Key Responsibilities
Program Management & Regulatory Compliance
- Lead the planning and execution of the Bay County Artificial Reef Management Plan and related coastal programs.
- Acquire and maintain permits from regulatory agencies.
- Serve as Bay County’s designated custodian under LAARS/SAARS permits.
- Ensure compliance with all federal, state, and local environmental regulations and accurate reporting of all deployments.
- Engage with the St. Andrew/St. Joe Bay Estuary Program and other interagency initiatives.
Partnerships & Stakeholder Engagement
- Foster collaborative relationships with NGOs, universities, marine industries, and government stakeholders.
- Represent the County and Tourist Development Council at community, committee, and stakeholder meetings.
- Build public awareness and consensus on coastal protection and sustainability.
Technical & Field Work
- Conduct and oversee field monitoring, including SCUBA-based artificial reef assessments.
- Support disaster preparedness and response activities, such as dune restoration and marine debris removal.
- Provide technical and project support in marine and coastal field operations.
Permitting & Regulatory Compliance
- Serve as the official Permittee/Custodian of sovereign submerged lands under th LAARS/SAARS permits; coordinate with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for permit reauthorization, tracking expiration dates, and ensuring submission of required documentation.
- Manage the intake and processing of private reef deployment applications, including fee collection, permit condition enforcement, and trade secret agreements.
Project & Deployment Oversight
- Coordinate logistics with contractors and partners for reef material pickup, site access (e.g., Star Avenue/Tram Road), and deployment scheduling, ensuring safety and compliance.
- Submit required pre- and post-deployment paperwork, including manifests, notifications, and reports; maintain organized project files.
- Ensure all deployments are accurately logged in the Bay County Artificial Reef GIS database and public mapping tools.
Reporting & Grants
- Maintain and submit periodic reports for grant-funded projects (e.g., RESTORE, NRDA) in accordance with established reporting timelines.
- Develop scopes of work and support the preparation of RFPs and contract documents for artificial reef projects.
Stakeholder & Partner Coordination
- Maintain regular communication with project stakeholders including UF/IFAS Extension, NSA contacts, MBARA representatives, Dewberry Engineering, and local/state officials.
- Provide scientific advisory support on collaborative projects like living seawalls and snorkel reefs.
Project & Grant Management
- Write and administer grants related to coastal resources, restoration, and tourism.
- Draft scopes of work, manage consultants, track project timelines, and review deliverables.
- Ensure grant milestones and reporting requirements (e.g., RESTORE, NRDA) are completed on schedule.
- Prepare reports for contractors, stakeholders, and CVB/TDC leadership.
Educational Outreach & Public Interface
- Support public education initiatives in collaboration with UF/IFAS Extension Bay County.
- Develop content and attend public-facing events to promote coastal resource awareness.
Minimum Qualifications
- Education: Bachelor’s degree in environmental science, marine biology, coastal engineering, or related field (Master’s preferred).
- Experience: Minimum five (5) years in coastal resource planning, field monitoring, or project management.
- Certifications: SCUBA certification preferred; must possess a valid Florida driver’s license (or obtain upon employment).
- Skills:
- Strong writing, public speaking, and organizational abilities.
- Proficient in MS Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook).
- Able to manage multiple projects with minimal supervision.
- Knowledge of Northwest Florida coastal ecosystems and environmental permitting is a plus.
