Over the past few decades, coral reefs in the Atlantic-Caribbean have declined significantly due to coral bleaching, ocean acidification, land-based sources of pollution, and coral disease. One of the most promising, innovative approaches to achieve long-term recovery and resilience for coral reefs is coral rescue – efforts to preserve and restore coral biodiversity through the targeted collection of resilient and rare corals for future propagation and restoration.

Working in close collaboration with the jurisdictional governments of and partners in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Island, the Coordinator will bring together diverse coral partners and practitioners in the U.S. Caribbean to increase capacity for a regional approach to coral rescue. The Coordinator will facilitate the development of a detailed regional coral rescue plan to inform future restoration and rescue efforts and will support the development of a regional coral rescue network.
the Coordinator will work remotely from a location in Puerto Rico but will work closely with the Coral Reef Conservation and Management Program at the Puerto Rico Department of Natural and Environmental Resources and other partners. The Coordinator will work in tandem with the U.S. Virgin Islands part-time counterpart and the U.S. Caribbean Coral Rescue coordinator to achieve project goals.

1. Development of a U.S. Caribbean Coral Rescue Plan

• Help organize a planning team to lead the development of a regional U.S. Caribbean Coral Rescue Plan and develop a planning process and timeline that is in accordance with local emergency/disturbance response or restoration efforts.

• Coordinate planning team activities, schedule meetings, and ensure the planning process stays on schedule.

• Host annual workshops for planning team members to support the development of the plan.

• Coordinate efforts to draft, revise, gather comments on, and finalize the plan. 

• Distribute the plan as appropriate to various networks and partners. 

• Ensure the plan is integrated into jurisdictional management and restoration plans as appropriate.

• Evaluate Puerto Rico's Coral Restoration Plan and identify restoration inventions or emergency response efforts that might warrant rescue efforts.

2. Establishment and Coordination of a U.S. Caribbean Coral Rescue Network 

• Help facilitate regular coordination and meetings of a U.S. Caribbean Coral Rescue Network, which may include monthly or quarterly virtual meetings, email communication, and/or annual in-person workshops.

• Establish specific goals and objectives for the group and assess the need for training/technical support among member networks.

• Coordinate training, workshops, and tool development and provide network members with access to technical experts and resources as needed. 

3. Enhance Community Engagement on Coral Reef Emergency Response and Rescue 

• Participate in monthly Emergency Response Meetings held by the Puerto Rico Department of Natural and Environmental Resources Coral Reef Conservation and Management Program.

• Work with network members to create and disseminate relevant outreach materials to stakeholder groups.

• Work with network members to integrate coral rescue materials and messaging into public presentations; ensure relevant materials are distributed at community events; and integrate information on coral reef health and emergencies into educational programs.   

4. Facilitate Regional and National Coordination 

• Work with territorial positions, such as a local Rescue Coordinator, to ensure communication and  engagement with broader coral rescue and disturbance efforts.

• Participate in monthly U.S. Coral Reef Task Force Coral Disease & Disturbance Working Group and related sub-team meetings.

• Ensure information flow between the USVI and Puerto Rico and relevant regional, national, and international initiatives. 

$20.00/hour 

Master's degree preferred

• Knowledge of and direct experience with coral reef biology, ecology, and/or the conservation of Caribbean coral reef ecosystems.

• Working knowledge of coral rescue and restoration practices is a plus.

• Fluency in Spanish.

• Demonstrated ability to initiate and complete projects with minimal supervision.

• Experience with data management and statistical or mathematical computation software.

• Ability to effectively communicate with diverse audiences and interpret and communicate technical information.

• Excellent analytical, organizational, and planning skills and attention to detail.

• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.

• Effective oral and written communication skills and ability to interact with diverse audiences.

• Experience coordinating marine resource management and public outreach is desirable. 

• Willingness to travel and work occasionally in the evening or on weekends as needed. 

To be considered you must upload your cover letter, resume and list of references

Application must be submitted by 11:55 p.m. (ET) of the posting end date.