Senior Conservation Project Manager, Oceans Program

With world attention focused on both the environment and the economy, Environmental Defense is where policymakers and business leaders turn for win-win solutions. This leading green group, founded in 1967 as the Environmental Defense Fund, has tripled in size over the past decade by focusing on strong science, uncommon partnerships and market-based approaches.

You can be part of a vibrant workplace that welcomes diverse perspectives, talents and contributions, where innovation and a focus on results are a way of life. With programs from Boston to Beijing, Environmental Defense is the only environmental group to receive an A rating from Wired magazine.

Environmental Defense seeks Senior Conservation Project Manager for its Oceans Program, Pacific regional office based in San Francisco. The Oceans Program works to find constructive solutions to the most critical problems threatening the world's marine environments. At the national and regional levels, our team of scientists, attorneys and economists are tackling land-based sources of ocean pollution and working with fishermen to establish fair and sensible limits on their catch that will allow fisheries to recover.

We are also working to create marine protected areas, where the rich diversity of sea life can thrive relatively undisturbed. Our Oceans Program focuses on safeguarding marine ecosystems and fisheries in the North and South Atlantic, the Gulf of Mexico, the Pacific and the Caribbean.

Position Overview:

The Senior Conservation Project Manager will be an integral member of Environmental Defense's Oceans Program working in a multi-disciplinary setting to formulate and implement strategies to promote market-based marine conservation tools and management reforms. The successful candidate will have the requisite experience and discretion to be a front-line leader and representative of the Oceans Program, to make independent decisions regarding priorities and specific actions to be taken, in the context of the organization's overall goals and in consultation with other Environmental Defense staff members.

The job requires working with a variety of concerned parties, including government, private industry, grassroots organizations, and others to achieve measurable environmental results.

Primary Responsibilities: 

* Develop and execute strategies for fisheries reform efforts that involve complex public policy processes and multiple stakeholders. 
* Build, develop, and grow strategic coalitions and other relationships vital to the success of the project. 
* Conduct outreach to promote adoption of catch share and other fisheries conservation strategies. 
* Monitor ongoing activities related to fisheries conservation; track news and information related to fisheries reform; communicate key events to other Environmental Defense staff; help decide in which activities to actively participate; and identify new strategic opportunities.
* Develop and take lead in the implementation of communications and advocacy strategies, including serving as local spokesperson on fishery issues. 
* Represent Environmental Defense in meetings and on relevant committees.
* Developing and supporting an active grass-tops base.

Desired Qualifications: 

* Seven or more years relevant work experience in fisheries or natural resources policy, management, or related field; with particular emphasis on managing complex policy, regulatory, or legislative processes. 
* Familiar with conservation issues related to fisheries. 
* Possess strong strategic thinking, organizational and people skills, be a self-starter, but able to work closely with directors and other staff.
* Excellent written and public communications skills, experience working with the media, good computer skills, and the ability to work independently.
* Master's degree preferred in natural resources management, environmental or public policy, or related field.
* Willingness to travel.

To Apply

Email or mail cover letter, resume and salary requirements. Deadline: First review of applications will begin on December 5, 2007 and continue until the position is filled.

Cheryl Pickard, PHR
Human Resources Generalist
Environmental Defense
1875 Connecticut Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20009