The Coral Project Specialist (CPS) manages coordination between the field team and aquaculture team at The Nature Conservancy’s Coral Innovation Hub located on St. Croix, US Virgin Islands, including inventory management with a focus on timelines for meeting multiple project deliverables and due dates, serving on both teams as needed to meet grant deliverables, and liaising with permitters, partners and funders. They may also be responsible for specific components of other projects or Hub activities.
They provide technical leadership and support for the USVI Coral Program’s restoration and conservation projects. The CPS will manage coordination between the field and aquaculture teams by managing farm and field nursery inventories in relation to project deliverables; serving as a member of each team, supporting aquaculture team maintenance and propagation needs as well as field team nursery maintenance and outplanting needs; working with project managers to understand grant deliverables and supporting the aquaculture team in developing schedules to meet those goals; and maintaining records. The CPS will manage (collect, assemble and analyze) various types of data, and maintains a database of nursery stock to support timeliness with grant deliverables. The CPS also liaises with permitters, partners and funders, typically alongside the Coral Program Manager or grant PI. This position works collaboratively with a large team consisting of field staff, coral husbandry staff, and education and outreach staff, and coordinates closely with other project and data managers, as well as field operations staff.
Work will be conducted in a hybrid environment including office, virtual and field settings (scientific scuba diving). The CPS may supervise one or more support staff. The position reports to the Coral Program Manager.
Responsibilities of the position include:
Leads coordination between field and aquaculture teams.
Maintains inventory database for field nurseries and land-based lab, and tracks progress towards multiple project deliverables, as identified by project managers.
Oversees field and boating operations.
Tracks progress and makes regular status reports to supervisors.
May lead a project or portions of a project, depending on timing of new funding opportunities.
Leads or assists in preparing outplants for transportation from the lab to the field.
Creates innovative ways to safely transport corals from the lab to the field.
Performs tasks with minimal supervision and makes independent decisions based on analysis, experience and context.
Supervises professional staff, with responsibility for performance management, training and development.
Supports team in applying for and tracking permits from various agencies.
Performs field work on SCUBA or snorkel as part of the TNC dive team in support of all coral-related projects.
Serves as a member of the aquaculture team, supporting maintenance and fragmentation tasks, and helps coordinate support from field team as necessary.
Sets and leads any team meetings between field team and aquaculture team for project planning.
Conducts data analysis and leads the preparation of technical reports.
Manages inventory-related data in collaboration with data manager(s) and shares data with partners and global/regional databases as appropriate.
Shares project results with a variety of audiences via presentations, manuscripts, or other formats.
May assist outreach team as needed.
May participate in complex negotiations including difficult conversations and conflict resolution.
Ensures program compliance with internal policies and external requirements.
Follows team norms established and updated as a team.
May work in variable weather conditions, at remote locations, on difficult and hazardous terrain and under physically demanding circumstances.
This description is not designed to be a complete list of all duties and responsibilities required for this job.
Are you looking for work you can believe in? At TNC we strive to embody a philosophy of Work that You Can Believe in where you can feel like you are making a difference every day.
By joining our Caribbean Division’s USVI team, you will become part of a group that is a force to be reckoned with, a force for nature, a force for people, and a force for our planet. Our team consists of a dedicated group of people who are leading the conservation effort on multiple fronts and who expertly bring strategy and action together.
The ideal candidate should have project management skills, knowledge of coral reef ecology and conservation, and be a certified in SCUBA with scientific diving experience. This is an exciting opportunity to contribute to the ongoing mission of conservation by supporting and shaping the work of our Coral Innovation Hub!
Bachelor’s degree in biology, ecology, marine science or related field, and 3 years’ experience in natural resource management or similar field, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
Organizational skills and inventory management experience.
Experience managing multiple priorities, with assignments sometimes coming from a number of sources, and working independently.
Excellent written and oral communication skills.
Experience managing and analyzing complex datasets.
Experience supervising and training staff, volunteers and/or teams to achieve stated goals/outcomes.
Experience completing tasks independently with respect to timeline(s).
Knowledge of Caribbean coral reef ecology and management principles, including ability to identify Caribbean coral species.
Knowledge/understanding of current trends and practices in coral reef conservation and/or restoration, and experience working in either field or land-based coral nurseries and preferably both.
Relationship-building experience to work closely with a variety of partners, i.e., media, government officials, funders, internal scientists.
Experience managing tasks with accuracy and detail, including numerical tasks.
Experience planning, administering and recording results of work-team meetings and activities.
Experience using desktop and web-based applications such as Microsoft Suite, project management software, virtual meeting and cloud storage platforms, etc.
Must be SCUBA certified with scientific diving experience.
Must have valid driver’s license.
DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS
Multi-lingual skills and multi-cultural or cross-cultural experience appreciated.
Advanced degree in marine science.
3-5 years’ experience in project management related to the natural sciences, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
Experience leading interactive public presentations and preparing various types of reports for public and/or privately funded projects.
Familiarity with softwares used for coral reef monitoring (e.g., Metashape, Taglab, CPCe, ArcGIS) and inventory management (Tracks, etc.).
AAUS Scientific Diver or reciprocity
This position requires a valid driver's license and compliance with TNC’s Auto Safety Program . Employees may not drive Conservancy-owned/leased vehicles, rental cars, or personal vehicles on behalf of the Conservancy if considered "high risk drivers." To learn more about the Auto Safety Program, visit the Auto Safety information page . Employment in this position will be contingent upon completion of a Vehicle Use Agreement, which may include a review of the prospective employee's motor vehicle record.
- This is a term-limited position, with an anticipated end-date June 30, 2027. Depending on funding, there may be the possibility of an extension.
- The starting pay range for a candidate selected for this position is generally within the range of USD $52,000– $65,000 for annual base salary. Where a successful candidate’s actual pay will fall within this range will be based on a variety of factors, including qualifications, specific skills, and experience.
- Only applicants who are currently eligible to work in the United States will be considered. Unfortunately, The Nature Conservancy is unable to provide support for a work permit for this position.
- Position requires a valid driver’s license and maintaining a good driving record.
The Nature Conservancy’s mission is to protect the lands and waters upon which all life depends. As a science-based organization, we create innovative, on-the-ground solutions to our world’s toughest challenges so that we can create a world in which people and nature thrive. We’re rooted in our mission and guided by our values, which include respect for all people, communities, and cultures. Whether it’s career development, flexible schedules, or a rewarding mission, there’s many reasons to love life inside TNC. Want a better insight to TNC? Check out our TNC Talent playlist on YouTube to hear stories from staff or visit Glassdoor .
One goal is to cultivate an inclusive work environment so that all our colleagues around the globe feel a sense of belonging and that their unique contributions to our mission are valued. In addition to the requirements in our job postings, we recognize that people come with talent and experiences outside of a job and consider each applicant’s unique experience. Please apply – we’d love to hear from you. To quote a popular saying at TNC, “you’ll join for the mission, and stay for the people.”
Since 1951, TNC has been doing work you can believe in. Through grassroots action, we have grown from a small non-profit into one of the most effective and wide-reaching environmental organizations in the world. Thanks to more than 1 million members, over 400 scientists, and the dedicated efforts of our diverse staff and partners, we impact conservation around the world!
TNC offers a competitive, comprehensive benefits package including health care benefits, flexible spending accounts, a 401(k) plan with an 8% employer match, parental leave, accrued paid time off, life insurance, disability coverage, employee assistance program, other life and work well-being benefits.
We’re proud to offer a flexible work environment that supports of the health and well-being of the people we employ.
Our recruiting process includes a rolling interview process to ensure we engage applicants in a timely manner. This means we may review applications in the order in which they are received. Once a strong candidate pool is identified, the role will be unposted. The timeline may vary depending on the expressed interest in the role, so we highly encourage candidates to apply as soon as possible.
The Nature Conservancy is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Our commitment to equal employment opportunity includes the recognition that our conservation mission is best advanced by the leadership and contributions of people of all backgrounds, beliefs, and culture. Recruiting and mentoring staff to create an inclusive organization 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.
The successful applicant must meet the requirements of The Nature Conservancy's background screening process.
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