Marine Scientist

What We Can Achieve Together:

The Marine Scientist will be part of a small team of multi-disciplinary team members working towards achieving The Nature Conservancy’s marine/estuarine conservation goals in New York and along the Atlantic coast.  Marine Scientist will join the New York Oceans and Great Lakes Fisheries team to help advance ecosystem-based approaches to marine and estuarine habitat protection, management, and restoration, marine fishery management, and conduct and communicate science to inform the development and operations of future ocean and estuarine uses such as offshore energy development. The Marine Scientist will work with The Nature Conservancy’s NY Government Relations, Marketing and Communications, Stewardship, Climate Mitigation, Adaptation and Philanthropy teams and marine scientists and practitioners across the Atlantic coast and North America. The Marine Scientist will likely represent The Nature Conservancy and serve as a subject matter expert on intergovernmental committees, councils, and taskforces.    

We’re Looking for You:

The Marine Scientist will synthesize and communicate existing scientific knowledge and build partnerships to generate new knowledge applicable to  improving and accelerating the success of marine and estuarine habitat protection and restoration efforts in and beyond NY, improving upon the success of ecosystem approaches to marine fisheries management in and beyond NY,  avoiding, minimizing, and mitigating potential impacts to marine life and marine habitats from the development of offshore energy along the Atlantic coast.  They will collaborate with members of the commercial, for hire, and recreational fishing communities, university scientists, fisheries managers, regulatory agencies, energy agencies, private industry, non-profit organizations and others to identify and resolve technical issues and widely communicate solutions and best practices in pursuit of The Nature Conservancy’s healthy oceans goals.

Responsibilities & Scope :

• Advance program objectives within a complex, matrixed organizational environment.
• Lead and/or contribute to cross-functional teams and collaborative initiatives.
• Represent The Nature Conservancy as a subject matter expert on external committees and technical working groups (e.g., estuary programs and fisheries management bodies).
• Manage grants, contracts, budgets, and proposal development.
• Conduct or support collaborative research, monitoring, and restoration projects with partners from the fishing industry, public agencies, academia, and private sector organizations.
• Interpret policies and scientific information to adapt program strategies and operations.
• Provide technical expertise and guidance to staff and partners to support conservation outcomes and ensure effective project delivery.
• Communicate ecological and conservation science concepts to internal and external audiences.
• Perform fieldwork in variable weather, remote locations, hazardous terrain, and physically demanding conditions, including work aboard ocean-going vessels.
• Operate and maintain boats and trailers safely and in compliance with procedures.
• Steward The Nature Conservancy’s 13,425-acre Bluepoints Bottomlands Preserve in Great South Bay, including seasonal boundary marking, shellfish monitoring, restoration support, partner coordination, and stakeholder relations with local baymen.
• Build and maintain productive partnerships to advance program goals across New York, the Mid-Atlantic, and the Atlantic Coast.

What You’ll Bring:

• Master’s degree in marine fisheries, oceanography, marine ecology, conservation biology, environmental science, or a related field, and  two years of relevant experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Sufficient sea time to qualify for the U.S. Coast Guard OUPV or Master’s license exam within the first 12 months of employment (minimum 360 sea days since age 16, including at least 90 days on ocean or near‑coastal waters within the past seven years).
• NAUI or PADI SCUBA certification, with sufficient dive experience to qualify for participation in The Nature Conservancy’s AAUS SCUBA program.
• Experience collecting, synthesizing, interpreting, and communicating scientific or statistical information from diverse data sets.
• Experience in preparing technical reports and documenting findings.
• Experience leading or contributing to cross-functional teams.
• Experience managing complex projects, including financial oversight and coordination of work with peers and external partners.
• Experience working and communicating effectively with diverse stakeholders and audiences.

Desired Qualifications:

• PhD with authorship of peer-reviewed publications related to marine or estuarine species, habitats, or conservation issues relevant to New York.
• Current or prior appointment to an intergovernmental advisory body (e.g., estuary programs, fisheries management council advisory panels, or state environmental task forces) relevant to New York marine or estuarine resources.
• Strong computer and technical skills, including proficiency with common software applications and familiarity with statistical software.
• Strong knowledge of mathematical and population models used in fisheries science and ecosystem‑based fisheries management in the United States.
• Experience with interstate and federal fisheries management processes.
• Experience working collaboratively with recreational and/or commercial fishermen on cooperative science projects.
• Demonstrated ability to complete projects as part of a diverse, multidisciplinary team.
• Practical field experience working aboard vessels in oceanic or coastal environments.
• Basic mechanical skills related to the maintenance of boats, trailers, and field equipment.
• Excellent written, verbal, and visual communication skills in English.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines.
• Valid driver’s license.
• New York State Boating Safety Certificate and experience trailering boats on public roads.
• Ability to lift and transport containers weighing up to 50 pounds.
• Residency within commuting distance of Suffolk County, New York.
• Multilingual skills and multicultural or cross‑cultural experience are a plus.

This position requires a valid driver’s license and compliance with TNC’s Auto Safety Program. Employees may not drive Conservancy-owned/leased vehicles, rental cars, or personal vehicles on behalf of the Conservancy if considered “high risk drivers.” To learn more about the Auto Safety Program, visit the Auto Safety information page under the FAQ section. Employment in this position will be contingent upon completion of a Vehicle Use Agreement, which may include a review of the prospective employee’s motor vehicle record.

Salary Information:

The starting pay range for a candidate selected for this position is generally within the range of $103,000 – 105,000. This range only applies to candidates whose country of employment is the USA. Where a successful candidate’s actual pay will fall within this range will be based on a variety of factors, including, for example, the candidate’s location, qualifications, specific skills, and experience. Please note countries outside the USA would have a different pay range in the local currency based on the local labor market, and not tied to USA pay or ranges. Your geographic location will be confirmed during the recruitment.