Chesapeake Bay Fisheries Project Coordinator

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Position Overview: 

Environmental Defense Fund is seeking to establish a full time and on-the-ground presence in the Chesapeake Bay area by adding a key member to our Mid-Atlantic Oceans Program team. Working collaboratively with the affected state fisheries management agencies, Chesapeake Bay watermen, and other interested parties, this individual will work to restore and safeguard the health of key Chesapeake Bay fisheries by advancing innovative management tools such as catch shares to improve both the efficiency in managing those fisheries and watermen support for needed fisheries conservation and restoration measures. 

The Chesapeake Bay Fisheries Project Coordinator will be responsible for building a heightened awareness of, and support for, new market-based tools to help restore and rebuild key iconic Bay fisheries. A priority focus for this position will be the establishment of a close, collaborative and trusted relationship with both the affected state agency officials and with key opinion leaders within the commercial watermen’s community.

The Project Coordinator’s work will have a special priority emphasis on the blue crab fishery in the Bay in Maryland and Virginia. The position will preferably be based in Annapolis, Maryland; however we will consider other locations in the Chesapeake Bay region, including Washington DC.  The Project Coordinator will report to the Senior Advisor to the Oceans Program, who is currently serving as the Manager of the Chesapeake Bay project.

Responsibilities:

• Work under the specific direction of Environmental Defense Fund’s Oceans Program’s Senior Advisor and the general direction of the New England and Mid-Atlantic Regional Director as a member of the Oceans Program team.  Responsible for assisting in the design and implementation of high visibility pilot programs in the Chesapeake Bay demonstrating the conservation and management benefits of innovative market-based fishery management strategies like catch shares. Special emphasis will be to work with the States of Maryland and Virginia to reform the Chesapeake Bay blue crab fishery in the wake of the 2008 “economic disaster” declaration by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
• Assist the Senior Advisor to the Oceans Program in the implementation of the Memorandum of Understanding between the Environmental Defense Fund and the Maryland Department of Natural Resources regarding the development of innovative management programs for the restoration of the blue crab and other fisheries in the Chesapeake Bay.
• Design and conduct extensive public outreach and communications initiatives to promote a greater understanding of, and support for, the adoption of catch shares and other innovative fisheries conservation strategies for the targeted fisheries.
• Analyze key components of the targeted fisheries, from harvesting to processing to marketing, and develop appropriate management strategies that maximize the efficiency and economic return of such operations, enhance accountability for compliance with all necessary conservation measures for the restoration and sustainability of the targeted fisheries, and streamline state agency management responsibilities.
• Assist the Senior Advisor in developing successful policy strategies for securing any necessary state regulatory or legislative changes for implementing a revised blue crab fishery program.
• Assist the Senior Advisor in managing strategic project planning milestones and timelines, monitoring plan progress, managing project budgets, and coordinating the activities of project consultants.
• Forge effective coalitions, alliances and working relationships among diverse groups in coastal communities including watermen, state regulatory officials, local conservation organizations, seafood industry businesses, Congressional and state legislative offices, community leaders and academics.
• Represent Environmental Defense Fund in meetings with communities, regulators, state legislative bodies, the media, funders and others and serve on relevant advisory bodies when needed.
• Assist the Senior Advisor as necessary in developing grant reports to key project funders.

Qualifications:

• Advanced degree in business, law, communications/marketing, fisheries/natural resource policy or management, or related discipline with at least 7-10 years of relevant experience.  Alternatively, significant experience working in the commercial fishing industry or related field.
• Proven ability to work effectively with, and build common ground among, diverse groups.  Ability to work constructively with government agencies, industry and business entities, community groups and public interest organizations.
• Experience working with federal and/or state regulatory processes.
• Enjoys meeting and working with individuals and groups of people to build coalitions and trusted partnerships.
• Results-oriented, self-starter with the ability to think analytically and strategically.
• Willingness and ability to travel, primarily within the Mid-Atlantic region.
• Ability to work with limited supervision.
• Proven speaking, writing, presentation and other communication skills.
• Experience and knowledge of the commercial fishing industry is highly desirable.

Term: This position is fully funded for 18 months.

Compensation: Commensurate with experience; all benefits included as per Environmental Defense Fund employee plan documents.

To Apply: 

Qualified applicants should submit their cover letter (including salary requirements) and resume.

Due to the volume of employment applications and queries received, EDF is unable to respond to each application individually.  Applicants will be contacted directly if selected as a candidate.

Environmental Defense Fund is an Equal Opportunity Employer.