Conservation Apprentice

Coral World Ocean & Reef Initiative; Charlotte Amalie (United States Virgin Islands); On-site; USD 17,000 - 28,000; Part time

Job summary

Coral World Ocean & Reef Initiative seeks a Conservation Apprentice to develop skills in marine and terrestrial wildlife conservation in the U.S. Virgin Islands. The role supports coral restoration, sargassum research, animal rehabilitation and outreach, working with Conservation Technicians on grant-funded projects on St.

John and St. Thomas. The position involves daily husbandry of corals, in-water restoration tasks requiring SCUBA certification, and potential expansion to other restoration

Responsibilities

• Assist the Conservation Technicians with all husbandry and life support system procedures for corals and associated organisms within the land-based and in-water based nurseries at CWORI
• Provide regular daily maintenance of corals and their habitats including but not limited to cleaning algae and other encrusting organisms from coral raceways and fragment racks feeding, shading and life support assistance
• Perform emergency care to diseased corals as directed by Project Manager or when needed (administration of medications and/or other treatments/interventions)

Job description

JOB DESCRIPTION Position:

Conservation Apprentice

Classification:

Regular, Part-Time , Non-Exempt

Department:

Conservation

Date:

1/5/2025

Reports To:

Directly to Education and Outreach Coordinator and as projects need CWORI Conservation Mangers

Purpose of Position:

The purpose of this position is to develop skills in marine and terrestrial wildlife conservation in the U.S. Virgin Islands. The successful candidate will participate in coral restoration efforts, sargassum research, animal rehabilitation and outreach events. This will be accomplished by working alongside our Conservation Technicians. This position will primarily aid efforts to increase coral cover and diversity on reefs in Leinster Bay, Watermelon Cay, and Marys Creek on St. John, USVI and Coki Point, St. Thomas. There is potential for these efforts to expand to additional restoration sites throughout the territory. Additionally, the position will also support different forms of education and outreach both in person and virtually. When the opportunity arises, the position will also be expected to assist with rehabilitation efforts focused on birds and sea turtles as well as assisting sargassum research. This position is entirely grant-funded and continuation of work beyond current grant agreements is subject to funding availability and CWORI management discretion. The Conservation Apprentice will help support CWORIs staff t o fulfill their mission of conserv ing marine habitats and wildlife through rescue, rehabilitation, restoration, and research and to empower others through public education.

Job Summary:

Conservation Apprentice will work closely with the Conservation Technicians across numerous grant-funded projects to support the conservation efforts at CWORI. On land, the Conservation Apprentice will assist with the daily husbandry of all corals, including, but not limited to, general care of coral stock, propagation of corals using sexual (spawning) and/or asexual (micro-fragmentation) methods, regular coral health assessments and life support system maintenance of coral housing structures. In-water coral restoration work will consist of source coral collection, propagation, nursery structure maintenance, coral outplanting, and monitoring of in-water nursery and outplanted corals. To perform in-water work, a SCUBA dive certification and comfort diving is required . Involvement in in-water activities for this role will be at the discretion of the Dive Safety Officer. The apprentice will also assist with rearing and caring for other marine invertebrate species intended for restoration purposes. Furthermore, the Conservation Apprentice will support CWORIs animal rehabilitation, sargassum research and education and outreach initiatives at the discretion of the technicians on those projects.

Essential Duties:

1. Assist the Conservation Technicians with all husbandry and life support system procedures for corals and associated organisms within the land-based and in-water based nurseries at CWORI
2. Provide regular daily maintenance of corals and their habitats including but not limited to cleaning algae and other encrusting organisms from coral raceways and fragment racks feeding, shading and life support assistance
3. Perform emergency care to diseased corals as directed by Project Manager or when needed (administration of medications and/or other treatments/interventions)