Coral Reef Management Fellow - CNMI - 992775

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Primary Purpose:

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 2026-2028 National Coral Reef Management Fellowship in CNMI is the CNMI Department of Lands & Natural Resources (DLNR), based in Saipan, CNMI. In 2018, the CNMI passed P.L. 20-79, also known as the “Coral Reef Protection Act” The focus of the Coral Fellow will be to play key role in coordinating the alignment of existing CNMI’s Coral Reef Initiative (CRI) Program’s plans and policies with the P.L.20-79 regulations. The Fellow will assist CRI staff on the development of regulations for P.L.20-79. The Fellow will further work in conjunction with CRI staff to coordinate the Division of Fish and Wildlife’s Enforcement Section’s training curriculum to include a section on PL20-79 for better enforcement outcomes.


The four goals of this 2-year coral fellowship are to:

1. Assist in the development of Development and Promulgation of PL20-79 (Coral Reef Protection Act) Regulations
2. Raise community awareness of PL20-79 regulations by playing a support role with organizing and facilitating a series of townhall meetings with community members on the three most populated islands of the CNMI to raise awareness of the Coral Reef Protection Act and other marine protections and regulations.
3. Guide alignment of regulations for the Coral Reef Protection Act to include coral nursery and restoration-related protections.

4. Assist the Restoration and Response Coordinator with creation of a CNMI Collaborative Research Framework for the Marine Environment

Job Category: Non-Exempt

Hiring Range:  25.128205

Pay Basis:  Hourly

Subject to Grant Funding? Yes  

Essential Job Functions: 

1. Reviews PL20-79 (the Coral Reef Protection Act) legislation, as well as relevant publications on coral reef management strategies, priorities, and objectives.

2. Assists in presentation of updated PL20-79 regulations to townhalls, presentations/trainings to the DFW and DCRM Enforcement sections, the Coral Restoration and Response Working group, and the public.

3. Uses the updated Coral Reef Protection Act regulations alongside updated local plans, the Fellow will lead the development of targeted messaging for outreach to be included within the CRI Newsletter, Coral Restoration and Response Working group, and other appropriate avenues.

4. Coordinates and assists in facilitating the CNMI’s first annual Coral Alignment Meeting in 2027.

5. Assists in the coordination and facilitation of at least three (3) classroom trainings to include DFW Enforcement Section, DCRM’s Enforcement section, and Department of Public Lands Managaha Ranger sections.

Job Requirements: 

Required Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities: 1) Experience with natural resource management projects, drafting or working with policy, and/or conducting community outreach
2) Demonstrated ability to review and edit content and grammar of a technical and scientific nature, as well as for educational and outreach purposes
3) Previous experience related to leading training activities, developing policy, and reading regulations, especially environmental related
4) Skills in public speaking, networking, and building partnerships
5) Scientific data analysis skills and experience
6) Must demonstrate exceptional ability to review and edit content and grammar of a technical, legal, and scientific nature, as well as for educational and outreach purposes
7) Willingness to live on a remote Pacific Island without access to some amenities
8) Proficient with PC computers, Google Suite, and Microsoft Office software
9) Ability to conduct fieldwork including hiking, swimming, snorkeling. Must be willing and able to conduct fieldwork in all weather conditions.


PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS / WORKING CONDITIONS:

1. Ability to conduct field work including hiking, swimming, snorkeling, carrying loads up to 40 lbs. over uneven terrain. Must be willing and able to conduct fieldwork in all weather conditions.

Required Certifications/Licensures: 

Required Education: Bachelor's Degree

Major (if required: Biological Sciences or Resource Management

Required Experience: Bachelor’s degree in biological science or resource management with experience that correlates with aptitude and interest for marine management and at least two (2) years of experience in tropical marine science and/or management

--OR--

Master's degree in a related area of study and at least one (1) year of experience.

Preferred Qualifications: 

1. Experience in reading, writing, and/or implementing natural resource policy, regulations, and laws

2. Experience working as a Paralegal or related occupation

3. Experience and knowledge of disturbances, marine disturbances, and the associated threats with regards to the marine ecosystem

3. Experience working in coral reef environments

4. Prior experience living/working in CNMI and/or tropical island communities

5. Prior experience in community-level planning, organizing and/or leadership

6. Experience with social media outlets (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, etc.)

Is this a safety sensitive position? No  

Background Screening Required?  No  

Pre-Employment Conditions: 

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.

NSU considers applicants for all positions without regard to race, color, religion, creed, gender, national origin, age, disability, marital or veteran status or any other legally protected status.