National Coral Reef Management Fellowship Program 2020-2022 - Hawai‘i

JOB TITLE: Coral Reef Management Fellow - HI - 992773

WORK TYPE: Full Time with Full Benefits

OVERVIEW: 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 (7) U.S. states and territories participating in this program: American Samoa, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Guam, Hawaii, 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.
2. Provide individual fellows with professional opportunities and training in coastal and coral reef resource management.

The host agency for the 2022-2024 National Coral Reef Management Fellowship in Hawaii is the State of Hawai‘i Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR), Division of Aquatic Resources (DAR), based in main O‘ahu island office. The focus of the Coral Fellow will be assisting DAR in evaluating options to diversify its funding and increase its impact by focusing on sustainable funding. Instead of being solely dependent on the state legislature for funding, DAR is striving to find ways to pay for coral restoration projects and other nature-based solutions to protect Hawaii’s coastlines from natural disasters and to enhance the State’s marine resources for recreational uses.

WORK DESCRIPTION: The three goals of this coral fellowship are to:

1. Coordinate the development of a Reef Insurance Report for the state legislature that examines and considers a reef insurance program for DLNR by the start of the 2023 Legislative Session.
2. Assist with updates to Hawaii’s Mitigation Bank Prospectus needed for DAR to establish a mitigation bank for the state
3. Assist in an Ocean Stewardship Feasibility Study - specifically a voluntary conservation donation that can be added to DAR’s Ocean Stewardship Fund.

The Fellow will also assist the DAR Coral Program Specialist prepare for the bi-annual US Coral Reef Task Force meetings, assist with planning efforts for conservation activities and assist with reviewing projects and/or activities related to marine restoration activities, as well as participate in staff meeting.

1. Reviews the SCR159 and the Reef Insurance Feasibility Study and literature review on reef insurance, hybrid reef structures to protect coastlines/ increase fish habitat and coral restoration techniques.
2. Meets with DAR and partners on nearshore reef resilience landscape in Hawaii.
3. Helps identify the most resilient reefs to focus management efforts on, including meeting DAR’s 30x30 team and NOAA, conducting a literature search for current tools, creating a database of tool options, and piloting the use of select tools at chosen priority reef sites for insurance.
4. Facilitates meetings with partners and stakeholders to develop a Reef Insurance Report to the 2023 Legislature that includes:
a. Cost of purchasing reef insurance
b. How the funds could be used
c. Term sheets for a prospective Hawaii reef insurance policy for natural disasters
d. Priority sites for insurance
e. Possible buyers and sellers of reef insurance
f. Recommended funding mechanisms to cover insurance premium costs
5. Coordinates with DAR and its partners to develop the Reef Insurance Report to present to the 2023 Legislature on the cost of purchasing reef insurance and how the funds could be used.
6. Reviews the Development of a Hawaii Marine Mitigation Bank Program (Nov. 2017) report and assist DAR to outline the next steps needed to set up a mitigation bank in Hawaii.
7. Assists in development of “shovel ready” projects to be added to the mitigation bank prospectus.
8. Creates standard operating procedures for site selection, evaluation, and long-term monitoring of mitigation bank projects.
9. Explores the collection of additional funds from ocean users, in the form of a voluntary conservation donation, including willingness-to-pay studies and draft a report of key findings.

Marginal Job Functions: The Fellow will work as part of the DAR team in creating informational pieces on coral restoration efforts, reef insurance, and an ocean stewardship fund and user fee in Hawaii and may also assist with planning efforts for conservation activities and assist with reviewing projects and/or activities related to marine restoration activities, as well as participate in staff meeting.

REQUIREMENTS: 

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities:

1) Professional experience facilitating meetings and drafting plans, specifically involving natural resources valuation and techniques, cost-benefit analyses, and scenario development
2) Work experience in conservation, planning, public policy, communications, or other relevant field, and working with a variety of stakeholders
3) Ability to speak and write clearly, including the ability to analyze and clearly explain data, draft proposals, and draft reports requiring minimal review and editing
4) Strong oral and written communication skills that, on request, can be supported by examples of experience in writing, reviewing, and editing (grammar and punctuation) information of a scientific and/or technical nature
5) High level of analytical, organizational, and planning skills
6) Proficient with PC computers and Microsoft Office software

Required Certifications/Licensures: Valid Driver's License

Required Education: Bachelor's Degree (Marine Sciences or related field)

Required Experience: Bachelor's Degree in related field and at least three (3) years of relevant experience. --OR-- Master's degree in a related area of study or a Law Degree and at least one (1) years of experience

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

1. Experience working in Hawaii’s complex multicultural society in the context of natural resource management
2. An understanding of Hawaii’s cultural and traditional practices as it relates to natural resource management
3. Knowledge of current trends and strategies coral reef science, coral restoration techniques, and impacts to fisheries
4. Experience using natural valuation techniques.

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.

MORE INFORMATION AND TO APPLY: https://nsucareers.nova.edu/en-us/job/500151/coral-reef-management-fellow-hi-992773?pk_vid=39cfbe395d5403fa16230912042fb796