Aquaculture Program Specialist

Job Details

Florida Sea Grant (FSG; https://www.flseagrant.org/ ) is seeking a motivated individual to lead the expansion of an aquaculture apprenticeship program that is designed to promote workforce development and enhance Florida's aquaculture industry.

This new position, Aquaculture Program Specialist (APS), will lead the expansion of the HARVEST program ( https://www.flseagrant.org/student-opportunities/harvest-internship-program/ ) , which places interns/apprentices with industry partners (aquaculture businesses, associations, or partner organizations). We are expanding the HARVEST program, which focuses on workforce development through direct hands-on experiences, by increasing capacity for partnerships with active aquaculture businesses in Florida. Our goal is to increase capacity in the aquaculture workforce and enhance existing aquaculture initiatives. Working in conjunction with several key industry associations, aquaculture businesses and apprentices will be recruited, onboarded, and managed by the APS in collaboration with an advisory board designed to support the APS. The APS position is guaranteed for one year, with the potential for extension based on performance, program needs, and renewal of funding.

Duties
 

• Assemble, organize and manage an Advisory Board comprised primarily of participating industry associations, by facilitating regular meetings (online and/or in-person), tracking project progress and synthesizing information to provide regular updates to the project team. The APS will also serve as a liaison who can represent the HARVEST program and/or FSG and TAL at outreach and industry events.
• Assist in the recruitment, selection and onboarding of host entities and apprentices. Develop and manage agreements with participating associations. Track progress of interns/apprentices through regular communication and meetings that include hosts, apprentices, and Advisory Board members (i.e., extensive email/text communication as well as scheduled online meetings, site visits, and both in-person group and one-on-one meetings).
• Synthesize and evaluate program successes and challenges, including overall impact (e.g., economic benefit to industry, increased production capacity, workforce development, and enhanced entry to aquaculture jobs). Develop methods to highlight HARVEST and Florida’s aquaculture industry at workshops/job fairs designed to reach target audiences, including working with media to produce and publish success stories. Evaluate and report on the impact of the program.
• Support research and Extension programming for Florida’s aquaculture industry, to include development of educational and research materials, participation in on-farm research, production, and demonstration activities, and other duties as assigned by supervisor.

Requirements

Preferred
 

• Experience with and interest in organizing and communicating with groups of people, including preparing for and running efficient meetings.
• Experience in the development and implementation of communication materials, writing (articles, blogs, story maps, etc.), editing, and social media.
• Critical and analytical capabilities for quantifying and evaluating program impacts and success.
• The ability to plan, organize, and coordinate work assignments independently.
• Demonstrated ability to coordinate, lead, and work collaboratively as part of a team.
• Experience in developing and monitoring contracts with multiple deliverables and deadlines, including in a University setting.
• Experience with or interest in grantsmanship, conference organization, and communicating with faculty in an academic setting.
• Experience and knowledge specific to Florida’s aquaculture industries, aquaculture technologies and challenges. Knowledge and interest of aquaculture markets and production.
   

Contact Information

Applications close: 01 Jun 2026 

https://secure.dc4.pageuppeople.com/apply/674/gateway/default.aspx?c=apply&lJobID=539929&lJobSourceTypeID=796&sLanguage=en-us