Ocean Career: SBEP Science & Restoration Manager

Estuarine Scientist Position

Responsibilities:

Scientific Activities (~40%)

• Stay informed on current science and research related to estuarine ecology, specifically issues affecting Sarasota Bay.
• Develop and maintain databases and geospatial products to support scientific analysis, reporting, and decision-making.
• Facilitate the synthesis and interpretation of existing data to provide guidance on estuary environmental issues.
• Develop reports on indicators of Sarasota Bay health by collecting, managing, analyzing, and reporting key indicators of bay health, including water quality, habitat condition, and biological metrics.
• Track progress on the Water Quality Protection Plan for Sarasota Bay and provide annual updates to the Water Quality Report Card.
• Work with SBEP staff, partners, and local communities to set science priorities and participate in research on Sarasota Bay.
• Coordinate community engagement through citizen science for the Eyes on Seagrass monitoring program and new initiatives as needed.
• Implement the SBEP Habitat Restoration Plan by evaluating ecological conditions and data to make appropriate project recommendations.
• Implement the SBEP Monitoring Plan by collecting, managing, analyzing, and reporting key indicators of bay health, including water quality, habitat condition, and biological metrics.
• Work with SBEP staff to track Comprehensive Conservation Management Plan (CCMP) implementation.

Project Management (~40%)

• Serve as coordinator and project manager for SBEP's technical projects and contracts.
• Develop scopes of work, prepare Request for Proposals (RFP) language, and coordinate the contractor selection process including advertisement and review of proposals.
• Develop work plans, project timelines, vendor contracts, and purchase orders.
• Develop and closely monitor project budgets, review invoices, and ensure invoices are submitted in a timely manner.
• Oversee day-to-day activities of contractors and facilitate the final review to ensure all project goals are met.
• Develop grant-funded science and restoration initiatives, including proposal development, budgeting, project management, and reporting.

Science Communication (~15%)

• Coordinate and facilitate the SBEP's Technical Advisory Committee. Provide consistent communication to members, develop meeting agendas, recruit guest speakers, and engage new members.
• Communicate with other scientists and stakeholders at academic organizations, and local, state, and federal agencies about issues related to Sarasota Bay.
• Ensure partners and policy makers have necessary information regarding SBEP policies, programs, and data to assist in implementation of the CCMP.
• Translate scientific information on Sarasota Bay for the public and work alongside the Public Outreach staff to provide technical input for SBEP's website, e-newsletters, and social media.
• Make presentations to community groups about SBEP goals, projects, programs, and ecological issues that affect Bay health.
• Serve on committees and work groups concerned with addressing the complex issues impacting Sarasota Bay and its watershed.
• Cultivate existing, and invite new, partnerships with science leaders and organizations to protect and improve Bay health.

Administrative Tasks (~5%)

• Compile and submit the habitat restoration implementation progress reports (e.g., NEPORT).
• Contribute to the writing and editing of annual work plans and EPA mid-year and annual reports.
• On a five-to-ten-year cycle, provide updates to the Habitat Restoration Master Plan and Water Quality Monitoring Plan, and assist with CCMP updates.
• Additional duties as reasonably assigned.

Required Qualifications:

• Applicants must meet one or more of the following criteria:
• Bachelor's degree in one of the following fields: biology, chemistry, ecology, marine science, oceanography, environmental management, environmental science, or a related field; and six (6) or more years of directly related work experience in environmental science, estuarine management, or coastal restoration.
• Master's degree in one of the following fields: biology, chemistry, ecology, marine science, oceanography, environmental management, environmental science, or a related field;…