Program Coordinator, Maui

~ The Coral Reef Alliance (CORAL) is a U.S.-based nonprofit organization whose mission is to unite communities to save coral reefs. Working with people around the world—from fishermen to government leaders, divers to scientists, Californians to Fijians—CORAL protects our most valuable and threatened ecosystems. ~

The Programs team oversees community-driven conservation work and cutting-edge scientific research around the world. We have set an aggressive vision for growth and increased conservation action throughout this decade to address the serious threats affecting coral reef ecosystems and the human communities they support.

Our Work in Hawaiʻi

CORAL has more than a decade of experience working in the Main Hawaiian Islands on coral reef conservation. Currently, our work focuses on our Clean Water for Reefs Initiative, with an emphasis on preventing land-based sources of pollution from entering streams and groundwater which eventually lead to the ocean.

In West Maui, our work focuses on restoring natural filtration processes within watersheds. We take a “ridge to reef” approach to restore the natural function of an ahupua‘a (watershed) to filter stormwater and absorb nutrients, sediments and other harmful pollutants. At the shoreline (makai), we provide guidance to shoreline property owners, the tourism industry, and Maui County on how to implement reef-friendly landscaping using low impact design (LID) to naturally filter stormwater before it reaches the ocean.

Further mauka in the midslope region, we recently launched a major multi-stakeholder project to restore streams to reduce the amount of sediment and nutrients flowing into the ocean. We are working with farmers, Hawaiian communities, local nonprofits, private businesses, and the government to pilot stream restoration techniques that combine modern technology with native vegetation and traditional agricultural practices, such as wetland taro patches (loʻi kalo).

We believe that finding ways to restore the environment that benefits local communities will help us to drive conservation outcomes on a broad scale. We are collaborating with experts to measure the effectiveness of these approaches and we will share these results and implementation procedures to help inform restoration efforts statewide.

Over the next few years, CORAL plans to leverage the success, knowledge and partnerships we have developed through our conservation projects to scale our impact across the Main Hawaiian Islands.

Position Description

CORAL is seeking an exceptional and resourceful individual to join our team on the Island of Maui as Program Coordinator. The ideal candidate is highly organized, has experience conducting field work and the ability to unite a diverse suite of stakeholders around saving coral reefs.

The Maui Program Coordinator will report to the Maui Program Manager and has three primary focal areas: coordinating programmatic activities; developing and maintaining relationships essential to execute our collaborative strategies; supporting grant and report writing. This position is an exciting opportunity to join a growing team working on cutting edge conservation strategies that will create lasting benefits for coral reefs in Hawaiʻi and across the globe.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities

Coordinating programmatic activities:

• Develop individual work plans to meet grant and project goals and deliverables
• Coordinate volunteers, partners and logistics for day-to-day implementation of projects, ensuring that program objectives and project deliverables are completed successfully, on-time and within budget. Project activities include but are not limited to education and outreach, training volunteers, conducting educational presentations to the public or partners and conducting field work
• Track and manage project information such as ecological monitoring data, information about restoration sites, participation of volunteers etc.
• Provide guidance to volunteers, interns and external partners
• Assist in developing project budgets
• Develop reports and other information to assist with projects, proposals, reports or other internal programmatic needs
• Provide guidance and feedback to the Program Manager and CORAL headquarters to inform implementation strategies, communications, budget development, and future planning

Building partnerships:

• Establish and maintain partnerships and strategic alliances with community groups, government agencies, local and international NGOs and other partners to enable execution of CORAL’s conservation initiatives
• Identify outreach and educational opportunities that can help CORAL to achieve our programmatic goals and evaluate which opportunities to invest in
• Coordinate and participate in outreach events that advance program objectives

Writing proposals, educational resources and reports:

• Assist with development of communication materials that support program objectives
• Assist in identifying funding opportunities and developing funding proposals and reports

Note: The Program Manager will also assist in administrative functions as needed.

Required Qualifications and Skills

The Program Coordinator is a professional position within the Coral Reef Alliance and is expected to possess the necessary knowledge and skills to coordinate day-to-day activities and apply resource management concepts and tools, in a local cultural context, to achieve conservation goals.

• The minimum required qualifications include a BA/BS degree in conservation biology, natural/environmental sciences, resource management and policy or related field;, and
• Three years of related experience in conducting ecological research, resource management or conservation

Additionally, the Program Coordinator must have the following professional experiences and personal attributes:

• Excellent organizational and prioritization skills and the ability to accomplish complex assignments requiring cross-organizational cooperation
• Resourcefulness and ability to work proactively; ability to complete tasks independently, efficiently, and in a timely manner
• Strong verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to effectively communicate with individuals from a variety of disciplines, cultures and backgrounds
• A proven track record of establishing and nurturing partnerships to achieve conservation outcomes in Hawaiʻi
• Experience coordinating and conducting field work, including monitoring. Experience with data analysis preferred
• First-Aid and CPR qualification, or the ability to acquire one
• Demonstrated ability to drive 4-wheel drive vehicles up dirt roads or the ability to acquire this skill
• Budgeting experience
• The position requires the successful candidate to have a valid U.S Driver’s license and good driving record
• The position requires that the successful candidate be able to perform field work in hot dry and sometimes wet conditions in the mid-slope region, as well as the ability to swim, snorkel and lift 50 lbs.

Personal Characteristics:

• Commitment to CORAL’s mission
• Ability to think analytically, problem solve and a willingness to ask questions
• Team player with a strong work ethic and willingness to take ownership for wide-ranging responsibilities while exhibiting utmost professionalism and discretion
• Flexibility and willingness to work in situations of flux; ability to work in a fast turn-around environment
• Commitment to process excellence, efficiency and accountability
• A sense of humor, commitment to candor and desire to be a part of a collaborative team
• Patience and exceptional listening skills
• Presents a positive, enthusiastic, professional image both internally and externally
• Discretion with confidential information

Working Conditions

• The Program Coordinator may work in variable weather conditions, at remote outdoor locations, on difficult and hazardous terrain, coastal and marine environments and vessels, and under physically demanding circumstances that may require considerable physical exertion and/or muscular strain.
• Work conditions may require international and domestic travel including to remote island areas, the mainland US, neighboring and other islands or nations.
• Additionally, the work may be performed independently without day-to-day supervision.

Compensation: Competitive salary and generous benefits that include medical, dental, vision and disability insurance, 401K match, paid vacation, and paid holidays.

To Apply

• Please click "Apply" below to email in one document:  a resume and a cover letter describing your qualifications and interest in the position (with salary requirements).
• Type "Maui Program Coordinator" in the email subject line. 
• Please note that due to the volume of applications expected, we are not able to respond to each individual applicant.
• The position will be open until filled, an immediate start date is preferred.