Seagrass Managment State Coordinator, NY Department of Environmental Conservation – New York
Organization: New York Department of Environmental Conservation
Position Title: Seagrass Management Program State Coordinator
Location: East Setauket, New York
Hours and Compensation: Full-time; $45,000 – 60,000
Application Deadline: October 31, 2014
Description: The position of State Coordinator for the Seagrass Management Program is based out of the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC), Division of Fish, Wildlife and Marine Resources, East Setauket, New York office. It is funded through the NYS Environmental Protection Fund. This position may require frequent daily and/or overnight travel, primarily in New York, and occasionally to meetings outside the state. The incumbent is supervised by the Marine Habitat Section Head in the Bureau of Marine Resources Headquarters at DEC and will be expected to develop the overall goals of the state program. – See more at: http://www.conbio.org/professional-development/scb-job-board/state-coordinator-seagrass-management-program-state-of-new-york-dec#sthash.FuJl70cP.dpuf
Responsibilities: The NYS Seagrass Coordinator is responsible for implementation of the Seagrass Protection Act. The coordinator is responsible to assist the Department with its organizational needs, coordination internally and externally and with stakeholder groups, so as to identify seagrass management areas (SMA’s), develop seagrass management area plans (SMAP’s) and to guide development of rules and regulations, if necessary, so as to protect and manage seagrass. In addition responsibilities include gathering information regarding seagrass research and threats to it protection and making recommendations on how to minimize impacts. The coordinator will be the Department’s representative on all seagrass management issues. See attached position description for general tasks.
General tasks will include:
1. Identify and apply existing statewide Department goals and policies that reflect the Department’s priorities as they relate to the Seagrass Protection Act.
2. Identify stakeholders and partners to participate in SMA workshop(s) and nitrogen criteria development. This will be accomplished by holding stakeholder meetings and speaking to stakeholder groups. Education and outreach strategies will be used to communicate the issues relating to the importance of seagrass, SMA’s, SMAP’s and to garner support and commitment from all partners and stakeholders (website/etc., events in the community, promote benefits of eelgrass – all to garner interest in workshops).
3. Hold multiple workshops in order to develop the necessary criteria for SMA’s. Provide a framework for input on criteria that will be used to determine SMA’s in order to develop effective management criteria for these areas.
4. Initiate identification of SMA’s and the initial SMA for a pilot SMAP from the outputs of the workshops. GIS layers will be developed that represent seagrass resources and the different criteria used for their determination. SMA’s will be based on a variety of criteria including eelgrass site suitability index, location and mapping of existing seagrass beds, and current research findings on genetics, light, temperature and other stressors. A potential follow-up workshop will be held to seek input on developed SMA’s with previous workshop participants.
5. Research and compile applicable information on threats to seagrass and seagrass water quality needs in coordination and cooperation with appropriate stakeholder groups, intra-agency and interagency staff so as to prepare for implementation of possible nutrient criteria. This data will include information and research on nitrogen, light, color, algal blooms, temperature and their effects on seagrass survival. Data will be summarized and data gaps will be identified. Compile seagrass nutrient criteria developed in other states.
6. Serve as a conduit of information and agency point of contact for coordination and facilitation of the Seagrass Protection Act with State and federal agencies, and regional and local community organizations.
7. Prepare quarterly and annual progress reports and other pertinent Department reports, project tracking information, monthly highlights and public information materials.
8. Work with various Department Divisions, Offices and regional offices in the development of Seagrass Management Plans and any necessary, consistent with ongoing Departmental program planning and operations.
9. Provide services such as organizing meetings, synthesizing information, maintaining communications within the Department and external groups, and providing technical and programmatic assistance to Department staff and external stakeholders. In addition, personnel will have significant responsibility in maintaining a timely schedule for developing Seagrass Management Plans and other associated work plans.
10. Provide information to stakeholders and the public on the importance of seagrass including the status of seagrass restoration efforts.
Supervision
The coordinator reports directly to the Department’s Marine Habitat Section Head-Bureau of Marine Resources and is expected to exercise a substantial amount of discretion in accomplishing work subject to the direction of the supervisor.
Work Environment
Work is performed in an office setting; however, it involves some travel.
Qualifications: Applicants must have a bachelor’s degree or higher from an accredited college or university in a discipline appropriate to the position which may include natural, chemical and physical sciences, with three years of full time experience in a field directly related to the duties of the position. Graduate degrees awarded in a discipline directly related to the duties of the position may be substituted for the experience as follows: one year for a master’s degree, and two years for a Ph.D. Preference will be given to candidates with knowledge of ecology, natural resources, or ecosystem management. The candidate must have good communication, organizational, facilitation and writing skills. GIS experience is necessary. Salary will be based on education and experience. United States citizenship is required.
How to Apply: Please send resume and cover letter to Laura Leach, Director of Finance and Administration, Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission, 1050 N. Highland Street, Suite 200 A-N, Arlington, VA 22201. Resumes will be accepted via U.S. Mail (postmarked by closing date), email ([email protected]), or fax (703) 842-0741 until the closing date of October 31, 2014
