Job Announcement Point Blue Conservation Science 3820 Cypress Drive Suite 11 Petaluma, CA 94954 707.781.2555 pointblue.org Conservation Science for a healthy planet
Position: Coastal Adaptation Program Leader Job Summary The Coastal Adaptation Program Leader (CAPL) will be responsible for executing the strategy and achieving the outcomes of Point Blue's Protecting Our Shorelines Initiative (described below). As such, the CAPL will help natural resource managers and policy makers advance their adaptation efforts in the face of accelerating climate change, ocean acidification, increased storm frequency and intensity, habitat loss, and other stressors, leveraging Point Blue's scientific, data, and informatics resources. The CAPL will also develop science-based policy and natural resource management recommendations. The CAPL will be primarily responsible for developing and leading the Coastal Adaptation Program at Point Blue. As a Program Leader, the CAPL will have excellent project management, conservation planning, and meeting facilitation skills, and will have expert knowledge of the science relevant to climate impacts on coastal ecosystems and human communities. The CAPL will work collaboratively with staff across Point Blue, as well as externally with public and private partners to achieve the objectives of the Protecting Our Shorelines Initiative. Supervision will be provided by Point Blue's Climate Adaptation Group Director. The CAPL will initially focus on work to address climate change impacts within San Francisco Bay, with a view to expand their efforts to the larger California coastline and beyond. Protecting Our Shorelines Initiative Point Blue's Protecting our Shorelines Initiative focuses on identifying the best places and practices to protect, enhance, and restore coastal wetlands, streams, dunes and beaches in the face of severe storms and rising sea levels. Working with government agencies, NGO's and other key stakeholders, our approach is designed to find and help implement the solutions that best protect wildlife populations and habitats and human communities and infrastructure. We are also helping our partners to incorporate climate-smart principles into their ocean and land-use plans and policies. Our goal is that public and private natural resource management entities along California's coast and throughout the Pacific Flyway, from local municipalities to international commissions, prioritize climate-smart conservation to sustain vibrant, diverse, ecosystems; enhance ecosystem services; improve the ability of nature and humans to adapt to change; and use nature to sequester carbon and reduce climate change impacts whenever possible. We support scenario planning processes to evaluate benefits, costs, and tradeoffs of alternative climate adaptation management measures. Essential Duties Essential responsibilities include but may not be limited to the following activities: * Develop and drive Point Blue's Coastal Adaptation Program work plan in collaboration with appropriate Point Blue staff and external collaborators to achieve Point Blue climate-smart conservation strategic plan outcomes and address stakeholder needs. * Obtain an understanding of the needs of a variety of San Francisco Bay and other coastal stakeholders, including natural resource and built infrastructure managers and their technical support staff, and translate these needs to the relevant Point Blue staff and external experts. * Participate in developing and promoting effective approaches to climate-smart adaptation, incorporating latest scientific results and evolving needs of stakeholders. * Work with Point Blue project leaders and other staff and external collaborators to develop and deliver science-based recommendations for specific coastal climate adaptation efforts and related activities. * Assess and provide feedback on user experience of Point Blue online decision support tools, such as the Our Coast Our Future<http://www.pointblue.org/ocof> and Future Marshes<http://www.pointblue.org/sfbayslr> tools, driving evolution of tools that Point Blue develops in the future and ensuring they are used effectively in coastal adaptation planning. * Represent Point Blue at meetings and conferences relevant to coastal adaptation issues with other NGO's, public agencies, academic institutions, and other partners. Develop and deliver public presentations communicating Point Blue scientific findings and recommendations. * Help to prepare grant proposals and contracts. Communicate and negotiate with funders on scopes of work, timelines, budgets and deliverables. * Manage projects (including program budgets and expenses, staff hours and progress on deliverables) to ensure that projects are performed on-time and on-budget towards achieving Point Blue strategic plan outcomes. * Train and supervise interns and staff as appropriate. * Lead or participate in the writing of reports, publications, and other literature. Qualifications * Must have a passion for nature and conservation. * Undergraduate degree in conservation biology, ecology, environmental sciences, environmental policy and planning, or other related field, or equivalent experience. Graduate degree strongly preferred. * 3+ years of effective project and people management experience. * 3+ years of effective leadership in program and or policy development. * 3+ years of experience working with diverse stakeholders and developing partnerships to achieve strategic goals. * Well-developed understanding of climate change impacts to wildlife and/or human communities. * Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including demonstrated success in clearly and concisely translating science to diverse audiences via public speaking and written materials. * Experience in successful grant writing and/or other fundraising. * Self-directed and highly motivated team player with good sense of humor * Demonstrated commitment to excellence and integrity in all aspects of work. Pay Rate, Benefits, and Working Conditions Salary is competitive, reflecting qualifications and experience. Point Blue offers a 401(k) plan with employer match contribution, 100% health care coverage, full dental care, and partial coverage of dependents including domestic partners. Point Blue headquarters in Petaluma, California, will be the base location for the successful candidate. This position will require occasional travel and will involve working some weekends and evenings. To Apply E-mail: (1) cover letter describing qualifications and reasons for interest in this position and Point Blue, (2) complete CV/resume, and (3) contact information (including phone numbers and e-mail addresses) for 3 references to [email protected]<mailto:[email protected]> with "CAPL" in the subject line. Applicants may be subject to background checks. Apply by May 31, 2015; the position will remain open until a successful candidate has been identified. For further information about the position, please contact Dr. Sam Veloz, Climate Adaptation Group Director, [email protected] Point Blue is an equal employment opportunity employer and does not discriminate against applicants or employees because of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, sexual orientation, citizenship status, disability status of an otherwise qualified individual, membership or application for membership in an uniformed service, or membership in any other class protected by applicable law and will make reasonable accommodation for applicants with disabilities to complete the application and/or participate in the interview process.
