Coral Reef Management Fellow - SEFL - 992772

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Primary Purpose:

The Susan L. Williams 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 Florida’s 2026-28 National Coral Reef Management Fellowship is Florida’s Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), with oversight provided through the Coral Protection and Restoration Program (CPR) in Dania Beach, Florida. The National Coral Reef Management Fellow (Fellow) will directly support the DEP CPR Program, including assisting DEP’s regional restoration and propagation initiatives, disturbance response efforts, research coordination and synthesis, strategic planning and development, expanding CPR Program communication efforts, and aiding in the administration of funding as necessary. The Fellow will work with the CPR Program team to ensure efforts are aligned with the Governor’s Florida’s Coral Reef Restoration and Recovery (FCR3) Initiative, Florida’s Coral Reef Restoration Priorities (FCRRP): 2021-2026, as well as other state priorities. As appropriate, the Fellow may support other DEP coral programs and initiatives and will be offered the opportunity to engage with and learn from the individual aquatic preserve management offices in the Southeast Region.

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

1. Support the CPR Program in coordinating and funding DEP’s coral restoration and propagation efforts. In coordination with DEP CPR Program’s Restoration Coordinator, lead project management of assigned coral reef restoration projects related to FCR3 and other identified state priorities. Includes representing DEP in projects to develop consistent guidelines, determine research gaps/information needs, identification and/or implementation of new research or project opportunities, and identification of funding sources.
2. Support coral restoration research and restoration priorities, including the coordination of the FCRRP Restoration Team and their sub-teams, providing technical review on restoration-related research proposals, facilitating meetings, and sharing collective knowledge related to restoration efforts with local and regional partners and stakeholders. Support DEP and FWC in planning and implementation of State Coral Reef Restoration priorities and the Florida’s Coral Reef Restoration Strategy.

3. Assist in the development of disturbance response plans and site-specific restoration plans. Work with DEP, FWC, and local and federal partners to compile necessary information for plan creation, drawing from previous and on-going restoration work in Florida.

The Fellow will also plan and organize an upcoming US Coral Reef Task Force Jurisdictional Meeting, expected to be held in Florida during the Fall of 2027

Job Category: Exempt

Hiring Range:  $50,000

Pay Basis:  Annually

Subject to Grant Funding? Yes  

Essential Job Functions: 

1. Supports the FCR3 Initiative through post-award project management, including leading and coordinating meetings, communicating with grantees, serving as technical reviewer, approving deliverables, ensuring timely completion of projects, and tracking of FCR3 output and outcome metrics.

2. Leads the implementation of non-FCR3 related coral reef restoration and propagation related priorities and projects. This may include serving as the primary point of contact for principal investigators, negotiating scopes of work, serving as a technical reviewer, approving deliverables, reviewing invoices, and ensuring timely completion of projects. This may also include review of proposals submitted to the DEP CPR Program.

3. Supports DEP and FWC in updating Florida’s coral restoration priorities; including facilitating relevant meetings, collating information on project outcomes and milestones, communicating needs and successes, contributing to the communications strategy implementation, supporting data management, and other duties as assigned.

4. Supports updating the annual FCRRP research priorities, including organizing and attending information-gathering meetings, collating and synthesizing progress on the existing priorities, and drafting recommended priority language.

5. Supports the CPR Program with the development of coral reef disturbance response plans. This may include leading coordination meetings with relevant resource managers, building an understanding of statewide disturbance response opportunities and resources, and drafting response plan language.

6. Supports FCR3 by assisting with the creation of site-specific restoration plans.

7. Works with DEP and other state partners in planning and executing USCRTF meeting, including regular planning meetings, researching locations and vendors, creating and securing contracts, developing and organizing schedules, planning site visits and/or excursions, and communicating with partners and agencies.

Job Requirements: 

Required Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities: 1) Knowledge of and direct experience with the conservation of coral reef ecosystems
2) Demonstrated ability to A) initiate and complete projects with minimal supervision; B) work effectively and communicate with diverse audiences, and C) interpret technical information and relate it in nontechnical language to local community concerns
3) Demonstrated experience working with a diverse series of stakeholder(s) and resource manager(s) and experience coordinating large resource management and response initiatives
4) High level of analytical, organizational, and planning skills
5) Strong oral and written communication skills that, on request, can be supported by examples of experience in writing, reviewing, and editing (grammar and punctuation) information of a scientific and/or technical nature that hasn’t been edited by anyone but the applicant.
6) Must demonstrate exceptional ability to review and edit content and grammar of a technical and scientific nature, as well as for educational and outreach purposes.
7) Proficient with PC computers and Microsoft Office software
8) Valid driver’s license with ability to obtain and maintain a valid Florida 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. Experience in coral reef ecosystem research and knowledge of coral reef restoration principles and techniques

2. Knowledge of marine resource management principles and techniques with special emphasis on Caribbean/Atlantic coral reef ecosystems, coral reef ecosystem restoration, and coral resource management is preferred

3. Strong project management experience highly desired, including assessing budgetary needs, formulating procedures and preparing technical reports

4. Meeting facilitation and public speaking experience

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.