Coral Reef Ecologist Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Description

Location: Biscayne National Park, Homestead, Florida 

Relocation: No relocation offered for this position

Status: Full-Time

Classification: Non-Exempt

Pay: $40 - $47 per hour, depending on experience

Job Summary 

Pending the award of a contract, CPC seeks an experienced Marine Biologist to lead marine ecological stewardship and conservation work in Biscayne National Park in support of the National Park Service (NPS). This is a hands-on, water-based position for a scientist who wants to spend meaningful time on the reef.

Biscayne National Park protects approximately 173,000 acres of coral reef tract, seagrass meadows, mangrove forest, and coastal habitat within sight of Miami. Marine debris, such as derelict fishing gear, vessel debris, land-based plastics, and material carried in on currents, is a persistent threat across every one of those habitats. You would lead the effort to find it, remove it, document it, and restore what it has damaged.

You would be CPC's technical lead: planning dive operations, running field surveys, producing the science, and coordinating directly with the NPS.

Work is conducted primarily outdoors and on the water in subtropical South Florida conditions, including heat, humidity, sun exposure, and salt water. The role involves repetitive diving, swimming in current, lifting and hauling debris that may be heavy, waterlogged, or entangled, and long days on small vessels. Occasional fieldwork may be required at other National Park Service units, including Everglades National Park and Dry Tortugas National Park.

Office work is performed at park headquarters. Some evening, weekend, and holiday work is required, and support may be needed during hurricane preparation and other emergency events.

Duties and Responsibilities

Scientific diving and restoration

• Lead scientific diving operations in coral reef and reef-adjacent habitats
• Conduct marine debris removal in sensitive habitats using methods that minimize impacts to park resources
• Perform coral outplanting, coral disease intervention, invasive species management, mooring buoy management, and habitat stabilization
• Develop and implement dive and vessel operations plans consistent with NPS safety policies

Field operations and monitoring

• Coordinate non-diving debris removal across beach, seagrass, and mangrove habitats
• Schedule and lead volunteer cleanup events, providing technical guidance to participants
• Conduct benthic surveys, marine debris surveys, coral and seagrass assessments, and fish community surveys
• Collect and record data on benthic habitats, coral health, seagrass coverage, and associated marine life using GIS-enabled mobile data collection tools
• Operate small vessels up to 30 feet in coastal waters

Science and reporting

• Prepare scientifically rigorous technical reports summarizing restoration activities, data analyses, and results
• Produce GIS products, maps, photographs, and databases documenting completed work and monitoring results
• Maintain accurate field records, dive logs, and vessel logs
• Provide technical recommendations on marine resource management

Coordination

• Coordinate field activities and priorities with the NPS Contracting Officer's Representative
• Participate in project planning meetings
• Support park operations during severe weather and emergency events, including securing vessels, field equipment, and research assets
• Ensure compliance with environmental, safety, and regulatory requirements

Deliverables

• Quarterly technical reports
• Field data - notes, maps, coordinates, data sheets, photographs (GIS/database format)
• Dive logs, submitted weekly in the NPS Dive Management System
• Current certifications files, submitted within a week of update 

Requirements

•  Master's degree in marine biology or a closely related biological science field
• Scientific diving certification consistent with American Academy of Underwater Sciences (AAUS) standards, with a minimum of 100 logged scientific dives
• Professional experience conducting marine debris removal in sensitive habitats, including coral reefs and reef-adjacent environments such as mangroves, seagrass, and beaches
• Professional experience in coral reef and seagrass ecology, restoration, and monitoring
• Professional experience preparing ecological reports, including scientific analysis and geospatial mapping
• Professional experience safely operating small vessels in coastal environments
• Current CPR, First Aid, Oxygen Administration, and Nitrox certifications 
• Valid driver's license
• Ability to pass a National Park Service background investigation and obtain a Personal Identity Verification (PIV) card
• Ability to obtain DOI Motorboat Operator Certification Course (MOCC) qualification before operating Government vessels - training is provided at Biscayne National Park

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working in marine protected areas, national parks, or national marine sanctuaries
• Prior experience under NPS Diving Management Program standards or a comparable scientific diving program
• Coral restoration or coral disease intervention experience in the Florida Reef Tract or wider Caribbean
• AAUS Diving Safety Officer or Lead Diver experience
• Advanced GIS proficiency (ArcGIS Pro, Field Maps, Survey123) and data management experience
• Experience leading volunteers or public engagement events
• Peer-reviewed publications or agency technical reports
• USCG credential; small boat towing, trailering, or outboard maintenance experience
• Spanish or Haitian Creole language skills

AAP/EEO Statement

CPC is an EEO employer. All qualified applicants will receive equal consideration for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, pregnancy, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, physical or mental disability, or covered veteran status.

Other Duties

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.