Summary

Reef Environmental Education Foundation (REEF), a non-profit, marine conservation organization, is seeking to hire a Communications and Affiliate Program Manager to develop and manage initiatives to increase participation in, and awareness of, REEF programs and services. REEF coordinates marine life education, field research, and one of the largest citizen science programs in the world. REEF programs engage with the public through unique partnerships with private, governmental, scientific, and educational sectors.

Position Description and Responsibilities

Duties will include education, outreach, and capacity building within the REEF Volunteer Survey Project, Invasive Lionfish Research Project, and other related REEF activities. The staff member will work collaboratively with other REEF staff and interns, and will be based at REEF HQ in Key Largo, FL. Priority tasks and duties will include, but may not be limited to:

·         Increase local, national, and international awareness of REEF with a focus on dive and environmental media outlets by working with other staff, Board of Trustees, and REEF members to create and distribute informational releases on a frequent and timely basis. Develop a strong coalition of support among a broad spectrum of promotional outlets, including print, radio, and electronic media. Develop and maintain a press contacts database and relationships with key media personnel. Track and record media coverage and post to REEF.org.

·         Work with the REEF Outreach Coordinator to support and expand the Field Station Program. Increase participation of current field stations and enlist new Field Stations. Strengthen relationships with TWA Field Stations, including frequent communication. Work with Field Stations to increase sales of REEF materials and donations, host workshops and surveys dives, and encourage participation in REEF-organized events such as fishinars and the GAFC.

·         Assist in scheduling, planning, and implementation of fundraising/outreach events. Create campaigns to attract new members, as well as to increase donations and participation among existing members. Participate in REEF events and out-of-area consumer trade shows.

·         Assist in the development of outreach and member correspondence, such as e-news and web content, as well as the development of PSAs, brochures, and other public relation materials. Develop and conduct presentations and demonstrations to members, Field Stations, educational institutions, and the public-at-large. Work with the REEF Outreach Coordinator and interns to coordinate existing outreach and training efforts, including the GAFC and fishinar series.

Qualifications

Bachelors or higher degree in biology, public affairs or related field. Proficiency with office computers and software.  Excellent written and oral communication skills. Highly positive attitude and aptitude for working as a self starter in a face paced non-profit conservation organization. Strong interest in ocean life, marine conservation, and citizen science.  Desire to make a difference.  Ability to work in a diverse team and collaborate across multiple disciplines. Experienced diver is preferred but not required.

Position Term, Compensation, and Work Environment

The position will be based at REEF’s Key Largo, Florida, headquarters, a 1913 historic conch-style house converted into offices, a retail area, and classrooms Headquarters staff includes the General Manger, Director of Special Projects, Store Manager, interns and volunteers. Work environment is casual. Three additional staff – Director of Science, Membership Development Coordinator, and Outreach Coordinator – are located in Washington and California. The position will report to the General Manager.

 

How to apply

Interested candidates should submit a cover letter, resume, and brief writing sample (no more than three pages) to Martha Klitzkie, General Manager, at Martha@REEF.org. Applications will be considered starting October 29, 2012, and position will be open until filled.

 

Organization Background:

REEF was founded in 1990 as a way to educate scuba divers and snorkelers in marine life identification and to utilize their marine life sightings. Patterned after the successful Audubon and Cornell birding programs, REEF has grown into a 40,000 plus member organization with programs in place throughout the western hemisphere. Primary among these programs is the Volunteer Fish Survey Project, enabling marine enthusiasts to conduct surveys and submit sightings data from throughout the Tropical Western Atlantic, coastal North America, Tropical Eastern Pacific, Hawaii, and South Pacific. Data are managed by REEF staff and made available to researchers, scientists, managers, and the public free of charge via REEF’s on-line database at www.REEF.org. To date more than 160,000 marine life surveys have been submitted.

 

In addition to the Survey Project, REEF maintains a large and active diver education program with standardized course materials for each of its survey regions. Strong partnerships within the diving industry and effective outreach provide opportunities for thousands of divers to learn about marine life and take part in surveying activities throughout the year. REEF manages the July-long Great Annual Fish Count; the Grouper Moon Project – researching grouper spawning aggregations; the Exotic Species Program – tracking the impact and control of non-native marine fish species, particularly the human-induced invasion of Indo-Pacific lionfish into the Tropical West Atlantic; Special Projects – assessing fish population changes in and around marine reserves and on and around newly developed artificial reefs; printed and e-newsletter communications; and, several week-long field survey and data gathering expeditions. REEF maintains strong partnerships with federal, state, and local government agencies as well as other US based and international agencies, NGOs, and business entities.

REEF is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer