Senior Associate, U.S. Oceans, Pacific-Portland, OR

Pew Overview

The Pew Charitable Trusts is driven by the power of knowledge to solve today’s most challenging problems. Pew applies a rigorous, analytical approach to improve public policy, inform the public and stimulate civic life.

We are an independent nonprofit organization – the sole beneficiary of seven individual trusts established between 1948 and 1979 by two sons and two daughters of Sun Oil Company founder Joseph N. Pew and his wife, Mary Anderson Pew.

Our work lays the foundation for effective policy solutions by informing and engaging citizens, linking diverse interests to pursue common cause and insisting on tangible results. Our projects encourage efficient, responsive governments – at the local, state, national and international levels – serving the best interests of the people. We partner with a diverse range of donors, public and private organizations and concerned citizens who share our interest in fact-based solutions and goal-driven investments to improve society.

With offices in Philadelphia, Washington, D.C., Brussels and London and staff in other regions of the United States as well as Australia, Pew provides an exciting learning environment and the opportunity to work with highly talented individuals. We are a dynamic, rapidly evolving organization that values creativity and innovative thinking and fosters strong teamwork with mutual respect.

Environment

Pew aims to strengthen policies and practices in ways that produce significant and measurable protection for terrestrial and marine systems worldwide. Pew’s commitment to the environment began in 1974, when we first provided grants to regional conservancies, the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute and the International Oceanographic Foundation. Since then we have continued to work to advance scientific understanding of the causes and consequences of environmental problems along with their solutions; provide economic analysis of decisions affecting such issues; design innovative policy solutions to these problems; and mobilize public support for implementing these solutions.

U.S. Fisheries and Marine Ecosystem Conservation

Pew’s U.S. Fisheries and Marine Ecosystem Conservation program seeks the establishment of a new fisheries management regime in the United States that takes into account the interdependent nature of ocean life. This approach, known as ecosystem-based fisheries management (EBFM), incorporates key considerations such as leaving enough forage fish in the water to feed marine wildlife; protecting valuable habitat from destructive fishing practices, such as bottom trawling; minimizing the incidental mortality of ocean wildlife, or bycatch; and, promoting decision making that accounts for and minimizes system-level impacts. The program will achieve this by implementing specific elements of EBFM in the regions, and eventually mandating the use of EBFM principles in federal law through the reauthorization of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (MSA) and implementing national regulations.

In the Pacific region, the initiative will include working with the Pacific Fishery Management Council (PFMC) and state wildlife agencies (as appropriate) to identify and secure fish habitat protections, minimize bycatch in fisheries with high levels of incidental catch and promote ecosystem-based decision making.

Position Overview

The Senior Associate, U.S. Oceans, Pacific will work with the Manager, U.S. Oceans, Pacific to help secure and implement policies that advance an ecosystem-based approach to fisheries management on the west coast. The senior associate will conduct research and analysis and provide policy recommendations to promote Pew’s policy objectives in the Pacific region, with a specific focus on the PFMC.

This position is located in Pew’s Portland, Oregon office. It is expected that this position is for a term period through December 31, 2014, with the possibility of an extension pending the success of the program, funding sources and board decisions on continued support.

Job Requirements

• Provide policy research and analysis to help Pew influence fisheries management regulations in the Pacific region, with a focus on promoting EBFM, including protecting habitat, conserving forage fish, reducing bycatch and advancing ecosystem-based decision making. This work includes:
  • Keeping abreast of fisheries science and policy developments nationally and in the region;
  • Providing the manager and other members of the U.S. Oceans team with written and verbal analyses and recommendations regarding proposed fisheries policies and regulations;
  • Contributing to the development of Pew’s policy positions, strategies and tactics;
  • Cultivating relations with stakeholder groups and decision makers, and helping identify allies who share common goals.
• Prepare public comments, policy statements, fact sheets and policy-oriented campaign tools and other materials in a timely fashion.
• Represent Pew at government and fisheries stakeholder meetings, scientific and professional conferences, and other meetings as appropriate to inform, publicize and otherwise advance Pew’s fisheries objectives in the region.
• Develop and maintain a broad knowledge of regional and state fishery policy issues and stakeholders to inform and advance Pew’s strategies and tactics.
• Work with the manager to coordinate activities with Pew’s science, outreach, federal fisheries, government relations and communications teams, and external partners.
• Assist with outreach and organizing as needed.
• Work with the manager and other members of Pew’s U.S. Oceans team to support efforts to promote EBFM in federal law and regulations.
• Other projects and duties as assigned by the manager.

Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree required. Advanced degree or equivalent expertise in marine conservation coursework and expertise in ocean fisheries issues strongly preferred.
• A minimum of five years of relevant professional experience in natural resource conservation or related public policy work, includingexperience analyzing public policies and conducting research and writing for advocacy campaigns. Experience with ocean fisheries issues strongly preferred.
• Knowledge of the federal and regional fishery management processes. Experience working with the PFMC and/or state wildlife agencies on the west coast preferred.
• Demonstrated strong analytical skills. Ability to synthesize large amounts of information and to focus quickly on the essence of an issue or problem, determine whether it is ripe for intervention and identify the means to address it. A strong commitment to producing measurable results.
• Excellent written and oral communications skills, including an ease in briefly summarizing the essence of issues and the means to address them. Strong oral, presentation, facilitation and written communication skills, such that complex ideas, thoughts and concepts are clearly articulated for a general audience. Clear, effective writing style.
• A task-oriented style, with focus on achieving clear and ambitious goals. Demonstrated ability to meet multiple deadlines by maintaining a high level of organization. Ability to develop and move projects forward with a high degree of independence and autonomy.
• Strong interpersonal skills; ability to develop and manage productive relationships with colleagues, consultants, partners and others who contribute to the development of a project by anticipating possible outcomes. Excellent listening skills. Highly articulate.

Compensation

We offer a competitive salary and excellent benefits package.

Travel

The individual in this position will travel frequently throughout the west coast, as well as undertake occasional trips, as necessary, to Washington, DC for meetings with federal policy makers and Pew’s Washington, DC staff.

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How to apply