Lynker Corporation is a leading provider of innovative solutions in weather and climate science. With a commitment to excellence and a passion for innovation, Lynker leverages cutting-edge technologies and scientific expertise to support the creation and delivery of improved operational weather forecasts.  Lynker is seeking a sharp and skilled Coastal Management Specialist to join our ever growing team.  This role is contingent upon Lynker winning the contract, and an offer will likely not be extended until it is confirmed that the contract has been won.   

The government has a requirement for a management liaison (also called Technical Program Officer) to support the implementation of two NOAA programs in Puerto Rico: the Coral Reef Conservation Program (Coral Program) and the Coastal Zone Management Program. In support of the Coral Program and the implementation of the Coral Reef Conservation Act, the liaison will deliver regionally relevant coral conservation services to Puerto Rico and their partners. 

The liaison will also support the implementation of Puerto Rico’s coastal management program approved by NOAA under the Coastal Zone Management Act. For both roles, the liaison will provide place-based and regional technical assistance related to coastal management and coral reef conservation. This full-time position will be located in Puerto Rico.

Duties of the Coastal Management Specialist will include the following:

Serve as the contract liaison for Puerto Rico’s Coral Reef Conservation Program:

• Provide management assistance to Puerto Rico’s coral reef management program to maintain programs and meet all program requirements
• Provide technical assistance in the areas of coral reef conservation, planning, and management; coral disease and disturbance prevention, preparedness and response; restoration ecology; and coral reef fisheries and watershed management.
• Coordinate with jurisdiction coral reef points of contact and other appropriate agencies on NOAA Coral Program activities in the region.
• Coordinate with federal partners in the development and implementation of initiatives in priority areas that are consistent with Coral Program goals and objectives.
• Support annual Coral Program planning process, including: fielding questions from, and coordinating calls with, potential principal investigators and local partners; conducting technical reviews of proposals; and providing implementation support to awarded projects.
• Support development and implementation of coral reef action plans and other local action strategies and initiatives in Puerto Rico.
• Provide support for efforts to develop and manage coral reef marine protected areas and build management capacity, when appropriate.
• Conduct site visits or fieldwork to assist or assess Coral Program activities.
• Coordinate with Puerto Rico and NOAA’s federal program officer to negotiate, process, amend, and monitor the existing cooperative funding agreements and new non-competitive block grants; and provide technical reviews of other Coral Program funding grants and agreements.
• Provide guidance to Puerto Rico on their responsibility to ensure documentation on all coral reef projects, including permits; completion of financial requirements and environmental compliance; and adequate monitoring of ongoing coral reef management and restoration projects.
• Provide an interface between Puerto Rico’s work to address coral reef conservation and coastal management challenges.
• Provide information to outreach and communications staff for the development of locally-tailored coral reef outreach and education materials.
• Support implementation of the reauthorized Coral Reef Conservation Act in Puerto Rico including: the management of block grants and cooperative agreements to Puerto Rico, technical review and support for other grant programs such as the Ruth D. Gates Coral Reef Conservation Grant and the NFWF Coral Reef Stewardship and Emergency Response Funds, the development and implementation of Coral Reef Action Plans, the implementation of the National Coral Resilience Strategy in Puerto Rico, the development and implementation of Coral Reef Stewardship partnerships in Puerto Rico, the participation of Puerto Rico in the US Coral Reef Task Force and its working groups, and the implementation of the Susan L. Williams National Coral Reef Management Fellowship.

Serve as the contract liaison for Puerto Rico’s Coastal Zone Management Program:

• Provide support and assistance to Puerto Rico’s implementation of its coastal zone management program approved under the Coastal Zone Management Act.
• Coordinate with Puerto Rico and NOAA’s federal program officer to negotiate, process, amend, and monitor cooperative agreements and grants; and provide technical reviews for other proposals as necessary.
  
• Support Puerto Rico in the implementation of Coastal Zone Management Program activities, including: review and analysis of proposed program policy changes; program evaluations required under the CZMA; and the development, review, and approval of five-year assessments and strategies.
• Provide subject matter expertise and regional coordination support on coastal management issues.
• Identify Puerto Rico’s coastal management program highlights and other opportunities to communicate partner success stories.
• Identify and facilitate programmatic synergies across the Coral and Coastal Zone Management programs to enhance execution and results, and/or identify joint projects.

The Coastal Management Specialist selected should have the following:

• Master’s degree in coral reef conservation, marine science, coastal management, or related field; plus six years of related experience; equivalent work experience can be substituted for the educational requirement in certain circumstances.
• Knowledge of issues confronting coral reef conservation in the U.S. Caribbean and Puerto Rico
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Self-starter with ability to work in a team environment
• Demonstrated ability to build relationships with management, colleagues, and external partners
• Technical writing skill and ability to synthesize technical information
• Professionally fluent in both conversational and written Spanish and English

The Ideal Coastal Management Specialist will have the following:

• Knowledge of, and experience with, the Coastal Zone Management Act and/or the Coral Reef Conservation Act
• Experience with managing aspects of grants
• Currently located in Puerto Rico or the immediate surrounding region
• Experience working with state/territorial and federal agencies, Pacific Islanders, academia, and nongovernmental organizations
• Experience developing and tracking project milestones and strategic planning
• Processing of a National Agency Check and fingerprinting will be required.

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 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 an equal opportunity employer and makes all employment decisions based on merit, qualifications, and business needs. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, or gender identity), national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, veteran status, or any other legally protected status under federal, state, or local laws.