Marine Restoration Specialist

What We Can Achieve Together:

The Marine Restoration Specialist supports the Volgenau Virginia Coast Reserve’s (VVCR’s) Marine Habitat Restoration Program through conducting marine ecological restoration projects and leading monitoring of activities relating to oyster, eelgrass, and bay scallop restoration. They will oversee volunteers in the construction of oyster reefs and the annual collection of eelgrass seeds, and they will help manage and maintain relationships with TNC’s academic partners through coordinating logistics with researchers whose work helps improve and understand the impact of TNC’s marine habitat restoration.

The Marine Restoration Specialist gathers and synthesizes data including maintenance of VVCR’s long-term oyster monitoring database and marine habitat GIS data. They will create relevant reports and data records to inform our conservation activities and implementation plans. They conduct surveys, record data and write project reports for both VVCR staff and in support of project partners. They may work in variable weather conditions, at remote locations, in hazardous terrain, and under physically demanding circumstances.

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By joining the VVCR team, you will become part of a cutting edge Landscape Program that has worked to protect a unique coastal landscape using a science-based, partnership approach to management and conservation for 56 years. The Virginia Coast Reserve is one of the last expanses of coastal wilderness on the U.S. East Coast and encompasses over 40,000 acres of natural landscape throughout the Eastern Shore of Virginia, including 14 barrier and marsh islands.

The work we do at VVCR serves as a model for how conservation can help both human and natural communities adapt and become more resilient in the face of a changing climate. You will be joining a dedicated, professional staff committed to this vision through work across five programs – coastal resilience, land protection, marine habitat restoration, education and community outreach and migratory bird conservation.

• Bachelor’s Degree in science related field and 3 years related experience or equivalent combination of education and experience.

• Experience operating and trailering boats independently up to 24 feet in length.

• Experience with GIS software and data to create maps.

• Experience communicating clearly via written, spoken, and graphical means.

• Experience with managing complex databases, including data entry and report production.

• Must have valid driver’s license, safe driving record (per TNC’s Auto Safety Program) and provide own transportation and personal automobile insurance.

• Experience working in physically strenuous settings sometimes to the point of physical fatigue, in variable weather conditions, at remote locations, and on difficult and hazardous terrain.

• Competent at snorkeling in shallow water.

• Ability to work full days lifting heavy objects such as 35 lb. oyster castle blocks.

• Manage and prioritize tasks from multiple sources.

• Complete tasks independently within assigned time frames.

• Communicate clearly via written, spoken, and graphical means.

• Local knowledge of the Eastern Shore of Virginia seaside, tides, and barrier islands preferred.

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 Auto Safety information page. 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…