The Ecologist provides technical leadership and support to sustainable fisheries programs of The Nature Conservancy in New York, Ohio, and Great Lakes. The Ecologist will both lead and serve on teams to assess the status of remnant populations of native fish, assemble information necessary to formulate and implement restoration strategies to address key threats to native species, and engage stakeholders in adaptation and restoration efforts. This position will involve considerable interaction with partners in state and federal agencies, universities, and representatives of the commercial and recreational fishing sectors. The Ecologist will play a key role in development and implementation of restoration strategies that also benefit key constituencies, and in securing public and private support for the Sustainable Fisheries Program of the Upper Midwest and New York Divisions of The Nature Conservancy.
- Manage multi-disciplinary projects to assess status of remnant populations of forage fish in Lakes Erie and Ontario, to identify threats to the survival of these populations and formulate strategies to address these threats;
- Assemble science to inform and encourage fishery management policies for restoration of native forage fish;
- Engage, and cooperate with, the Lake Committees of the Great Lakes Fishery Commission, and with individual public agencies;
- Gain cooperation from potential partners in universities, coastal communities, and the fishing public.
- Financial responsibility may include developing, managing and working within a budget to complete projects and helping to meet fundraising targets.
- Negotiating and contracting with service providers, researchers and vendors,
- Ensure compliance of all activities with internal policies and external requirements.
- Under minimal supervision, make independent decisions based on analysis, experience and context.
- May work in variable weather conditions and occasionally in physically demanding circumstances in Great Lakes pelagic and coastal locations.
- Field experience in large lake or marine environments.
- Experience negotiating agreements.
- Experience working in, or leading, multi-disciplinary teams
- Experience communicating with the public and/or media both in writing and verbally.
- Experience using applications such as Microsoft Word, Excel, and Web Browsers.
DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Multi-lingual skills and multi-cultural or cross-cultural experience appreciated
- Knowledge of current trends and practices in conservation, fisheries management and natural resource management and preservation.
- Ability to explain restoration needs of native fish and advocate effectively for restoration to technical and non-technical audiences
- Experience working with and gaining the trust and cooperation of other fisheries managers and/or stakeholders
- Completing tasks independently with respect to timelines.
- Excellent communication and public presentation skills.
The Nature Conservancy offers competitive compensation, 401k or savings-plan matching for eligible employees, excellent benefits, flexible work policies and a collaborative work environment. We also provide professional development opportunities and promote from within. As a result, you will find a culture that supports and inspires conservation achievement and personal development, both within the workplace and beyond.