Fisheries Policy Associate

Summary:
Ecotrust's mission is to inspire fresh thinking that creates economic, social and environmental well-being. Among Ecotrust's many innovations are co-founding the world's first environmental bank, starting the world's first ecosystem investment fund, creating a range of programs in fisheries, forestry, and food and farms, and developing new scientific and information tools to improve social, economic and environmental decision-making. Over nearly 20 years, Ecotrust has converted $60 million in grants and investments into more than $300 million in capital for local communities.

Key fisheries related initiatives include our marine mapping technology, Open OceanMap, which builds transparency into the marine spatial planning process. By incorporating fishermen's knowledge about the economic importance of fishing grounds into decision-support tools used in marine spatial planning processes, we are effectively bringing these voices to the table and ensuring that the best available information is utilized. In 2005, Ecotrust founded the North Pacific Fisheries Trust to support the efforts of coastal communities and local fishermen to acquire and manage fishing assets that will allow them to participate in conservation fisheries. The fund is capitalized with $6 million in philanthropic capital and growing. Ecotrust's work is supported by a $9.1 million annual budget, a staff of 50, and a 14-member Board of Directors.

The Fisheries Policy Associate is an integral part of the Community Ecosystem Services (CES) team which takes an integrated approach to supporting conservation science, emerging ecosystem service markets, community access to (and rights in) natural resources, and transformative and entrepreneurial leadership.

The primary role of the Fisheries Policy Associate is to work to improve the design of fisheries catch share (quota) programs to protect and enhance community-based conservation fisheries. Ecotrust CES program has two initiatives in this area; a.) advance the understanding, design and implementation of catch share programs such that they benefit communities whose economic, cultural and social fabric may depend on fisheries, and b.) develop and advance the implementation of Community Fishing Associations as public trust instruments in the context of improved catch share programs.

The position reports to the Vice President of Community Ecosystem Services. The ideal candidate will have demonstrated fisheries policy experience, research and project management skills, a strong ability to work collaboratively with parties often in disagreement or conflict, superior communications skills, and an understanding of the fishery management council process.

Duties:

• Work collaboratively as part of project team on the design of catch share programs to:
  1. Compile and distribute to policy makers, fishery managers, communities and the public at large the lessons learned from the international experience with the community performance of catch share programs.
  2. Inform the design of current and future catch share programs, and
  3. Provide the informational foundation for the development of a suite of applied tools for communities, including capacity building, business planning, community organizing and design-support.
• Develop and implement strategies and multi-year work plans to carry out the development of the Community Fisheries Association concept that:
  1. Examines the elements of governance, sustainability planning, and market development needs for Community Fisheries Organizations from the perspective of those communities.
  2. Develops an understanding of the social and economic advantages for communities of such community organizations.
  3. Develops a standard set of metrics (social, economic, and ecological) to be able to measure the impact of CFAs on communities and fisheries management.
  4. Creates awareness and connections among the existing and emerging Community Fisheries Associations around the nation leading to the sharing of community-based ideas and knowledge around community-based fisheries development.
• Prepare program related policy briefs, testimony and other related materials and attend Pacific Fishery Management Council meetings as needed.
• Independently plan, coordinate and administer activities within assigned projects.
• Maintain close collaboration with the Ecotrust Knowledge Systems group.
• Coordinate and/or participate in public relations and publishing activities, including the writing and copy editing of print and web materials.
• Collaborate as directed with other major fisheries conservation organizations working on these issues.

Qualifications:

• Experience working independently and as part of a team.
• Demonstrated experience with and enthusiasm for collaborative work. Specifically, the ability to develop strong and constructive working relationships with other organizations (e.g., NGOs, government agencies, and other research entities).
• Strong communication skills, both verbal and written (+ strong editing skills).
• Graduate degree in related field (conservation or environmental science, fisheries science, environmental law, policy, or management, public policy) and/or bachelor's degree with relevant experience.
• Familiarity with natural resources policy/management, specifically west coast U.S. or Alaska fisheries policy a plus.
• Experience in community economic development not required but an advantage.
• Computer proficiency, including use of personal computer, the internet, and Microsoft Office.
• Commitment to natural resources conservation and the mission of Ecotrust.

Salary competitive depending on experience and qualifications, excellent benefits package including retirement plan match, medical and dental insurance, flexible spending account; life insurance and disability coverage provided.