Coral Restoration Foundation (CRF™) is a United States (US) 501(c)3 tax-exempt non-profit ocean conservation organization. The core mission of CRF™ is to restore coral reefs, to educate others on the importance of our oceans, and to use science to further coral research and coral reef monitoring techniques.
CRF™ does not believe that the plight of coral reefs in the 21st century is hopeless. In fact, CRF™ has developed a strategy for coral reef restoration that exists at the intersection of three core CRF™ programs: (1) restoration, (2) science, and (3) education.
Total CRF™ contributions and other financial support were approximately $1.0 million in 2014, $1.2 million in 2015, and $1.4 million in 2016, $2.1 million in 2017, $2.2 million in 2018, $3.2 million in 2019 and $3.5 million in 2020. This growth in public and private support is proportionately reflected in growing staff activities such as nursery maintenance, coral transplantation, data collection, boat and warehouse operations, contract negotiation and compliance, and other administrative activities. Funding has been a mix of public grants and foundation donations.
The chosen candidate should embody the core values of CRF™. This includes the ability to be team-oriented, and able to work with a diverse group of staff, interns, volunteers, donors and community members.
CRF™ Values Statement: CRF™ is driven by action and results. CRF™ believes that through education and innovation, we provide hope for coral reefs and future generations. We act with honesty, respect, and integrity at all times as representatives of the organization. CRF™ promotes a positive working environment that values teamwork, education, and financial stewardship of the resources entrusted to us. We cultivate an immersive environment to develop employees, volunteers, and interns through mentorship.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
This position is based in Tavernier, Florida, USA. The Science Program Associate contributes to CRF monitoring goals by capturing in-water imagery of restoration areas and processing photomosaics. This position involves a great deal of field work, planning and leading monitoring trips to capture monitoring intervals of outplanted coral colonies throughout the Florida Keys. In coordination with the Science Team and the Restoration Program, this position will contribute to monitoring over 50,000 colonies via photomosaic annually.
The Associate also engages in scientific collaborations taking place at CRF or remotely by aiding the Science Program Manager through the coordination and support of visiting researchers, as needed. This position is also responsible for managing Science areas within CRF nurseries, including the monitoring and maintenance of specific research structures, instruments, or colonies.
In addition to the applied functions of this position, this candidate is motivated, reliable, and displays strong core characteristics as outlined in CRF’s values statement above. This position involves working in a complex underwater environment, often managing 3-5 additional divers.
CRF team members think critically and are intuitive. They can adjust to changes and able to problem solve on the spot. In the field, they maintain a high level of spatial awareness, both for divers’ safety and to complete tasks seamlessly. This position also involves a high degree of attention to detail to ensure that all data are entered, stored, and reported accurately and in a timely manner.
The Science Program Associate is expected to assist in the fulfillment of CRF’s standard operating procedures for all science program activities.
JOB RESPONSIBILITIES
(including, not limited to):
- Coral Outplant Monitoring
-Trailer, captain, and act as the team lead on independent dive trips on CRF’s vessels or charter boats to coral nurseries and monitoring sites throughout the Florida Keys
-Support and prepare for dive days in advance by assisting in materials assembly, inventory of supplies, and data sheet preparation
-Work closely with restoration and Photomosaic and Technology Coordinator to establish restoration site areas on each reef site, ensuring clear communication across Science and Restoration departments
-Lead trips to monitor both Acroporids and Orbicellids, using photomosaic and in-water methods as needed
-Assist with science program intern trainings and intern projects as needed - Nursery Structure Management and Monitoring
-Schedule, prepare for, and execute research monitoring on novel species in Tavernier Nursery, reporting data to external collaborative team as needed
-Conduct routine maintenance on any collaborative nursery structures (data loggers, 3-D structures, coral trees, etc.) according to timeline set by collaboration
-Manage spawning coral stock, ensuring ample healthy stock of genetically diverse and reproductively active staghorn colonies for annual spawning
-Manage coordination and day-of logistics for nursery- and reef-based collaborative studies - Data Management
-Help to ensure that all restoration areas are tracked and monitored according to their grant schedules and permit requirements
-Communicate needs for training to Mosaic and Technology Coordinator and assist with updating any information
-Serve as the point of contact to outside groups for Coral Sample Registry data upload and usage in restoration efforts, managing the upload and quality control of new data added
-Assist in grant reporting, special projects, presentations, and public speaking events as guided by the Program Manager
REQUIRED SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE, AND PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS
- Bachelor’s degree in Biology/Ecology/Conservation; experience with coral reef ecosystems preferred.
- SCUBA Certified as Rescue diver or higher, from an internationally recognized training agency with a minimum of 100 open water dives; a minimum of thirty (30) of those dives as ocean dives and a minimum of thirty (30) boat dives.
- Highly competent SCUBA diver with a high level of spatial awareness and the ability to anticipate and prevent potential problems underwater.
- Demonstrated experience in safe small boat (6-PAK vessels) handling in the open ocean and safe operational boat trailering. Preference to MOCC or Coast Guard Licensed Captains
- Excellent communications in English, both orally and in writing.
- Proven organizational and analytical skills and attention to detail.
- Disciplined critical thinker.
- Deep integrity, with an unwavering commitment to ethical behavior and communication.
- Consistently demonstrate professional, positive, and approachable attitude/demeanor and remain discrete.
- Demonstrated experience using MS Office (SharePoint, OneDrive, Teams, Word, Excel, and Outlook), Garmin GPS software, and Google products (Google Earth).
- Current certifications for: First Aid, CPR, and O2 Provider with the certification issued from an internationally recognized agency.
Salary: Commensurate with experience
