Monitoring Specialist

FISH CONSERVATION PROGRAM:
Ocean Conservancy’s Fish Conservation Program is a dynamic, multi-faceted initiative focused on achieving sustainable fisheries in our nation’s waters with an emphasis on the Gulf of Mexico. Ocean Conservancy has played a key leadership role in transitioning our nation’s fisheries towards a sustainable future. Past accomplishments include securing significant improvements to our nation’s fisheries management laws in 1996 and 2007, transitioning regional fisheries to long term sustainability through the adoption of science based management plans, bycatch reduction measures and protection of essential fish habitat, and the establishment of the first science based rebuilding plan for red snapper in the Gulf of Mexico. We will continue this leadership role by working both at the national and regional level ensuring the development and implementation of laws and policies consistent with sustainable fisheries through the development of science based conservation policies and practices, implementation of incentive based measures, ensuring accountability within the fishery management system and building support among fishery stakeholders and decision-makers. The Monitoring Specialist will work with a team of professionals to ensure that management policies and decisions continue to transition fisheries to long term sustainability, and coordinate with other teams to ensure full restoration of the Gulf of Mexico including from the impacts of the BP Deepwater Horizon disaster. We envision healthy and productive oceans that support resilient ecosystems and coastal communities.

PRIMARY RESPOSIBILITIES:
The Monitoring Specialist serves as the lead on fisheries monitoring improvement research, design, stakeholder outreach, and implementation with the goal of transitioning Gulf of Mexico fisheries to a more sustainable future. The Specialist will also assist our Gulf Restoration Program to ensure the adoption of a strong long-term monitoring program to ensure that restoration plans are focused on addressing the impacts of the BP Deepwater Horizon Disaster. The Specialist will work with multi-disciplinary staff at Ocean Conservancy, regional and national decision-makers, partners and stakeholders to develop and advance innovative and effective monitoring improvements at the state, regional and national level. Leveraging Ocean Conservancy's background in science-based policy advocacy as well as our existing monitoring initiatives, the Specialist will collaborate closely with government science and policy staff to strengthen the value of existing monitoring programs and to promote new approaches to fisheries monitoring to support sustainable fisheries management. The Specialist will be responsible for building a compelling case for innovative science-based monitoring improvements and work closely with Ocean Conservancy's external affairs team to promote political will in support of monitoring improvements.

SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES:
Leads, designs, and manages all aspects of Ocean Conservancy's fisheries monitoring improvement work. Assists the Gulf Restoration Program in ensuring that the impacts of the BP Deepwater Horizon disaster are adequately captured. Our effectiveness depends upon science-based advocacy that builds policy positions around the best available research and other sources of reliable data. That effort will include:

• Researching and developing a fisheries monitoring improvement platform and strategy
• Researching, formulating, and advocating this platform before federal and state fish managers, regulators, legislators, media and the public
• In coordination with Deputy Director, Fish Conservation, developing and presenting Ocean Conservancy positions on marine fish conservation through research, writing, and presentation of comments, testimony, position papers, scientific publications and reports
• Monitoring fish conservation and data collection issues and policies through attendance at agency and regional fishery management council meetings, state fish and wildlife commission meetings, public hearings, congressional hearings, professional meetings and conferences, and through government, industry, and scientific literature
• Explaining Ocean Conservancy positions on marine fish conservation and fisheries monitoring to Executive and Legislative branch officials and staff, the media and the public
• Assisting Ocean Conservancy efforts to ensure that effective monitoring programs are established to assess impacts of the BP Deepwater Horizon disaster.
• Conducting outreach activities to build a diverse constituency for fisheries monitoring improvements. In coordination with Ocean Conservancy staff, working to educate and inform regional stakeholder groups, the media and the public about the importance of data collection improvements and the value of Ocean Conservancy’s improvement strategy
• Maintaining cooperative and effective working relationships with colleagues in government agencies, regional fishery management councils, industry groups, scientific and academic communities, and other conservation groups
• Preparing, managing and monitoring status of project workplans and budgets

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Advanced degree preferred in a relevant science or interdisciplinary specialty, fisheries, marine ecosystems, or another field closely related to marine or environmental science/management.
• In-depth experience in at least one of the following: marine ecosystem or resource management; marine wildlife or fisheries biology/management, fisheries monitoring, fisheries data collection, processing, analysis, dissemination, natural resource/environmental policy, or program management.
• In-depth knowledge of one or more of the following: marine fisheries management, fishery monitoring programs (including electronic monitoring of fisheries, recreational data collection survey methods, data processing and analysis).
• Five years or more of professional experience in fisheries data collection, analysis or program management, or other relevant field experience.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills are essential, as are demonstrated advocacy skills, the ability to mobilize and manage a diverse partner network, and the ability to communicate complex scientific or technical concepts to policy and lay audiences (written samples may be requested).

OTHER/PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS:

• A strategic thinker who can bring the creativity, energy, discipline and commitment needed to help grow this promising program area;
• A high-level performer who remains attentive to details and adheres strictly to deadlines and deliverables while keeping a larger vision in mind;
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills with past success in deepening and leveraging stakeholder partnerships to implement strategies and affect change;
• Highly collaborative with an appreciation of the benefit of a multi-disciplinary team approach;
• Personable, passionate, productive, and focused to support accurate, timely, and powerful policy, products, and positions;

BECOMING AN OCEAN CONSERVANCY TEAM MEMBER:
The expected start date for this position is ideally November 2010. The Ocean Conservancy offers an excellent benefits package and a competitive salary that is commensurate with experience. We welcome candidates with a dedication to conservation and a commitment to leveraging the power of partnerships for policy change.

Ocean Conservancy staff use and value our resources—time, talent, and money—to achieve powerful gains for the protection of the ocean that sustains all life. We’re dedicated to long-term issues, and we create sustainable solutions based on science, not ideology. We see the big picture and offer realistic solutions to protect the ocean and improve our quality of life. Some things about us you should know:

• Our mission is to inform and inspire. Our strategic communications capacity is prioritized and valued throughout the organization.
• We provide concrete solutions that lead to high-impact results. These include landmark policies like: protecting sea turtles by mandating Turtle Excluder Devices, the establishment of marine protected areas in California, and the protection of the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands.
• We stand on the shoulders of more than 35 years of policy expertise, and we have the longest track record defining priorities and translating science into sound, practical policies that protect our oceans.
• We leverage our strong networks and deep connections. We’ve won the trust of legislators over the years, and our access to key decision-makers in Congress allows us to serve as the voice of the ocean in the halls of power. Our grassroots network helps to amplify our voice across the country.
• We recognize that real leadership means cooperation. We know when to stand firm and when to negotiate on behalf of the ocean to achieve lasting victories.
• We’re committed to creating long-term change. We continue to monitor legislation and policies long after they fall from the front-page headlines to ensure that vital aspects of ocean life are always protected.

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