The National Coral Reef Management Fellowship is a partnership between the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Nova Southeastern University (NSU), the U.S. Department of Interior (DOI) and the U.S. All Islands Coral Reef Committee (AIC). There are seven U.S. states and territories participating in this program: American Samoa, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Guam, Hawaiʻi, Florida, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Coral Reef Management Fellows are placed in state and territorial natural resource management agencies (the host agencies) in each of these jurisdictions every other year where they work on specific projects related to coral reef conservation. Although fellows are employed through NSU, they are essentially working for the host agencies and should consider their on-site fellowship supervisors to be their direct managers.
The fellowship program’s mission is two-fold:
1) Provide coral reef management support in each participating jurisdiction by placing highly qualified individuals whose education and work experience meet each location’s specific coral reef management’s needs and
2) Provide individual fellows with professional opportunities and training in coastal and coral reef resource management.
This specific two year position is a partnership with the Bureau of Environmental and Coastal Quality (BECQ) of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI). The host agency for the 2016-2017 Coral Management Fellowship in CNMI is BECQ located in Rota, Saipan. BECQ’s mission is to serve the public through wise management of CNMI natural resources, supporting healthy communities, a sustainable environment and vibrant economy.
The position will work closely with CNMI BECQ staff to evaluate natural resource health and the effectiveness of recent management efforts within the Talakhaya watershed on the island of Rota. The fellow’s main priorities will be to undertake a re-vegetation project, a coastal water quality study, and a stream water quality assessment. The fellow will further serve as a representative of BECQ on Rota for community events, outreach activities and government meetings and work collaboratively with other island agencies, organizations and individuals to implement management actions.
Essential Job Functions:
The CNMI has had a Conservation Action Plan (CAP) in place for the Talakhaya Watershed since 2010 which has guided management practices from a variety of public and private agencies and organizations within the area. When the Talakhaya CAP was evaluated in the spring of 2015, resource managers identified the need for projects that will evaluate the success of the current management techniques and assist with identifying new priorities.
1. Facilitate the transition from planting grasses to trees. The goal at Talakhaya is to establish a forest dominated by native flora and currently the majority of plantings consist of introduced species.
a. Locate soil deposits where saplings may be planted and assess survivorship of saplings planted.
b. Identify major threats to planted saplings.
c. Provide recommendations for future re-vegetation efforts.
2. Monitor Coastal Water Quality. Talakhaya has been identified as a priority watershed by the natural resource community, with poor water quality (sedimentation) being the primary threat.
a. Analyze dataset of nearshore water quality.
b. Provide recommendations for management actions based on outcome of water quality project.
c. Disseminate project finding to local staff and transition efforts into management actions.
3. Monitor Stream Water Quality to establish methods and execute an evaluation of surface water quality in five major streams of the Talakhaya watershed.
a. Analyze stream water quality datasets to develop GIS layers of stream connectivity and sampling data.
b. Implement priority management actions based on data analyzed.
c. Recommend management actions based on outcome of water quality study.
4. Provide Talakhaya Conservation Action Plan Coordination to continue implementation of the site specific management plan and focus conservation priorities.
a. Conduct meetings of the Talakhaya Watershed stakeholder group.
b. Provide annual updates to the Talakhaya CAP workplan.
c. Develop a revised CAP Report for 2017-2018.
Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
1. Ability to apply basic GPS and GIS skills relevant to project.
2. Scientific data analysis skills and experience.
3. Excellent written and oral communication skills.
4. Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word, Powerpoint, Access).
5. Self-motivated, driven, organized, and willing to work independently.
6. Interest and willingness to learn a new culture and ecosystem.
7. Willingness to live on a remote Pacific island without access to some amenities.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS / WORKING CONDITIONS:
1. Ability to conduct field work including hiking, swimming, snorkeling, carrying loads up to 40 lbs. over uneven terrain.
2. Must be willing and able to conduct field work in all weather conditions.
Required Education: Bachelor’s Degree
Required Experience:
Minimum two years of experience with natural resource management projects and/or conducting management related research (a relevant advanced degree may substitute for experience).
Preferred Qualifications:
1. Water quality monitoring experience.
2. Experience working in coastal/marine environments.
3. Prior experience living/working in CNMI and/or tropical island communities.
