The Nature Conservancy is a leading conservation organization working globally to protect ecologically important lands and waters for people and nature. Located 1,000 miles south of Hawai‘i, Palmyra Atoll is one of the most spectacular marine wilderness areas on Earth. Palmyra is a 680-acre atoll with 480,000 acres of lagoons, coral reefs, and submerged lands and is a US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) Refuge out to 12 miles and a Marine National Monument out to 50 miles. The Nature Conservancy owns Cooper Island, and manages the atoll in partnership with the USFWS.
Palmyra’s research station supports scientific research by the world renowned research institutions making up the Palmyra Atoll Research Consortium (PARC) (see www.palmyra-research.org). Staff are hired on a seasonal basis for approximately 3 months at a time to operate the research station and camp facilities. Board and lodging are provided while on-island.
The successful candidate must possess, or be able to obtain, a valid Passport with an expiration date later than your term of employment, proof of a physical examination showing good physical and a current tetanus vaccination.
The Field Station Manager (FSM) is responsible for the overall management, supervision, and safety of Palmyra Atoll operations and staff. The FSM is responsible for overseeing the maintenance of the field station facilities and equipment including generators, boats, and aircraft runway, and the oversight of galley and housekeeping services. The FSM must lead and manage staff, and act as the primary liaison with visiting researchers, guests, and visiting vessels’ crew and passengers.
DUTIES:
- Responsible for coordinating all field station activities with TNC staff based in Honolulu, USFWS, PARC and researchers.
- Supervises maintenance, marine, and food services/housekeeping staff to ensure efficient operations of field station; acts as primary liaison with TNC Honolulu staff on operations, staffing and volunteer issues.
- Responsible for safety of those on island: determining and enforcing adequate safety protocols related to island operations, visitor use of equipment and facilities, and communication with researchers and staff in the field.
- Facilitates and supports on-island research projects through collaboration with visiting scientists and application of scientific principles.
- Provides orientation, safety and other training for all visitors, employees and volunteers. Hosts donors and organizes associated dive, fishing, kayak, and snorkel trips.
- Oversees positive community interaction and positive staff morale.
- Directs guides, captains, and dive masters in consultation with visiting scientists. Facilitates visiting vessels with USFWS approval.
- Responsible for oversight of all equipment, boats, and SCUBA gear.
- Responsible for oversight of galley, housekeeping, and inventory control services.
- Inventories and orders all mechanical parts and island equipment.
- Coordinates, and supervises unloading of cargo shipments by airplane and ship.
- Acts as Spill Prevention Coordinator, accountable for spill prevention and maintenance of fuel and chemical storage.
- Acts as point of contact for all communications systems, including satellite and daily on-island radio contact with researchers and staff in the field.
- Records galley and maintenance activities and analyzes records to improve efficiency of field station operations.
- Creatively solves problems, including manufacturing of critical parts for malfunctioning equipment.
- Monitors renewable energy hybrid microgrid consisting of solar P.V., battery storage, back up diesel generator and wind turbine generator.
RESPONSIBILITIES AND SCOPE
- Ability to live and work productively within a small and confined community on a remote location for up to 3 months.
- Work and communicate effectively with a diverse group of people, including scientists, field station staff and others, providing and obtaining needed information to ensure smooth operations.
- In the event of an emergency atoll staff may be tasked with specific duties to ensure communal safety and welfare. This may include responding to minor/major medical emergencies, tsunami evacuation events, marine rescue events, fuel spills and/or fire containment, etc.
- May supervise staff, or help plan, direct or convey work instructions to other staff or volunteers.
- Independently analyze and diagnose problems then develop and implement appropriate solutions.
- Consult with supervisor to develop plans for resolution of unusual or complex problems.
- Identify and disseminate lessons learned, best practices and methods, tools, consistencies and inconsistencies across seasons.
WORKING CONDITIONS/PHYSICAL EFFORT
- Will work 6 days per week, in variable weather conditions (hot, humid, wet), at a remote location, on difficult and hazardous terrain, and under physically demanding circumstances. These conditions will involve considerable physical exertion and/or muscular strain, frequent possibility of injury, long hours in isolated settings, exposure to petroleum products, paint and fuels, employees to assist with community chores even on days off.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
- Experience in facilities management, including working knowledge of maintenance and repair of: diesel and gasoline engines; generators; outboard motors; water filtration and plumbing systems; hydraulics; refrigeration systems; energy systems, preferably experience with photovoltaic and battery storage, and a working knowledge in use of common hand and power tools.
- Leadership and supervisory experience overseeing a dynamic team.
- Experience setting objectives, managing performance, and motivating team members.
- Experience in the galley, housekeeping, and inventory control services.
- Experience assessing complex situations and developing innovative solutions as needed.
- Experience using common software applications (e.g; Word, Excel, Web browsers).
- Experience preparing and writing reports.
- Experience performing physical work and ability to lift up to 50 pounds.
- Cumulative 1 year experience working in a confined community such as aboard a ship, field camp, or remote field station.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Experience in remote location desired.
- Ability to set objectives, manage performance, and motivate team members.
- Experience interacting with scientists and knowledge of scientific principles and research methods, or work experience in natural resource management.
- Experience in facilities management, including working knowledge of maintenance and repair of: diesel and gasoline engines; generators; outboard motors; water filtration and plumbing systems; hydraulics; photovoltaic and battery storage systems; refrigeration systems, and a working knowledge in use of common hand and power tools.
- Experience boating and working with boating operations, preferably in a marine environment.
- Experience assessing complex situations and developing innovative solutions as needed.
- Experience producing quality results with limited resources, changing time availability, and unexpected circumstances.
- Familiarity with principles of safety and emergency response; general maintenance and repairs, and food service and supplies.
The Nature Conservancy is an Equal Opportunity Employer
Our commitment to diversity includes the recognition that our conservation mission is best advanced by the leadership and contributions of men and women of diverse backgrounds, beliefs and culture. Recruiting and mentoring staff to create an inclusive organization that reflects our global character is a priority and we encourage applicants from all cultures, races, colors, religions, sexes, national or regional origins, ages, disability status, sexual orientation, gender identity, military, protected veteran status or other status protected by law.