Ocean Career: Washington Maritime Blue Quiet Sound Program Manager

Quiet Sound Program Manager

Maritime Blue hosts the Quiet Sound Program, a collaborative program to reduce the impacts to Southern Resident killer whales from large commercial vessels. The goal of the Quiet Sound program is to better understand and reduce the cumulative effects of acoustic and physical disturbances from large commercial vessels on Southern Resident Orcas throughout their range in Washington State. The program is staffed by Maritime Blue employees, guided by a Leadership Committee representing major stakeholders in large commercial shipping, tribes, state and federal agencies, and NGOs, and supported by an Advisory Group.

The Washington Maritime Blue Quiet Sound Program Manager will work with the Quiet Sound Program Director to advance the development and implementation of Quiet Sound. This role will be responsible for supporting the Leadership Committee members and Advisory Group in the development and project management of key projects through a collaborative process. The Program Manager will support public and private fundraising efforts, communications, contracting, research and reporting in coordination with project partners and the Maritime Blue team.

This position will report to the Quiet Sound Program Director.

The type of projects this Program Manager will administer include our work in:

• Voluntary operational measures for commercial vessels, such as the Admiralty Inlet Slowdown
• Whale detection and alerts to commercial mariners, including visual, acoustic, thermal imaging detection streams

Quiet Sound projects:

• Lead the prep, implementation, and follow-up for the voluntary vessel slowdown program by managing daily logistics, delegating tasks, coordinating with project partners/stakeholders, etc.
• Lead the on-going efforts to improve the Whale Report Alert System by managing daily logistics, delegating tasks, coordinating with project partners/stakeholders, etc.
• Facilitate partner/stakeholder meetings relating to project implementation
• Support the Program Director in grant management and reporting relating to specific projects
• Coordinate work with subcontractors for Quiet Sound projects
• Review scientific and technical resources and translate findings into recommendations for the Quiet Sound Director and Leadership Committee
• Communicate with many different kinds of stakeholders and program partners which include mariners, maritime organizations, researchers, NGOs, governments, ports, etc.

Quiet Sound administration:

• Support the Quiet Sound Program Director in managing the Quiet Sound Leadership Committee and Advisory Group through preparing for meetings, facilitating, and coordinating meeting follow-up
• Support the fundraising efforts for Quiet Sound by assisting in applying for grants, foundation outreach, and pursuing state/federal funding opportunities
• Support the Quiet Sound Program Director in strategic planning and budget management for the overall program
• Support Quiet Sound external communications through public presentations and developing communications materials such as newsletters, website updates, one-pagers, and social media posts in coordination with Quiet Sound team and Maritime Blue communications team
• Represent Quiet Sound in external committees and work groups, both local and transboundary groups with Canada

Maritime Blue operations:

• Support Maritime Blue operations by attending internal meetings and participating in a staff committee, student mentorship, member events

This is an opportunity for an individual with excellent project management experience to make a significant impact for the benefit of endangered cetaceans. The successful candidate will lead projects and support programs, work collaboratively with a large and diverse group of members, partners, and stakeholders. Specific background and experience preferred include:

• Subject matter expertise in whales, commercial maritime, and/or underwater noise is great—but also great to show us how you have approached becoming a subject matter expert in another topic in a previous professional role
• Experience in project management preferably in the maritime, ocean, and/or…