CONSERVATION PROJECT MANAGER

ORGANIZATION BACKGROUND

The mission of The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk is to ignite a connection to Long Island Sound and the ocean to enrich the lives of all people and inspire action to protect our blue planet. For more than 35 years, the Aquarium has played a significant role in shaping the landscape of Norwalk and the region. The second largest family attraction in Connecticut, and 50 miles from New York City, the Aquarium historically hosts nearly 500,000 guests annually. Its primary exhibits take guests on a voyage from the shallow salt marshes and estuaries to the depths of the Long Island Sound and the ocean beyond, culminating with habitats for sharks and harbor seals. Altogether, the Aquarium is home to over 8,000 animals and 285 species in 75 exhibits. A new 4D Theater offers a unique sensory film experience for guests. Its education programs introduce nearly 54,000 students, campers and scouts to marine and STEM education. The Aquarium is recognized as a top aquarium in the nation and is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. It is an active participant in the local and regional community. The strength of the Aquarium is its 60 full-time staff, and part-time and seasonal staff, in addition to volunteers who contribute over 19,000 hours annually.

POSITION OVERVIEW: We are seeking a full-time Conservation Project Manager to join the Department of Conservation and Policy. The Department of Conservation and Policy team conducts applied research on the species and habitats of Long Island Sound and supports the development of policy that will improve the health and resiliency of marine and coastal systems. Current projects underway by the department include salt marsh ecology research, marine debris retrieval, and building partnerships to support regional environmental monitoring.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Manage new and ongoing conservation science projects
• Coordinate logistics and scheduling for field research
• Lead staff, volunteers, and/or interns during field research activities
• Maintain organized inventory of research supplies
• Conduct field research across multiple regional habitats
• Assist with data entry and quality control, data analysis, statistics, and data visualization
• Manage datasets and ensure all data are appropriately stored, backed up, and shared
• Assist with writing of reports, grants, and publications
• Assist with public presentations at local community events and scientific conferences
• Supervise undergraduate interns
• Support Director and other staff on overall program implementation as needed

QUALIFICATIONS:

Education and Work Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Marine Science, Ecology, Biology or related field required
• Previous field research experience required
• Project management experience required
• 3-5 years of relevant experience required

Knowledge and Skills

• Knowledge of salt marsh ecology strongly preferred
• Knowledge of Long Island Sound species and habitats preferred
• Excellent written and oral communication skills required
• Must be detail-oriented with excellent organization skills
• Must be comfortable working outside in all weather conditions, including on boats
• Must be able to work collaboratively, work independently, and multi-task
• Must be able to carry 35+ pounds over uneven terrain during field work
• Must be able to reliably commute to the Aquarium and to field sites throughout Connecticut
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (excel, word, powerpoint) required
• GIS and data analysis/statistics skills (especially in R) strongly preferred

The typical work schedule will be Monday through Friday from 9am – 5pm, but weekend, early morning, and evening work will be required periodically. Review of applications will begin immediately.

This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

The Maritime Aquarium is an equal opportunity employer with a commitment to diversity. All individuals, regardless of personal characteristics, are encouraged to apply.