U.S. Oceans Officer, Pew Charitable Trusts – North Carolina

Organization: Pew Charitable Trusts

Position Title: U.S. Oceans Officer

Location: Raleigh, North Carolina

Application Deadline: September 7, 2015

Description: The Officer, U.S. Oceans, Southeast will work with the Manager, U.S. Oceans, Southeast to advance an ecosystem-based approach to fisheries management in the south Atlantic region of the United States. The Officer will develop and lead Pew’s outreach in the region, with a focus on influencing decision makers at the SAFMC and state wildlife agencies (as relevant). This includes recruiting fishermen, businesses, local leaders, and conservation groups to support campaign objectives; routinely engaging government officials and policymakers; performing in-depth research including policy analysis and interpretation writing and assisting the communications officer in developing educational materials and generating positive media coverage. The Officer will also develop campaign plans, manage project coordination with Pew staff and outside partners, implement outreach strategies, and oversee the work of contractors. S/he will work from a home office located in North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia or Florida. It is expected that this position is for a term period through December 2015, with the possibility of an extension pending the success of the program, funding sources and board decisions on continued support.

Responsibilities:

• Work with the manager to initiate, implement and evaluate campaign plans and outreach activities that support Pew’s goals.
• Develop and maintain a network of contacts that includes regional fishery management council members, federal and state agency officials responsible for managing marine fisheries, elected officials, and stakeholders.
• Attend SAFMC and associated advisory panel meetings and public hearings. Represent Pew before state and federal agencies, the media, and at public events to support campaign goals.
• Conduct core organizing activities:

Identify target stakeholder groups and communities. Develop strategies and implement tactics to build support for campaign goals.

Leverage relationships with key stakeholders to generate demonstrable support for the campaign’s initiatives.

Work with the campaign manager to set priorities and organize the activities of contractors. Devise strategies to integrate their network of contacts and skills into campaign outreach plans.

Coordinate outreach to civic, community and conservation groups. Maintain regular contact with campaign partners and advocates.

Increase campaign visibility, recruit and train new advocates, and educate policy makers.

Help secure positive media coverage of the campaign.

Identify the need for outreach and education materials, and coordinate with the communications officer to produce them.

• Draft summaries of key decisions and campaign activities for distribution to colleagues and partners. Monitor and inform Pew’s U.S. oceans, southeast team of political developments and advocacy efforts that may have an impact on campaign initiatives to ensure a coordinated approach across the region.
• Provide general support to the U.S. oceans, southeast team including drafting and reviewing materials, providing support for and actively participating in internal planning meetings, conducting research, environmental community coordination and constituency-specific organizing.
• Maintain regular contact with Washington, DC-based Pew staff, including federal fisheries, field and government relations staff, and with partner organizations and consultants. Work with these groups to coordinate DC and district office meetings with decision-makers by campaign partners and staff from the region.
• Perform other duties and tasks as requested by the manager or director, U.S. oceans, southeast.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree required. Advanced degree preferred.
• A minimum of eight years of related experience in the following areas required: public policy advocacy, organizing, project management, generating media coverage and engaging policymakers. Knowledge of ocean fisheries issues and a sophisticated understanding of regional politics and campaigning preferred.
• Excellent written and oral communications skills, including an ease in briefly summarizing complex issues and the means to address them for a general audience. Clear, effective writing style.
• Diplomatic and strong interpersonal skills, including the ability to develop and manage productive relationships with diverse stakeholders and institutions that may disagree with one another. Excellent listening skills. Ability to be highly articulate.
• Possesses a strong network of relevant contacts in the southeast United States. Understands how to achieve campaign objectives by influencing others and anticipating possible outcomes.
• Politically astute and media-savvy. Seasoned judgment, ability to make decisions quickly, justify recommendations and be responsive, clear and firm with colleagues and partners.
• A detail-oriented style with a focus on results. Ability to develop and move projects forward with independence and autonomy, yet working in a cooperative spirit in a multi-disciplinary team. Ability to meet multiple deadlines by maintaining a high level of organization.
• Available outside normal business hours when necessary to achieve organizational or campaign priorities.
• A working knowledge of marine conservation issues, and fishing, scuba diving, or other on-the-water experience (boating, kayaking, etc.) preferred.

Travel: The individual in this position will travel approximately one week per month throughout the southeast United States, and make occasional trips to Washington, DC for meetings with federal policy makers and other Pew staff.

Pew is an equal opportunity employer.

How to Apply: Apply Here