Climate Change Specialist- Pago Pago, American Samoa
Organization: Governor’s Coral Reef Advisory Group (CRAG)
Job Title: Climate Change Specialist
Location: Pago Pago, American Samoa
Application Deadline: Until Filled
Posted On: Oct. 5, 2011
Organization Overview
The Climate Change Specialist will work as an integral part of the Governor’s Coral Reef Advisory Group (CRAG). CRAG coordinates all of American Samoa’s coral reef management activities. The group is a partnership of five local agencies: the Department of Marine and Wildlife Resources (DMWR), the Department of Commerce (DOC; including AS Coastal Management Program & Fagatele Bay National Marine Sanctuary), the American Samoa Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the American Samoa Community College (ASCC), and the National Park of American Samoa (NPSA). Member agencies work together by mutual consensus to manage the estimated 296 square kilometers of coral reefs with the vision “to protect and conserve reefs for the benefit of the people of American Samoa, the United States, and the world”.
Position Description
The Climate Change Specialist will:
Act as point of contact for CRAG member agencies for climate change activities, and create ongoing database of past, current, and future climate change activities within the Territory. This database will be used to analyze research needs and assist in soliciting future research on climate change impacts to coral reef ecosystems;
Conduct scenario planning for future predicted ecosystem alterations andeffectively disseminate results to inform and develop adaptive management strategies;
Support ongoing research projects related to coral reefs and climate change within American Samoa and identify new areas of needed research with CRAG member agencies and the four Local Action Strategy working groups;
Collaborate with local, federal, and off-island researchers to ensure the best available science is used in these strategies;
Develop and implement new research projects that ensure research questions that promote question-based monitoring:
Some examples of potential research and monitoring projects include:
* Identify areas that are generally more stable during climate change events;
* Identify species and habitats that are highly vulnerable to climate change;
* Identify habitats potentially affected by climate change including transition or alternative habitats;
* Conduct climate change vulnerability assessments of at-risk communities in American Samoa;
* Investigate the feasibility of implementing techniques to reduce stress from climate change and ocean acidification on coral reef ecosystems;
* Coordinate and conduct relevant training opportunities to build local capacity and increase community awareness.
Work with researchers to align results with Territorial management priorities and effectively disseminate them locally;
* Work with American Samoa Department of Education (DOE) to incorporate climate change into AS curriculum. Finalize draft curriculum and work with DOE to integrate into local elementary and secondary schools;
* Develop a report of research needs that identifies by gaps in current knowledge. Research needs will be prioritized based on management priorities and questions that can be addressed by monitoring projects;
* Work with partner agencies to implement the adaptation options identified by the climate change task force and outlined in the Territorial Climate Change Framework.
In addition to the above tasks, other duties and responsibilities of this position include:
* Co-coordinate the Climate Change Local Action Strategy working group;
* Provide expertise about local climate change impacts to Territory agencies, organizations, and governmental working groups as needed;
* Serve as a liaison to ongoing national, international, and regional initiatives, including PICCC (Pacific Islands Climate Change Cooperative) and PACC (Pacific Adaptation to Climate Change);
* Seek additional public and private funding opportunities for the operations and projects of the American Samoa Climate Change Strategy as needed; and
* Undertake other climate change-related projects and initiatives as identified by the Climate Change Specialist and CRI Coordinator.
Eligibility Requirements
* A bachelor’s degree in natural resource management or environmental-related fields with 2+ years experience OR
* A master’s degree in natural resource management or environmental-related fields with 1+ years experience is preferred.
Required Background and Skills Set
The following background and skills are required for this position:
* Expert knowledge on climate change impacts specific to small-island states and coral reef ecosystems;
* Knowledge of climate change adaptation strategies;
* Experience disseminating climate change information to diverse audiences via education and outreach programs;
* Demonstrated oral, written, and interpersonal communication and leadership skills;
* Project management experience;
* A proven ability to be well]organized and able to manage and prioritize multiple tasks; and
* Creativity, flexibility, and willingness to learn and adapt!
Preferred Background and Skills Set
The following background and skills are preferred for this position:
* Knowledge of sustainable development, including, but not limited to: alternative energies, waste management, and smart growth;
* Knowledge of demographics and population growth patterns;
* Experience living and working in another culture or in an island community;
* Desire to be involved in many aspects of coastal and marine resource management (e.g., fisheries, coral reef monitoring and management, nonpoint source pollution, etc)
* Knowledge of and experience working in tropical marine ecosystems;
* Public speaking, events planning, and meeting facilitation experience;
* Sense of humor!
How to Apply
Interested applicants should send the following three items via email to Carolyn Doherty ([email protected]):
(1) Cover letter explaining relevant experience and interest in the position;
(2) Resume; and
(3) Contact information for three references (including current or most recent supervisor).
