Ocean Career: Coral Vita Coral Restoration Specialist - Freeport, United States - ECO Magazine

Description

Ocean Career: Coral Vita Coral Restoration Specialist

Coral Vita is a mission-driven for-profit coral reef restoration company working to scale-up innovative coral farming methods to restore dying reefs. The company was founded in 2015, and we are launching our first land-based farm in Freeport, Grand Bahama, in Spring 2019.

Applications are now open for a Coral Restoration Specialist who will help lead local operations at our Bahamian farm, with opportunities for growth within the company. We are searching for a creative thinker that is excited about developing new models for reef restoration and who is experienced in the methods of coral husbandry.

What's Coral Vita all about?

Coral Vita works to restore our world's dying and damaged reefs. By growing climate change resilient corals and transplanting them into threatened reefs, we aim to preserve the ocean's biodiversity through large-scale restoration. In turn, we protect wildlife alongside the prosperity and health of communities, industries, and nations that depend on reefs for coastal protection, food security, and tourism. At Coral Vita, we take a novel approach compared to traditional reef restoration organizations, building out a commercial business model in order to scale up farming operations and sustain large restoration projects.

Job Description

The Coral Restoration Specialist will oversee the operations of our land-based coral farm and reef restoration activities in Freeport, Grand Bahama. They will work with Coral Vita's Executive Team to grow and out-plant corals in the Bahamas in an ecologically and scientifically-sound manner to restore the health of local reefs. This person should be comfortable supervising other staff members/interns and taking the initiative during situations in lieu of the Executive Team.

The Coral Restoration Specialist will be responsible for managing restoration operations, including work at the Freeport coral farm, local outplanting sites, monitoring efforts, and facility maintenance. Along with Coral Vita's Executive Team, the Coral Restoration Specialist will lead and participate in monitoring trips, set up experiments at farm and restoration sites, and submit restoration impact reports. They will serve as field-based team leader responsible for executing coordinated restoration efforts. This includes (but isn't limited to): handling permitted corals, building structures for coral growth, research, or facilities support, coordinating dive team, and mechanical repairs.

The role requires strong leadership skills, scientific abilities, and enthusiasm for working in a startup environment. This person should be passionate about taking a central role in shaping the vision and direction of a groundbreaking mission-driven company's first coral farm. A strong entrepreneurial spirit, being comfortable in dynamic and changing situations, and a demonstrated ability to engage in innovative problem-solving are critical. A successful candidate must have experience in coral propagation and coral nursery/aquarium maintenance.

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Marine Biology/Aquaculture or related field
• Master's or Ph.D. in Coral Reef Biology / Ecology (preferred)
• 3-5 years' experience with coral propagation (ex-situ experience preferred)
• Experience with plumbing and life support systems (preferred)
• SCUBA certified (Rescue Diver or greater preferred)
• First AID and DAN O2 certified (preferred)
• Experience with boating (Coast Guard certified captain or international equivalent preferred).
• Ability to move to the Grand Bahama starting early 2019
• Proficiency in MS Office, GIS, and Stata or equivalent (preferred)

Required Experience / Skills

• A successful track record in coral husbandry/aquaculture
• An entrepreneurial spirit with a desire to help build an impact-driven company
• A team-oriented and creative thinker capable of envisioning projects to create change
• Dynamic self-starter with a drive for results and ability to motivate others to do their best
• Demonstrable ability and enthusiasm for identifying, setting, and meeting critical deliverables
• Ability to build strong relationships with key stakeholders in the ocean community
• Ability to remain calm and focused during complex diving situations
• Comfortable with physical exertion/strain and exposure to various weather elements
• Willingness to adapt to flexible work hours
• Commitment to ethical scientific standards and practices

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