The Corporation for the Conservation of the San Juan Bay Estuary is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that operates the San Juan Bay Estuary Partnership, or Estuario. Established in 1994, we are the only tropical and non-continental location within the National Estuary Program (NEP) under Section 320 of the Clean Water Act. The Estuario operates as a partnership of public and private entities committed to their collective responsibility to restore and conserve the waters and associated ecosystems of the San Juan Bay Estuary and its watershed as a sustainable axis of social and economic development. The partnership is a trusted regional science-based organization, supported by engaged stakeholders. Estuario’s work is guided by the Comprehensive Conservation and Management Plan (CCMP) for the San Juan Bay Estuary and is implemented in collaboration with its partnership.
The Citizen Science and Education Manager is responsible for overseeing the implementation of the Estuario’s capacity building efforts and education efforts at a regional level. This position will help develop and communicate data related to baseline conditions through habitat, restoration, or coastal resilience initiatives, volunteer monitoring, and other data sets through education efforts. Responsible for overseeing the Education activities and Citizen Scientist Certification and contractors under these projects. The Manager will engage in projects and initiatives aimed at ensuring that the educational/public involvement component is properly executed as established by the Comprehensive Conservation Management Plan (CCMP). This position combines elements of community engagement, environmental science, and educational program management to involve public participation in scientific research, restoration efforts and environmental education.
JOB RESPONSIBILITIES/MAIN FUNCTIONS
- Prepare reports for various administrative meetings for issues related to education and the direction to take to achieve the objectives of the organization in this area.
- Develop and oversee all the activities inherent to the dissemination and execution of education efforts and the Citizen Science Certification
- Oversees activities and projects related to environmental education initiatives and efforts; seeks to improve the reach and impact of these efforts on a continual basis.
- Facilitates the creation of environmental education curriculum and materials as per work plans and CCMP.
- Reviews statistical studies, technological advances, or regulatory standards and trends to stay abreast of issues in the field of quality control, testing criteria, and procedures that are relevant to carry out activities.
- Documents testing procedures, methodologies, or criteria, and identifies quality problems or areas for improvement and recommends solutions as needed.
- Supports the Scientific Director in reviewing quality documentation necessary for regulatory submissions and inspections as needed.
- Oversees the Estuary empowerment initiatives in the Department of Education (schools, community centers, vocational schools, and other related institutions) and identifies potential partnerships/collaborations to carry out the educational efforts on a regional level.
- Establish and track Key Performance Metrics to measure progress of projects related to educational efforts, monitoring of biodiversity and habitats, and other metrics used in Citizen Science Certification
- Designs training workshops and activities for volunteers, the general public, associations, schools, and others in areas related to Estuario’s programmatic areas. Oversees these programs and carries out the training as needed.
- Assists with logistics and resources for workshops, events, meetings, field research, and community education.
- Generates and maintains partnerships and alliances that facilitate the transfer of knowledge and information from the scientific sector to people and communities, promoting their collaboration, commitment, and engagement with relevant initiatives and projects.
- Supports in the implementation of work plans, as necessary and assists in any other tasks to advance the work plans of the organization.
- Ensure data collection, recording, and reporting procedures are followed accurately.
- Establish and maintain data collection and management protocols to ensure the quality and integrity of research data.
- Support coordination of activities and oversee execution of fieldwork.
- Managing project teams, including contractors and volunteers
- Consistently improve the Citizen Science Certification program and education/public involvement efforts, for example coordination with volunteers and communities.
QUALIFICATIONS (EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE)
Bachelor’s degree in either of the following: Environmental Sciences, Oceanography, Marine Biology, or Biology, with a minimum of four (4) to six (6) years of work-related experience in a related field.
Master’s Degree in a related field is preferred.
Experience in reporting, documentation, managing budgets, people management, project management, and conducting research is required.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES
- Knowledge of developing curriculum, pedagogy, and assessment
- Knowledge of Environmental Science— Knowledge of principles and methods for describing the features of land, sea, and air masses, including their physical characteristics, locations, interrelationships, and distribution of water, plant, animal, and human life.
- Knowledge of Chemistry — Knowledge of the chemical composition, structure, and properties of substances and of the chemical processes and transformations that they undergo. This includes the uses of chemicals and their interactions, danger signs, production techniques, and disposal methods.
- Knowledge of Biology — Knowledge of plant and animal organisms, their tissues, cells, functions, interdependencies, and interactions with each other and the environment.
- Effective verbal and write communication and presentation skills
- Innovative and motivational skills
- Being thorough and effective
- Ability to supervise people and teams and delegate tasks
- Expert analytical and organizational skills, as well as time management
- Critical Thinking — Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
- Writing — Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience
- Active Learning — Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
- Monitoring — Monitoring/Assessing performance to make improvements or take corrective action.
- Problem Sensitivity — The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong; the recognition that there is a problem, or that it is likely that a problem will ensue.
START DATE
Be available to start in a full-time staff position immediately.
COMPENSATION
Commensurate with experience.
LANGUAGE REQUIRED:
Fully bilingual in English and Spanish.
HOW TO APPLY:
Interested candidates please submit a cover letter and resume/CV by November 17, 2023 by email to [email protected]. The job announcement will remain open until position is filled. The email must be directed to Brenda Torres, Executive Director, and must specify in the subject the title of the position, «Citizen Science and Education Manager».
Sources of funding: Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funding, State Revolving Funds, and Clean Water Section 320 National Estuary Program
The Corporation for the Conservation of the SJBE provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability or genetics. MBE/WBE and other certified minorities and small businesses are encouraged to apply.
