Positions Available

About the Central Caribbean Marine Institute (CCMI)

The Central Caribbean Marine Institute (CCMI) runs a marine research and education facility on the remote tropical island of Little Cayman. CCMI maintains a busy education programme, reliant upon flexible, passionate, and capable professionals who are committed to delivering an immersive residential experience for CCMI’s student stakeholders, from K–12 through to tertiary level. CCMI’s programmes aim to strengthen ocean literacy and stewardship in the Cayman Islands, promote minority representation in science, and train and guide a local workforce that values healthy oceans.

Position Overview

We are seeking a dynamic, passionate Education Assistant to help deliver CCMI’s Fall 2026 marine education programmes. This is a multifaceted role ideal that requires strong water skills, experience working with youth, a background in marine science, and a strong commitment to marine conservation and education.

You will help coordinate and deliver high-quality field-based programmes primarily for primary students, while also ensuring that snorkelling activities meet CCMI’s safety standards and educational goals. This role requires flexibility, excellent organisational skills, and a proactive, team-oriented mindset.

The main job responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following:

1. Education Programme Support and Delivery

CCMI runs an all-year-round education programme, from two-night residential programmes for primary school students to immersive research and education courses for college students. You should be an organised, passionate educator, who has the patience and motivation to create a more sustainable future for our marine environment by delivering programmes of excellence. The education assistant aspects of this role include:

• Assist in the delivery of CCMI’s residential education programmes with a focus on primary students. This entails:
  • Leading field trips (in-water and on land)
  • Delivering lectures and educational modules, with an emphasis on Year 6 (end of primary) programmes
  • Preparing course schedules and materials
  • Coordinating student enrolment logistics and waiver collection
  • Administering pre- and post-programme evaluation surveys
  • Communicate effectively with teachers, parents, and students
  • Provide ancillary support to other education programmes
• Coordinate with operations staff regarding student needs (e.g., food allergies, room assignments, and other logistical support).
• Prepare reports related to K–12 programmes for grants, annual reports, and partner and sponsor communications
• Participate in local outreach events and represent CCMI at community engagements
• Assist the Research and Operations teams on an as-needed basis, supporting cross-departmental initiatives and activities, contributing to broader organisational priorities

2. Snorkel Operations

• Plan and prepare all educational snorkel activities. Strong communication and planning skills are essential.
• Serve as snorkel lead during all education programmes and support the Education staff in dive outings with education groups
• Ensure all water activities are compliant with safety regulations and institutional protocols
• Maintain snorkel-related equipment

We are seeking someone with experience with and enthusiasm for youth education (particularly Year 6 students), adaptable, and committed to experiential education in a remote island setting. A desire and commitment to deliver our education programmes to the highest standards and foster a culture of fun and immersive learning are essential.

Required:

• Bachelor of Science in marine science or related field
• Minimum of Rescue Diver certification with strong water skills (or similar water experience/ certifications)
• Passion in education and a strong interest in leading students’ groups in dynamic, hands-on, immersive residential educational experiences
• Experience working/engaging with youth
• Excellent communication, planning, and organizational skills
• Ability to thrive in a remote location with limited resources and a small team
• Willingness to work odd hours when required to deliver a programme (time in lieu will be offered)
• Clean driver’s license and ability to drive both manual and automatic vehicles (or willingness to learn manual if necessary)
• Be over 22 years of age
• A clear passion for the ocean and marine conservation
• Strong ability to manage administrative responsibilities efficiently and on time
• Willingness to take on additional responsibilities related to delivery of the education programmes

Preferred:

• Prior experience living and working in a remote environment/island
• Divemaster certification

Monthly salary: US $ 2,300 – $2,400

Contract duration: 3 months (September 10 – December 10, 2026)

Time off: Prorated 20 working days holiday in each calendar year, in addition to statutory and public holidays in the Cayman Islands

Health insurance: CCMI will pay 50% of the insurance plan up to a maximum of US $245 monthly towards the cost of the Employee’s chosen plan

To apply, please send your CV and a letter of interest (no more than one page) no later than 19th July to: dsiciliano@reefresearch.org.

We thank all applicants for their interest; only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

CCMI is looking for our next Science Director. We are located on the small, remote tropical island of Little Cayman, where our reef systems have limited local anthropogenic stressors, creating the opportunity to study, support, and promote reef resistance and resilience in the face of changing environmental conditions.

We are seeking a scientist with strong research experience, impactful publication record, and a history of successful teamwork, collaboration, and accomplishment working in coral reef resilience. Priority research areas are expected to advance our understanding of how coral populations and reef ecosystems resist, recover, and adapt to global and local stressors.

The Science Director is expected to establish a resident team to conduct, attract, and support year-round research. The incumbent will develop important collaborations with external academic partners, and must have experience applying for grants and managing multiple projects. CCMI has a 28-year ecological monitoring series and a 13-year restoration facility that are also the remit of the Science Team.

You must also be a passionate communicator and educator, proactively working with a wider CCMI team to create impact beyond peer-reviewed research. The Science Director and staff are expected to integrate the science programme with our active primary-to-tertiary education programmes and seek to communicate science in support of the conservation of island and regional resources.

As Science Director, your role is to develop and implement a strategy that will establish CCMI as a globally recognized field research and education institute in the Caribbean. You will be responsible for building and leading a well-funded research programme and will establish a vibrant, collaborative community that works to incubate new ideas to address contemporary issues facing coral reef ecosystems.

Key to the Directorship is contributing to CCMI’s long-term business strategy, which aims to build the capacity and capabilities of the institution to lead coral reef resilience research in the Caribbean. You will also work closely with the Head of Marine Science Education to create and carry out education programmes that are region-leading.

It is imperative that you are a strong leader, with the ability to cultivate an engaged team of scientists and educators. You will also need to be flexible and adaptable, as leading a team from a remote tropical island can be challenging. You must be able to passionately communicate and promote CCMI’s mission. You need the skills and empathy to relate to people from diverse backgrounds and cultures.

You will report directly to the Chief Executive Officer of CCMI, supervise the Science Team, and collaborate effectively with other CCMI teams that focus on education, outreach, communications, finance, operations, development, and administration.

Company Strategy

• Uphold and deliver the role of CCMI Company Director to the highest ethical standards
• Develop and implement a science strategy that will establish CCMI as a globally recognised field research and education institute in the Caribbean, linking to the wider company goals
• Develop and sustain successful grant writing and grant management to support the growth of the research programme, funding facilities and operations, with the aim of sustaining a US $1 million per annum research programme
• Develop a strong connection between CCMI Science and CCMI Education programmes to ensure the most relevant and up-to-date science is represented and included in CCMI education and outreach
• Attract scientists and groups that can bring relevant projects and substantial funding, and pay for facility use, as appropriate

Research Strategy

• Coordinate the CCMI Science Council – a panel of advisors that help to determine strategic science direction at CCMI to ensure long-term sustainability and meaningful scientific and societal impact
• Establish a vibrant collaborative community of international scientists who work together to incubate ideas that address contemporary issues facing coral reef ecosystems
• Develop and maintain a Science Team at CCMI that works internally and with a range of PIs and science partners on research themes that deliver the overall strategy of coral reef resilience
• Deliver a research programme locally in Little Cayman that continues to highlight the island’s reefs as sites of significance for scientific inquiry and investigation
• Facilitate the use of shared resources, including labs and staff, for visiting scientists and educators
• Build and maintain a strong and collaborative relationship with the Cayman Islands Department of Environment in conservation science

Delivery

• Manage and provide oversight for the science programme, mentoring research staff, post-docs, and interns. This includes preparing personal development plans for your team, overseeing new PIs in the grant-management process and ensuring all the research is delivered to the highest standards within a supportive learning environment.
• Create and deliver a sustainable HR plan for your team
• Prepare and track progress on an annual operating and spending plan for the Science Team
• Provide oversight for the long-term monitoring programme (AGRRA) with a Healthy Reef Report as an output
• Ensure the maintenance and continued development of CCMI’s Coral Restoration programme
• Publish in impactful scientific journals, producing 3+ papers annually with collaborators
• Work regularly with our communications and advancement teams on messaging and reporting to sponsors, grantors, and stakeholders
• Provide content and participate in outreach and engagement events to assist in CCMI’s stakeholder development
• Contribute to annual reports and meetings with sponsors and attend all relevant CCMI public relations events
• Work closely with the Education Team to provide programme content and participate, as time allows, in presentations and courses being provided by CCMI
• Ensure the CCMI team maintains all research equipment to the highest health and safety standards

• PhD in marine science and a minimum of five (5) years post-PhD experience, or the equivalent in relevant experience
• Strong publication record in impactful journals
• Excellent grantsmanship and demonstrated record of receiving major awards for research and equipment/facilities.
• Experience leading collaborations and building networks of interdisciplinary scientists to conduct integrated studies
• Experience managing people (both internal and external stakeholders) and creating a positive environment for excellence and personnel development
• Excellent management and mentoring qualities
• Excellent communicator/educator across diverse media, age groups, donors, and community members

• Salary: US $80k – $90k depending on experience
• Health and other benefits as per the Cayman Islands Labour Law

To apply, please submit the following items:

• a cover letter
• CV

Email all application materials to careers@reefresearch.org by 5 pm Thursday, 15th January 2026.

We thank all applicants for their interest; only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

Join CCMI’s Education team and support the education programmes at the Little Cayman Research Centre. The successful applicant will assist the Education team with the preparation and implementation of CCMI’s primary and secondary school level marine ecology camps, visiting university courses, citizen science groups, and other education programmes as required. This is a sponsored position, available only to Caymanians and those with qualifying residential status in the Cayman Islands. This internship is generously supported by the Edmund F. and Virginia B. Ball Foundation. 

The applicant will need to be proficient in water, ideally with a PADI (or similar) Divemaster qualification. They must be passionate about the ocean, teaching students of all ages and creating a positive and engaging environment for guests to not only learn but have the best experience of their lives. This role is hands on. The successful applicant will learn a wide range of skills while living on a remote tropical island at a fully functioning marine research facility. They need to love new challenges, enjoy working with a team, and most importantly, want to make a difference in terms of ocean literacy and educating the next generation. 

• Assist in the overall delivery of sponsored and paid education programmes
• Assist the Education Coordinator, Education Assistant, and other CCMI team members as needed with education department related tasks
• Organize and prepare supplies and equipment for field excursions and laboratory exercises
• Lead or assist with all outdoor activities including swimming, snorkeling, kayaking, cycling and hiking/walking
• Participate and assist with execution of local outreach events and conservation activities on behalf of CCMI
• Assist with preparation of education department related communications, eg: social media posts, email templates, announcements, etc.
• Deliver CCMI lectures, coursework, and workshops
• Assist with daily tasks associated with life at a remote field station, such as assisting with mealtimes and maintaining a clean and tidy facility
• Serve as a useful and dependable member of the CCMI team who can be called upon to assist with any department as necessary

• High school diploma or similar required
• Must be comfortable in and on the water
• Experience working in an educational setting, either formal or informal
• Must enjoy working with children and young adults
• Must be able to lift heavy dive gear and equipment
• Must be versatile, willing and interested in assisting with a variety of tasks
• Excellent communication, organizational and team-building skills required
• Excellent interpersonal skills and open to direction in a collaborative working environment
• Must be able to inspire passion for the marine environment in others

The position is for three (3) months, with the possibility to extend to six (6) months. Room and board at the Little Cayman Research Centre are provided along with all meals (or food provided for prep in a shared kitchen). A monthly reimbursement of USD $500 for living expenses is provided.

A cover letter, CV, and contact details for two referees (who will not be contacted without your consent) should be sent to education@reefresearch.org. Applications and letters of reference should include the name of the applicant in the document title, i.e. lastname_CV.pdf, lastname_CL.pdf, lastname_references.pdf.

Applications submitted by 31st December 2024 will receive full consideration. If you would like to experience living on a remote island and being part of dynamic team, we encourage you to apply.