Coral Restoration Lead

CARDINAL POINT CAPTAINS INC • Pago Pago, AS

3h • Onsite

About The Position

CPC seeks a qualified Coral Restoration Lead scientist to work year round in Pago Pago, American Samoa in support of NOAA and university funded coral studies. This role will help lead the creation of a coral restoration program in American Samoa and contribute to building coastal resilience infrastructure in the territory. If you're a marine scientist with a passion for fieldwork, this is a once-in-a-career opportunity to immerse yourself in one of the most biologically rich and visually stunning marine environments on the planet. American Samoa is not just a workplace—it’s a living laboratory of evolutionary marvels, where ancient corals, rare pelagic species, and active undersea volcanoes converge in a breathtaking Pacific seascape.

Requirements

• Master’s Degree from an accredited college or university in Environmental Studies, Marine Science, or a related field.
• Experience in marine research and underwater field studies.
• Experience and expertise in coral restoration.
• Experience in marine resource management in American Samoa.
• Experience working with regional coral restoration practitioners (e.g., Fiji, Samoa, Guam, and Hawai’i).
• Experience in Geographic Information Systems (e.g., ArcGIS or similar).
• Experience with field data collection in a tropical coral reef environment.
• Knowledge of tropical marine ecosystems.
• Expertise in coral taxonomic identification.
• Experience working with the US Coral Reef Task Force Restoration Working Group and Watershed Working Group
• Must be SCUBA certified (NAUI, PADI, etc.) and meet the standards established by the program's diver certification process and maintain throughout the duration of employment.
• Must be willing to work on both small boats and aboard larger research vessels.
• Able to lift and carry up to fifty (50) pounds to assist transporting equipment and gear is required.
• Familiarity and experience with Fa’a Samoa and working with the Territorial Government of American Samoa.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate the installation and operation of a coral nursery in American Samoa.
• Coordinate targeted outplanting of corals at Nu'uuli, Faga'alu, and Leone.
• Plan and execute scientific diving operations in support of marine research programs, ensuring strict adherence to American Academy of Underwater Sciences scientific diving standards, all applicable regulations, and institutional dive safety protocols.
• Help to safely operate the research boat during underway operations, maintaining compliance with all vessel policies and regulations.
• Conduct field surveys; conduct laboratory tasks; process scientific data; write scientific reports; assist with data archiving and records management; and collaborate with partners.
• Support execution of site operating plans and science projects. This may include assisting with the purchase, maintenance, inventory, and calibration of supplies and equipment for the science program; development of dive, boat, and cruise plans, and submission of associated forms and reports; coordination and implementation of dive operations to meet dive and safety standards; assistance for the small boat program; collaboration with partners on missions; and performance of in-situ field research and data collection.
• Participate in site planning activities including developing field projects, grant proposals and budgets; completing necessary environmental compliance requirements; and preparation and review of science planning documents.
• Ensure that scientific data, samples, and information are efficiently processed and properly maintained.
• Support miscellaneous administrative and operational tasks necessary to implement scientific programs.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior