Research Coordinator II - Iconic Reefs (Florida Keys)

Florida International University is a top public university that drives real talent and innovation in Miami and globally. Very high research (R1) activity and high social mobility come together at FIU to uplift and accelerate learner success in a global city by focusing in the areas of environment, health, innovation, and justice. Today, FIU has two campuses and multiple centers. FIU serves a diverse student body of more than 56,000 and 290,000 Panther alumni. U.S. News and World Report places dozens of FIU programs among the best in the nation, including international business at No. 2. Washington Monthly Magazine ranks FIU among the top 20 public universities contributing to the public good.

Serves as a member of the six-person Mission: Iconic Reefs (MIR) Field Team based out of the Florida Keys. Assists in coordinating the day to day activities associated with implementing the MIR monitoring program, including restoration monitoring, surveying benthic and fish assemblages, installing and downloading sensors, analyzing and archiving large data sets, restoration site preparation and maintenance. Develops research and monitoring protocols, and supporting a variety of other operations associated with the execution of MIR or other collaborative National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) science projects as needed.

• Support Mission: Iconic Reefs (MIR) research monitoring, stewardship, and maintenance activities at all seven iconic reefs sites as well as other coral reef restoration-associated activities. Activities include ground-truthing, stake install, photogrammetry, assessment of coral health at nurseries and on reefs, monitoring fish assemblages, night dives to monitor benthic invertebrate assemblages, installing and downloading sensors, and other demographic monitoring.
• Supports image acquisition/processing/archiving and data analysis. Synthesizes data and drafts periodic and annual monitoring reports. Assists in writing and reviewing funding proposals. Collaborates with research partners and represents FIU's Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary at meetings and conferences.
• Participates in the development of guidelines, protocols, and procedures related to MIR research and monitoring activities. Recommends changes to procedures as necessary.
• Organizes, receives, stocks and transports materials and equipment to work sites. Maintains all required documentation including purchasing, vehicle and vessel logs, and assists in maintaining stewardship, monitoring and administrative databases.
• Snorkels and dives as required for scientific research, monitoring and stewardship activities.
• Supports all necessary roles as a member of the field team, including: field day preparation, repetitive dives, topside vessel support, and equipment cleaning and maintenance.
• Operates sanctuary vessels and maintains knowledge of local waters.
• Performs administrative tasks such as email correspondence, timesheets and professional evaluations. Works with others as part of a team. Communicates effectively with the public both orally and in writing.
• Provides technical and logistical support for scientific research, biological assessment, monitoring and analysis, and permitting of activities associated with MIR.
• Collects and maintains documentation of ecosystem monitoring activities including amounts of algal growth, numbers of corallivores, retention rates for herbivores and beneficial species, and rates of coral disease.
• Supports maintenance of buoys associated with MIR activities. Installs new subsurface buoys for restoration practitioners, replaces downlines, and conducts routine maintenance and cleaning of the buoys on the water.
• Assists in establishing and tracking maintenance schedules for MIR monitoring and stewardship activities and buoy systems, marine equipment, engine service, and vessels used by the team.
• Performs essential duties in any emergencies such as hurricanes, public health emergencies, and/or any other university emergency closing. The employee is expected to be available to report to work as needed during university emergency closing with appropriate notification of a department administrator.

Bachelor's degree and three (3) years of experience.

• SCUBA diving certification.
• Rescue Diver SCUBA certification from a nationally recognized agency or military.
• Seventy-five (75) logged open water dives.

• Experience with boat-based scientific field operations including the ability to operate and trailer small vessels and vehicles.
• Experience conducting strenuous field work underwater, including an ability to lift heavy objects, conduct various scientific monitoring methodologies, and effectively use underwater photography for documentation and monitoring.
• Proficiency in the use of ArcGIS Pro and ArcGIS Online, database program(s) (e.g., SQL), code-based statistical software (e.g., R) for data analyses, and photo analysis software (e.g, NSUs CPCe).
• Knowledge of local waters, marine equipment and facilities operations.
• Divemaster SCUBA certification, AAUS dive certification, Nitrox dive certification.
• Familiarity with monitoring techniques and identification of marine flora and fauna of Florida's Coral Reef, including coral and fish identification expertise and general knowledge of reef associated algae and invertebrates.
• Overnight travel may include live-aboard scientific cruise platforms.

Administrative

Begin time: 8:30 AM

End time: 5:00 PM

• Boating / Water Craft
• Overnight or extended duration travel

• Driver's License Check
• Expanded Background Check

• Ability to travel locally and nationally.
• Ability to work flexible hours as needed.
• Ability to work occasional evenings, weekends, and holidays.
• This is a time limited appointment which may be terminated at any time with 30 days' notice

Current Employee

As a current employee, you must log into Employee Self Service (ESS) to apply for this and any other internal career opportunity of interest. In this account, you are able to track your applicant status in "My Applications".

To be considered eligible for the position as an internal candidate, departmental staff must meet minimum requirements of the position and be in good performance standing.

Before you begin the process, we recommend that you are prepared to attach electronic copies of your resume/ curriculum vitae, cover letter or any other documents within the application process. It is recommended that you combine your cover letter and resume into one attachment. Attached documents should be in Microsoft Word or PDF format.

*This posting will close at 12:00 am of the close date.

Prospective Employee

If you have not created a registered account, you will be asked to create a username and password for use of the system. It is recommended that you provide an active/valid e-mail account as that will be the main source of communication regarding your status within the process. In this account, you are able to track your applicant status in "My Applications".

To be considered eligible for the position as an internal candidate, departmental staff must meet minimum requirements of the position and be in good performance standing.

Before you begin the process, we recommend that you are prepared to attach electronic copies of your resume, cover letter or any other documents within the application process. It is recommended that you combine your cover letter and resume/curriculum vitae into one attachment. Attached documents should be in Microsoft Word or PDF format. All applicants are required to complete the online application including work history and educational details (if applicable), even when attaching a resume.

*This posting will close at 12:00 am of the close date.

Clery Notice

In compliance with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Crime Statistics Act, the University Police department at Florida International University provides information on crimes statistics, crime prevention, law enforcement, crime reporting, and other related issues for the past three (3) calendar years. The FIU Annual Security report is available online at: https://police.fiu.edu/download/annual-security-fire-safety-report/.

To obtain a paper copy of the report, please visit the FIU Police Department located at 885 SW 109th Avenue, Miami, FL, 33199 (PG5 Market Station).

Pay Transparency

Florida International University will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor's legal duty to furnish information.

FIU is a member of the State University System of Florida and an Equal Opportunity, Equal Access, Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status.