Position Description: Lionfish Research and Education Program Manager
The Cape Eleuthera Institute (CEI) and Reef Environmental Education Foundation (REEF) maintain a collaborative program of scientific research, training and education/outreach focussed on understanding and addressing the invasion of Indo-Pacific lionfish into the tropical Western Atlantic. Based at the Cape Eleuthera Institute, the program seeks to hire a Program Manager to implement and coordinate lionfish research and outreach initiatives on Eleuthera, The Bahamas.
Qualifications
• MSc in Marine Science or related field preferred, or BSc with 2 years relevant research experience • Dive master level or above SCUBA certification, current in skills and experience in open ocean diving • First Aid and CPR certified • Extensive knowledge of Caribbean reef fish identification • Extensive experience with underwater survey methodologies • Prior teaching experience, secondary school preferred • Prior experience in field project management and operations • Strong writing and verbal communication skills • Excellent computer skills and experience in Excel, Word, PowerPoint • Demonstrated experience handling and operating small boats • Experience in public speaking and presenting • Data management experience • Ability to travel internationally • Must tolerate a seasonal (very) hot climate, bugs, long field days and isolated but tight-knit community• MSc in Marine Science or related field preferred, or BSc with 2 years relevant research experience• Dive master level or above SCUBA certification, current in skills and experience in open ocean diving• First Aid and CPR certified • Extensive knowledge of Caribbean reef fish identification• Extensive experience with underwater survey methodologies
• Prior teaching experience, secondary school preferred• Prior experience in field project management and operations• Strong writing and verbal communication skills • Excellent computer skills and experience in Excel, Word, PowerPoint• Demonstrated experience handling and operating small boats• Experience in public speaking and presenting• Data management experience• Ability to travel internationally• Must tolerate a seasonal (very) hot climate, bugs, long field days and isolated but tight-knit community
Skills:
The ideal candidate is creative, diplomatic, well-organized, attentive to detail, a self-starter who takes initiative, demonstrates stewardship, works well in adverse field conditions, has a passion for ocean conservation and a love of teaching students of all ages.
Responsibilities:
Research (40%)
• Coordinate with program advisors on various in-house and outside lionfish research initiatives in Eleuthera
• Maintain and monitor in-house lionfish research projects on Eleuthera
• Manage data generated by in-house lionfish research
• Coordinate with and report to program advisors on research progress, data, and peer-reviewed manuscripts
• Maintain equipment associated with lionfish research
• Hire, coordinate, train, educate, and manage lionfish research interns and volunteers
Teaching (30%)
• Work with program advisors to develop lionfish curriculum for Island School high school research course
• Oversee student development of semester-long research project on lionfish, which includes developing lesson plans and syllabi, delivering lectures and field classes, grading and feedback, meeting with parents during parent-teacher conferences held once a semester, and guide the student’s final project for the research symposium
• Produce reports and assessments of Island School students’ research
Training, Outreach and Education (20%)
• Assist program advisors in organizing and conducting training workshops for visiting lionfish researchers, volunteers and marine resource managers
• Work with the Manager of Educational Programs and Communications Coordinator to present summaries of the lionfish program to visitors, community groups and public officials.
• Represent the lionfish program at local and international events/conferences
• Liaise with outside media on lionfish-related outreach
• Generate project updates and manage lionfish content on the CEI webpage
• Work with local fishermen to build capacity for lionfish removal on Eleuthera
• Assist program advisors in organizing targeted removal events, such as derbies, on Eleuthera
• Liaise with communications department at CEI to create popular media (articles, blogs, press releases)
Organizational coordination (10%)
• Participate in Island School semester preparation, orientation and debrief
• Participate in weekly meetings with CEI research staff, Island School program staff and Lionfish Research and Education program advisors.
Compensation & Benefits:
• $850 per month salary plus room & board and health insurance
• 10 days of vacation. Employees also receive 10 days of personal time off campus that is considered a “working vacation” during which employees have to be accessible by email and phone and available for conference calls.
• Other benefits include professional development opportunities for training and further education
, being in a vibrant research and educational atmosphere for networking
, andinteraction with other NGOs, regional government organizations and academic institutions.
CEI operates year round, typically 5.5 days a week, there will be periods of time (e.g. CEI Retreat, Island School Research Symposium) outside of normal working hours that require staff to be on site for extended periods. Staff are given four weeks of paid vacation per calendar year not to be taken all at once. A one year commitment is preferred to start with longer term career opportunities. Room, board, medical insurance and eligibility to enroll in retirement package after two years of service are all included. We are a Bahamian equal opportunity employer.
Schedule:
This is a full-time position requiring a minimum one year commitment. Working hours vary depending on project needs but are typically Monday-Friday (7:30am-4pm) and Saturday 9am-12pm and involve some evening and weekend work. The position will be based at the Cape Eleuthera Institute on Eleuthera, The Bahamas and is jointly funded and supervised by REEF and CEI. The successful candidate will work in a team environment with other research staff at CEI. Qualified Bahamians are strongly encouraged to apply.
Application:
If interested, please submit a resume, cover letter, and a writing sample that addresses the following question: How can lionfish research be useful to a small island nation such as The Bahamas? Submit all of these materials in PDF format detailing your interest and experience. Please send to: f38c+6798@app.catchthebest.com. We are collecting application until the position is filled. The anticipated start date is June 1, 2012.
Interview Process:
Top applicants will be contacted to discuss their experience in relation to the position with the selection committee. A site visit and formal interview may be required. Applicants will be required to demonstrate their knowledge and proficiency in requisite areas.
