Lynker is seeking out a talented and experienced Hawaii Fisheries Extension Agent to support a division of NOAA for a long term contract. The Habitat Conservation Division (HCD) of the Pacific Islands Regional Office (PIRO) of the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) is working cooperatively with the CRCP to enhance the conservation of coral reef habitat throughout the US Pacific Islands. The goal of Pacific Islands Coral Reef Conservation Initiative (PICRCI) is to establish an enhanced coral reef conservation presence within the existing NMFS/PIRO/HCD through research, training, and extension services. Hawaii has a need for direct community interaction among Federal and State fisheries resource agencies, University of Hawaii, and the individual communities as well as the fishing public at large.

Hawaii is full of tight-knit local communities that would benefit from having direct interaction with State resource agencies. These communities are direct resource users of the nearshore coral reef resources of Hawaii. Directly interacting with these communities should help conserve nearshore coral reef resources. During a series of public meetings in Hawaii, fisher’s forums, and other meetings, the public has voiced interest in receiving help from Hawaii’s Division of Aquatic Resources (DAR) on numerous issues related to their communities. In response to this request, DAR has outlined this project for a fisheries extension agent, which is similar to services that are provided currently to local farmers.

The fisheries extension agent is critical in advancing the State’s management actions to protect coral reefs and coral reef resources. Tight-knit communities usually respond better to a one-on-one interaction than during large, formal, multi-community meetings, and the fisheries extension agent would be able to meet in these smaller groups within the fishing communities.

The fisheries extension agent would be able to help explain the State regulatory statutes and the need for coral reef resource conservation. The agent would be able to spend more time on difficult subjects such as Marine Protected Areas, gear restrictions, size restrictions, and fisheries science subjects such as reproduction and recruitment. By interacting directly with the communities of coral reef resource users, the agents shall help the communities understand the need and reasoning behind protecting coral reefs and coral reef resources. The agent shall be able to help evaluate the resources for the community in both extractive and non-extractive uses.

Tasks of the Hawaii Fisheries Extension Agent selected will include the following:

Task Descriptions:

• Foster a favorable relationship with the local fishing community throughout the Hawaiian Islands; the Scientists and Fishermen Exchange (SAFE) Meetings are an example of a project. The Fisheries Extension Agent should host 2-5 meetings per year.
• Formulate a variety of approaches to gain the trust and confidence of fishers and other resources users. Share information of mutual interest to fisherman and coastal and marine resources managers.
• Attend regularly meetings of fishing clubs (casting, boating, trolling and diving) and other fishing related organizations to address topics of concern for fishermen. Arrange meetings with clubs and other organizations and individuals and resource agency personnel, as appropriate, to provide more detailed discourse or promote discussion and information sharing.
• Attend meetings and events at night, on weekends, and/or on holidays when necessary.
• Serve as a member for fisheries related groups, such as Fisheries Local Action Strategy Hawaii (FLASH), and attend annual meetings and provide input from the Fisheries Extension Agent Program.
• Serve as a liaison and neutral information conduit among the various groups performing fishery outreach activities. These include federal, quasi-federal, and state governments and non-governmental private and other organizations.
• Travel throughout the State to attend 8-10 fishing tournaments, community events, and outreach activities per year.
• On occasion, travel to the continental United States to attend training or conferences.
• Develop and produce reports, articles, outreach material, or guidance documents for fishery-related issues. 
• Assist with the development and implementation of shared internship programs with partners including, but not limited to, Federal, State, educational, non-profit, and private organizations.
• Assist with projects and programs to mitigate the interactions between protected species (corals, monk seals, green sea turtles, etc.) and resource users (anglers, divers, etc.).

Required Activities:

The Hawaii Fisheries Extension Agent shall complete the following projects and deliver them to the NMFS Project Leader no later than the end of the period of performance for this task order.  All deliverables shall be submitted to the NMFS Government Project Leader.

• The Hawaii Fisheries Extension Agent shall provide monthly reports to NMFS Government Project Leader summarizing the work completed as outlined in the tasks above.
• No later than September 30, 2025, the Hawaii Fisheries Extension Agent shall provide a report of field activities participated in and activities that have been accomplished.

The NMFS Government Project Leader is responsible for the overall scheduling of the project activity and selection of communication needs.  Regular meetings between the Contractor and the NMFS Government Project Leader will be required to outline a work schedule and prioritize tasks. The Contractor is responsible for scheduling the work to be done each day, within the work schedule of the NMFS staff. Contractor personnel are required to do the work, generating high-quality results in a timely manner, with guidance and oversight from the NMFS Government Project Leader.

Travel is required to service the fishing community statewide by conducting education and outreach activities on neighboring islands and to train the Fishery Extension Agent on new communication, facilitation, and behavior change techniques. For example, training is required for community-based social marketing to assist in the ability to foster change toward more sustainable fishing behaviors and practices. If such travel is required during FY25, it will be coordinated through existing travel approval mechanisms, including those to approve excepted travel during the Covid-19 pandemic, which require contract and federal approval.  Contractor personnel may periodically be required to drive Government Vehicles. When available, DOC will provide contractor personnel with a Government Vehicle to conduct the duties required under the task order once Government Defensive Driving training is complete.

The Ideal Hawaii Fisheries Extension Agent will have the following:

• The Hawaii Fisheries Extension Agent is expected to possess the necessary knowledge and skills to manage day-to-day activities. The minimum required qualifications for this position include:
  • BA/BS in a relevant field.
  • At least 3 years of experience working with communities in Hawaii, specifically with nearshorefishing communities.

About Lynker

Lynker is a growing, employee owned, small business, specializing in professional, scientific and technical services. Our continually expanding team combines scientific expertise with mature, results-driven processes and tools to achieve technically sound, cost effective solutions in hydrology/water sciences, geospatial analysis, information technology, resource management, conservation, and management and business process improvement.

We focus on putting the right people in the right place to be effective. And having the right people is critical for success. Our streamlined organization enables and empowers our talented professionals to tackle our customers' scientific and technical priorities – creatively and effectively.

Lynker offers a team-oriented work environment, and the opportunity to work in a culture of exceptionally skilled and diverse professionals who embrace sound science and creative solutions. Lynker's benefits include the following:

• Comprehensive healthcare for the employee at no monthly cost
• Healthcare benefit covers medical, prescription drug, dental, and vision
• Personal Time Off (PTO) Policy plus paid holidays
• Highly competitive compensation plan regularly calibrated against industry and location benchmarks
• 401(k) retirement plan with company-matching
• Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) – we're all company owners!
• Flexible spending accounts
• Employee assistance program (EAP)
• Short- and long-term disability insurance
• Life and accident insurance
• Tuition assistance/Training/Workforce improvement reimbursement per year
• Spot bonuses for exceptional performance
• Annual Employee Recognition Awards with bonuses
• Employee Referral Program
• Free centralized, self-directed Learning Management System to learn at your own pace
• Personalized career growth plans for every employee

Lynker is an E-Verify employer.

Lynker is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer and encourages women, minorities, individuals with disabilities and veterans to apply.