Overview

DURATION*

4 to 6 months  (approx. April-October 2021)

*Based on Restoration Department programmatic needs.

ABOUT THE POSITION

This is a non-exempt, hourly employee position with a 40-hour per week work schedule. Compensation is $15/hour. The position is temporary in nature and no benefits are offered with the exception of CRF paid holidays including Memorial Day, July 4th, and Labor Day. While this is a temporary position, there is a potential for the role to be converted to a permanent position depending on performance and grant funding.

​

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution in Biology, Ecology, Marine, or Environmental sciences.

• Strong organizational, communication, planning and analytical skills are critical.

• Preference will be given to those applicants SCUBA certified as Dive Master or higher, from an internationally recognized training agency with a minimum of fifty (50) open water dives; a minimum of thirty (30) of those dives as ocean dives and a minimum of ten (10) boat dives.

• Current certifications for: First Aid, CPR and O2 Provider with the certification issued from an internationally recognized agency.

• Strong small boat handling and boat trailering experience. Preference to MOCC Certified or Coast Guard Licensed Captains.

​

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

This position is based in Key Largo, Florida, USA. Applicants must have a positive attitude while being self-motivated, reliable, and display strong core characteristics as described in CRF’s value statement. This position involves working in a complex underwater environment, maintaining high safety standards while often managing 3-5 additional (sometimes relatively inexperienced) divers. A CRF Team Member is a multi- tasker who is expected to think critically while being intuitive. They are able to adjust unexpectedly to changes and readily solve problems. They must achieve and maintain a high level of spatial awareness, for divers’ safety and in an effort to complete restoration tasks seamlessly.

 

This position is a field-based team member who will assist in executing CRF’s day to day restoration and monitoring efforts. They work closely with the Restoration Program Manager, Coordinator, and fellow members of the Restoration Team to help plan and support operations such as: the installation CRF coral nursery structures, nursery maintenance, and outplanting at restoration sites, all while following CRF’s standard operating procedures for restoration activities and data collection. On water efforts involve directing fellow divers and communicating tasks, boat handling, and boat trailering.

 

While the primary purpose of this position is to facilitate diving and field-based tasks, this work is also supplemented with land-based activities designed to support CRF’s efforts. Supplemental task may include (but is not limited to): data entry and management, report writing, nursery structure assembly, inventory of restoration materials, fueling vehicles and boats, and assisting in scuba gear and vessel maintenance. They are also expected to provide day to day task descriptions and updates to the Program Manager via CRF’s master scheduling documents and direct communication.

 

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS BASE

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution in Biology, Ecology, Marine, or Environmental sciences.

• Excellent communications in English, both orally and in writing.

• Spatial awareness of surroundings and fellow divers. This means being able to watch and manage dive teams while also being able to accomplish tasks within nurseries and at restoration sites.

• Demonstrated experience using MS Office (Word, Excel, Teams and Outlook), Garmin GPS software, and Google products (Google Earth).

• Strong organizational and analytical skills.

• Acute attention to detail.

• Practical experience boating and trailering small boats in the open ocean is preferred.

• Experience with SCUBA tank, high pressure air compressor, gear repairs, and general vehicle or vessel maintenance.

 

COMPLEXITY AND PROBLEM SOLVING

• Critical thinking to adapt or modify processes in response to fluid circumstances.

• Coordinate multiple tasks with many variables, while working on SCUBA.

• Solve routine problems independently; consult Program Manager for unusual or complex problems.

• Development of acute spatial awareness and attention to detail while working in the underwater environment is critical.

​

WORKING CONDITIONS/PHYSICAL EFFORT

Work requires high levels of physical exertion and/or physical strain. Must be able to carry 65 pounds and able to lift 35 pounds overhead. This position is expected to perform 3 shallow-water SCUBA dives for up to 5 consecutive dives per week. Work environment involves frequent exposure to various elements (sun, heat, wind, rain, cold, etc). The typical workweek is 9 am-5 pm, 5 days a week, inclusive of weekends. Additionally, a willingness to travel and work flexible hours is essential.