Stewardship Coordinator

About the role

• Job Posting Title: Stewardship Coordinator
• Hiring Department: Marine Science Institute
• Position Open To: All Applicants
• Weekly Scheduled Hours: 40
• FLSA Status: Exempt
• Earliest Start Date: Immediately
• Position Duration: Expected to Continue Until Feb 28, 2026
• Location: PORT ARANSAS, TX

Job Details

Purpose of Position

The Mission-Aransas National Estuarine Research Reserve (MAR) at the University of Texas Marine Science Institute (MSI) seeks a qualified and motivated individual to lead the NERR’s Stewardship Sector.

The position will coordinate and complete the monitoring of vegetation, natural resources, and land management practices for the NERR, as well as be involved in projects focused on invasive species, habitat restoration, and marine debris. Updating, maintaining, and developing spatial databases and GIS applications for Reserve projects will also be their focus.

This position will participate in regional stewardship meeting/groups and assist with visiting researchers, volunteers, and other collaborative efforts. Additional duties include supervising stewardship staff, grant management, and working with local, state, and federal partners.

Responsibilities

• Direct the Reserve’s Stewardship Program, including developing annual NOAA award work plans and budgets, contributing to semi-annual reports to NOAA, and participating on all core team tasks and responsibilities
• Participate fully in national NERRS Stewardship Program activities and represent MAR within the NERRS network more generally
• Conduct field work and data analysis related to vegetation monitoring of emergent marsh, mangrove, and upland habitats
• Collect geospatial data and provide GIS and mapping support to Reserve staff as needed. Includes data collection for vertical control needs for the MAR
• Serve as a liaison with the resource management community by promoting data utilization and acting as a contact for resource and land managers
• Support existing cleanup and recycling programs around the Reserve
• Coordinate special studies and stewardship activities within or related to the Reserve as needed
• Work with the Coastal Training Program, Education, and Research Coordinator to integrate stewardship ethics into individual programs.
• Advising and participating in relevant local and regional workgroups and committees to advance coastal and estuarine science, stewardship, conservation, and restoration
• Grant writing and management
• Perform related work as assigned, including supervising employees

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree from a recognized college or university with a major study in marine science, environmental science, wildlife biology, or related field. Each additional year of approved formal education may be substituted for one year of required work experience.
• Five years of recent experience in research, resource management, or conservation.
• Demonstrated knowledge of the principles of ecology and the flora and fauna of the Texas coast.
• Previous experience monitoring vegetation communities and removal of invasive species.
• Field work experience is essential.
• Ability to collect and manage geospatial data using advanced GPS equipment and Geographical Information Systems software
• Demonstrated ability to collect, analyze, and interrupt spatial data
• Ability to effectively communicate both written and verbally to diverse audiences.
• Ability to work independently or as part of a team.
• Computer literacy in Microsoft Office required.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree in marine science, environmental science, wildlife biology, or related field. Experience can be used in place of education.
• Experience with grant development, writing and management.
• Demonstrated experience in developing, managing and applying GIS tools and products to address natural resource protection, management and restoration issues
• Demonstrated expertise using modern field sampling equipment and associated data management & analysis software programs
• Experience operating various sizes of boats.
• Supervisory experience.
• Level of familiarity with relevant federal agencies (NOAA, USFWS), state agencies (TGLO, TPWD, TxDOT) and local agencies (ACND, CBBEP, TNC).
• Experience planning, designing, and carrying out habitat management & restoration projects in coastal ecosystems, and in monitoring the outcomes of such projects; experience working with agency staff, academic researchers, non-governmental organizations and other partners to accomplish restoration & management projects

Working conditions

• May work in all weather conditions, including extreme temperatures.
• May work around standard office conditions.
• May work around biohazards.
• May work around chemicals.
• May work around electrical and mechanical hazards.
• Repetitive use of a keyboard at a workstation.
• Use of manual dexterity.
• Climbing of stairs.
• Climbing of ladders.
• Lifting and moving field equipment.

Work Shift

This is a full-time position working 40 hours/week. This may include work during the standard work week but will require some occasional weekend availability.

Required Materials

• Resume/CV
• 3 work references with their contact information; at least one reference should be from a supervisor
• Letter of interest

Additional information

Important for applicants who are NOT current university employees or contingent workers: You will be prompted to submit your resume the first time you apply, then you will be provided an option to upload a new Resume for subsequent applications. Any additional Required Materials (letter of interest, references, etc.) will be uploaded in the Application Questions section; you will be able to multi-select additional files. Before submitting your online job application, ensure that ALL Required Materials have been uploaded. Once your job application has been submitted, you cannot make changes.

Important for Current university employees and contingent workers: As a current university employee or contingent worker, you MUST apply within Workday by searching for Find UT Jobs. If you are a current University employee, log-in to Workday, navigate to your Worker Profile, click the Career link in the left hand navigation menu and then update the sections in your Professional Profile before you apply.

This information will be pulled in to your application. The application is one page and you will be prompted to upload your resume. In addition, you must respond to the application questions presented to upload any additional Required Materials (letter of interest, references, etc.) that were noted above.

Employment Eligibility

Regular staff who have been employed in their current position for the last six continuous months are eligible for openings being recruited for through University-Wide or Open Recruiting, to include both promotional opportunities and lateral transfers. Staff who are promotion/transfer eligible may apply for positions without supervisor approval.

Retirement Plan Eligibility

The retirement plan for this position is Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS), subject to the position being at least 20 hours per week and at least 135 days in length.

Pay Transparency

The University of Texas at Austin will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant.

However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor’s legal duty to furnish information.

Employment Eligibility Verification

If hired, you will be required to complete the federal Employment Eligibility Verification I-9 form. You will be required to present acceptable and original documents to prove your identity and authorization to work in the United States. Documents need to be presented no later than the third day of employment. Failure to do so will result in loss of employment at the university.