The San Juan Bay Estuary Program (Estuario) is seeking qualified candidates to join our efforts to recruit participants for certification in the Coastal Resilience module of the Estuario Citizen Scientist Certification Program.
The Estuario is a private non-profit organization that designs, implements, and provides restorative maintenance in order to improve the water quality and ecosystems within its eight municipalities. Estuario’s mission is to restore and conserve the water quality in the Estuario de la Bahía de San Juan ecosystem as a sustainable hub of social and economic development.
Estuario is the only tropical estuary in the National Estuary Program, providing not only environmental and resiliency programs, but also educational and recreational activities that support thriving communities.
The Estuario’s work is guided by the development and implementation of the Comprehensive Conservation and Management Plan (CCMP). In collaboration with local, state, and federal agencies, NGOs, academic, and business leaders, the Estuario works to restore and conserve water quality in the San Juan Bay Estuary ecosystem. The Estuario works to build partnerships and leverage federal funding for regional-scale restoration, water quality improvement, and resilience-building projects.
Estuario successfully established its Citizen Science Certification Program in 2018, creating a Volunteer Water Quality Monitoring Program curriculum. The Estuario used the example of its successful Volunteer Water Quality Monitoring Program to create the Participatory Bird Census module and the Reduction and Characterization of Microplastics module, and launched the Coastal Resilience module this year. Each of these modules are made up of an introductory theory component, fieldwork, and additional workshops to deepen understanding of specific topics. The Coastal Resilience module is focused on tropical coastal ecosystems, including mangroves, seagrasses, and coral reefs, while highlighting the interactions between these coastal ecosystems.
The Estuario Volunteer Coordinator will recruit committed volunteers so that at least 150 citizens become certified in the Coastal Resilience module. This position will be managed by the Citizen Science and Education Manager, and will work closely with the Project Officer, and the Volunteer Coordinator.
RESPONSIBILITIES
Responsible for all aspects regarding volunteers, from recruiting new volunteers and promoting volunteer opportunities, to presenting and educating around the Citizen Science Certification Program, the Coastal Resilience module, as well as Estuario’s mission to the public.
- Build and manage a network of committed volunteers to support certification in the Coastal Resilience module of the Citizen Science Certification Program
- Build and manage a database of local community leaders, institutions and organizations that will promote participation and certification in the Citizen Science Program focused on the Coastal Resilience module
- Coordinate and carry out informational events to recruit volunteers including but not limited to tabling at other Estuario activities, presentations to local groups, etc
- Establish ongoing and effective communication with partner organizations and stakeholders
- Collaborate with the Communications team to promote registration in workshops or webinars.
- Provide support to the Project Coordinator for Citizen Science Certification as needed
- Anticipate potential roadblocks and provide concrete recommendations for addressing them.
QUALITIES AND QUALIFICATIONS
The ideal candidate is people-oriented and passionate about volunteer work. They must have excellent communication and interpersonal skills and thrive on presenting and public speaking.
- Bachelor’s degree
- Degrees in Communications, Psychology, Human Resources, or related fields are preferred.
- Excellent organization and team building skills
- Strong, proactive independent thinker
- Previous experience managing volunteers, coordinating teams, and/or recruiting is preferred
- Ability to communicate goals, objectives, and importance of the Citizen Science Certification program, its Coastal Resilience module, and how it relates to Estuario’s efforts in water quality restoration and conservation
- Knowledge in environmental sciences, water conservation, or related fields is a plus, but not required
- Certified MBE/WBE (minority and women-owned business enterprise) and other certified minorities and small businesses are encouraged to apply.
- Exceptional team player who thrives in facilitating collaboration within multi-disciplinary, fast-paced teams.
- Creative problem solver with a knack for anticipating issues and addressing them in a timely manner.
- Google Business Suite maverick who enjoys keeping everything and everyone organized, on time, on schedule, and on budget.
- Provide their own personal computer and transportation.
- Available to start within a week if offer is extended.
How to Apply:
Interested candidates should submit a resume/CV by email no later than September 30, 2022 to: [email protected]. The email must be directed to [email protected], and must specify in the subject the title of the position, “Estuario Volunteer Coordinator- Coastal Resilience”.
