[Coral-List] Part-time Florida Sea Grant position- Coral Disease Associate

[Caroline McLaughlin]

Position Announcement- Coral Disease Associate

Florida Sea Grant (FSG) is pleased to announce a part-time, fully remote
job opportunity focused on national-level coral disease coordination. The
Coral Disease Associate works closely with Florida Sea Grant’s National
Coral Disease Coordinator to coordinate the U.S. national response to stony
coral tissue loss disease (SCTLD), working across all currently affected
and potentially vulnerable coral reef jurisdictions, including Florida,
Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Hawaii, American Samoa, Guam, and the
Northern Mariana Islands. The Associate supports coordination amongst
federal and jurisdictional agencies and works to facilitate communications,
identify information and resource gaps, and provide support to prevention,
preparedness, and response efforts.

Desired Start Date

We are hoping to fill this position as soon as possible.

Compensation and Schedule

The Associate will be established as an OPS employee at the University of
Florida with a set salary of $18.00 per hour. The Associate will work
approximately 20 hours per week with a set term of one year. The position
term may be extended pending the availability of additional funds. The
successful applicant must be available during regular east coast business
hours. A flexible schedule is preferred with the availability to
participate in occasional work-related travel.

Job Description

Coral reefs are among the most ecologically rich and economically robust
ecosystems on the planet. They are also among the most threatened.
Recognizing the importance of coral health to community health, Florida Sea
Grant is committed to pursuing activities that support the protection of
coral reefs and bolster ecosystem sustainability and resilience over the
long-term. Specifically, Florida Sea Grant is providing leadership to the
US national effort to respond to an unprecedented coral disease outbreak
that has devastated reefs throughout Florida and the wider Caribbean.

The Associate will work with Florida Sea Grant’s National Coral Disease
Coordinator and contribute to coral disease response and prevention efforts
by supporting key coordination activities. Specific responsibilities
include:



   -

   Capacity Building and Response Coordination
   -

      Support efforts to share information between local SCTLD response
      efforts in U.S. jurisdictions and establish regular lines of
communication
      between U.S. jurisdictional disease response coordinators and disease
      response practitioners, as appropriate.
      -

      Provide administrative support to the U.S. Coral Reef Task Force
      Coral Disease Working Group and its sub-teams.
      -

      Maintain current files on the capabilities and needs of each
      jurisdiction (i.e., response team members, logistical support,
facilities,
      monitoring efforts, treatment and intervention efforts, and laboratory
      diagnostic capabilities).
      -

      Identify and engage new partners from federal agencies and private
      institutions/ businesses who could bring resources to the response
      effort(s).
      -

      Coordinate training for coral reef resource managers and field
      researchers in both affected and unaffected jurisdictions.
      -

   Reporting and Communications
   -

      Review and assist in development of reports and recommendations.
      -

      Lead the creation and distribution of various communications
      materials, including the SCTLD prospectus, semi-annual newsletters, and
      fact sheets.
      -

      Compile monthly SCTLD email updates.


Desired Qualifications and Skills

   -

   B.A./B.S. in science, policy, natural resource management, or related
   field required
   -

   1-2 years experience working in coral reef management, science, and/or
   policy or equivalent graduate-level education preferred
   -

   Outstanding written and oral communication skills
   -

   Exceptional organization and research skills and the ability to
   translate complex, technical content into publicly accessible materials
   -

   Positive attitude, enthusiasm, and ability to work effectively with
   diverse partners and multidisciplinary groups
   -

   Self-directed, independent, and able to work remotely


How to Apply

Please submit your cover letter and resume to
Coral.Disease.Associate at gmail.com. Please send materials in one email with
the email subject line “LastName_Coral Associate Application.” Applicants
with incomplete applications or who send separate emails will not be
considered. The position will be hired on a rolling basis, with review of
applications beginning April 5, 2022. Please email Caroline McLaughlin at
cmclaughlin1 at ufl.edu with any questions.

Hiring is contingent upon eligibility to work in the United States. The
University of Florida is a public institution and subject to all
requirements under Florida Sunshine and Public Record laws. The University
of Florida is an Equal Opportunity Institution dedicated to building a
broadly diverse and inclusive faculty and staff. The University of Florida
is committed to creating an environment that affirms diversity across a
variety of dimensions, including ability, class, ethnicity/race, gender
identity, and expression.