Reef Restoration Director
Who we are:
The Arizona State University Center for Global Discovery and Conservation Science (GDCS) is an enterprising organization that leads the multi-agency ʻĀkoʻakoʻa Ridge to Reef Restoration Program on Hawaiʻi Island, focused on improving coral reef outcomesand community participation along the 190 km stretch of coastline. The ʻĀkoʻakoʻaprogram requires an integrated combination of activities with diverse personnel, multiple marine and aviation assets, land-based facilities, and operations to achieve mission success. We seek top personnel to grow all programmatic elements and to shape scientific and culturally-based solutions for reef resilience on Hawaiʻi Island. Current personnel structures are fluid and require individuals to take on diverse roles that forge new ground for the program. ASU and the State of Hawaiʻi Division of Aquatic Resources (DAR) have partnered at the state-of-the-art new Ridge-to-Reef Restoration Center (3RC), located in Kailua-Kona, to generate a blended management, research, and education hub that serves the West Hawaiʻi coastline.
Who you are:
Our Centerseeksan experienced, highly motivatedindividual to serve as Reef Restoration Director to drive the development and deployment of coral restoration program elements focused on large-scale research and community education.The ideal candidate enjoys working with diverse stakeholders and is undeterred by ambiguity. The Restoration Director will report to the Center Director and will be assisted by a staff of coral scientists, technicians, and educators, including Division of Aquatic Resources personnel.
Your challenge:
The Restoration Director will be empowered to lead four broad elements. While these are key examples, the list is not comprehensive at this time.
1) Create, adapt, and improve coral reef restoration strategies appropriate to West Hawaiʻi. This element includes programmatic, proposal, and procedural development activities. A key goal of this element is to drive inter-agency collaboration in support of an adaptive science and management strategy that improves knowledge, practice, and implementation of coral reef restorative measures over time.
· Assist the Center Director, and often provide an independent leading role, on strategies to grow the reef restoration program over time.
· Undertake project planning and proposals with ASU, DAR and other organizations focused on coral reef restoration in West Hawaiʻi.
· Lead and/or participate in science operations focused on reef restoration.
2) Lead and facilitatescientific activities. This element includes planning and implementation of activities that support management and conservation. Scalable research is prioritized over smaller academic-style studies; however, the facility will be open to academic researchers on a pay-per-use basis with oversight provided by this position.
· Oversee scientific operations at the ASU Coral Nursery, supported by the Coral Nursery Facility Manager (this position has been filled)
· Test and implement novel approaches to coral propagation, outplanting, and restoration.
· Implement coral research that supports large-scale coral restoration in West Hawaiʻi.
3) Facilitate educational activities at undergraduate and graduate levels for ASU and participating organizations. This element is to be undertaken in coordination with faculty of the ASU School of Ocean Futures. This activity will include on-the-job training of students in preparation for coral reef restoration positions in Hawaiʻi, across the Pacific Basin, and worldwide.
· Create content and coordinate training as part of forthcoming GDCS credited coursework in Reef Restoration.
· Support onsite outreach at the ASU Coral Nursery with experiential learning-based activities for small groups (i.e. local schools).
· Train ASU and DAR employees on aspects of coral husbandry, propagation, and related activities.
4) Collaborate with the Community Engagement Director, a position to be filled in parallel to the Restoration Director position. The Community Engagement Director will work with a wide range of communities in West Hawaiʻi focused on culturally-driven reef restoration, reef stewardship participation, and youth education. The Restoration Director will provide support including participatory access to the coral nursery, assistance with coral outplanting and community engagement, and local, State, and national event participation.
· Provide scientific and operational support to the community program.
· Assist the Community Engagement Director to drive community-based participation in coral reef stewardship and restoration.
Minimum Qualifications
Masters or PhD degree in a field appropriate to the area of assignment AND two (2) years of related experience; OR, five (5) years of related experience; OR, Any equivalent combination of experience and/or education from which comparable knowledge, skills and abilities have been achieved.
Desired Additional Qualifications
Knowledge of Hawaiʻi Island geography and a diverse array of supporting businesses. Knowledge and relationships with local communities in West Hawaiʻi.
Place of Work:
Base of operations is in Kailua-Kona (primary), with activities extending along the West Hawaiʻi Island coastline.
To apply for this position: please send your cover letter, resume/CV, and contact information for three potential providers of recommendation letters to Andrea Scott, [email protected].
Please include the position name you are applying for in your email subject line.
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