Job Details

The Coral Reef Alliance (CORAL) is a non-profit, environmental NGO focused on saving the world's coral reefs. CORAL combines science-based solutions with effective community-driven conservation. CORAL is actively expanding the scientific understanding of how corals adapt to climate change and using that information to develop conservation strategies to give corals around the world the best chance of surviving climate change. To discover more about CORAL's work to save the world's reefs, visit us atwww.coral.org .

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.

Position Summary

Coral Reef Alliance (CORAL) is seeking a motivated and resourceful individual to support our work in Maui Nui. The ideal candidate has communication strengths and the ability to problem solve. This role will be vital to ensuring successful execution of conservation strategies within the Clean Water for Reefs and Fisheries Initiatives. The Maui Nui Community Engagement Coordinator will work closely with the Maui Nui Program Manager and team in implementing the second half of a three year grant awarded by NOAA Coastal Zone Management (CZM) office to restore portions of the Olowalu Stream on Maui and restore two ancient fishponds in Molokai and implementing the outreach and engagement portions of the grant awarded by DOFAW to continue stream restoration projects in Olowalu.

This role has autonomy over the community engagement portions of the programs and has the ability to make decisions based on expertise she / he brings to the team. We expect that the Maui Nui Community Engagement Coordinator will coordinate the outreach portions of the project and will support other programmatic activities outside of CZM and DOFAW.

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.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Establish and maintain strong relationships with local communities, stakeholders, indigenous groups, and coastal residents.
• Represent the organization at community events, town halls, and local forums.
• Serve as a liaison between the organization and the community to ensure mutual understanding and trust.
• Work with development team to create visualizations of findings
• Plan and prepare for events
• Assist in grant reporting and track information and deliverables
• Assist in ensuring CORAL is meeting federal and state requirements for grantees
• Coordinate and participate in program-wide outreach activities
• 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

Detailed Work Plan

In partnership with community partners and the CORAL team, the Maui Nui Community Engagement Coordinator is responsible for the following deliverables associated with the CZM grants and DOFAW grants. CORAL is responsible for providing the Maui Nui Community Engagement Coordinator with the tools and means necessary to carry out these deliverables.

• Assist in background research with partner organizations in key project areas
• Develop communications materials and outreach and engagement plans as it aligns with project goals
• Work with local partners to develop community based water quality monitoring program in South Molokai
• Assist in developing key partnerships in Olowalu and Waihee communities
• Facilitate marine management planning in partnership with TNC and Kipuka Olowalu for Olowalu area
• Assist in the outreach and communications with Research Coordinator
• Coordinate community engagement events
• Support the onboarding of core partners and cultivate new partnerships
• Create a communications protocol for work in Hawaii for CORAL and present to broader CORAL team
• Develop reports and other information to assist with projects, proposals, reports or other internal programmatic needs
• 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
• Development of communication materials that support program objectives
• Assist in identifying funding opportunities and developing funding proposals and reports

Qualifications

Required

The minimum required qualifications include BA/BS degree in Environmental Studies, Marine Science, Communications, Community Development, or a related field (Master's degree preferred).

Additionally, the Maui Nui Community Engagement Coordinator must have:

• 3+ years of experience in community engagement
• Excellent organizational and prioritization skills, including developing and maintaining communication and outreach plans and coordinating with multiple collaborators.
• Resourcefulness and ability to work proactively; ability to complete tasks independently, efficiently, and in a timely manner; and the ability to work effectively with a remote team.
• Experience working with Native Hawaiian communities and the ability to ensure that community engagement efforts are culturally respectful and integrate traditional ecological knowledge and community input into conservation planning.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to effectively communicate with individuals from a variety of disciplines, cultures and backgrounds.
• 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, as well as the ability to swim, snorkel and lift 50 lbs.
• Flexibility and willingness to work in situations of flux; ability to work in a fast turn-around environment.
• Strong work ethic and willingness to take ownership for wide-ranging responsibilities while exhibiting the utmost professionalism and discretion.
• Proficiency with tools like Microsoft Office, Google Workspace, and CRM or volunteer management software (Social media, website content management, or graphic design experience is a plus).
• Ability to work in a home office.
• Someone based in West Maui or Molokai preferred. Must be based in Hawaiʻi.
• Must be willing to work some evenings / weekends and travel inter island or to remote areas as needed.
• Authorized to work in the USA.

Preferred

• Demonstrated experience working with local communities, kūpuna (elders), fishers, and Hawaiian cultural practitioners.
• Existing relationships with local organizations, schools, or community leaders is a strong plus.
• Cultural advisory expertise or background in Native Hawaiian culture / studies.
• Ability to think analytically and problem solve and a willingness to ask questions
• 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
• Energetic, hard-working, and a team player
• Presents a positive, enthusiastic, professional image both internally and externally
• Discretion with confidential information

Working Conditions

The Maui Nui Community Engagement 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 and Work Schedule

This is a full-time exempt position compensated within a salary range of $68,647.00 – $88,408 annually.CORAL offers a compensation package including medical benefits, 401k matching, generous paid time off packaging, 12 holidays, Employee Assistance Program, and more. Additionally, we offer a mileage reimbursement program for personal vehicle use.

We offer a flexible working schedule where the successful candidate can set their own working hours as long as they are able to attend necessary meetings.

How to Apply

Interested candidates should submit their resume and cover letter as one document to ...@coral.org with “Maui Nui Community Engagement Coordinator” in the 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.

The Coral Reef Alliance is committed to workforce diversity. Qualified applicants will receive full consideration without regard to age, race, color, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, health status, or national origin.