Point Blue Conservation science for a healthy planet
Marine Ecologist
Senior Scientist Level
Download a PDF of this Job Description
The recent expansion of NOAA’s National Marine Sanctuaries off California's
coast to include the entire Sonoma coast presents a precious new opportunity
to gain new insights in a region where regular ecological data has never been
collected and to advance conservation in the face of increasing threats to the
marine environment. The Marine Ecologist position will help us collect and
analyze data to drive climate-smart conservation actions off the Sonoma coast
and across the entire California Current ecosystem.
The Marine Ecologist will play a key role in Point Blue’s strategic initiative to conserve
ocean food webs by helping to: 1) identify the effects of climate change on marine wildlife
distribution patterns and the location and function of food web hot spots, 2) guide ocean
adaptation planning, management, and zoning to improve the conservation of threatened
ocean resources within California’s National Marine Sanctuaries, 3) use monitoring and
citizen science to inform public outreach and policy recommendations that will reduce
human impacts on marine wildlife, and 4) coordinate and support collaborative science and
resource management activities with key agencies and stakeholders.
The Marine Ecologist will work collaboratively with staff across the California Current Group
and Point Blue, as well as externally with public and private partners to carry out research
and monitoring, perform analyses, engage in policy and resource management discussions,
and disseminate results. Supervision will be provided by Point Blue’s California Current
Group Director.
Essential Duties
Essential responsibilities include but may not be limited to the following activities:



Participate in developing and promoting novel approaches to climate-smart adaptation,
incorporating the latest scientific results and evolving needs of stakeholders.
Perform analyses that inform the development of policy and management recommendations
and disseminate the results.
Engage in policy and resource management discussions with agency partners.







Work with California Current Group, other Point Blue staff and external collaborators to
develop and deliver (e.g., to resource managers) data-driven and expert opinion
recommendations for specific natural resource management decisions.
Represent Point Blue at meetings and conferences relevant to marine ecology issues with
other NGOs, public agencies, academic institutions, and other partners. Develop and
deliver public presentations communicating Point Blue findings and recommendations.
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, staff and students as appropriate.
Lead or participate in data collection, research, reporting, presentations, scientific
publications, and other literature.
Other responsibilities as directed by and developed with the Group Director and/or Chief
Science Officer and/or Chief Executive Officer.
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 preferred.
2+ years of effective project and people management experience.
2+ years of effective leadership in program development.
2+ years of experience working with diverse stakeholders and developing partnerships to
achieve strategic goals.
Knowledge about climate change impacts to ocean, wildlife and human communities.
Familiarity with the National Ocean Policy Implementation Plan and relevant documents.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including demonstrated success in clearly
and concisely translating science to diverse audiences via public speaking, outreach
events, and written products.
Experience in database management and statistical data analyses, proficient in ArcGIS,
comfortable using programming languages (R, Stata, MATLAB, Python).
Experience in grant writing and/or other fundraising.
History of successful peer-reviewed conservation science publications is desired.
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, Working Conditions and Funding
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. This
position needs to be fully self-funded between 18-24 months.
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 jobs@pointblue.org with “Marine Ecologist” in the
subject line. Applicants may be subject to background checks.
Application deadline is May 31, 2015; the position will remain open until a successful
candidate has been identified.
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.