Jobs & Internships  

• High Seas Conservation Project Director
• Ocean Policy Internship
  
• MCBI Internships

Marine Conservation Biology Institute champions ocean conservation and fuses solid science with policy advocacy to protect ocean ecosystems.  For more than 10 years we have been providing concrete and well-founded policy solutions to protect endangered marine ecosystems and marine life around the world.  MCBI prides itself in being a thought leader in both the science and policy worlds.  We also strive to be a successful and well-respected policy advocate.  MCBI works in several marine issue domains at both national and international levels, including marine protected areas, high seas biodiversity conservation, endangered species conservation, destructive fishing practices, ocean governance reform, and federal financial support for marine science programs.

High Seas Conservation Project Director

Marine Conservation Biology Institute (MCBI) champions ocean conservation and combines the latest science with policy advocacy to secure protection for ocean ecosystems. One of our highest priorities is to secure protection for biological diversity on the High Seas, those areas beyond individual nation’s jurisdictions.  MCBI is a founding member of the Deep Sea Conservation Coalition (DSCC),  which works to secure protection for deep-sea corals and sponge ecosystems from impacts of bottom trawling and other threats, and to establish marine protected areas on the High Seas.  To advance these efforts, we seek a highly qualified project director to help pursue our goals to protect High Seas areas. 

Position:  High Seas Conservation Project Directo
Location:  Washington DC, Bellevue, WA or Glen Ellen, CA
Responsibilities and Duties:  The primary duty of the High Seas Conservation Project Director is to be the programmatic lead for MCBI’s efforts to protect High Seas ecosystems.  In this capacity, the High Seas Conservation Project Director will work with our international partners to promote sustainable High Seas fisheries, including working towards a moratorium on High Seas bottom trawling, and identifying priority conservation areas requiring protection.  The High Seas Conservation Project Director will review research on issues including the status of seamounts and deep-sea benthic ecosystems and the impacts of bottom-trawling in the High Seas and will employ scientific criteria to help identify important areas needing protection.  The High Seas Conservation Project Director will also engage with international partners in a range of fora, will travel frequently to attend international meetings, and will work to acquire additional funds to further MCBI’s High Seas efforts. 
 Specific duties include:

• Evaluate status and threats to deep-sea and High Seas ecological communities;
• Provide scientific expertise related to human impacts on benthic communities in the High Seas;
• Track international progress on a bottom-trawling moratorium for the High Seas, including participating in conference calls, attending meetings, and summarizing and disseminating progress reports;
• Conduct scientific research to identify high priority sites for marine protected areas (including no-take marine reserves) on the High Seas;
• Coordinate and convene experts workshops on specific topics related to High Seas marine protected areas;
• Develop grant proposals to generate additional funding for High Seas programs;
• Represent MCBI at meetings, conferences, events and other functions.

This position will require the candidate to engage in complex scientific and political issues that occur in a sensitive and complex arena.  The nature of this position will also require the candidate to travel extensively, both domestically and internationally.

Qualifications:  The qualified candidate must have demonstrable experience and knowledge in an area relevant to sustainable fishing practices and/or marine protected areas.  The applicant must have a minimum of a Master’s degree in a relevant discipline (e.g., marine biology, conservation biology, ecology, oceanography, resource conservation), although an equivalent combination of education and experience will also be considered.   We also encourage applicants with a Ph.D. or with a J.D. plus a relevant science background.  Three to five years experience working on ocean conservation or related policy issues is required, and experience working on international marine conservation issues is strongly preferred.  Qualified applicants must have a demonstrated ability to work across organizations and groups in order to bring about desired outcomes.  Applicants should also have strong writing and editorial skills and effective interpersonal communication skills and be able to work both independently and in a team setting. 

Salary:  Based on experience.

Benefits:  A group health and dental plan is provided by the employer, as is a fitness reimbursement for gym/health club membership.  A 403(b) retirement plan (voluntary and self-directed) is available, with a generous employer matching contribution after one year’s service.  Full-time employees earn 15 days paid vacation, 10 days sick leave, and receive 10 paid holidays/personal days.
Application Process:
To apply for this position, please send the following material via e-mailto jobs@mcbi.org, include “High Seas Project Director” in the subject line:

1. A cover letter detailing your interests, relevant experience, goals and availability;
2. A résumé;
3. A writing sample (1-2 pages);
4. Contact information for three professional references.

Deadline for Application:  16-May, 2008, although early applications are encouraged.
MCBI reserves the right, at any time and in its discretion, to amend, supplement or modify the position description and benefits described herein. 
For specific questions about this position or the application process, please contact Dr. Larissa Sano (Larissa@mcbi.org).

MCBI is an equal opportunity employer.

Ocean Policy Intern (Washington DC)

Marine Conservation Biology Institute (MCBI) is a non-profit scientific and conservation advocacy organization that has been working since 1996 to promote cooperation essential to protecting and restoring the Earth’s biological diversity and to advance the science of marine conservation biology.  From our headquarters in Bellevue WA and our Washington DC, California and Hawaii offices, we work to protect marine life around the United States and beyond by encouraging research and training in marine conservation biology, bringing scientists together to examine crucial marine conservation issues, doing policy research to frame the marine conservation agenda, conducting outreach to educate scientists, the public and decision makers on key issues, and building partnerships to solve problems affecting marine life and people.

In addition to providing the opportunity to participate in many aspects of our policy work, the Marine Conservation Biology Institute’s Ocean Policy Internship offers exposure to government agencies, non-governmental groups and other organizations involved in the policy-making process.

MCBI’s Government Affairs office in Washington DC works on policy research and advocacy on a variety of marine issues, including preserving Hawaii’s marine ecosystems, deep sea corals and seamounts conservation, marine protected areas such as marine sanctuaries, and combating destructive fishing practices such as bottom trawling.  Past interns have found the internship useful in narrowing their focus/interest in marine issues and learning about lobbying and the legislative process, particularly how to package science information for decision makers.

Duties
Internship activities include:

• Conducting research on US marine policy
• Setting lobbying appointments with congressional staffers
• Accompanying MCBI Staff on lobby visits and keep records of visits
• Staying abreast of and briefing Staff on marine conservation news and hot topics
• Preparing educational materials and fact sheets
• Providing administrative support (answer phones, keep VP calendar, file, purchase some office supplies, open & distribute mail, etc.)

Opportunities for independent research in Ocean Policy should be discussed at the time of interview.

Desired applicant qualifications

• Excellent research, writing, and communication skills.
• Excellent organization skills.
• At ease working with Windows-based computer applications and mild computer troubleshooting.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently, with minimal direct supervision.
• Commitment to the preservation of marine life and biological diversity. 
• Substantive education, knowledge or professional experience in marine or environmental science or policy.
• College graduates or graduate students in law, environmental policy, or ocean management.

Period of Internship

May – August 2008, with the possibility of extending the internship until December.

Compensation

Interns are expected to work 40 hours per week.  The internship offers compensation at the rate of $1,800 monthly.  No benefits or relocation costs are provided, except standard holidays falling during the internship term.  We are willing to work with interns and their universities to obtain academic credit for internship work.

Application

Send all application materials by email to internships@mcbi.org by May 2.  Reference “Ocean Policy Intern” in the subject line.

1. A cover letter detailing your interests, relevant experience, goals and availability;
2. A résumé;
3. A writing sample (1-2 pages);
4. A course list detailing applicable coursework experience;
5. And a list of 3 references or completed recommendation letters.

MCBI is an equal opportunity employer.