Permit Coordinator, Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary

Background:

Lynker is seeking a permit coordinator to assist with processing new and monitoring active permits for projects within Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary.  Under the National Marine Sanctuary Act (NMSA), Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary (MBNMS) has the ability to grant permits for prohibited activities and enforce sanctuary regulations. Permits may be issued by the MBNMS Superintendent under special circumstances for activities otherwise prohibited by Sanctuary regulations when related to: research to enhance scientific understanding of the Sanctuary environment or to improve management decision-making; or education to further public awareness, understanding, and to establish access, use, and/or understanding of Sanctuary resources and wise use of the Sanctuary environment. MBNMS strives to promote research and education, while minimizing any environmental impacts. Issuing permits for prohibited activities in the Sanctuary is part of this process.

Responsibilities:

• Prepare staff reports and recommendations concerning permit applications, draft permits, and related NEPA documents.
• Compile permit information into legal paper files and the Office of National Marine Sanctuaries on-line permit system.
• Maintain a permit program promoting research while optimizing protection of Sanctuary resources and providing information to resource managers, including a spatial analysis of cumulative impacts.
• Review and process general and research related permit requests through contact with the permittee, Sanctuary staff, Sanctuary management and Office of National Marine Sanctuaries HQ staff.
• Maintain the permit database, records, and cataloging systems for efficient tracking and reporting of permit activity, and reporting the status of permit activities to identify impacts upon natural resources from permitted activities.
• Update the permit compliance tracking system, conduct follow-up reminders to permittees, and communicate with enforcement staff on priority compliance issues.
• Coordinate project communication among partners developing research in the Sanctuary.

Required Education/Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree or (4) years equivalent experience in the field of marine resource protection and proven experience in resource management, and issues related to marine and coastal protection.
• Demonstrated experience in data analysis tools including Microsoft Access and Excel, and Adobe digital imaging products.
• Knowledge of existing federal, state, and local programs, funding sources, public and private partners who could be used to implement resource management plans.
• Knowledge of marine and ecosystem issues in Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary and other west coast sanctuaries, including fishery-related issues, habitat protection, and MPAs, is critical. Skill in communicating complex technical subjects for professional and lay audiences.
• Experience with spatial and non-spatial concepts including projections, topology, relational databases, and cartographic production preferred.
• Excellent verbal and writing skills.

Location: 

This work is based out of MBNMS’ Monterey office and is anticipated to be in-office three days per week, with two optional telework days.