Located 1,000 miles south of Hawai‘i, TNC’s Palmyra Preserve is located in the middle of one of the most spectacular marine wilderness areas on Earth. Palmyra Atoll has 580 acres of emergent land with 480,000 acres of lagoons, coral reefs, and submerged lands and is a US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) National Wildlife Refuge out to 12 nautical miles from shore and a Marine National Monument out to 50 miles. The Nature Conservancy owns and cares for 230 acres of land and manages this property in partnership with the USFWS. TNC maintains wildlife habitat and owns and operates a conservation research station on the preserve focused on ecosystem adaptation and resilience to climate change.

Established in 2019, the Climate Adaptation and Resilience Laboratory (CARL) at Palmyra focuses on three key strategies for investigating actionable solutions to the increasing effects of climate change: coral reef restoration, pelagic ecosystem protection, and conservation of island ecosystems.

Seasonal Conservation Science Volunteers are recruited for six-month assignments to support the conservation science and management projects that are a part of CARL. The duration of this term of service may be amended for safety purposes – volunteers will be notified and supported by TNC if any such decision is made. Volunteers will work six 8-hour days with one day off per week, in hot, humid, and/or wet weather, on difficult and hazardous terrain, and under physically demanding circumstances. These conditions will involve considerable physical exertion and/or muscular strain, frequent possibility of injury, long hours in isolated settings, exposure to chemicals (e.g. herbicide), contaminants (e.g. WW2-era fuel), and hazards (e.g. rusted metal from WW2-era equipment).

Volunteers must possess (or be able to obtain) a valid passport and, if applicable, the appropriate visa and/or work permit for working in the US with an expiration date at least one month later than the term of the assignment. Additionally, all volunteers must provide evidence of a physical examination, current tetanus vaccination, and health insurance. TNC provides remote medical coverage for non-emergency physician consultation and emergency evacuation insurance for all staff and volunteers. Volunteers must possess (or be able to obtain) a valid First Aid and CPR certification before the start of the volunteer term.

TNC will provide up to $900 of travel costs from the volunteer’s home to Honolulu as well as up to three nights stay at a TNC-selected hotel in Honolulu. Prior to traveling to Palmyra, volunteers will participate in a one or two day orientation in Honolulu that gives an overview of TNC’s mission, values, and Code of Conduct, and of the Palmyra Program, including CARL. TNC will also provide round-trip travel to Palmyra from Honolulu, board and lodging at Palmyra, and key supplies and equipment for the period the volunteer is at Palmyra.

We’re looking for an individual with experience in scientific studies and established scientific protocols to join the Hawaii Chapter’s Palmyra Program. If you are eager to be part of a dedicated group that supports climate change and conservation of island systems, apply today!

• High school diploma/GED and 1 year of college-level coursework in biological sciences, conservation science, or natural resource management, -OR- equivalent combination of education and relevant work experience.
• Experience with scientific studies and following established scientific protocols, including recording, entering, and organizing observation-based data.
• Experience living and/or working in remote environments or small communities.
• Experience performing work that requires physical mobility in a hot, humid, wet, and salty environment, and ability to lift up to 50 pounds.
• Experience with  waterfront comfort and safety, specifically regarding swimming, recreating, and navigating in open water.
• Experience with MS Office and associated programs, notably Word and Excel.