Coral Reef Coordinator Vacancy - Saipan, CNMI

Jonathan Kelsey jonathan.kelsey at noaa.gov
Fri Oct 12 10:48:25 EDT 2001


The following is a vacancy announcement for a Coral Reef Coordinator
position located within the Coastal Resources Management Office of the
Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI).  Please direct
inquiries to the appropriate individuals, as identified in the
announcement below.  Apologies for cross-postings.

POSITION VACANCY

Title:          Coral Reef Coordinator
Agency:     Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI)
                   Coastal Resources Management Office
Location:   Saipan, CNMI

Background
Coral reef ecosystems are vitally important to the cultural and economic
sustainability of residents in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana
Islands (CNMI).  In addition to providing income and traditional and
cultural uses, the structures produced by healthy coral reefs are the
Island’s principle source of against storm events.  As development and
tourism prosper, it is important to evaluate, monitor, and manage
surrounding reefs.

As a founding member of the United States Coral Reef Task Force (US
CRTF), the CNMI has developed, received funding, and initiated a
comprehensive program aimed at conserving their coral reef resources.
The program, the CNMI Coral Reef Initiative is made up of a number of
individual projects focused on specific coral reef issues and is funded
by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the
Department of Interior (DOI).  Projects range from the development of
marine protected areas to establishing Island-wide coral reef monitoring
programs.  Other U.S. Island members of the Task Force have similarly
developed and received funding for their own initiatives.

The Coral Reef Initiative in CNMI, due in part to the trans-boundary
nature of coral reef management issues, is a cooperative effort driven
by a number of territorial and federal agencies.  The Coordinator works
in the CNMI’s federally approved Coastal Resources Management Office
(CRMO).  In addition to serving as the land use planning and permitting
agency for the Commonwealth, the CRMO has also been designated the point
of contact for federally funded coral reef activities stemming from the
Coral Reef Task Force.

Other Commonwealth agencies involved in coral reef issues include the
Department of Environmental Quality and Division of Fish and Wildlife.
Recently the CRMO, in cooperation with these agencies, has guided CNMI
to the legislation of its first marine protected area.

Responsibilities
The Coordinator will be the primary point of contact for coral reef
management issues and activities in the CNMI.  The responsibilities of
the Coordinator are multi-dimensional and include:

· Coordinate and provide leadership among the various territorial,
regional, and federal agencies active in local, regional, and national
coral reef management.
· Coordinate and cooperate with the various territorial, regional, and
federal agencies to develop a comprehensive coral reef monitoring
program that includes benthic cover, coral communities, fish abundance,
macro-invertebrate abundance, water quality, and biodiversity.
· Analyze data and help prepare annual state of the reef report.
· Assists developers in creating marine monitoring plans for permitted
projects.
· Develop relationships with local communities to build support for
marine protected areas and coral reef conservation.
· Develop management plans for coastal and marine areas, including
marine protected areas.
· The development of coral reef education and outreach material and
activities for a wide range of audiences including school children,
resource users such as fishermen and recreational operators,
legislators, and the general public.
· Federal grant management and reporting.

Qualifications
Applicants must be United States (US) Citizens or qualified CNMI
Resident Workers per 3CMC Section 4412 (n).  Applicants should have an
academic and professional background in natural resource management,
with specific experience in tropical marine ecosystems.  Successful
applicants will have an advanced degree in marine resource management,
coastal zone management, or marine science with an emphasis on tropical
ecosystems.  In addition, successful applicants will have at least five
(5) years experience in the following areas:

· Comprehensive understanding of current practices and issues related to
the long-term management of coastal and marine natural resources,
particularly coral reefs.
· Developing management plans for multi-use marine resource and
protected areas.
· Meeting facilitation, conflict resolution, and collaborative planning
among stakeholders with diverse backgrounds and conflicting interests.
· Developing and carrying out coral reef and water quality monitoring
programs.
· Effectively coordinating multi-agency working groups.
· Developing and implementing a variety of outreach and educational
materials for a wide range of audiences.
· Working with the issues of remote, small island states.
· SCUBA Certification.

Interested Applicants
Those interested in applying should submit the following:
· Cover letter
· Resume or CV
· Copy of transcripts for all colleges and universities attended
· Completed CNMI Government Application (faxed upon request)
· Police Clearance (valid within 1 year)
· At least one letter of recommendation

Applications and documents should be directed to:
Joaquin D. Salas, Acting Administrator
CNMI Coastal Resources Management
Office of the Governor
P.O. Box 10007
2nd Floor Morgen Building
San Jose Saipan, Mariana Islands  96950
Fax:  (670) 234-0007

Questions and/or request for CNMI Government Application should be
directed to:
  Bernie Pangelinan, Administrative Assistant
  Phone:  (670) 234-6623
  Email:  c/o  crm.permit at saipan.com

Closing Date
Applications and documents should be postmarked no later than 31 October
2001.

--
Jonathan D. Kelsey
Coastal Management Specialist, Pacific Region
NOAA/NOS/Coastal Programs Division
1305 East-West Highway, 11th Floor, N/ORM3
Silver Spring, MD  20910
Phone: (301) 713-3155 x137   Fax: (301) 713-4367


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