IMPORTANT: This Advertiser has requested that applicants MUST be National Residents / Valid Work Permit-holders. Other applicants need not apply.
Monk Seal Management Planner
Ocean Associates, Inc. is seeking a candidate to support the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), Pacific Islands Regional Office (PIRO) with preparation of the Main Hawaiian Islands Monk Seal Management Plan. In particular, the services will involve preparation of sections of the plan related to human interactions with Hawaiian monk seals. The services will include: 1) stakeholder engagement and communication activities to gather and share information required to develop the plan, and 2) development and revision of specific sections of the plan related to human-seal interactions using a specific planning methodology adopted by NMFS.
Job duties:
A) Stakeholder Engagement and Communications
1) Informal Stakeholder Meetings - Meet informally, one-on-one and in small groups, with individuals from the following groups to document their knowledge, understanding attitudes, and concerns regarding human-seal interactions and Hawaiian monk seal management planning:
- Fishermen and other ocean users who are likely to interact with monk seals.
- Non-government organizations and wildlife conservation-oriented groups.
- County Ocean Safety personnel.
- Dive tour c ompany representatives and eco-tourism related businesses likely to interact with monk seals.
2) Contact List - Develop and maintain a list with contact information of fishermen and other stakeholders (ocean users, NGO's, etc., listed above) who are concerned about human-seal interactions and/or interested in working with NMFS to address human-seal interactions and collaborate on Hawaiian monk seal management planning.
3) Interactions Spreadsheet - Develop and maintain a spreadsheet of all human-seal interactions (hooking, entanglements, spearfishing interactions, other fishery interactions, interactions with swimmers, divers, etc.) as described to Contractor personnel in stakeholders meetings, informal communications, etc. The spreadsheet will include as much of the following information as is available: type of interaction, location, time and date, person reporting, person(s) involved, seal involved, NMFS/Government response, outcome.
4) Communication Tools - Develop communication tools regarding Hawaiian monk seals and human-seal interactions, including content (text and graphics concepts) for flyers and web pages depicting types of human-seal interactions and how interactions can be reduced or prevented. Content for at least 2 flyers and 4 web pages shall be developed.
B) Management Planning
1) Planning Meetings - Make arrangements (send invitations, book venues, etc.) and support meeting facilitation (prepare and present PowerPoint presentations, take notes, etc.) for NMFS meetings with fishermen and other ocean users regarding human-seal interactions and collaboration on Hawaiian monk seal management planning. At least one meeting shall be held on each of the following islands: Kauai, Oahu, Molokai and Maui.
2) Plan Development - Draw on results of meetings and other communications with fishermen and other ocean users conducted via the tasks above to develop and revise sections of the Main Hawaiian Islands Monk Seal Management Plan related to human seal interactions. Plan development and revision will be conducted using the Open Standards for the Practice of Conservation planning methodology (http://conservationmeasures.org/initiatives/standards-for-project-management). This task will involve the following steps:
- Identify and refine human wellbeing targets, such as targets related to sustainable fishing and ocean access.
- Identify, rank and refine threats that directly harm or degrade Hawaiian monk seals and/or the human wellbeing targets.
- Create and refine a conceptual model of contributing factors leading to the threats, including creating and refining diagrams showing connections between the target, scope, direct threats, and contributing factors (also known as indirect threats or opportunities).
- Develop and refine goals for each target, clearly identifying the desired status of the targets in the future.
- Identify, refine and prioritize management strategies, including determining where interventions may influence the contributing factors or reduce the direct or indirect threats.
- Create and refine results chains created to explicitly state how the strategy will mitigate the threat.
- Develop and refine objectives, activities, and indicators to achieve the desired results, providing details to facilitate implementation of the strategies and measure implementation performance.
Travel will be required to accomplish the work tasks and will include: four 1-day trips and four overnight (2-day) trips to neighboring islands (e.g., Kauai, Molokai, and Molokai).
Minimum qualifications:
- Bachelor's Degree from an accredited four (4) year college or university in a natural resources or wildlife management related field, such as management planning, human dimensions in management, etc.
- At least three years of experience working in Hawaii on natural resources management issues, preferably issues related to ocean or marine resource use.
- Knowledge of current issues related to managing marine protected resources in Hawaii, including Hawaiian monk seals.
- Ability to communicate effectively with diverse audiences of varying ages, educational levels, and cultural backgrounds.
- Ability to work well within a team to accomplish stated objectives.
- Demonstrated team-building skills and ability to facilitate cooperation among groups with diverse backgrounds and viewpoints.
- Experience with computer programs such as Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint, and Word.
- Skill in written communication, oral presentation, and computer graphics and design programs.
The successful candidate will be based on Oahu to facilitate collaboration and coordination with Oahu-based NMFS staff. Work is expected to be 20-30 hrs/week, to begin as soon as possible, and anticipated to last approximately 6 months.
Compensation: $18.36 /hr
Federal location/workplace requires that all contract and government employees be able to access military installations. In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification document form upon hire. Ocean Associates is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of any status or condition protected by applicable federal or state law.
Please send a resume detailing qualifications and experience to jobs@oceanassoc.com and use “5055 Monk Seal” as the subject line. PDF documents are preferred and please include your name in the file name. Resumes will be accepted until the position is filled, however priority will be given to applicants who submit a resume by 9 September 2013.
