Overview
The Pew Charitable Trusts uses data to make a difference. For more than 70 years, we have focused on serving the public, invigorating civic life, conducting nonpartisan research, advancing effective public policies and practices, and achieving tangible results. Through rigorous inquiry and knowledge sharing, we inform and engage public-spirited citizens and organizations, linking diverse interests to pursue common cause. We are a dedicated team of researchers, communicators, advocates, subject matter experts, and professionals working on some of today's big challenges – and we know we are more effective and creative collectively than we are individually. With Philadelphia as our hometown and the majority of our staff located in Washington, D.C., our U.S. and international staff find working at Pew personally and professionally rewarding.
Wise stewardship of resources allows Pew employees to pursue work that strategically furthers our mission in significant and measurable ways. We collaborate with a diverse range of philanthropic partners, public and private organizations, and concerned citizens who share our interest in fact-based solutions and goal-driven initiatives to improve society. Pew attracts top talent, people of integrity who are service-oriented and willing to take on challenging assignments. We provide competitive pay and benefits, a healthy work-life balance, and a respectful and inclusive workplace. Pew employees are proud of their colleagues, proud of where they work, and proud of the institution's reputation.
The Environmental Portfolio at The Pew Charitable Trusts
For more than 25 years, Pew has been a major force in engaging the public and policy makers about the causes, consequences, and solutions to some of the world's most pressing environmental challenges. Our environment work spans all seven continents with more than 250 professionals working at the local, national, and international levels to reduce the scope and severity of global environmental problems, such as the erosion of large natural ecosystems that contain a great part of the world's remaining biodiversity, and the destruction of the marine environment.
Pew has worked in the United States and Canada since 1990 to protect vast stretches of wilderness and more recently expanded our land conservation efforts to Australia's Outback and Chilean Patagonia. Safeguarding these places offers an opportunity to conserve wildlife habitat, shorelines and landscapes for current and future generations. Our work relies on the sciences of conservation, biology, and economics to advocate for practical and durable solutions to the loss of biodiversity.
In the sea, reforms to how our oceans are managed are essential to address overfishing, pollution, and loss of habitat. Pew began its oceans program in the United States, focusing on ending overfishing and protecting fragile marine habitat. Starting in 2005, Pew's ocean conservation program expanded around the world and played a significant role in reforming marine fisheries management in the European Union and on the high seas and creating marine reserves around the world. Our work is grounded in the best available science and pursues domestic and international conservation measures that are long-term and provide permanent, durable protections for marine ecosystems.
Conserving Marine Life in the United States
Pew's conserving marine life in the United States (CMLUS) program focuses on protecting essential habitats found in coastal waters like oyster reefs, seagrass meadows, kelp forests, and salt marsh that provide nursery areas, food and refuge for a diversity of marine wildlife. This work includes working with communities and partners to advance management measures at the state and federal levels that conserve and restore economically and ecologically valuable coastal habitats. Additionally, the program promotes an ecosystem-based approach to fisheries management that takes into account the interdependent nature of ocean life. This work includes advancing measures that protect forage fish that feed dependent marine life, protect ocean habitat such as deep-sea corals, reduce the incidental capture and killing of non-target species (known as bycatch), and integrate the use of comprehensive ecosystem plans into fisheries conservation and management.
Position Overview
The manager, conserving marine life in the U.S. is responsible for overseeing implementation of coastal habitat conservation initiatives in the New England and mid-Atlantic states, and leading work with managers and stakeholders to establish an ecosystem-based approach to fisheries management in federal waters of the region. They will focus on advancing Pew's project goals in three major areas: coastal habitat and restoration initiatives with a focus on oyster plans and protection; efforts to advance ecosystem-based fisheries management (EBFM) in relevant fishery councils and commissions; and, cross-cutting program initiatives and emerging opportunities, such as establishing a new National Estuarine Research Reserve and seagrass conservation efforts. They will focus on advancing Pew's project goals primarily in Connecticut, Rhode Island, New York, Delaware, and Virginia for coastal habitat, and at the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council (MAFMC), Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), and other decision-making bodies for EBFM. The manager also oversees scoping for new potential lines of work in New England and the mid-Atlantic, and conduct outreach to stakeholders and decision-makers in the regions as needed to advance Pew's coastal habitat and fisheries objectives. The manager oversees three staff focused on program objectives in the region.
The manager reports to the project director, conserving marine life in the U.S., and is based in Pew's Washington, D.C. office. This position is contingent upon board approval in December 2020.
Responsibilities
- Oversee the day to day operations of initiatives to secure new policies that advance protection of coastal habitats and ecosystem-based fisheries management in the New England and the Mid-Atlantic.
- Manage program initiatives in the U.S. Northeast to advance coastal habitat protection and EBFM objectives, including:
- Coastal habitat conservation and restoration initiatives in at least five states (RI, CT, NY, NJ, DE, VA) with a focus on oyster plans and protections.
- Efforts to advance EBFM at the mid-Atlantic fishery management council (MAFMC) and coastwide commission (ASMFC).
- Cross-cutting initiatives including a national partnership with the military to build coastal resilience, federal designations for estuaries in CT), and other emerging opportunities like blue carbon.
- Identify and set measurable goals and targets; develop campaign plans and timelines; assess the strengths and weaknesses of potential partners; design and implement campaign strategies, tactics, and messaging, and modify them as necessary.
- Establish, foster and manage cooperative working relationships with a broad cross section of stakeholders, government officials, conservation organizations, fishing interests, scientists and coastal businesses to advance Pew's goals in the region.
- Identify and manage contractors and project partners, develop contracts as needed, and consult with experts to ensure policy goals are based on science and incorporate community input.
- Determine when the project is at risk of not meeting its goals, identify the causes and, when needed, suggest appropriate steps to keep the project on course.
- Supervise, lead and develop Pew staff working on this region. Set clear deliverables and expectations; provide regular coaching and feedback; collaborate with staff to establish touchpoints; and identify opportunities for staff's professional growth and development.
- Represent Pew before print, radio and television media outlets. Work with communications department and project director to communicate the impact of proposed policies, plans and designations using a variety of mediums.
- Represent Pew in key government and coalition meetings and at conferences and events.
- Develop and maintain a broad knowledge base of regional coastal habitat conservation and restoration efforts to inform and advance campaign priorities. Coordinate and integrate strategies with Pew's other conserving marine life in the U.S. campaigns, which are focused on achieving similar goals.
- Prepare regular oral and written updates on progress; and assist the project director with other duties and tasks as required.
