The North Carolina Division of Coastal Management’s N.C. Coastal Reserve and National Estuarine Research Reserve (“the Reserve”) is seeking a talented individual to join the Reserve team as a Natural Resources Resilience Specialist. We are seeking someone with a strong background in protecting and/or enhancing natural infrastructure as it relates to coastal hazards resilience; environmental planning and natural resource management; or a closely-related field. The selected applicant will demonstrate flexibility, resourcefulness, a willingness to take on a variety of diverse projects, and manage several projects concurrently. Excellent technical and communication skills (verbal and written) are essential, along with significant knowledge of coastal ecosystems, natural resource vulnerability to coastal hazards and management approaches in North Carolina.
About the Position
The employee will work on a project funded by the State of North Carolina and the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation to develop a natural resources resilience plan for the Rachel Carson Reserve in Beaufort and encourage knowledge transfer on natural infrastructure resilience and associated planning efforts between land managers and local communities. The employee will also work closely with other Reserve and Division of Coastal Management staff to establish or advance natural resources resilience planning efforts at other Reserve sites to ensure they continue to provide ecological and protective services to the communities where they are located.
The position is classified as full-time, temporary, with guaranteed funding for two years. The employee will work 40 hours/week, for no more than 11 consecutive months in any 12-month period, followed by one month of unpaid leave. Ability to work remotely is necessary, and some travel, including overnights, may be required subject to COVID-19 restrictions. The position does not include paid leave or retirement benefits, but subsidized health coverage is available. The employee will be located at the Reserve’s headquarters office in Beaufort. Annual salary range is $47,000-$55,000, based on qualifications.
Job Description
The primary responsibilities of the position include:
- Serve as a subject matter specialist in the area of coastal natural resources resilience, vulnerability assessments and planning, and managing natural habitats for climate adaptation.
- Provide technical assistance and support to the Reserve program to help increase the adaptive capacity of the ecosystems it manages, particularly at the Rachel Carson Reserve.
- Assist with other Reserve projects related to natural resources resilience, which may include public communications and adapting the habitat resilience planning process from the Rachel Carson Reserve to other priority Reserve sites.
- Work with organizational and external partners on knowledge transfer and funding proposals to implement projects that increase coastal habitat resilience.
Qualifications, Skills, and Abilities
- Master’s degree in the natural sciences or other field related to coastal natural resources management, plus two years of relevant experience, or Bachelor’s degree in one of these fields plus five years of relevant experience.
- Knowledge of coastal ecosystems, natural resource vulnerability to coastal hazards and management approaches in North Carolina, and experience conducting assessments and planning activities that advance natural resource resilience to coastal hazards.
- Excellent organizational, planning, and time management skills; written and verbal communication skills; networking skills; initiative and problem- solving capability; and attention to detail.
- Demonstrated ability to work in an office environment, remotely, and in the field.
- Demonstrated ability to work well in a team environment and independently.
- Demonstrated ability in technical writing.
- Demonstrated ability in managing simultaneous projects with multiple deadlines.
- Geographic Information Systems skills are preferred.
Application Process
To apply, send a cover letter, résumé, and contact information for two professional references to Rebecca.Ellin@ncdenr.gov by 5:00 pm on September 4, 2020.