[Coral-List] FW: Marine Protective Area Program Job Openings

[Donald Frank]

We are currently looking to hire several positions that might be
interested to your reader community; if possible we would like to post
the following job descriptions to our entire reading list. I am now a
member of the list and would like to communicate these position
openings.

 

Thanks,

 

Donald R. Frank

Director, Space and Earth Sciences

I.M. Systems Group

frankd at imsg.com <mailto:frankd at imsg.com> 

 

 

 

BACKGROUND ON NATIONAL MPA CENTER

 

NOAA's National Marine Protected Areas (MPA) Center was established by
NOAA in 2001 pursuant to Presidential Executive Order 13158 on MPAs.
The MPA Center's mission is to provide information, tools and training
needed for the effective design, management and evaluation of the
nation's system of MPAs.  The Center has a headquarters office at the
NOAA complex in Silver Spring, MD, and two thematic Institutes located
in California (the MPA Science Institute) and in South Carolina (the MPA
Training and Technical Assistance Institute).  In addition, the MPA
Center has a growing number of regional staff in strategic locations
around the U.S.  The MPA Center and its two Institutes are engaged in a
wide variety of science, policy and planning efforts focused on three
main goals:

*         Develop a framework for an effective national system of MPAs

*         Improve the stewardship and effectiveness of existing MPAs

*         Improve the coordination and communication about MPAs among
agencies and their stakeholders

 

The MPA Science Institute bridges the gap between science and policy by
targeting scientific research, synthesis and analysis on timely issues
fundamental to the ongoing national dialogue on MPAs.  Based in
California, the MPA Science Institute has offices in Monterey and Santa
Cruz,  as well as a growing number of regional staff engaged in MPA
science and policy analysis around the U.S.  The Science Institute is a
dynamic, mid-sized office with a planned staff of approximately 15-20
full-time and part-time professional staff, visiting scientists,
postdoctoral fellows and student interns.

 

Read more about the center and the program at http://www.mpa.gov/

 

POSITION DESCRIPTIONS

 

 

MPA04-001 National System Ecologist

Position: National System Ecologist--Full-time, immediate opening
Location(s): Santa Cruz, CA USA

 

I.M. Systems Group, Inc (IMSG) has an immediate need for a National
System Ecologist that will play a critical role in the NOAA Marine
Protective Area Center's ongoing effort to design an effective national
system of MPAs meeting multiple conservation and management goals.  To
this end, the candidate will plan and coordinate the natural science
aspects of the national system development process, including: (i)
assessing the contribution of existing MPAs to national; (ii)
characterizing important marine habitats, communities and resources in
US waters; (iii) evaluating existing and emerging threats to the
viability of those resources; (iv) identifying significant gaps in the
current level of place-based protection in US waters; and (v)
identifying potential new or improved MPAs as part of the national
system and the broader ecosystem management framework in the US.  In
addition, National System Ecologist will contribute substantively to a
variety of other science and analytical activities within the MPA
Center, including implementing the national science strategy; evaluating
and synthesizing emerging MPA science and policy issues; contributing to
national and regional marine science initiatives, and developing budget
initiatives to further the application of sound natural science in MPA
design and adaptive management. 

 

The qualified applicant must possess: (i) an advanced degree in marine
ecology or a related discipline (PhD is strongly preferred); (ii) broad
knowledge of the structure and function of US marine ecosystems, and of
the natural processes and anthropogenic stressors that affect their
health and sustainability; (iii) knowledge of the scientific issues and
approaches underlying successful design, management and evaluation of
MPAs, including siting models, network design, spillover, connectivity,
recovery trajectories, monitoring methods, observing systems, etc. (iv)
five or more years of progressive experience applying conservation
planning approaches to the design of MPA sites, networks and/or systems;
and (v) experience with public policy issues and planning processes
involved in the use of MPAs in the U.S. as a conservation and management
tool.

 

The qualified applicant must also possess the: (i) ability to form and
lead collaborative teams with diverse expertise to achieve common
research objectives; (ii) experience with analyzing spatial data in a
marine conservation context; (iii) ability to successfully manage
multiple projects and to prioritize effectively among competing demands;
(iv) strong written and verbal communication skills and ability to
synthesize complex scientific information for diverse audiences and
need;  (v) ability to work objectively in a complex and contentious
public policy arena, occasionally as the sole federal representative;
and (vi) experience with fundraising for marine science or conservation
projects, including working with governmental grants and contracts.

 

Salary is negotiable based on experience and IMSG is an equal
opportunity employer.  Applicants should email their resume and salary
requirements to jobs at imsg.com with the following subject line:
"MPA04-001 National System Ecologist".

 

 

MPA04-002 Pacific Regional Ecologist
MPA04-003 Northeastern U.S. Regional Ecologist

Positions: Regional Ecologist--Full-time, immediate openings
Location(s): Santa Cruz, CA USA; Boston, MA USA

I.M. Systems Group, Inc (IMSG) has an immediate need for TWO Marine
Protective Area (MPA) Ecologists whom will be key members of the
National MPA Center's natural science team.  The candidates will play a
central role in the development and coordination of a variety of
regional and national MPA research, analysis and synthesis functions in
support of the Center's goals to develop an effective national system of
MPAs, enhance MPA stewardship; and improve coordination among MPA
agencies and stakeholders.  Specific responsibilities include: (i)
implementing and expanding a national research program to strengthen the
scientific basis for MPA design, management and evaluation in the US;
(ii) organizing and participating in regional, national and
international scientific working groups on important MPA issues; (iii)
fostering collaborative institutional partnerships to address high
priority science needs; (iv) contributing to the MPA Center's ongoing
effort to develop a national system of MPAs; (v) working collaboratively
with social scientists to integrate the ecological and human dimensions
of marine conservation; (vi) developing new scientific approaches to
integrate MPAs into traditional fisheries management and science; and
(vii) contributing to the analysis and syntheses of critical MPA science
policy issues for diverse audiences.

 

Although the primary focus of this positions are on the development of a
regional and national research program for design and management of
MPAs, the candidate is encouraged to engage in relevant individual
scholarly research and publication.  

 

The qualified applicants must possess: (i) an advanced degree in marine
ecology or a related discipline (PhD is strongly preferred); (ii) broad
knowledge of the structure and function of diverse US marine ecosystems,
and of the natural processes and anthropogenic stressors that affect
their health and sustainability; (iii) experience with temperate Pacific
marine ecosystems and of the potential role of MPAs in their
conservation and management; (iv) five or more years of progressive
experience designing and conducting marine research, assessment or
monitoring relevant to the design or evaluation of MPAs; and (v)
experience with public policy issues and planning processes involved in
the use of MPAs in the U.S. as a conservation and management tool;  (vi)
ability to form and lead collaborative teams with diverse expertise to
achieve common research objectives; (vii) ability to manage multiple
projects to successful completion, and to prioritize effectively among
competing demands; and (viii) experience with strategic planning and
fundraising for marine science or conservation projects, including
working with governmental grants and contracts.

 

Salary is negotiable based on experience and IMSG is an equal
opportunity employer.  Applicants should email their resume and salary
requirements to jobs at imsg.com with the following subject line:
"MPA04-002 Pacific Regional Ecologist" or "MPA04-003 Northeastern
Regional Ecologist". 

 

 

I.M. Systems Group

 

IMSG is a science and technical services company actively supporting
NOAA in a broad range of project areas:

   * Scientific research             * Algorithm development

   * Remote sensing                 * GIS development

   * Policy development           * Database design

   * System development         * Assessment & analysis

   * Training & education         * Communication & outreach

 

Through our demonstrated performance, capabilities, and focused customer
service, NOAA has become IMSG's largest customer.  We have on-site
scientists and researchers supporting NOAA at a growing number of
locations:

   * Boston, MA                       * Hawaii

   * Charleston, SC                  * Long Beach, CA

   * Silver Spring, MD             * Monterey, CA

   * Camp Spring, MD             * Annapolis, MD

 

Other locations include Grey's Reef, Guam, Palau, Australia, and we can
support any other location in the world.

 

IMSG provides professional services to programs in NESDIS, NOS, NWS, and
NMFS and we are delivering services related to:

   * Fisheries                             * Marine Protected Areas


   * Sanctuaries                        * Coral Reef Response


   * Coral Reef Response         * Restoration Management

   * Ecosystem Damage Assessment

   * Marine Chart Development.

 

Through these programs, we are supporting many constituents including
other NOAA offices, federal agencies, state and local governments,
territorial agencies, and other non-governmental organizations,
industry, and citizen groups. 

We care about our employee's future, family, and well being so we
provide the following benefits to each: 

*	Paid Vacation and Sick Leave 
*	Short Term Disability Income Insurance (Company Paid) 
*	Long Term Disability Income Insurance (Company Paid)
*	Life Insurance (Company Paid)
*	Dental Insurance (Company Paid for Employees, Family Plans
Available) 
*	Health Insurance (Company Paid for Employees, Family Plans
available) 
*	Retirement Plan (Profit Sharing and 401(K) )
*	Educational and Professional Society Cost Assistance 
*	Immigration Support
*	Flexible Spending Plan

Be sure to check out our website for information on the company and for
additional job openings.

 

http://www.imsg.com/