The San Juan Bay Estuary Program (Estuario) is seeking a Solid Waste Policy Advisor to join Estuario’s efforts in restoring the San Juan Bay Estuary system and its watershed. The (Estuario) is a private non-profit organization that designs, implements, and provides restorative maintenance in order to improve the water quality and ecosystems within its eight municipalities. Estuario’s mission is to restore and conserve the water quality in the Estuario de la Bahía de San Juan ecosystem as a sustainable hub of social and economic development. Estuario is the only tropical estuary in the National Estuary Program, providing not only environmental and resiliency programs, but also educational and recreational activities that support thriving communities.
The Estuario’s work is guided by the development and implementation of the Comprehensive Conservation and Management Plan (CCMP). In collaboration with local, state, and federal agencies, NGOs, academic, and business leaders, the Estuario works to restore and conserve water quality in the San Juan Bay Estuary ecosystem. The Estuario works to build partnerships and leverage federal funding for regional-scale restoration, water quality improvement, and resilience-building projects.
The Solid Waste Policy Advisor will specifically work towards addressing the incorrect handling of waste and the inadequate compliance with public policy efforts. The Estuario basin is threatened daily by excessive generation of solid waste. The aquatic debris programmatic area of the CCMP seeks to implement actions that will improve habitat quality and enhance the aesthetic, recreational, and economic values of the SJBE by ensuring that the watershed is free of aquatic debris.
Over the past years, the communities surrounding La Calle Loíza one of his busiest streets in the Municipality of San Juan; La Calle Loíza, such as Machuchal and Condado, along with its visitors and merchants have been directly impacted by the lack of waste management and inadequate disposal of the same. This negatively impacts the water quality of the area, potentially exposing citizens after flooding or coming into contact with water of the beaches of San Juan. The Solid Waste Policy Advisor will work under the supervision of the Aquatic Debris Manager and collaborate with other Estuario team members.
RESPONSIBILITIES
The Solid Waste Policy advisor will provide analytical support, develop educational and informational materials regarding waste management, conduct environmental and science policy research to develop proposals, and present environmental policy. This contractor will conduct analyses in order to submit written recommendations and required documentation for effective management. They will also address business challenges through research and identification of policy management solutions. The Solid Waste Policy Advisor would be expected to directly contribute to the following:
- Improvements in public policy through effective tools and incentives to the participating sectors.
- Develop a strategic and replicable model for efficient waste management that integrates the
- reduction, reuse and recycling empowering communities, supporting the sector commercial and facilitating public management
- Improvements in water quality and reduction of pollutants throughout the study area.
- Develop a report presenting an analysis and recommendations for the integrated management of resources and waste.
- Develop a draft for a regional waste model outlining the steps of the regional solid waste plan replicable throughout Puerto Rico.
- Present a regional model focused on solid waste management integrated practices for the watershed.
QUALIFICATIONS
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE
- Bachelor’s degree in environmental sciences, public administration, or related programs
- Master’s degree in natural resource or watershed management, ecology, biology, hydrogeology, environmental policy, or a related field is preferred.
- Juris Doctor degree or Juris doctor in progress with experiences in environmental issues.
- Demonstrated experience working in laws and permitting requirements associated with solid waste,
- recycling, and/or general restoration projects and natural protected areas.
- Experience with partnership development, GIS, and negotiation is preferred.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES
- Knowledge of current theory, practices, principles and technological developments of watershed and estuarine science and restoration.
- General knowledge of laws and permitting requirements associated with solid waste, recycling, and general restoration projects and natural protected areas.
- Ability to establish and maintain professional networks to accomplish goals.
- Position requires a high degree of independence
- Strong interpersonal skills allowing the ability to work with many personalities while always showing respect for differing opinions and experiences
- Works well independently and as part of a team, on the field, and behind a computer.
- Ability to effectively organize work, determine priorities, establish and monitor timelines, manage multiple projects simultaneously, and complete assigned tasks with minimal supervision
- Ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships with co-workers, professional peers, the general public, and the ability to effectively work as a team and on individual assignments
- Adapts easily to dynamic and changing situations.
- Excellent communication skills, a demonstrated proficiency in the communication of technical information to the general public, and strong interpersonal skills.
- Excellent ability to synthesize information, analyze data
- Computer literacy in Microsoft Office, cloud-based data access and share software such as Google Drive, software such as Adobe, and other programs/systems as required
- Provide their own personal computer and transportation
LANGUAGE REQUIRED
Fully bilingual in English and Spanish.
HOW TO APPLY
Interested candidates should submit a cover letter and resume/CV to: [email protected]. The email must be directed to Brenda Torres, Executive Director, and must specify in the subject the title of the position, «Policy Advisor».
Source of funding: Fundación Segarra Boerman
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.
