Program Officer, New York Seascape

The Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) is a US non-profit, tax-exempt, private organization established in 1895 that saves wildlife and wild places by understanding critical issues, crafting science-based solutions, and taking conservation actions that benefit nature and humanity. With more than a century of experience, long-term commitments in dozens of landscapes, presence in more than 60 nations, and experience helping to establish over 150 protected areas across the globe, WCS has amassed the biological knowledge, cultural understanding and partnerships to ensure that vibrant, wild places and wildlife thrive alongside local communities. Working with local communities and organizations, that knowledge is applied to address species, habitat and ecosystem management issues critical to improving the quality of life of poor rural people whose livelihoods depend on the direct utilization of natural resources.

New York Seascape Program Overview:

WCS saves wildlife and wild places worldwide through science, conservation action, education, and inspiring people to value nature. Started in 1895 (as the New York Zoological Society), WCS has a long history of ocean conservation and exploration, from its role in the first international wildlife treaties of the 1910s, the earliest deep-sea dives in the 1930s, the first land-sea parks of the 1950s, to the discovery of whale song in the 1970s. Its history in New York is just as strong, going back to its acquisition of the New York Aquarium in 1906, a cultural cornerstone of the city, which just opened the new Ocean Wonders: Sharks! exhibit, and sees nearly a million visitors a year. The WCS New York Seascape Program, as one of WCS’s ten priority seascapes within the global portfolio, serves as a unique bridge between our global conservation work and our presence in New York. The program addresses pressing marine conservation issues within the 16,000 square miles of ocean from Montauk, New York, to Cape May, New Jersey, and the Long Island Sound. This area remains an ecological treasure trove, providing critical migration routes for globally threatened animals. Yet, with over 20 million people along the coastline, as well as shipping, energy development, and commercial and recreational fishing, these are among the busiest waters in the world. The New York Seascape program’s objectives are to restore populations of depleted marine species (currently sharks, whales, and American eels), protect key coastal and offshore habitats, and inspire and build a diverse, vocal constituency for marine conservation. WCS works to achieve these outcomes through field research, policy initiatives, and education and outreach efforts. For more information about the New York Seascape, WCS Marine Programs and the NY Aquarium, visit http://www.wcs.org/saving-wild-places/ocean/new-york-seascape.aspx and https://nyaquarium.com/. 

Job Summary:

The Program Officer plays a vital role within a small but dynamic team that makes up the WCS New York Seascape Program. The primary objective of the position is to manage grants and select programs, coordinate and oversee the administrative, financial and outreach needs of New York Seascape Program, and act as a communication bridge between the New York Seascape Program, Global Marine Conservation Program, and NY Aquarium. The Program Officer will also provide financial and logistical support for the Ocean Giants Program’s New York-based work and will provide some assistance in the financial management of other priorities within the Global Marine Conservation Program. The position reports to the Associate Director, New York Seascape, and coordinates with Global Marine Conservation Senior Program Manager. The position is based at the NY Aquarium (Coney Island), with some time at the Bronx Zoo (Bronx).  The position splits responsibilities between the NY Seascape Program (including NY Aquarium and NY-based Ocean Giants Program) at 80 percent time, and the Global Marine Conservation Program at 20 percent.  

Major Responsibilities

Finance and Grants Management

• Manage overall New York Seascape Program budget, including routine tracking of new grants, expenses, and overall financial status of the program.
• Help develop and maintain annual New York Seascape budget and financial reports, in coordination with Finance and relevant departments.
• Research, vet, and compile new grant prospects and opportunities for presentation to New York Seascape and Global Resources (Development) staff.
• Support grant proposal process including development and review of proposal budgets and narratives, and implications on overall programmatic budgetary management.
• Serve as the liaison between the New York Seascape Program, the New York Aquarium and other WCS departments, including Finance, Development, General Counsel, for proposal, grant and budget reviews, approvals and management.
• Assist Global Marine Conservation Senior Program Manager with tracking of expenses, financial reporting for grants, processing reimbursements, and developing annual program budgets across Global Marine Program, as needed.
  

Communications

• Assist in researching, compiling, revising, and editing public and internal facing materials for New York Seascape, and select Global Marine and Ocean Giants materials.
• Work with New York Seascape staff to develop and facilitate external communications, including social media and donor facing materials.
• Participate in select Global Marine meetings and events as New York Seascape representative.
• Participate in public engagement events (e.g. tabling at science festivals, conferences, etc.) on behalf of NY Seascape.
• As time permits, develop and manage outreach, arts, and communication projects.
  

General

• Coordinate and provide administrative, field, and logistical support to the New York Seascape and Ocean Giants (NY-based work), as well as the Global Marine Conservation program, including scheduling meetings and events and liaising with other WCS departments.
• Provide support to these programs through processing reimbursements, contract payments, managing purchasing requests, overseeing consultancy contracts and sub-grant agreements, and creation of waivers and vendor agreements.
• Maintain program files and databases, including grants, contracts, consulting agreements, outreach materials and other work products for these programs.
• Bachelor’s or Master’s Degree.

Minimum Requirements:

• Bachelor’s or Master’s Degree.
• 2+ years of experience in non-profit administration, financial management, or similar preferred.
• Ability to work with a dispersed team, and in multiple locations.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills with an ability to work with a wide variety of people from different backgrounds and cultures.
• Basic understanding of marine conservation a plus but not required.
• Excellent organizational skills, including responsiveness to multiple, simultaneous projects and demands; ability to set and follow priorities, and meet deadlines.
• Strong writing and editing skills. Ability to produce clear and concise communications.
• Detail oriented with demonstrated commitment to follow through and quality control.
• Service oriented and able to react to varied requests in a timely manner.
• Advanced knowledge of Microsoft Office suite as well as google platform.

Application Process:

Interested candidates, who meet the above qualifications should apply by emailing an application letter and CV together with salary requirements and the names and contact information of three references to: globalrecruitment@wcs.org by December 21, 2018 deadline. Please include “Program Officer, New York Seascape” in the subject line of your email.

In addition please note that all candidates must also apply online via the WCS career portal at: http://www.wcs.org/about-us/careers

WCS is an equal opportunity employer and the organization complies with all employment and labor laws and regulations that prohibit discrimination in hiring and ensures that candidates from all backgrounds are fairly and consistently considered during the recruitment process. We are dedicated to hiring and supporting a diverse workforce. We are committed to cultivating an inclusive work environment and look for future team members who share that same value.

The organization provides equal employment opportunities for all qualified candidates. The organization does not discriminate for employment based on age, color, disability, gender identify, national origin, race, religion, sexual orientation, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by laws and regulations.

Please note that only short listed candidates will be contacted for interview.