Conservation Project Manager

The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk seeks a full-time Conservation Project Manager to join the Department of Conservation and Policy. The Department of Conservation and Policy team conducts applied research on the species and habitats of Long Island Sound and supports the development of policy that will improve the health and resiliency of marine and coastal systems. Current projects underway by the department include salt marsh ecology research, marine debris retrieval, and building partnerships to support regional environmental monitoring. 

About Us

The mission of The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk is to inspire people of all ages to appreciate and protect the Long Island Sound, its ecosystem, and the global environment, through living exhibits, marine science, and environmental education. For almost 35 years, the Aquarium has played a significant role in shaping the landscape of Norwalk and the region. The second largest family attraction in Connecticut, and 50 miles from New York City, the Aquarium hosts nearly 500,000 guests annually and about 80,000 students and children participate annually in a diverse array of educational programs in and out of the classroom, along the shoreline, and on the water, aboard the Aquarium’s clean-energy research vessel, the R/V Spirit of the Sound. 

The Aquarium is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums and is a member of the Aquarium Conservation Partnership. Its annual operating budget is approximately $13 million, consisting of about $10 million in earned income, with the remaining funds derived primarily from private support and government sources. The strength of the Aquarium is its 60 full-time staff, and part-time and seasonal staff ranging from 30 to 70 additional employees, in addition to nearly 200 volunteers. The Aquarium is home to ~7,000 animals, consisting of 320 species in 75 exhibits, featuring touch tanks for horseshoe crabs, rays, sharks and jellies. The Aquarium engages in a wide range of research and conservation projects focused on Long Island Sound – an Estuary of National Significance – and its ecosystem. These projects include field-based research projects, as well as collaborative community science projects in conjunction with numerous academic, non-profit and governmental partners.

The Aquarium also actively supports the development of public policies that improve stewardship of Long Island Sound and the ocean. This includes testifying before the Connecticut General Assembly on policies affecting the Long Island Sound ecosystem, and working with city, state, and federal officials and lawmakers on environmental initiatives that are local, national and global in scope. 

Primary Responsibilities

• Support Director in management of new and ongoing conservation science projects 
• Coordinate logistics and scheduling for field research 
• Lead staff, volunteers, and/or interns during field research activities 
• Order, inventory, and organize research supplies 
• Conduct field research across multiple regional habitats 
• Assist with data entry and quality control, data analysis, statistics, and data visualization 
• Manage datasets and ensure all data are appropriately stored, backed up, and shared 
• Assist with writing of reports, grants, and publications 
• Assist with public presentations at local community events and scientific conferences 
• Supervise undergraduate interns 
• Support Director and other staff on overall program implementation as needed 

 Education and Work Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Marine Science, Ecology, Biology or related field required 
• Previous field research experience required 
• Project management experience required 
• 3-5 years of relevant experience required 

Knowledge and Skills

• Knowledge of salt marsh ecology strongly preferred 
• Knowledge of other Long Island Sound species and habitats a plus 
• Excellent written and oral communication skills required 
• Detail-oriented and excellent organization skills required 
• Must be comfortable working outside in all weather conditions, including on boats 
• Must be able to work collaboratively, work independently, and multi-task 
• Able to carry 25+ pounds over uneven terrain during field work 
• MS office (excel, word, powerpoint) skills required 
• GIS, data analysis, and statistics skills strongly preferred 

We are especially interested in candidates with experience working in salt marshes who can be ready to hit the ground running and manage a new research project for the 2023 field season. The typical work schedule will be Monday through Friday from 9am – 5pm, but weekend, early morning, and evening work will be required periodically. Skills and experience in data management, data analysis, and/or statistics, proficiency in R and GIS would be highly valuable. Review of applications will begin immediately. 

Salary

$50,000 per year plus benefits. This position will be a term position with an expected end date of June 30, 2024, with possible opportunity for renewal thereafter. 

Start Date

May 1, 2023. 

This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.  

The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk is an equal opportunity employer with a commitment to diversity. All individuals, regardless of personal characteristics, are encouraged to apply.