Description

POSITION SUMMARY: The Program Director coordinates, manages, and monitors the science activities across the Florida Center of Excellence Research Grants Program (FLRACEP)-funded Centers of Excellence at the Florida Institute of Oceanography (FIO). This position assists the FIO Director and the external FLRACEP Program Management Team in fulfilling the mission objectives as defined under the RESTORE Act as applicable to the FLRACEP established and defined in section 1605, RESTORE Act of 2012.
The Program Director consistently demonstrates organizational and communication skills; engages with colleagues in academia, Federal, state and local government agencies, and industry to identify emerging research needs and design and execute research programs; and facilitates the application of research findings and products to address challenges confronted by coastal and natural resource planners, managers, regulators and marine industries in the Gulf of America. This position ensures program tasks and activities are aligned with the service mission of the FIO. While the position is focused on FLRACEP science activities and guidance, this position will regularly develop new state-wide science initiatives that brings the full capacity of the FIO membership to bear on issues critical to the State of Florida and by leveraging the membership's ocean science and technology capacity around the gulf coast states. This position reports directly and serves at the pleasure and discretion of the Director of the Florida Institute of Oceanography and the FLRACEP Program Management Team. The Florida Institute of Oceanography (FIO) ensures sustained excellence in marine research and education through the advancement and availability of infrastructure, development of partnerships, and the enabling of outcomes that benefit the citizens of Florida, the United States, and the global community.

A University of South Florida institute housed at the College of Marine Science in St. Petersburg, Florida, FIO facilitates and enables ocean science and education through the convening power of its 34-member consortium and through the resourcing of field-based activities. The latter is accomplished through utilization of three sea-going research vessels, the R/V Western Flyer, R/V Hogarth, R/V Weatherbird II and the land-based Keys Marine Laboratory (KML) located in Layton, Florida. Combined, these platforms have supported thousands of undergraduate and graduate students Statewide over the past decades, allowing students to connect first-hand with scientific research conducted along Florida's coast. The FIO also resources ocean science in the Gulf of Mexico through the Resources and Ecosystems Sustainability, Tourist Opportunities, and Revived Economies of the Gulf Coast States Act (RESTORE Act; Subtitle F of Public Law 112-141) Center of Excellence Program. The Act established the Gulf Coast Restoration Trust Fund in the U.S. Treasury Department and designated the Florida Institute of Oceanography (FIO) as the Gulf Coast Entity that would administer, establish and oversee the Center(s) of Excellence for Florida. Under the terms of the Act, a percentage of funds is allocated to FIO, the funds are used to support the FLRACEP mission, projects and activities that restore and protect the environment and economy of the Gulf Coast region.

The FIO is also uniquely positioned to coordinate and manage large multi-institutional and public-private ventures by leveraging the membership's ocean science and technology capacity around the state. This is especially critical as increasing pressure of Florida's coastal population and economy intersect with critical global and regional issues such as water quality, fishing, habitat loss, climate change and sea level rise.Minimum Education & Experience

• Demonstrated experience in business, program management, science, or technology relevant to coastal ecosystems and restoration.
• Familiarity with the Gulf Coast Region and its environmental and research landscape.

• Senate Bill 1310- The Florida Senate (https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2023/1310) is conditional upon meeting all employment eligibility requirements in the U.S.
• SB 1310: Substitution of Work Experience for Postsecondary Education Requirements
• A public employer may include a postsecondary degree as a baseline requirement only as an alternative to the number of years of direct experience required, not to exceed:
• (a) Two years of direct experience for an associate degree;
• (b) Four years of direct experience for a bachelor's degree;
• (c) Six years of direct experience for a master's degree;
• (d) Seven years of direct experience for a professional degree; or
• (e) Nine years of direct experience for a doctoral degree
• Related work experience may not substitute for any required licensure, certification, or registration required for the position of employment as established by the public employer and indicated in the advertised description of the position of employment.
• Minimum Qualifications that require a high school diploma are exempt from SB 1310.
Knowledge, Skills & Abilities
• Deep understanding of coastal sustainability, fisheries, and ecosystem monitoring.
• Ability to evaluate scientific proposals and strategic plans.
• Strong communication and collaboration skills for working with diverse stakeholders.
• Knowledge of federal grant processes and RESTORE Act guidelines.
Working Conditions
• Primarily remote with periodic in-person meetings (at least annually).
• Participation in teleconferences, webinars, and ad hoc meetings as needed.
• Supported by FLRACEP staff for logistics, communications, and documentation.
• Environment - Typical indoor environment/office setting.
• Physical Requirements - climbing, standing, stooping, and/or typing; Ability to lift up to 20lbs as needed.
• Travel - Ability to travel to other USF campuses and/or other locations as requested.Working at USF
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With approximately 16,000 employees, the University of South Florida is one of the largest employers in the Tampa Bay area. We are dedicated to cultivating a talented, engaged and driven workforce that strives to be bold. Employees excel in USF's rich academic environment, which fosters their development and advancement. In 2025, Forbes recognized USF as one of Florida's best large employers, ranked No. 1 among the state's 12 public universities. Our first-class benefits package includes medical, dental and life insurance plans, retirement plan options, employee and dependent tuition programs, generous leave, and hundreds of employee perks and discounts.
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About USF
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The University of South Florida is a top-ranked research university serving approximately 50,000 students from across the globe at campuses in Tampa, St. Petersburg, Sarasota-Manatee and USF Health. USF is recognized by U.S. News & World Report as a top 50 public university and the best value in Florida. U.S. News also ranks the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine as the No. 1 medical school in Florida and in the highest tier nationwide. USF is a member of the Association of American Universities (AAU), a group that includes only the top 3% of universities in the U.S. With an all-time high of $738 million in research funding in 2024 and as a top 20 public university for producing U.S. patents, USF uses innovation to transform lives and shape a better future. The university generates an annual economic impact of more than $6 billion. USF's Division I athletics teams compete in the American Athletic Conference. Learn more at www.usf.edu .
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Compliance and Federal Notices
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This position may be subject to a Level 1 or Level 2 criminal b ackground check.
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Applicants have rights under Federal Employment Laws :
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The University of South Florida is an equal opportunity employer that does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment based on any characteristic protected by law. The University maintains programs for protected veterans and individuals with disabilities in accordance with all applicable federal and state laws.
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Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)
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Applicants for USF employment are entitled to request reasonable accommodation(s) in the application process. A request is to be made at least five (5) working days prior to the time the accommodation(s) is needed. Visit the Central Human Resources ADA Accommodations webpage for more information on requesting an accommodation during the application/interview process.
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Equal Employment Opportunity
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The University of South Florida is an equal opportunity employer that does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment based on any characteristic protected by law. The University maintains affirmative action programs for protected veterans and individuals with disabilities in accordance with all applicable federal and state laws. This job description does not constitute an employment contract.RESPONSIBILITIES:

In consultation with the FIO Director and external FLRACEP Program Management Team, develops and sets strategic research priorities, goals, and objectives for the FLRACEP that address the mandated program mission as defined in section 1605 of the RESTORE Act of 2012. Coordinates technological, scientific, and research related activities and actions of the Centers of Excellence (CoE) grantees. Supports and conducts public scoping that engages stakeholders in goal setting as necessary; develops and release Request(s) for Proposals based on strategic priorities set by the Program Management Team and the needs of the FLRACEP program.

Engages with colleagues in academia and stakeholders in Federal, state and local government agencies, and industry to identify emerging research needs, recommend and design and execute future research programs, funding competitions, and partnerships to address them. Develops and oversees new state-wide science initiatives that bring the full capacity of the FIO membership to bear on issues critical to the State of Florida. Facilitates the application of research findings and products to address challenges confronted by coastal and natural resource planners, managers, regulators, and marine industries in the Gulf of America. Ensures program tasks and activities are aligned with the service mission of the FIO.

Communicates and collaborates with partners at various levels to share and leverage program activities and results. Serves as primary liaison between FIO and the Department of Treasury's Office of Gulf Restoration, sponsor agency for FLRACEP; serves on state and federal commissions, committees, and panels relevant to the FIO; and develops and maintains outreach tools and activities that serve to disseminate program results to stakeholders. Represents FIO and the FLRACEP CoE grantees in Gulf-wide coordination activities with other programs funded to support Gulf research and restoration (e.g., Gulf of Mexico Restoration and Science Programs Coordination Forum, Center of Research Grant Program coordination group (CERGP)).

In conjunction with the FIO Director and Program Management Team, develops and enacts procedures for evaluating and demonstrating progress of all research program funded activities; evaluates effectiveness of any CoE long-term monitoring research programs; facilitates program assessment and required reporting; establishes and submits required reports that integrate all program activities, including semi-annual report to Treasury and annual report to the Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration Council; monitors grantees/sub-grantees meet required compliance requirements as defined in 2CFR200, ensure grantee(s) are progressing in the research; conducts quarterly reviews, site visits, or performs other monitoring practices as necessary.

Coordinates process for Science Review Panel and Program Management Team to evaluate proposals; drafts Award sub-agreements to meet Treasury and FIO standard Terms and Conditions; monitors FLRACEP program and CoE's conflict of interest for compliance; develops and maintains a Program Information Management Plan/system that describes how the program will handle project information and datasets resulting from science and technology projects; prepare and review intermediate and final reports for accuracy and relevance to stated objectives to ensure accountability for all program activities; develops, implements, and maintains a Data Management Plan that meets Treasury's Terms and Conditions.

Coordinates with FIO's Office of Administration and Finance on grants management and performance; creates and submits applications to Treasury for Gulf Coast Restoration Trust Fund for additional awards and reporting; jointly participates in FLRACEP audits. Supervises a team of science coordinator(s)

Performs other duties as assigned by the Director and PMT.