Link to job posting: Coastal Ecologist (massaudubon.org)

About Mass Audubon
Mass Audubon is the largest nature-based conservation organization in New England. Founded in 1896 by two women who fought for the protection of birds, Mass Audubon carries on their legacy by focusing on the greatest challenges facing the environment today: the loss of biodiversity, inequitable access to nature, and climate change. With the help of our 160,000 members and supporters, we protect wildlife, conserve and restore resilient land, advocate for impactful environmental policies, offer nationally recognized education programs for adults and children, and provide endless opportunities to experience the outdoors at our wildlife sanctuaries. Explore, find inspiration, and take action at massaudubon.org.

About This Position
Come join our growing ecological restoration team and make a difference for people and nature. We seek a knowledgeable, motivated, and passionate ecologist specializing in coastal and marine ecosystems. You will: lead and manage coastal habitat restoration projects; advance our priorities for coastal ecosystems and resilience; and work closely with other Mass Audubon staff to engage community members, students, and partners in coastal and marine science. You will join a team of scientists and restoration practitioners motivated by our Action Agenda's goals for resilient landscapes, equitable and inclusive access to nature, and climate change. We cultivate joy, maintain a healthy work-life balance, and grow our collective knowledge and experience together as a team. Come be part of the action with us.

Application Instructions
Please submit a resume and cover letter with your ADP application. Only applications with these materials will be reviewed.

Responsibilities

• Provide scientific expertise and sound judgement that contributes to Mass Audubon goals, strategies, and tactics to restore coastal ecosystems and build coastal resilience
• Coordinate closely with the Director of Ecological Restoration and others to identify and develop coastal wetlands restoration projects
• Manage, design, permit, implement, and monitor coastal restoration projects on land owned by Mass Audubon and on land owned by others
• Develop and manage bid requests and contracts for engineering, permitting, monitoring and other technical services to advance and complete wetland restoration projects
• Contribute to shared tools and collective internal processes that advance a broad portfolio of ecological restoration projects across multiple biomes
• Support Mass Audubon’s Coastal Resilience Program and help develop community engaged research, community science programs, educational and outreach materials, and training for early career development opportunities
• Collaborate closely with internal colleagues, external partners (e.g., Municipalities, state and federal agencies, watershed organizations, land trusts, etc.), landowners, and regulatory reviewers
• Make public presentations and lead site tours, in coordination of local staff
• Supervise and mentor fellows, interns, volunteers, and potentially staff
• Identify, pursue, and manage various grant funding opportunities to support coastal restoration projects and initiatives
• Represent and promote Mass Audubon’s coastal restoration strategy and accomplishments through media appearances, other communications, partnerships, and peer information-exchange and elevate members of the coastal restoration staff teams to do the same

Qualifications
At Mass Audubon, our highest priority is finding the best candidate for the job. Research has shown that people of color and women are less likely to apply for jobs if they don’t believe they meet every one of the qualifications described in a job description. We encourage you to apply, even if you don't believe you meet every one of our described qualifications or you have a less traditional background. We are looking for applicants with the following qualifications:

• A Master’s degree in environmental science, coastal ecology, oceanography, conservation biology, or any field related to understanding and restoring healthy coastal ecosystems
• At least two years of professional experience in coastal natural resource planning, management, research, or related field
• Excellent writing and communications skills. Ability to communicate science to public audiences
• Self-motivation and organization
• Ability to work collaboratively with others and across multiple teams and departments
• Curiosity and willingness/ability to ask questions and seek answers
• Commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice in team building and community engagement
• Valid driver’s license and ability and willingness to travel throughout the state frequently and the region occasionally

The strongest candidates will also have a combination of the following:

• PhD in marine science, coastal ecology, or related discipline
• Experience using Geographic Information Systems (GIS; ArcGIS)
• Familiarity with local, state, and federal permitting for ecological restoration projects
• Experience managing complicated multi-year projects, fundraising, contracting for technical services, and overseeing technical consultants
• Familiarity with coastal resilience and climate change issues in Massachusetts and Northeastern United States