Specialist, Florida Conservation

About the position As a core member of Ocean Conservancy’s Florida Conservation Team, the Specialist, Florida Conservation will provide critical mission support, 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 based in Florida, either in person from our St. Petersburg office, or remotely.

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

Requirements

• One to five years of 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 for Florida’s marine environment
• Highly detail oriented, adaptable, well-organized, and self-starting – ability to work independently and manage up
• Highly collaborative and outgoing with large, multi-disciplinary teams

Nice-to-haves

• A 100% match is not required.

Benefits

• Compensation will be commensurate with the candidate’s specialty skills, years of experience, location, and unique background.