| Job Description: |
OFFICE LOCATION
Palmyra Atoll
ABOUT US
The Nature Conservancy is the leading conservation organization working to make a positive impact around the world in more than 30 countries, all 50 United States, and your backyard. Founded in 1951, the mission of The Nature Conservancy is to conserve the lands and waters on which all life depends. Visit www.nature.org/aboutus to learn more.
TNC
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
The Nature Conservancy is a leading conservation organization working globally to protect ecologically important lands and waters for people and nature. Located 1,000 miles south of Hawai'i , Palmyra Atoll is one of the most spectacular marine wilderness areas on Earth Palmyra is a 680-acre atoll with 480,000 acres of lagoons, coral reefs, and submerged lands and is a US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) Refuge out to 12 miles and a Marine National Monument out to 50 miles. The Nature Conservancy owns Cooper Island, and manages the atoll in partnership with the USFWS and the Palmyra Atoll Research Consortium (PARC).
Palmyra's research station supports scientific research by world renowned research institutions (see www.palmyra-research.org ). Staff are hired for a 3 month assignment to operate the research station and camp facilities. Board and lodging are provided while on-island.
The Field Station Manager (FSM) is responsible for the overall management, supervision, and safety of Palmyra Atoll operations and staff. The FSM is responsible for overseeing the maintenance of the field station facilities and equipment including generators, boats, and aircraft runway, and the oversight of galley and housekeeping services. The FSM must lead and manage staff, and act as the primary liaison with visiting researchers, guests, and visiting vessels' crew and passengers.
This is a seasonal assignment with the opportunity to return for future assignments based on performance. Assignments require residence on Palmyra Atoll with no option of leaving until season is complete.
DUTIES
- Responsible for coordinating all field station activities with TNC staff based in Honolulu, USFWS, PARC and researchers.
- Supervises maintenance, marine, and food services/housekeeping staff to ensure efficient operations of field station; acts as primary liaison with TNC Honolulu staff on operations, staffing and volunteer issues.
- Responsible for safety of those on island: determining and enforcing adequate safety protocols related to island operations, visitor use of equipment and facilities, and communication with researchers and staff in the field.
- Facilitates and supports on-island research projects through collaboration with visiting scientists and application of scientific principles.
- Provides orientation, safety and other training for all visitors, employees and volunteers.
- Oversees positive community interaction and positive staff morale.
- Directs guides, captains, and dive masters in consultation with visiting scientists.
- Responsible for oversight of all equipment, boats, and SCUBA gear.
- Facilitates visiting vessels with USFWS approval.
- Responsible for oversight of galley, housekeeping, and inventory control services.
- Inventories and orders all mechanical parts and island equipment.
- Orders, coordinates, and supervises unloading of cargo shipments (by airplane and ship).
- Acts as Spill Prevention Coordinator, accountable for spill prevention and maintenance of fuel and chemical storage.
- Hosts donors and organizes associated dive, fishing, kayak, and snorkel trips.
- Acts as point of contact for all communications systems, including satellite and daily on-island radio contact with researchers and staff in the field.
- Supervises heavy equipment operations (backhoe/loader) ..
- Records galley and maintenance activities and analyzes records to improve efficiency of field station operations.
- Works within established budget.
- Helps to develop, interpret, and implement conservation and facility plans prepared with TNC and partner organizations.
- Creatively solves problems, including manufacturing of critical parts for malfunctioning equipment.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
- BA/BS degree and 5 years relevant work experience in general building and facility maintenance, marine systems, and galley/housekeeping systems or equivalent combination of education and experience.
- Leadership and supervisory experience overseeing a dynamic team.
- Experience setting objectives, managing performance, and motivating team members.
- Experience in facilities management, including maintenance and repair of: diesel and gasoline engines; generators; outboard motors; water filtration and plumbing systems; hydraulics; and refrigeration systems, and in use of common hand and power tools.
- Experience in the galley, housekeeping, and inventory control services.
- Experience assessing complex situations and developing innovative solutions as needed.
- Experience with common software applications (e.g; Word, Excel, Web browsers).
- Experience performing physical work and ability to lift up to 50 pounds.
- Cumulative 1 year experience working in a confined community such as aboard a ship, field camp, or remote field station.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- BA/BS degree and 5 years relevant work experience or equivalent combination of education and experience. Experience in remote location desired.
- Leadership and supervisory experience, overseeing a dynamic team. Ability to set objectives, manage performance, and motivate team members.
- Experience interacting with scientists and knowledge of scientific principles and research methods, or work experience in natural resource management.
- Experience in facilities management, including working knowledge of maintenance and repair of: diesel and gasoline engines; generators; outboard motors; water filtration and plumbing systems; hydraulics; and refrigeration systems, and a working knowledge in use of common hand and power tools.
- Experience boating and working with boating operations, preferably in a marine environment.
- Experience assessing complex situations and developing innovative solutions as needed.
- Experience producing quality results with limited resources, changing time availability, and unexpected circumstances.
- Familiarity with principles of safety and emergency response; general maintenance and repairs, and food service and supplies.
- Experience with remote field "Air Traffic Control," informing pilots of safety factors and weather conditions prior to landing desirable.
- First Aid and CPR certification desirable.
- Boat handling certification desirable.
- SCUBA certification and familiarity with SCUBA gear and compressors desirable.
- Experience managing time and diverse activities under deadlines while delivering quality results.
- Strong working knowledge of common software applications (e.g.; Word, Excel, Web browsers).
- Excellent communication skills via written, spoken and graphical means in English and other relevant languages.
WORKING CONDITIONS/PHYSICAL EFFORT
The Field Station Manager will work 6 days per week, in variable weather conditions (hot, humid, wet), at a remote location, on difficult and hazardous terrain, and under physically demanding circumstances. These conditions present frequent possibility of injury and require:
- considerable physical exertion and/or muscular strain;
- long hours in isolated settings;
- living with a small community of people 24/7 with no option to leave for 3 months;
- employees to be on call on 48 hour shifts to allow for 24 hour a day emergency coverage;
- employees to assist with community chores even on days off;
- daily work, 12-14 hours/day when visitors are on station; and
- availability 24 hours/day, 7 days/week in case of emergency.
BENEFITS
The Nature Conservancy offers competitive compensation, excellent benefits, flexible work policies and a collaborative work environment. We also provide professional development opportunities and promote from within. As a result, you will find a culture that supports and inspires conservation achievement and personal development, both within the workplace and beyond.
TNC
HOW TO APPLY
To apply to job number 41336 upload a resume and cover letter as one document and please explain how you meet the basic qualifications listed. Review of applications will be on-going as needed as assignments are seasonal and filled year round.
The successful candidate must possess, or be able to obtain, a valid Passport with an expiration date later than your term of employment, proof of a physical examination showing good physical health and a current tetanus vaccination. In addition, TNC requires staff to obtain a membership in an Emergency Evacuation Service. More information on these issues can be obtained from TNC, and it is expected that the successful candidate cover the costs associated with these items.
EOE STATEMENT
The Nature Conservancy is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Women, minorities, veterans and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply.
The successful applicant must meet the requirements of The Nature Conservancy's background screening process
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