT is working to acquire one of these three wetlands in early 2024. The Coordinator will be responsible for implementing the grant and supporting MLT in acquisition efforts, in addition to other wetland related activities. Community partners are also involved in the NFWF grant in outreach and education work, invasive mangrove removal planning , and in the removal of invasive ungulates. The Coordinator will facilitate and encourage those efforts and ensure that partners are able to deliver their commitments within the grant period.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Contract hydrological assessments at two sites and a hydrological review of the management at a third site.

2. Liaise with community partners to help them deliver community engagement work related to the Project.

3. Liaise with community partners to help them incorporate the three Project sites into school curriculum. May include support with fieldtrips and classroom visits, as well as the production of materials.

4. Liaise with Division of Aquatic Resources (DAR) as they carry out strategic planning for landscape-level invasive mangrove removal at priority sites on Molokaʻi.

5. Liaise with Division of Forestry and Wildlife (DOFAW) as they engage with private landowners & carry out management of ungulates in unfenced areas in the vicinity of project sites.

6. Manage and train two interns on related Project tasks.

7. Develop permitting roadmap for site restoration at two of the three priority sites on Molokaʻi, appropriate to regulatory context. In addition, develop a ʻwetland permit planning protocol’, tailored to supporting Nature Based Solutions (NBS) to climate resiliency issues in Hawaiʻi. This will include a brief to agencies recommending improvements to the permitting process for wetland restoration. Commence permitting process at two of the three priority sites.

8. Based on community feedback and the hydrological studies of two sites and the hydrological review of the existing management plan at a third, develop 50% project design for NBS to increase community resilience and wildlife habitat quality at 2 of the 3 priority wetland sites.

9. Manage the Molokaʻi Wetland Partnership, with the support of Pacific Birds Habitat Joint Venture, nurturing existing partners and cultivating new connections as approriate and with the Partnershipʻs agreement.

10. Develop and submit a funding proposal through the NFWF NCRF grant opportunity to continue to Phase 2 of the project, with the support of MLT and Pacific Birds.

DESIRED SKILLS AND ATTRIBUTES Successful candidates should demonstrate the ability to:

• Work collaboratively and communicate effectively with partners across and within organizations, geographies, and cultures.
• Work both independently and as part of a team.
• Skillfully facilitate regular partnership meetings and work sessions addressing conservation challenges.
• Understand the core principles of wetland science and wetland restoration ecology, as well as the specific challenges of island ecosystem ecology, especially in the advent of climate change.
• Develop or utilize practical applications of scientific concepts for on-the-ground implementation of conservation actions.
• Review state and federal policies/laws and research technical documents.
• Develop briefs for state and federal agencies.
• Comply with MLTs policies and procedures.

PRIMARY QUALIFICATIONS:

EDUCATION/TRAINING: Related Masters (MSc) Degree from an accredited college or university in the Biological Sciences, Natural Resource Management, Geography or Hawaiian Studies with basic, or related, biological courses. Wetland related degree preferred.

EXPERIENCE: Up to three (3) years of work or volunteer experience in or related to managing natural resources, preferably in a wetland setting. Experience must be well-documented and acquired under the employment of an academic institution, governmental agency, private company, or nonprofit organization in the appropriate field. A BSc (from an accredited college or university in the Biological Sciences, Natural Resource Management, Geography or Hawaiian Studies with basic, or related, biological courses) may be considered if the candidate has five years of relevant experience.

ABILITIES, KNOWLEDGE and SKILLS: Able to use GPS, maps and to use word-processing, database and spreadsheet programs. Must possess a valid driver’s license and maintain throughout the duration of employment. Post Offer/Employment Conditions: Must possess American Red Cross Certification in First Aid/CPR (or be able to obtain and maintain the certificate following the training provided within twelve (12) months from date of contract and maintain throughout duration of employment). Must be able to pass a post-offer criminal background check for employment. Must provide a copy of driver’s abstract devoid of citations reflecting “poor driving record” as defined by MLT.

PHYSICAL/MEDICAL REQUIREMENTS: Able to hike up to five miles per day, in inclement weather conditions.

POLICY AND/OR REGULATORY REQUIREMENTS: Contractor must possess all necessary business licences and insurances for the state of Hawaiʻi. Violation of MLT's policies and/or procedures or applicable State or Federal laws and/or regulations may lead to termination of contract, civil and/or criminal penalties, etc. TRAVEL: If candidate is not based on Molokaʻi, must be able to travel to the island as needed, for stays of several days at a time (travel costs will come out of the compensation indicated below). May need to attend occasional meetings in Honolulu or on other islands.

SECONDARY QUALIFICATIONS:

• Experience in managing partnerships.
• Education and experience in programs managing rare and endangered species and ecosystems in the Hawaiian Islands, particularly wetlands and waterbirds.
• Previous experience in wetlands in the Hawaiian Islands.
• Familiarity with Hawaii native and non-native plant taxa, and/or experience in natural resources monitoring techniques.
• Experience with invasive vegetation removal.
• Experience with permitting system for restoration in Hawaiʻi.
• Familiarity with data analysis and presentation utilizing GPS and ArcGIS, PowerPoint, and large file sharing systems.

INTERESTED? This position is a contractually funded opportunity with an annual compensation of $90,000. This compensation fee includes any travel required if the contractor is off island, up to a mutually agreed amount. The selected contractor is required to live within the state of Hawaiʻi (preferably on Molokaʻi). Statements of work and specific deliverables will be incorporated into the annual contract. A successful candidate must either have, or be able to obtain, appropriate business licences and insurances. MLT is not responsible for healthcare, pension, or any other benefits to the contractor.

INQUIRIES: William “Butch” Haase (808) 366-6675, email at butch@molokailandtrust.org (Molokaʻi).

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS: Interested candidates are requested to email the following documents to butch@molokailandtrust.org to be considered for the position: 1) Cover Letter, 2) Resume, 3) References, 5) Copy of Degree(s)/Transcript(s)/Certificate(s). All applications must be received by the closing date (Jan 15, 2024, 11:59 P.M. Hawaii Standard Time/MLT receipt time). Please direct questions regarding the application process to Butch Haase at (808) 366-6675.