[Coral-List] vacancy announcement-MPA programs, American Samoa

Christopher Hawkins chwkins at yahoo.com
Mon Sep 8 19:24:42 EDT 2003


Marine Protected Areas CoordinatorAmerican Samoa
 
General Description
 

The US Coral Reef Initiative (US CRI) has created additional opportunities for increased efforts by the Territory of American Samoa to protect coral reefs since 1999. The position of Marine Protected Areas Coordinator provides for a cohesive approach to one aspect of this: coordinating, designing, implementing, and evaluating marine protected areas in Territorial waters.

 

Governor Tauese Sunia pledged at the August 2000 Coral Reef Initiative meeting held in American Samoa that our government would establish no-take areas in 20% of our surrounding coral reefs.  To that end, the Governor’s Coral Reef Advisory Group (CRAG) has worked to develop an acceptable Marine Protected Areas Plan (MPAP) that includes both no-take and less stringent MPA proposals.

 

The primary role of the MPA Coordinator is to finalize and implement the Marine Protected Areas Plan, as well as to work closely with other local, regional, and federal partners in assuring that current and future MPA efforts in American Samoa are coordinated and utilize best management practices.  

 

The MPA Coordinator may be allowed to conduct investigations relevant to the monitoring, assessment, or management of marine protected areas as approved by CRAG.  This is optional depending on the desire and expertise of the Coordinator to perform such studies. This position is located in the American Samoa Department of Marine and Wildlife Resources (DMWR) and the employee will report to CRAG, with the Chief Biologist of DMWR as direct supervisor.

 

Duties and Responsibilities

 

   The Marine Protected Areas Coordinator will implement the actions and tasks outlined in the Marine Protected Areas Plan.

 

   The Coordinator will be the CRAG focal point for responding to requests for information on, and assistance from, American Samoa with regard to MPAs.

 

   The Coordinator will work closely with other agencies’ personnel involved with MPA development, implementation, and evaluation.

 

    The Coordinator will produce yearly status and trends reports on MPAs.

 

   The Coordinator will work cooperatively with all stakeholders concerned to ensure best management practices are being utilized.

 

 

   The Coordinator will attend CRAG meetings in a supporting capacity to the Group.

 

   CRAG may ask the MPA Coordinator to take on other relevant tasks as they arise in the future.

 

 

Qualifications

 

This position requires an individual with a minimum of a Master’s Degree in biological science with an emphasis on coastal/marine management, fisheries, marine science, or oceanography. It is preferred that the person’s background include tropical ecosystems and particularly, coral reefs.  The Coordinator role includes both science and management duties.  Applicants who have a marine or coastal science background with a professional interest in utilizing this background to design, implement and evaluate MPAs and other similar projects will be looked favorably upon.  Candidates must be well organized, and have excellent communication skills in English.  Knowledge of written and spoken Samoan is preferred, though not required.

 



Salary and Benefits

 

USD 28,000 p.a., subsidized housing (80% subsidy on rental of a government house) and medical costs, and relocation expenses (airfare, shipment of personal effects). Annual and sick leave accumulate at eight hours and four hours respectively every two-week pay period. Two-year contract, renewable by mutual consent and continued funding. 

 

 
Application
 

Closing date for response is 22 September 2003.  Mail, fax or email résumé, publication list, contact details for three references and a covering letter addressing the qualifications and responsibilities indicated above to:

Ufagafa Ray Tulafono, Director

Department of Marine and Wildlife Resources

PO Box 3730

Pago Pago AS, 96799 USA  

E-mail applications and questions may be routed via Christopher Hawkins (Coral Reef Initiative Coordinator) at:

CHAWKINS at doc.asg.as

 

United States citizen or Pacific Islander preferred.  However, all applications will be given due consideration.  Travel and shipment expenses for a successful non-US or PI applicant will only be paid from the US or Pacific Island to American Samoa leg.



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