Located 1,000 miles south of Hawai‘i, Palmyra Atoll is one of the most spectacular marine wilderness areas on Earth. Palmyra has 580 acres of land across 25 islands with 480,000 acres of lagoons, coral reefs, and submerged lands. Palmyra is a US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) National Wildlife Refuge out to 12 nautical miles; a Marine National Monument overlays the Refuge and extends out 50 nautical miles. The Nature Conservancy owns Cooper Island, and manages the atoll in partnership with the USFWS.
Palmyra’s research station supports conservation-focused research conducted by TNC and our partners. Staff are hired on a seasonal basis for approximately 3 months at a time to operate and maintain the research station. Board and lodging are provided while on-island, as well as transportation to and from Palmyra.
The Chief of Marine Operations executes all marine maintenance, oversees all marine operations, and assists with general facilities maintenance activities on the Palmyra Atoll. Primary responsibilities include:
- Safe navigation and operation of a 28’ Dive Boat, a 24’ rescue boat, and four 16’ skiffs.
- Confidently maintain and service outboard engines from 20-175hp.
- Coordination and oversight of marine activities for and with all visitors, including but not limited to offshore and lagoon boating, SCUBA diving, and deep-water fishing trips.
- Safely deploying and retrieving SCUBA divers during drift dives.
- Other duties as assigned; there will be long periods without marine operations and during these months this position will be expected to assist in the maintenance of our facilities.
- Communication – the ability to effectively communicate via phone and email is a vital component of this position. In addition to supporting the boating and diving needs of visiting scientists, this position also plays an important informative role during guest trips; this individual must be comfortable interacting with a variety of important guests and scientists from around the world.
- This position will help train non-marine personnel on the proper, safe use of Palmyra boating assets and will supervise their safe use.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Clearly communicate inventory and other needs via phone and email; keep all Palmyra team members informed of potential issues.
- During times of low boating and diving, conduct preventative maintenance on boating and dive gear, and other areas of the station as directed.
- Minimum 720 days documented record of underway boating service on USCG Small Vessel Sea Service Form or similar documentation.
- Experience maintaining diesel and gasoline engines, conducting preventative maintenance, and trouble-shooting and performing minor mechanical and electrical repairs while out on the water.
- Current Rescue Diver certification from a qualified organization (NAUI, PADI or equivalent) or trainings, certificates and skills that match or supersede rescue diver training, as determined by the Conservancy’s Dive Safety Officer.
- Experience troubleshooting and conducting minor repairs on SCUBA gear and compressors.
- Extensive current experience operating vessels less than 40ft while safely deploying and retrieving SCUBA divers during drift dives.
- Current experience operating skiffs with outboard motors of up to 175hp.
- Basic First Aid and CPR certification, or the ability to obtain a current certification; current oxygen administration certification or the ability to obtain current certification.
- Experience operating VHF radios, Sounders, Compass and GPS Chartplotter.
- Experience providing education or interpretation about marine resources to a lay audience.
- Experience using Word, Excel, Web browsers, etc. to manage inventory.
- Experience performing physical work and ability to lift 50lbs.
DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Minimum one year as a licensed USCG captain (25 ton or higher).
- Ability and willingness to apply science to guide decision-making and activities.
- Ability to apply marine safety to guide decision-making and activities.
- Certification for oxygen administration for SCUBA diving injuries.
- Knowledge of current trends and practices in marine safety and marine sciences.
- Excellent communication skills via written, spoken and graphical means.
- Ability to communicate and work closely with staff, scientists, and atoll visitors.
- Knowledge of marine management principles and fish and marine mammal species of the Pacific.
- Offshore fishing skills, including rigging, filleting, and processing fish.
- Ability to maintain, troubleshoot and repair electrical, pump, steering and other boat systems.
- Experience repairing and servicing diesel and gasoline driven vehicles and equipment.
- Ability to operate various types of equipment in a safe and efficient manner (e.g.; lawn mower, chainsaw, tractor, backhoe, bulldozer, dump truck, two-way radio, etc.).
- Knowledge of American Boat and Yacht Council standards.
- Factory certifications, marine trade education certification or ABYC certification in gasoline & diesel marine engines preferred.
- Ability to manage time and diverse activities under deadlines while delivering quality results.
- Ability to perform physical work, sometime under adverse conditions or in inclement weather.
The Nature Conservancy offers competitive compensation, 401k or savings-plan matching for eligible employees, excellent benefits, flexible work policies and a collaborative work environment. We also provide professional development opportunities and promote from within. As a result, you will find a culture that supports and inspires conservation achievement and personal development, both within the workplace and beyond.