Florida Conservation Program Specialist

Ocean Conservancy works to protect the ocean from today’s greatest global challenges. Together with our partners, we create evidence-based solutions for a healthy ocean and the wildlife and communities that depend on it.

POSITION SUMMARY:

As a core member of Ocean Conservancy’s Florida Conservation Team, the Florida Conservation Program Specialist will provide critical mission support and added capacity, and will expand and enhance the organization’s ability to work with partners in state and local governments and within the conservation community across Florida. The Specialist will serve as a key point of contact with both existing and new local government partners, and will provide critical staff support for flagship projects such as marine plastics assessments and grassroots advocacy, sea level rise and climate change initiatives, water quality and abundance interventions, and marine wildlife and habitat protection efforts. The Specialist will also represent Ocean Conservancy in public appearances, testimony, and in outreach and education activities.

The Specialist will report to the Director of Florida Conservation, and will preferably be based in St. Petersburg, Florida.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Network and partner with state and local government officials on marine conservation priorities in target regions of Florida including South Florida, West Central Florida, Southwest Florida, the I-4 corridor, and Northeast Florida.

• Network with environmental NGO peers and partners statewide to maximize impact for marine conservation

• Network with impacted stakeholders on issues including water quality and abundance, sea level rise and climate change, marine debris and ocean plastics, and habitat and wildlife

• Represent Ocean Conservancy in public settings, including events such as conventions, symposia, and restoration and cleanup events

• Provide public testimony to local and state government on marine conservation issues, for example in support of marine debris regulation or fertilizer ordinances

• Help develop and refine Ocean Conservancy’s policy positions on marine conservation issues affecting the state

REQUIRED SKILLS/QUALIFICATIONS/EXPERIENCE EDUCATION/TRAINING:

The successful candidate will have:

• Bachelor’s degree in a field relevant to Ocean Conservancy’s marine conservation mission

• 3-5 years experience in the field of environmental conservation in Florida; an advanced degree (in science, law, policy, or a field related to conservation) will be considered in lieu of experience.

• A genuine, ardent passion for the conservation of Florida’s marine environment, and a deep connection to the state and its ecosystems.

• Familiarity and experience with the latest marine conservation issues in Florida, and with the potential spectrum of solutions to address those issues – this includes water quality and abundance, nutrient pollution, plastic pollution, and marine debris, sea-level rise and climate change, and threats to wildlife and habitat, among others.

• Innate empathy and a willingness to work with people from across economic and political spectrums and from diverse communities to achieve a greater good

• Excellent communications skills, both written and verbal; facility with public speaking; experience and comfort with speaking to the media a plus.

• Experience and familiarity with environmental policy analysis and advocacy and a desire to develop policy positions that will have a positive impact on Florida’s marine environment

• Highly detail-oriented, adaptable, well-organized, and self-starting – the ability to work independently and manage up

• Highly collaborative and outgoing with large, multi-disciplinary teams

• This position requires at least 20% Travel time

• In office position located in St. Petersburg

COMPENSATION LANGUAGE:

Ocean Conservancy is committed to equity in its pay practices and posts the minimum and midpoint of the range for each of its open positions. Salary is based on a nonprofit scale and commensurate with the skills, years of experience, and unique background of the candidate. Salary minimum is $47,900; salary midpoint is $59,900. Salary may be higher as appropriate for the selected candidate, with internal equity being considered.

TO APPLY

If you think you have what it takes to join Ocean Conservancy’s team, please apply here.

COVID-19 REQUIREMENT

You will be required to provide proof of full vaccination status, or submit to regular masking and testing, as a condition of employment at Ocean Conservancy’s meetings, gatherings and offices. You may request an accommodation for medical or religious reasons.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

We encourage applicants to apply who have a diverse level and range of relevant skills and experiences. A 100% match is not required. We want to support employee’s career growth and in return our employees help Ocean Conservancy grow into a stronger, more inclusive organization.

OCEAN CONSERVANCY IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER.