Marine Scientist Washington DC

[Manish Agrawal]

OCEANA, an international organization focused solely on protecting the world’s oceans, is dedicated to achieving concrete in-the-water improvements in ocean health through science-based campaigns with clearly articulated goals. Our campaigns are led by teams of scientists, economists, lawyers, communications specialists and advocates.

We are looking for a Marine Scientist to play a critical role on the Oceana Responsible Fishing Campaign team. As Marine Scientist, you will play a role in, and may have primary responsibility for, researching Oceana’s major campaign topics, developing and achieving policy initiatives, and preparing Oceana technical reports. You will have extensive outside contact with research scientists and representatives of other organizations. You must be able to travel as necessary.

Responsibilities include:

• Participate in Oceana campaign and project teams as Division representative.
• Carry out research on Oceana’s campaign topics and other subjects relevant to Oceana’s objectives.
• Conduct literature searches, carry out analyses of primary and secondary literature, draft reports and policy recommendations.
• Gather pertinent information and data through libraries, the web, government agencies and academia; analyze data as appropriate and prepare reports accordingly.
• Communicate with outside scientists in order to generate academic support for Oceana’s work, including scientist sign-on letters and technical review of reports.
• Write/edit or otherwise provide the scientific foundation for Oceana scientific reports and external communications such as public comment letters, petitions, activist outreach, and FOIA requests.
• Represent Oceana at external events including conferences, symposia, meetings, and hearings. Lobby Congress and meet with government agency representatives to communicate our objectives.
• Prepare reports for the Board of Directors, foundations and public education efforts, including writing/editing or otherwise providing the scientific foundation, as well as production and distribution to the intended audience.
• Manage a varied and high volume workload and work independently to meet deadlines and accomplish tasks.

The successful candidate will have:

• Master’s degree with a major in a relevant scientific discipline such as marine biology, engineering, toxicology, oceanography required.
• Familiarity with marine wildlife and fisheries issues required. Experience with sharks, marine mammals, sea turtles, fisheries stock assessment desirable.
• Excellent writing, editing, communication, organizational and research skills required.
• Proficiency with Windows-based applications (MS Office Suite preferred). GIS and database proficiency strongly preferred.
• Willingness to accept a varied workload. Some long hours and travel may be required.
• Ability to handle many tasks simultaneously, with speed, accuracy, and courtesy, show initiative, and exhibit insightful planning and understanding of abstract concepts.
• Ability to take initiative in suggesting ways to augment work and responsibilities of position to accomplish Oceana’s goals.
• Excellent judgment in handling communications, expense budgets, other issues and personal relationships and must maintain strict confidentiality in working with sensitive data.
• Ability to represent Oceana in a professional and responsive manner and must exercise sound judgment.
• Spanish fluency a plus.

Oceana provides a competitive base salary with experience including comprehensive health, dental, vision, and 403(b) plans, employee assistance program and generous leave.

Qualified candidates are encouraged to apply by submitting a resume and letter of interest to Oceana via e-mail with “Marine Scientist” in the subject line to: [e-mail]. You may also fax application materials to 202-833-2070 or mail to Oceana, 1350 Connecticut Avenue NW, 5th Floor, Washington, DC 20036, Attention: Human Resources. Preferred method is e-mail. EOE.