Ocean Policy Program Specialist, Monterey Bay Aquarium

Ocean Policy Program Specialist 

The Ocean Policy Program Specialist contributes to the research, analysis, planning, and coordination needs of the Aquarium's ocean conservation policy program to help achieve the Aquarium's ocean conservation goals.

Core Responsibilities

• Performs research and analysis of state, federal and international ocean policy issues relevant to the Aquarium's ocean conservation goals
• Produces briefing memos, talking points, comment letters, informational folders, and similar materials in support of the Aquarium's policy strategies
• Works with the Director of Ocean Conservation Policy Strategies and Ocean Policy Managers to develop and execute policy strategies at the state, federal and international levels

Absolutely Required Skills / Knowledge / Ability / Experience or Education

• Master's degree in environmental policy, law, management, or science-related field
• Excellent research and writing skills

Desired Skills / Knowledge / Ability / Experience or Education

• Outstanding verbal communication skills
• Works well independently and in teams
• Strong time-management and multi-tasking skills
• Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint is required

Ancillary Responsibilities

• Contributes to the planning and production of strategic events in California, Washington, DC, and in other U.S. and international locations
• Along with the Director of Ocean Conservation Policy Strategies, coordinates and supports the Aquarium's Conservation Teams
• Along with the Director of Ocean Conservation Policy Strategies, coordinates and supports the Aquarium Conservation Partnership
• Works with the Conservation and Science Outreach Manager and Operations Coordinator to support Divisional priorities and projects

Job Details

Reference #18570

Posted onOct 28, 2016

Location(s)Monterey Bay

ExpertiseConservation & Science, Policy

Work type(s)Regular, Full Time

Job level(s)Entry/graduate

Sustainable Seafood Program Director

The Safina Center (formerly Blue Ocean Institute) is seeking a Sustainable Seafood Program Director. The Sustainable Seafood Program Director could be based at our office in Setauket, NY or there may be the potential to work remotely. Salary and benefits TBD based on experience and qualifications. 
Background: 
The Safina Center is an ocean and wildlife conservation nonprofit organization based on Long Island, NY. The Safina Center was founded in 2003 by Dr. Carl Safina, a pioneer of ocean conservation, who brought ocean issues into the conservation mainstream. 
Our Sustainable Seafood Program translates seafood science for consumers, chefs, retailers, and health care professionals and consists of many interconnected components: 
          Online seafood guide based on scientific ratings of 160+ wild-caught fish and shellfish: Green, yellow, and red ratings, and advisories for contaminants including mercury and PCBs
          Information for consumers, chefs, and retailers who want to switch to eating/selling more sustainable seafood
          Information on seafood nutrition and related health issues
          Web-based tutorials, videos, links and blogs of issues such as bycatch, mercury in seafood, overfishing etc.
          Partnership with Whole Foods Market to promote sustainable seafood from boat to counter top Primary duties:
          Oversee the research for our fisheries sustainability assessments that are published in The Safina Center’s online seafood guide
          Supervise three to four seafood researchers, and train new researchers
          Establish priorities for which species/fisheries to assess and rate
          Manage the contract and budget for the sustainable seafood program work
          Serve as the principal liaison with our business partner Whole Foods Market
          Work closely with our partner Monterey Bay Aquarium Seafood Watch on the fisheries sustainability assessments, revising the fisheries assessment criteria, and improvement to the online assessment tool used by both Seafood Watch and The Safina Center
          Draft and review policy comment letters related to U.S. ocean/fisheries management, and collaborate with other NGOs on policy initiatives
          Develop outreach content, including website content for Sustainable Seafood Program section of the website
          Respond to inquiries from the media, public, and seafood industry
Preferred Qualifications: 
          A master’s degree or higher in the marine science or conservation fields, with a focus in fisheries
          Understanding of fisheries issues and how fisheries are assessed and managed
          Supervisory or managerial experience
          Experienced researcher, attention to detail
          Familiarity with the Monterey Bay Aquarium Seafood Watch fisheries assessment criteria (used by both Seafood Watch and The Safina Center) and the Seafood Watch Online Assessment Tool (SWAT)
          Excellent oral and written communicator, capable of synthesizing scientific information so that it can be understood by the general public
          Excellent organization skills, ability to multitask If interested, please send resume, two writing samples, and three references to Elizabeth Brown-Hornstein at ebrown@safinacenter.org.

Aquarium Conservation Partnership Coordinator

The Aquarium Conservation Partnership (ACP Coordinator) conducts the implementation of the ACP Conservation Action Agenda by an 19-member coalition of U.S. aquariums, including a multi-aquarium plastic pollution initiative. 
The ACP is beginning the second year of its two-year (2016-17) proof-of-concept project designed to bring the nation's leading aquariums together to achieve collective impact for ocean and freshwater conservation. The ACP is a voluntary, unincorporated project that was initiated by Monterey Bay Aquarium, Shedd Aquarium, and National Aquarium, and currently includes 18 member aquariums and the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. The purpose of the ACP is to provide strategic information and guidance to aquariums, and coordinate collective action on specific conservation goals included in its 2016-17 Conservation Action Agenda. The primary goal of the ACP is to reduce sources of ocean and freshwater plastic pollution. Other conservation goals include: increase protection of important ocean and freshwater ecosystems; protect threatened shark and ray species; and improve the sustainability of global fisheries and aquaculture. 

Core Responsibilities
Coordination
    •    Conducts day-to-day implementation of the ACP Conservation Action Agenda and multi-aquarium plastic pollution initiative
    •    Works with the ACP Chair and Executive Committee to develop strategies and identify, assign, and accomplish work tasks
    •    Builds effective working relationships with ACP members and external partners and advisors
    •    Monitors and reports progress toward ACP goals and objectives
Logistical
    •    Works with ACP leadership to develop and execute work plans and budgets
    •    Develops ACP meeting agendas and produce meeting minutes
    •    Produces quarterly ACP progress reports
    •    Develops strategies and tools for information sharing and coordination, including an online communications platform, among ACP members
    •    Plans and executes in-person ACP meetings, including assisting with travel, lodging and meeting space needs
    •    Plans and executes online-based ACP meetings, such as Webinars
    •    Performs legal compliance tracking and reporting
    •    Oversees implementation of the final project evaluation for the ACP
Research
    •    Researches policy, science, and market-based issues related to the ACP conservation goals
    •    Produces research briefs and organizes and disseminates information to ACP members
    •    Works with ACP leadership to manage research consultants, as needed
Outreach
    •    With ACP leadership, cultivates partnerships with conservation, industry, and government entities to advance ACP conservation goals
    •    Per guidance from ACP leadership, participates in external meetings on behalf of ACP, and gives presentations to outside groups about the ACP
    •    Works with ACP leadership and other consultants to support all parts of the multi-aquarium plastic pollution initiative, including outreach to consumers, industry and government officials
Absolutely Required Skills / Knowledge / Ability / Experience or Education
    •    Demonstrated ability to effectively coordinate and support a coalition of groups to accomplish common goals
    •    Experience in developing and executing strategic plans, and measuring and reporting progress toward goals
    •    Minimum 5 years' experience in ocean or environmental conservation field
    •    Demonstrated ability to build meaningful relationships with conservation, industry and government partners
    •    Experience with developing and implementing effective tools for information sharing among coalition members
    •    Ability to perform rapid research on relevant issues, and produce meaningful information and analysis to answer key questions
    •    Efficiency in organizing and executing meetings, including producing minutes and ensuring follow through with next steps
Desired Skills / Knowledge / Ability / Experience or Education
    •    Expertise on the issue of ocean and freshwater plastic pollution
    •    Post graduate degree preferred
    •    Efficiency with the Google communication platform and Constant Contact, or similar

PLEASE NOTE THAT THE LOCATION OF THIS POSITION CAN BE REMOTE TO MONTEREY BAY AQUARIUM. LOCATION WILL BE DECIDED WITH SUCCESSFUL CANDIDATE.

Job Details

Reference #18910
Posted on Jan 4, 2017
Location(s) Monterey Bay
Expertise Conservation & Science, Policy, Sea Otter Research & Conservation, Seafood Watch, Tuna Research
Work type(s) Term, Full Time
Job level(s) Experienced