Marine Protected Area Program Coordinator

About the Organization

If you would like to know a bit more about this opportunity, or are considering applying, then please read the following job information.

Heal the Bay is one of the most recognized environmental nonprofit groups in LA for a reason : we have been keeping Southern California's coastal waters and watersheds safe, healthy, and clean for people and marine life since 1985.

Using education, science, advocacy, and community action, we raise awareness and make progress with practical solutions to often-complex problems.

We conduct hundreds of beach and community cleanups each year, informing people about the root causes of pollution along the shorelines and in their neighborhoods.

We advocate for strict water quality regulations that protect the health of both humans and the animals that call local creeks, rivers, and the Santa Monica Bay home.

We operate the award-winning Heal the Bay Aquarium at the Santa Monica Pier, inspiring visitors to become stewards for the region’s most important natural resource : clean water.

We also educate and inspire the next generation of environmental stewards, with more than 100,000 students joining us each year for school field trips, science-based classroom presentations, and events.

Learn more about us at www.healthebay.org / our-impact.

About the Position

The Marine Protected Area Program Coordinator is a full-time position in the Science and Policy department. This position reports to the Coastal and Marine Scientist and is responsible for managing Heal the Bay’s Marine Protected Area (MPA) program, which includes Heal the Bay’s MPA Watch program, a community science program to assess human use of MPAs, along with MPA advocacy, monitoring, education, and outreach.

Expectations and Responsibilities

• Coordinate all aspects of the MPA Watch Community Science Program including advocacy, education, outreach, and community involvement.
• Oversee all aspects of volunteer recruitment, retention, communication, data analysis, and management for the MPA Watch program.
• Plan and lead MPA Watch training sessions in the classroom and in the field.
• Draft and send the monthly MPA Watch Volunteer newsletter, including development and design of written and visual content.
• Plan and lead the MPA Watch partner community science projects and events as needed.
• Hire, train, and mentor MPA Watch volunteers and interns.
• Perform quality assurance and quality control checks on volunteer surveys, review surveys, and perform data management and analysis.
• Actively participate in MPA Watch meetings with associated stakeholders.
• With guidance of the Coastal and Marine Scientist, assist in key advocacy initiatives with MPA policy and science management agencies.
• Assist with grant administration, including grant tracking, reporting, and budgeting.
• Support educational and outreach campaigns around key coastal and marine policy issues, including but not limited to beach cleanups, tabling events, and public lectures.
• Distill policy and technical information into easily understandable written materials (FAQs, blogs) and oral presentations.

Experience and Skills

• Strong passion for Heal the Bay’s mission and a love for the environment.
• Bachelor’s degree in marine science, environmental science, coastal ecology, or related field is required; applicants with equivalent experience will also be considered.
• Background and interest in coastal issues / coastal and ocean policy, specifically Marine Protected Areas preferred.
• Strong interpersonal and written and oral communication skills, with public speaking experience.
• Experience with data collection and / or analysis is preferred.
• Ability to work independently and cooperatively as part of a team.
• Excellent organizational, analytical, project planning skills, and problem-solving skills.
• Demonstrated proficiency with Microsoft Office (e.g., Word, Excel, and PowerPoint).
• Travel throughout the Los Angeles area and a valid driver’s license is required; occasional travel to Sacramento and other areas of California may also be required.

Compensation

$19.50 - $20.50 an hour

Hours and Compensation This position is a full-time nonexempt position. Compensation includes accrued vacation and sick time as well as retirement / health / dental / vision / life benefits.

Physical Demands

The employee is regularly asked to carry up to 25-30 pounds across the sand. The employee is also asked to load up to 25-30 pounds into a large truck at a time.

The employee is also regularly asked to be in outdoor weather / beach conditions.

How to Apply

No phone calls please. Applications will be reviewed immediately and on an ongoing basis in the order they are received. This position will be hired ASAP, and remain posted until filled.

Heal the Bay is committed to creating a diverse environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status and we strongly encourage applications from individuals that reflect the diversity of Los Angeles County.

If you don’t meet all of the preferred skills above, you are still encouraged to apply and will be considered based on diverse and equivalent skills and experience.

Heal the Bay complies with AB 1008, the Fair Chance Act, during the hiring process. Once a conditional job offer has been made the candidate will be asked to complete a Live Scan criminal background check.

A thorough assessment of conviction history will be considered including : the nature and gravity of the criminal history, the time that has passed since the conviction, and the nature of the job the candidate is seeking.

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