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Kelp Rescue Initiative | Operations Coordinator
Bamfield Marine Sciences Centre
Operations
Canada · Vancouver, BC, Canada
CAD 55k-64k / year
Posted on Feb 13, 2026
Open Position: Operations Coordinator
Organization: Kelp Rescue Initiative (KRI)
Location: Bamfield Marine Sciences Centre (BMSC), Bamfield, BC
Start Date: Immediately
Salary: $55,000 – 64,000 annually (commensurate with experience) + benefits
Type: Full-time (37.5 hours/week), Casual, 1-year term; subject to renewal
Reports To: KRI Program Manager
Application Deadline: Open until filled
Organization and Position Overview:
The Kelp Rescue Initiative (KRI), based at the Bamfield Marine Sciences Centre (BMSC), was established to develop science-based solutions for kelp forest decline in British Columbia. Funded by the Aquatic Ecosystems Restoration Fund (AERF), and in close partnership with the Baum Lab team at the University of Victoria, KRI aims to understand the ecological and physical drivers of kelp forest declines (marine heatwaves, urchin herbivory, habitat loss) and restore canopy kelp forests at ecologically meaningful scales. Through the AERF, KRI has initiated an ambitious scientific research program, encompassing kelp forest ecology, genomics, and restoration experiments. The main study sites are on Vancouver Island – including Barkley Sound and the North Salish Sea.
The Operations Coordinator will coordinate KRI’s operations across restoration regions by developing, maintaining and tracking field schedules and budgets; develop and submit required permits, dive and field safety plans covering institutional requirements of all team-members (i.e., both BMSC and UVic); procure, manage and maintain KRI equipment and supplies; assist with field activities, both at the surface and through SCUBA-based work; lead SCUBA-based field expeditions in remote areas. They will work closely with the KRI First Nations Liaison to support planning, tracking and reporting on First Nation partnership activities. From time-to-time, they will support nurseries operations as needed, and work closely with the broader KRI and Baum team. The ideal candidate will bring strong project coordination and problem-solving skills, attention to detail, and a commitment to excellence to help advance KRI’s mission of restoring kelp forests along BC’s coast.
ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Work productively with a growing team of researchers, technicians, and project staff to carry out KRI’s core mandate, helping to ensure that KRI research and restoration projects are executed to a high standard and on-track to meet project and funding deadlines & deliverables;
- Coordinating logistics across restoration and field work sites, including staff, equipment, safety, and operational planning;
- Develop, maintain and regularly update operational plans, track budgets, and monitor schedules (e.g., GANTT charts) for research and restoration projects;
- Manage the procurement, operation and maintenance of KRI related equipment, ensuring equipment is serviced and operational;
- Assist with field equipment assembly and tear-down (e.g. kelp restoration experiment cages);
- Manage the procurement of lab and field related supplies and consumables;
- Assist in the reconciliation of invoices and purchases according to BMSC procedures;
- Develop dive, safety, and boating plans for fieldwork and ensure they are submitted and amended in a timely manner for approval;
- Submit applications for scientific, collection and transfer permits, their maintenance and compliance with them, as required by government regulations;
- Work productively with BMSC teams to help manage operations and financial reporting, and to ensure compliance with safety and regulatory policies;
- Assist with scientific diving and other kelp-related field work (e.g. biodiversity surveys, sensor deployment, kelp sampling, restoration, and monitoring) at our Vancouver Island field sites;
- Assist with organization and development of kelp training opportunities, outreach events and workshops;
- Assist with kelp culturing (including green gravel and direct seeding efforts) and nursery operations;
- Assist with writing reports for funders and First Nations, funders and other partners;
- Maintain up-to-date field protocols to ensure reproducibility and safety protocols;
- Organize and help to process field data, including data entry, image and video analysis;
- Complete all work to a high standard and on-track to meet project/funding deadlines & deliverables;
- Assist with other related kelp tasks as needed.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:
- Master’s degree in biology, Environmental Science or related discipline, or a BSc in a similar field with 1-3 year’s experience managing complex scientific projects
- Strong organizational and project management skills, including demonstrated ability to multi-task, excellent time management and prioritization skills and the ability to balance competing demands to ensure KRI operations proceed on required timelines
- Proficiency with standard computer tools (email, word processing, spreadsheets, Zoom, Slack) and project management software and related productivity tools for managing operations
- Scientific Diver certification (CAUS Level 1 or AAUS equivalent)
- Valid Basic First Aid, CPR and Oxygen Administration
- Experience with, and knowledge of, safe boating practices (SVOP preferred but not required);
- Valid BC driver’s license
- Demonstrated ability to work independently, while liaising closely with other team members to ensure overall project needs are being met
- Experience working in geographically dispersed or collaborative teams
- Flexible availability, including occasional early mornings, evenings, and weekends
- Satisfactory Criminal Records Check and Vulnerable Sector Screening
ADDITIONAL PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
- Experience with the R coding language for data processing, cleaning, and analysis;
- Experience with accounting and budget tracking;
- Experience with project management;
- Experience with cold water diving (dry suit certified);
- Knowledge of kelp biology, ecology, and species ID /or knowledge of blue carbon and natural climate solutions;
- SVOP certification (including valid First Aid, MED A3, SDV-BS, ROC-M)
- Experience trailering and launching small boats (up to 20’)
- Comfortable working in adverse weather conditions for extended periods
- Previous experience at remote research stations
- Strong communication skills for both technical and general audiences
To Apply:
Submit the following as a single PDF (include your last name in the file name) to Jasmin Schuster, KRI Program Manager, at jasmin.schuster@kelprescue.org, with the subject line: “KRI Operations Coordinator”:
- Cover letter outlining your interest and qualifications
- Curriculum vitae (CV)
- Names and contact information for three references
BMSC is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to building a diverse and inclusive team. We welcome applications from all qualified individuals, including women, Indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities, and members of visible minorities.
As we are located in a remote area, we understand that additional considerations may be needed during the hiring process. We’re committed to providing accommodations at every stage, in accordance with the British Columbia Employment Standards Act (ESA). If you need any support or adjustments during the process, please reach out to our Human Resources team. All requests will be handled with care and confidentiality.