The Conservation Coordinator works in the St. Croix Coral Innovation Hub and provides administrative, research, project management and general assistance to program staff working toward the achievement of coral reef protection, restoration, and monitoring goals. This position, under the direction of the USVI Coral Manager, works closely with marine conservation practitioners, the Coral Aquaculture Supervisor, partner organizations and volunteers, to plan, execute, and document coral program initiatives and field projects.
The Conservation Coordinator manages coral conservation and restoration data, participates in restoration planning, develops project packages, integrates innovative coral science and technology into project implementation, maintains project records and protocols, and coordinates field teams including staff and volunteers. May include collecting, assembling and analyzing various types of data, in the field or through literature surveys, producing maps using GIS software and assisting in the production of reports. Work will be done in the field (coral monitoring and restoration) and in an office setting, compiling the information collected by the team and integrating data into conservation planning.
RESPONSIBILITIES & SCOPE
- Responsible for field operations scheduling, planning, and execution, including the coordination of field team members, to complete activities including coral nursery maintenance, coral outplanting, micro-fragmentation, coral spawning and larval propagation, and monitoring.
- Works closely with the Coral Aquaculture Supervisor to schedule field activities (coral collection, outplanting) to advance land-based nursery propagation schedule.
- Supervises no staff but oversees and directs work of volunteers or interns on a day-to-day basis.
- Identifies and pursues opportunities to work with partners and community volunteers to complete coral field efforts.
- Participates in community engagement and outreach events.
- Coordinates multiple tasks or projects in a timely manner and with attention to detail.
- Formulates ideas and communicate clearly with others, both orally and in written form.
- Provides a variety of information to staff and others, contributing to restoration and conservation projects and assisting workflow throughout the team.
- Makes day-to-day decisions as delegated by the USVI Coral Manager.
- May purchase equipment and supplies as provided for in budget.
- May assist with program budget preparation and monitoring.
- Performs field work on SCUBA or snorkel as a part of the TNC dive team.
- The Conservation Coordinator may work in variable weather conditions, at remote locations, on difficult and hazardous terrain, and under physically demanding circumstances.
- Experience with Microsoft Office suite.
- Experience coordinating multiple projects and creating field schedules.
- Experience handling standard business communications.
- Experience training and supervising volunteers to conduct field research.
- Experience utilizing databases for data entry and report production.
- Advanced SCUBA certification and qualified to meet AAUS Dive Safety Standards (www.aaus.org) required. Scientific diving experience preferred.
- Valid driver's license and good driving record.
DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS
- 2-5 years related work experience or equivalent combination of education and experience.
- Master’s degree in marine science, resource management, conservation, biology, or related discipline.
- Ability to complete tasks independently within assigned time frames.
- Ability to manage multiple priorities, with assignments sometimes coming from a number of sources and work independently.
- Ability to coordinate project information from a number of sources to populate databases, create reports and produce manual files.
- Experience with image analysis, photomosaic generation, GIS, and statistical analysis.
- Strong administrative skills including attention to detail and numerical ability.
- Ability to plan, administer and record results of work-team meetings and activities.
- Multi-lingual and multi-cultural or cross-cultural experience appreciated.
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.