Coral Reef Management Fellow - Puerto Rico - 992771

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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 Susan L. Williams National Coral Reef Management Fellowship in Puerto Rico is the Department of Natural and Environmental Resources (DNER) Coral Reef Conservation and Management Program (PRCRMP) in San Juan.

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

1. Update and expand the “SCTLD Dashboard” and web presence to include all disturbance and emergency response data (including SCTLD, bleaching, mortality, invasive soft coral species identification, removal efforts) and maintain the dashboard fully updated. Evaluate integrating water quality monitoring program into Dashboard.
2. Update the vessel grounding database, including an inventory for abandoned vessels into an Arc-GIS-based map.
3. Identify ways to better integrate data from citizen science efforts.

The Fellow will also provide support for ongoing PRCRMP initiatives and projects and will work closely with managers and staff to implement program goals.

Job Category: Non-Exempt

Hiring Range:  $45,000.00

Pay Basis:  Hourly

Subject to Grant Funding? Yes  

Essential Job Functions: 

1. Evaluates and organizes the PRCRMP’s current datasets as it relates to coral reef disturbance and emergency response (coral diseases, ESA coral presence, invasive coral species, citizen scientists and vessel groundings).

2. Updates and organizes the ArcGIS PR SCTLD Dashboard to include coral bleaching data and observations and maintain the database/map of coral disease distributions in Puerto Rico.

3. Develops mechanisms for better integrating data collected through citizen scientists’ efforts by creating a workflow that encourages active delivery of data. Help analyze coral reef observations and water quality data and develop metrics that will help increase participation of different stakeholders.

4. Expands Dashboard to include other disturbances such as locations where invasive pulse octocoral were identified and removed.

5. Evaluates the integration of the water quality data hub for the Coral Program by reviewing the Final Report for the Project “Designing a long-term water quality monitoring program for Puerto Rico” and implementing one of the case studies.

6. Assists with updating the vessel grounding database and potentially including an inventory for abandoned vessels into the vessel grounding Arc-GIS-based map.

7. Helps plan and implement activities for the Annual Coral Reef Week celebration.

Job Requirements: 

Required Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities: 1) Complete fluency in Spanish with strong oral and written communication skills in Spanish and English. Demonstration of ability to communicate in both languages will be requested
2) Advanced GIS experience with ArcGIS software and experience with developing WordPress webpages.
3) Ability to synthesize information in both Spanish and English. Examples of experience in writing, reviewing, and editing (grammar and punctuation) information of a scientific and/or technical nature may be requested.
4) Data management skills and familiarity with graphic design programs (e.g. Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, InDesign)
5) Ability to work collaboratively in a team and with groups of different ages, cultures, and backgrounds
6) Proficient with PC computers and Microsoft Office software (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, OneDrive and Microsoft Teams)
7) Valid driver’s license with the ability to obtain and maintain a valid Puerto Rico Driver’s License


PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS / WORKING CONDITIONS:

1. Ability to conduct field work including hiking, swimming, snorkeling, carrying loads up to 40 lbs. over uneven terrain.

2. Ability to drive motor vehicles for a couple of hours, if needed.

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 three (3) years of relevant experience.

--OR--

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

Preferred Qualifications: 

1. Familiarity with coral reef ecosystems and experience with coral diseases and water quality monitoring
2. Data management and GIS experience and knowledgeable with spatial data analyses.
3. Ability to synthetize information, review, and edit content and grammar of a technical and scientific nature.
4. Ability to determine work priorities and organize time to ensure satisfactory completion of work assignments; establish and maintain effective working relationships with diverse partners and stakeholders; formulate procedures; prepare technical reports; work in a team setting as well as work independently.
5. Ability to multitask and meet deadlines.
6. Comfortable speaking in public, providing presentations, and leading discussions.

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.