Position Open - Coral Reef and Coastal Program Specialist – Management Liaison

New IMSG Position in San Juan, Puerto Rico: Coral Reef and Coastal Program Specialist – Management Liaison

I.M. Systems Group, Inc. (IMSG, http://www.imsg.com) is seeking a Coral Reef and Coastal Zone Program Specialist to serve as a Management Liaison to Puerto Rico for the Office of Ocean and Coastal Resource Management (OCRM), which is part of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). The position will be located in San Juan, Puerto Rico.

OCRM houses the headquarters of NOAA’s Coral Reef Conservation Program (CRCP, www.coralreef.noaa.gov) and Coastal Zone Management Program (CZMP, www.coastalmanagement.noaa.gov). The incumbent will serve as the primary liaison between these two national programs and the coral reef conservation and coastal zone management programs in Puerto Rico. The incumbent will be responsible for supporting activities under both programs, including the oversight of NOAA’s CRCP and CZM grants to Puerto Rico, thus ensuring that projects funded by each national program complement each other within Puerto Rico. In addition, the incumbent will be responsible for providing technical assistance in a relevant field, such as marine protected area design and/or management, watershed management, social science research and monitoring, or communications and outreach. Frequent travel within Puerto Rico is required, and several annual trips to other locations, including NOAA headquarters in Silver Spring, Maryland, are expected.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

The contractor’s duties will include, but not be limited to the following:

* Serving as the primary liaison between the national CRCP and CZMP and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico programs
* Communicate national policies and guidance from NOAA to Puerto Rico
* Communicate Puerto Rico coral reef and coastal zone management program needs and priorities to NOAA headquarters and other program components
* Assist the Puerto Rico coral program with the CRCP’s ongoing capacity assessment
* Act as the NOAA Liaison for the development, review, on-line processing, and monitoring of Coral Reef Management and Coastal Zone Management grants
* Support development and implementation of 309 Enhancement Grant Assessment and Strategies, review and approve changes to CZM programs; and assist in periodic evaluations of CZM programs.
* Support CRCP and CZM strategic planning efforts, including identifying priority topics and geographic areas, developing program and project performance measures, and evaluation of historic, current, and potential future CRCP and CZMP projects
* Advise senior CRCP and CZMP leadership on endeavors, projects, and partnerships that would be of benefit in Puerto Rico
* Assist with the implementation and integration of select Puerto Rico coral reef and coastal zone management projects
* Build partnerships with governmental, non-governmental, academic, and community organizations toward shared conservation goals
* Assist in the development and coordination of a Puerto Rico coral reef advisory group
* Providing Puerto Rico, and, where appropriate, the U.S. Virgin Islands and Florida, programs with specialized technical and management assistance in various topical areas related to coral reef and coastal zone management such as Marine protected area design or management; Watershed management or land-based sources of pollution abatement; Social science research or monitoring; Communications and outreach; Coral reef or coastal zone governance, law, or policy; Project management; Capacity building and Adaption to the effects of climate change on coral and other marine resources
* Participating on behalf of the CRCP, CZMP, or OCRM on internal NOAA and external working groups, councils, and committees
* Supporting general activities for the relevant Divisions and Office to which this position will report

QUALIFICATIONS:

Minimum Requirements:

* Fluency in oral and written English and Spanish, and strong communication skills
* Master’s degree (highly preferred) or bachelor’s degree with equivalent additional experience in a relevant discipline such as marine science, biology, marine or environmental management or policy
* 2 or more years post-graduate work experience in a coral reef-related or integrated CZM management position
* 2 or more years of experience working on or with small island states, preferably in Puerto Rico or other Caribbean islands
* Demonstrated proficiency in one or more of the technical fields listed in the job responsibilities section of this announcement
* Understanding of coral reef ecosystems, their threats, strategies for their conservation, and coastal management issues
* Ability to work independently and cooperatively with a range of individuals that are geographically separated and that represent a range of different cultures
* Ability to work on several projects simultaneously and to shift priorities as needed
* Experience coordinating efforts and projects with multiple partners
* Technical proficiency with Microsoft Office programs

Strongly Desired:

* 4 or more years post-graduate work experience in coral reef-related scientific or management positions
* 2 to 3 years of program development and project planning experience
* Experience developing, negotiating, and managing individual grants (as the grant recipient) and/or administering grant programs (as the grantor)
* Experience working in a matrix organization and/or ability working in team settings
* Experience working on multi-lateral, regional, or international environmental initiatives
* Experience in a governmental work environment

To Apply:

Applications will be accepted until the position is filled. The salary for this position is commensurate with experience. Qualified candidates may apply by e-mailing a cover letter, resume, and three references (MS Word format strongly preferred) to: jobs@imsg.com with the subject heading: NOA10041 – Puerto Rico Management Liaison. Please include your salary expectations in your cover letter. The salary range for this position is 55-65k.

IMSG is an Equal Opportunity Employer and Veteran friendly.