Work Location: St Croix, USVI

Position Description
Will support the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) in their Coral Reef Conservation Program (CRCP) as the liaison for the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) in the U.S. Virgin Islands. As the NMFS liaison, will promote the goals and objectives of NMFS, CRCP, and local coral reef initiatives by supplying needed capacity in the Southeast Region, specifically in USVI, to connect CRCP and local efforts.

Will also provide support to effectively implement local coral reef initiative programs and associated jurisdictional priorities to address emerging scientific and management needs in coral reef ecosystems including conserving essential fish habitats under the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (MSFCMA) and complimentary activities related to the long-term goal of recovering species listed under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). Will provide management capability to augment and complement existing CRCP work in the Southeast Region being done by the Southeast Fishery Science Center (SEFSC), National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science, Fishery Management Councils, universities, local government partners, and others. Key tasks include:

* Assisting in the review of water development projects to determine their potential impact on coral reef ecosystem resources under MSFCMA mandates
* Providing technical assistance and field support in the areas of coral reef ecosystem conservation and planning, restoration ecology, and fisheries science/ecology/management
* Coordinating with the USVI NOAA Task Manager and other appropriate entities on NOAA CRCP regional activities to address fisheries-related priority goals and objectives, including local action strategies and coral conservation efforts
* Working closely with partners including the Caribbean Fishery Management Council (CFMC), SEFSC, USVI Department of Planning and National Resources (DPNR) and Division of Fish and Wildlife (DFW), and other university, coral reef conservation, and fisheries stakeholders
* Providing support for Territory efforts to develop and manage marine protected areas (MPAs) or other applicable jurisdictional coral reef protection measures and to build Territory management capacity with potential to join the national network of MPAs or relevant coral reef protection networks
* Assisting with the CRCP plan to address the adverse impacts of fishing.

Required Skills
1 year of specialized experience directly related to marine habitat resources. Must have demonstrated excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to communicate effectively with non-scientists. Requires a strong background in public speaking, designing and implementing field studies, and promoting resource stewardship through stakeholder engagement. Must be proficient in the use of the Microsoft Office software suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).

Must have the ability to work in field settings that will require hiking, SCUBA diving, and snorkeling and the ability to become and maintain status as a certified NOAA diver, and obtain/maintain certification of Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), automated external defibrillator (AED), first aid, and oxygen administration.

Desired skills include: Experience with environmental laws and regulations and/or permitting; demonstrated ability to work independently and comply with project deadlines; and experience in research, monitoring, proposal writing and evaluation, and/or project evaluation as it relates to the marine environment.

Must be able to pass a background investigation to obtain a security badge to enter the applicable government facility.

Education
BS in Marine Science/Biology, Fisheries Science, Ecology, related field or equivalent.

https://chc.tbe.taleo.net/chc01/ats/careers/requisition.jsp?org=ERT&cws=1&rid=1582&source=Indeed.com

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