Coral Reef Management Fellow - Hawaii - 992773

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Primary Purpose:

The National Coral Reef Management Fellowship is a partnership between the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Nova Southeastern University (NSU), the U.S. Department of Interior (DOI) and the U.S. All Islands Coral Reef Committee (AIC). There are seven (7) U.S. states and territories participating in this program: American Samoa, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Guam, Hawaiʻi, Florida, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Coral Reef Management Fellows are placed in state and territorial natural resource management agencies (the host agencies) in each of these jurisdictions every other year where they work on specific projects related to coral reef conservation. Although fellows are employed through NSU, they are essentially working for the host agencies and should consider their on-site fellowship supervisors to be their direct managers.

The fellowship program's mission is two-fold:

1. Provide coral reef management support in each participating jurisdiction by placing highly qualified individuals whose education and work experience meet each location's specific coral reef management's needs.
2. Provide individual fellows with professional opportunities and training in coastal and coral reef resource management.

The host agency for the 2026-2028 National Coral Reef Management Fellowship in Hawaiʻi is the State of Hawaiʻi Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR), Division of Aquatic Resources (DAR), based in the main office on O‘ahu island. This fellowship is intended to provide communities with an informal platform to share environmental concerns or needs without an existing agenda from an external organization. It is built around the concept of Lohe Pono to encourage objective feedback, which may reveal the most pressing issues. The small-scale and large-scale needs would be evaluated, with potential solutions and timelines addressed, if applicable.


The three goals of this 2-year coral fellowship are to:
1. Support DAR’s new Lohe Pono (listening intently, respectfully) program, to gather community feedback across the state on their environmental issues, concerns, and potential solutions that could be addressed through DAR’s various programs.

2. Develop an implementation plan for the non-regulatory pieces of the Maui Holomua Management Plan.

3. Develop a community stewardship funding allocation program for DAR’s Aloha i ke Kai (Hawai‘i Ocean Stewardship User Fee Program)

Job Category: Exempt

Hiring Range:  54,000.00

Pay Basis:  Annually

• Subject to Grant Funding? Yes  

Essential Job Functions:

1. Research and recommend a pilot project plan for an informal Lohe Pono program to better understand basic community environmental needs.

2. Identify and map communities and affiliated organizations with an emphasis on lineal descendants and Native Hawaiian Organizations. Identify a community representative from each moku to maintain long-term contact with DAR to discuss any future place-based initiatives.

3. Draft a technical report and interactive map that includes the feedback received and potential next steps for Lohe Pono.

4. Identify restoration projects in the Maui Holomua Management Plan and the Lohe Pono interactive community map and database of project ideas to identify projects for Maui County.

5. Assist DAR staff to draft an implementation plan for the non-regulatory pieces of the Maui County Holomua Management Plan.

6. Develop a tracking tool for project implementation of the Maui County Holomua Management Plan.

7. Develop a community stewardship funding allocation program for DAR’s Aloha i ke Kai, including developing a tracking tool and outreach materials for the program.

Job Requirements:

Required Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities: 1) Work experience in conservation, planning, public policy, or other relevant field, and working with a variety of stakeholders.

2) Ability to speak and write clearly, including the ability to analyze and clearly explain data, draft proposals, and draft reports requiring minimal review and editing.

3) Strong oral and written communication skills that, on request, can be supported by examples of experience in writing, reviewing, and editing (grammar and punctuation) information of a scientific and/or technical nature.

4) High level of analytical, organizational, and planning skills.

5) Proficient with PC computers and Microsoft Office software

Required Certifications/Licensures:

Required Education: Bachelor's Degree

Major (if required: Biological Sciences or Resource Management

Required Experience: Bachelor’s degree in biological science or resource management with experience that correlates with aptitude and interest for marine management and at least three (3) years of relevant experience in biological sciences or resource management.

--OR--

Master's degree in a related area of study and at least two (2) year of experience.

Preferred Qualifications:

• 1. Experience working in Hawaiʻi’s complex multicultural society in the context of natural resource management
• 2. An understanding of Hawaiʻi’s cultural and traditional practices as it relates to natural resource management
• 3. Direct experience with resource management.
• 4. Experience with community engagement and/or local knowledge.
• 5. Knowledge of coral reef ecosystems.

Is this a safety sensitive position? No  

Background Screening Required?  No  

Pre-Employment Conditions:

Sensitivity Disclaimer: Nova Southeastern University is in full compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and does not discriminate with regard to applicants or employees with disabilities and will make reasonable accommodation when necessary.

NSU considers applicants for all positions without regard to race, color, religion, creed, gender, national origin, age, disability, marital or veteran status or any other legally protected status.