Organization: Living Oceans Society
Reports to: Marine Planning & Protected Areas Campaign Manager
Position Based in: Vancouver or Sointula, B.C.
Term: Full time
Starting Date: July 2, 2008
Salary: $45,000 to $50,000 annually plus benefits
Application Deadline: Friday, June 6, 2008
How to Apply:
Send your Cover Letter and Resume to: Living Oceans Society
c/o Finn Canadensis
PO Box 320 SOINTULA, B.C. V0N 3E0
OR By email: apply@livingoceans.org
OR By fax: 250-973-6581
Living Oceans Society is seeking a Marine Protected Areas Campaigner to play a key role in ensuring that a network of marine protected areas is established in British Columbia and the Canadian Arctic. The position provides the opportunity to use lessons learned from MPA processes from around the world to ensure that an effective and comprehensive network is established along Canada’s west coast.
Background
The health of the ocean in British Columbia is declining. Habitat is being destroyed by bottom trawling, fisheries mismanagement is resulting in the decline of fish stocks and pollution is contaminating marine waters. Sea lice from fish farms are affecting wild salmon stocks and the provincial government would like to open this coast to offshore oil and gas development. Currently less than 0.01% of the coast is allocated to no-take marine reserves. In short, industrial activity continues to threaten the ocean and protection standards remain inadequate.
In the Arctic, climate change is posing numerous threats. Melting ice is allowing for increased shipping, the spread of new species such as salmon into the region, the decline of habitat for indigenous species, and increased commercial fishing. Add to this the battle for control and ownership of the Northwest Passage between countries and the region is coming increasingly under threat.
The geographical emphasis of this position will be on establishing MPAs in British Columbia and the Pacific North Coast Integrated Management Area (PNCIMA) Large Ocean Management Area (LOMA).
Role and Functional Responsibilities
The MPA Campaign is responsible for implementing the Marine Protected Areas Program at Living Oceans Society. This program is designed to ensure ecosystem based management of the marine environment in BC including the establishment of a network of marine protected areas. Responsibilities for the MPA Campaigner will include:
· Representing Living Oceans Society in discussions concerning the design and implementation of marine protected areas in British Columbia and the Arctic.
· Engaging in ongoing MPA designation processes and coordinating MPA work in BC with projects in the US and the Arctic, including networking with regional leaders, academics, and policy makers to ensure that established MPAs are effective.
· Disseminating information about the values and benefits associated with marine protected areas.
· Working with federal and provincial decision makers to identify candidate MPAs.
· Working closely with Living Oceans Society’s Marine Analyst to identify and utilize marine analyses to identify areas that would most benefit from the establishment of protected areas.
· Working with all Living Oceans Society staff to ensure campaign and organizational objectives are met.
Qualifications
Skills and attributes:
· Ability to manage multiple projects and tasks simultaneously.
· Excellent writing and presentation skills.
· Able to set clear objectives, set and follow priorities, analyze and synthesize complex and disparate data, and distill critical information from diverse and detailed sources.
· Well-developed strategic and analytic abilities.
· Ability to translate scientific and technical concepts and ideas in a compelling fashion across disciplines and between technical experts and more general audiences.
· Demonstrated ability to communicate with staff, partner organizations, scientific community, and government decision makers.
Ability to work independently and conduct project work and team meetings by phone and other remote media.
Knowledge and experience:
Post secondary education in marine biology, zoology, geography, resource management, conservation biology, environmental studies or related field. A master’s degree is preferable.
Solid understanding of marine ecosystem science and/or policy and its application to resource conservation and management.
Familiarity with current and emerging national and international approaches to MPAs design and implementation.
Experience in or understanding of the following would be beneficial:
Marine protected areas in general and preferably a strong understanding of marine protected area policies specific to the Pacific Coast of Canada
Marine ecology, preferably of the NE Pacific
Ecosystem based management concepts and principles
Experience developing or using online information systems to develop, manage, and communicate results of scientific research.
General Requirements:
· Commitment to the Living Oceans Society mission and programs.
Willingness to travel.
Good team player, flexible work style, and excellent interpersonal skills.
Fearlessness, creativity, initiative and perseverance will be considered assets.
About Living Oceans Society
Living Oceans Society is a non-profit research and public education organization, committed to conserving marine biological diversity to ensure a healthy ocean and healthy coastal communities. We have an office in Sointula, a fishing community on the Central Coast of BC, and an office in Vancouver. To learn more about Living Oceans Society visit us at www.livingoceans.org