[Coral-List] Coral Reef Technician position announcement

[Andrew Bruckner]

JOB ANNOUNCEMENT/OPPORTUNITY:
The Khaled bin Sultan Living Oceans Foundation is seeking an experienced, recent graduate student with field expertise in coral reefs for the position of Coral Reef Technician.
Position Overview:
The Coral Reef Technician has primary responsibilities to 1) conduct benthic assessments to and/or fish assessments to characterize coral reef community structure and coral reef resilience during the Global Reef Expedition(“GRE”) 2) analyze of data, photos and information collected  during the Expedition, and 3) develop products based on these data that will assist managers in conserving their coral reef resources.  The Coral Reef Technician will be based in Washington DC , and is expected to accompany the team during each of the research missions undertaken during the GRE, a multi-year research and education program of the Khaled bin Sultan Living Oceans Foundation (a U.S.A. non-profit, public benefit 501(c)(3) corporation headquartered in the Washington, D.C. Metropolitan area).  The successful applicant will serve as one of the core members of the scientific team involved in the GRE and will report to the Chief Scientist.
Goals and Objectives:
As Coral Reef Technician, your primary goals and objectives are to compile and analyze data and images collected by the science team during previous, current and future expeditions, conduct SCUBA assessments of coral reef organisms, and develop products that will be useful to our constituents, the public, and key stakeholders of coral reefs in the countries we visit during the GRE.  Working in close coordination with the Living Oceans Foundation staff, the Coral Reef Technician will advance the Foundation’s priority coral reef conservation issues by characterizing the status and trends of coral reefs, threats affecting these ecosystems, and factors and processes that enhance global coral reef resilience.  The successful applicant will have the unique opportunity to conduct reef assessments from a state-of-the art research platform (The Golden Shadow) and study and explore remote coral reefs around the globe.

Duties and Responsibilities

·         Conduct field assessments using belt transects to characterize population dynamics and condition of corals, algae and fishes and/or resilience assessments using a standardized approach

·         Assist in establishing permanent study sites and characterizing those sites

·         Assist other scientists in collection of oceanographic data and data relevant to coral reef resilience

·         Compile data, photographs and other information, enter relevant information into spreadsheets

·         Analyze data and photoquadrats using appropriate programs and statistical analysis,

·         Develop reports, informational tools and publications from the data collected during the GRE,

·         Assist the Director of communications and other staff in developing effective messages on priority coral reef research and conservation issues based on the research results for communication through news releases, website articles, blogs, progress reports, film, and other publications,

·         Compile and catalogue a photo and video archive containing imagery collected by various GRE sciences

·         Assist the LOF GIS technician in the development of maps and other GIS products

Minimum Qualifications/Requirements:

·         Master’s degree (Ph. D. preferred) in marine science with a focus on coral reefs

·         Knowledge base in coral reef conservation issues and coral reef resilience

·         Field expertise in coral reef assessments

·         Knowledge of coral identification for both Caribbean and IndoPacific reef building corals and/or fish species identification for these regions

·         Proficiency in word processing, database and spreadsheet applications and use of statistical analysis tools

·         Excellent and proven written communications skills (peer-reviewed publication record

·         Ability to take initiative, work under pressure with limited supervision and work comfortably in a fast-paced and fluid environment with multiple projects, multiple stakeholders and frequent deadlines

·         Ability to travel internationally up to 30% of time and physically qualified to be aboard ships and small vessels

·         SCUBA certified as an advanced open water diver; NITROX certification preferred

·         Training and certification in first aid, CPR, Oxygen administration, and current DAN Insurance
Compensation:  We offer a competitive salary based upon level of experience and excellent benefits package, including a generous 403(b) plan and flexible benefits options.
To Apply: Send a cover letter, resume, three professional references and copies of relevant publications to the attention of the Chief Scientist at:  lofjobs at gmail.com