Careers

POSITION SUMMARY: Working closely with partner agencies and organizations in South Carolina, Georgia, and northeast Florida, this position will assist the Director of the Georgia Bight Shorebird Conservation Initiative (GBSCI) in supporting and expanding ongoing programs to alleviate known local threats to shorebirds and their habitats. These efforts will include: 1) participation in collaborative habitat management activities, 2) conducting management and conservation-focused research, 3) leading community outreach and education efforts along this important stretch of US Atlantic shoreline and, 4) engaging with coastal authorities to help guide improvements and protection to vital shorebird habitats.

This role will include working closely with the Director of the GBSCI to strengthen and expand existing programs into Florida and South Carolina including, but not limited to, three focused projects to reduce recreational disturbance that have been piloted in Georgia through implementing Wildlife Beach Zones, expanding the CARE ecotourism certificate, and implementing a steward program at boat ramps and marinas. Additionally, this role will expand efforts to protect horseshoe crab populations, manage volunteers and communications, increase social media presence, and reach new communities through education and outreach. While the work will be across the broader focal area, there will be a special emphasis on the northern part of the Georgia Coast and the southern reaches of the South Carolina Coast.

MISSION CONNECTION: The focus of the Georgia Bight Shorebird Technician will be to help augment an effective conservation initiative in the southeastern United States to support Manomet’s goals of shorebird population recovery in the Atlantic Flyway.

ABOUT MANOMET: Manomet is a 501(c) (3) organization that empowers stakeholders through science and works with partners to make a world where ecosystems and human communities thrive. Since Manomet’s beginnings as a bird banding operation in 1969, its science and research have expanded to focus on ecosystem management and resilience, shorebird conservation, and educating tomorrow’s leaders about the importance of the natural world. Diversity, science, and climate change are the fundamental principles driving Manomet’s work today.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

1. Collaborate: Participate and assist with ongoing conservation activities of partner groups, particularly the Georgia and South Carolina Departments on Natural Resources, the US Fish and Wildlife Service, and the Shorebird Alliances of Georgia and South Carolina. Additionally, this role may require partnering with larger collaborative efforts under the direction of the Director of the GBSCI.
2. Communicate: Using social media and other avenues, increase the presence and awareness of the GBSCI. This includes leading communication efforts in Savannah and on Tybee Island, and continuing to build virtual programming, virtual trainings, and creating educational resources.
3. Coordinate: Assist with volunteer recruitment and coordination with all partners in focal region, including training, creating best practices documents, overseeing and building a robust community of volunteers to assist in year-round conservation actions.
4. Educate: Reaching out to new audiences, such as recreational boaters, surfers, and other recreational groups to expand partnerships and increase support for shorebird conservation efforts to address new and emerging threats. Work closely with the Director of the GBSCI to develop outreach material for local schools and groups to support increased efforts relate to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion.
5. Monitor: Participate in field work including monitoring of shorebirds, seabirds, horseshoe crabs, and other relevant species with meticulous data collection and organization. Contribute to efforts to expand additional ISS sites within focal region.
6. Assist: Contribute as needed to other projects of Manomet’s Resilient Habitat Program. Seek additional funding opportunities and participate in grant writing to support the shorebird conservation initiative.

QUALIFICATIONS (Minimum education, experience, skills required to perform the job)

Education:  Minimum 4-year biology degree or equivalent experience, with at least 3 years of field experience working in a coastal setting with partners, conducting monitoring, and/or education and outreach.

Experience:  Keen interest in southeastern US coastal ecology, with basic knowledge of beach-nesting shorebird, seabird, sea turtle ecology, horseshoe crab ecology, shorebird migration ecology, and an understanding of threats to populations, and some conservation strategies. Proven ability to engage, teach, and motivate the public and volunteers. Experience working in challenging environments of heat and high humidity. Familiarity with North American shorebird species. Preferred candidates will have experience in banding shorebirds, locating nests, setting up symbolic fencing and barriers, and monitoring shorebirds and other wildlife species. Experience working with local coastal communities is preferred, including engaging with a variety of demographics, state agencies, island managers, tourists and community members.

Skills: 1) Ability to work independently in the field, 2) possess superior boating skills including trailering, docking and loading boats in all conditions, 3) be well-versed in boat maintenance, and 4) be able to navigate day and night in coastal waterways where conditions are dynamic. The field conditions such as weather can change quickly, so the candidate will need to know how to assess conditions and take appropriate actions accordingly. We expect our final candidate will have exceptional interpersonal skills, including written and verbal communication with an ability to remain amicable in a variety of situations. An energetic, hard-working, enthusiastic, professional able to work independently and as part of a team. Must be able to work successfully with individuals or organizations with opposing and sometimes controversial views and preconceptions. Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail. A resourceful problem-solver with good judgement and strong decision-making abilities, able to provide intuitive and proactive contributions for successful conservation outcomes. Ability to work effectively with a remote team. Proficient in the suite of Microsoft Office products, and virtual meeting platforms.

Motivation: Commitment to and passion for maintaining, recovering, protecting, and celebrating the biodiversity of the southeastern United States. Commitment to Manomet’s mission to empower stakeholders through science and work with partners to make a world where ecosystems and human communities thrive. Motivated and rewarded by helping the organization and its mission.

ADA SPECIFICATIONS (Physical demands that must be met in order to complete the essential functions of the job successfully): Ability to lift 30 lbs, work in the outdoors in inclement weather conditions, communicate effectively, and work independently.

COMPENSATION: for this grant-supported position is commensurate with experience and qualifications. A comprehensive benefits package is offered.

Manomet 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.

HOW TO APPLY: Please send cover letter, resume/curriculum vitae to jobs@manomet.org.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to do this job.  The above is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities and duties required.

*External and internal applicants, as well as position incumbents who become disabled as defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act, must be able to perform the essential job functions (as listed) either unaided or with the assistance of a reasonable accommodation to be determined by management on a case by case basis.

Have you had significant experience working on coastal engineering issues and are you passionate about restoring coastal ecosystems for the benefit of wildlife and people? Are you interested in joining a science-based organization focused on flyway health and resilient coastal ecosystems? We want to hire a passionate, energetic person, interested in helping to guide and inform decision-making for coastal managers along the Atlantic seaboard.

The Director of Coastal Zone Management (DCZM) will lead Manomet’s efforts to restore, expand, and maintain depleted and eroding coastal habitat crucial to the existence of imperiled species of birds and other wildlife. The goal of this work is to successfully infuse beneficial practices into current sediment management protocols throughout the US Atlantic seaboard by working in close coordination with state and federal coastal resource management authorities. We seek win/win scenarios that will enhance wildlife habitat values without detracting from the resilience objectives of state and federal agencies.

This job will focus on helping maintain, protect, and restore the biological integrity of specific intertidal and supratidal coastal features critical to ecosystem and flyway health. A secondary, but important aspect of this work is to benefit coastal human communities from improved coastal function, and storm energy resilience.

ABOUT MANOMET: Manomet is a 501(c) (3) organization that empowers stakeholders through science and works with partners to make a world where ecosystems and human communities thrive. Since Manomet’s beginnings as a bird banding operation in 1969, its science and research have expanded to focus on ecosystem management and resilience, shorebird conservation, and educating tomorrow’s leaders about the importance of the natural world. Diversity, science, and climate change are the fundamental principles driving Manomet’s work today.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

1. The DCZM will be responsible for building out our emergent work for Manomet focused on green infrastructure. They will be responsible for developing annual goals and metrics for the program.
2. The DCZM will be Manomet’s primary liaison with federal and state agencies responsible for the management and protection of coastal resources. These will include, state Coastal Zone Management staffs, state wildlife and fisheries resource agencies, US Army Corps of Engineers, (USACE), Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM), the US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), and the National Park Service (NPS).
3. The DCZM will work with a coalition of other non-profit partner groups and academic institutions to design and develop an approach to implement beneficial coastal sediment management practices leading to improved ecosystem vitality and measurable conservation gains. Partner organizations could include Coastal States Organization (CSO), National Audubon Society (NAS), The Nature Conservancy (TNC), the American Littoral Society (ALS), and other local and regional organizations.
4. The DCZM will be responsible for external communications about the work, routinely informing professional colleagues and the public about progress at venues such as professional conferences, social media outlets, and other vehicles. .
5. The DCZM will be responsible for identifying funding sources, writing proposals, and securing funds for program support. She/he will work closely with the VP of Resilient Habitats Manomet’s President in fundraising efforts.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Candidates for this position should have a minimum of a Bachelor of Science degree and extensive experience in the field of coastal management and/or coastal sciences. If combined with extensive experience, preference will be given to candidates who also have an advanced degree related to marine or coastal resources, such as coastal geology, estuarine ecology, oceanography, or similar.
• Candidate should have a solid understanding of state and federal coastal management, familiarity with the Coastal Zone Management Act, experience working with or for the USACE on coastal issues, significant familiarity with the sections and application of the US Endangered Species Act, an understanding of nearshore ecosystems or related disciplines, and a demonstrated interest in conservation of wildlife and coastal resources.
• Skills in mainstream computer programs are a must, and proficiency in ESRI mapping and analytics software would be an excellent attribute.
• One of the most important skills includes the ability to work effectively with a wide range of individuals, bringing agencies and other organizations together in a collaborative approach toward clear goals. will require the ability to work effectively and productively alone much of the time, but also be skillful working collaboratively with other Manomet Staff and partner organizations.
• Skills and experiences in successful fundraising will be a valuable asset for candidates applying to for this position with the need to secure revenue as an important part of the job.

ADA SPECIFICATIONS (Physical demands that must be met in order to complete the essential functions of the job successfully)

Must be able to travel (as Covid restrictions allow), sometimes extensively on flights and ground transportation. Should be capable of walking long distances in a variety of coastal substrates, including sand, mud, marsh, and shallow water.

COMPENSATION for this grant-supported position is commensurate with experience and qualifications. A comprehensive benefits package is offered.

Manomet 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.

HOWTO APPLY: Please send cover letter, resume/curriculum vitae to jobs@manomet.org

PROGRAM OVERVIEW

U360 is an experiential education and professional development program focused on business sustainability offered by the nonprofit Manomet. The U360 internship is designed to train the next generation of change-makers by helping college students gain the professional, technical, and interpersonal skills needed to make a difference in the world through their future careers. U360 increases students’ knowledge of environmental issues; the “triple-bottom line” of business sustainability (environmental, social, and governance); and business management—and their critical thinking and problem-solving skills—through real-world applications. The two-semester program incorporates applied science, business, and sustainability workshops, career skills training, sustainability assessments of small businesses, and a Capstone project.

U360 complements academic programs by offering real-world experience in three vital areas that are critical to both effective change-making and career preparation: applied knowledge of practical sustainability, how to engage people with different viewpoints, and professional skills. (Specifically, the U360 curriculum focuses on helping students develop the soft skills that employers most seek: communication, professionalism, teamwork, creative problem-solving, and strategic thinking.) U360 empowers college students to take action on the environmental, social, and economic challenges that will disproportionately impact their generation, and gives them skills and knowledge they can bring to any job or industry. Additionally, with an extensive focus on career preparedness, U360 gives students a unique professional experience that differentiates them from their peers when entering the workforce and helps them gain exceptional communication skills, confidence, a professional network, and a vast understanding of small business operations.

While there are countless opportunities today for college students who want to complete an internship or experience real-world learning outside of the classroom, what distinguishes U360 from other opportunities is its innovative approach of connecting students with small business owners for direct, real-world learning. Students spend the majority of the program interviewing up to 30 small businesses each about their current practices and administering Manomet’s assessment of their triple-bottom line sustainability. The U360 Program Manager guides students through researching and interviewing small businesses, analyzing their current level of sustainability, and identifying areas for improvement. The U360 internship ends with each student creating a Sustainability Action Plan for one business they interviewed and presenting it to a panel of business and sustainability professionals in a final Capstone Competition.

As a high-impact internship, U360 provides students with an in-depth understanding of how the triple-bottom line approach is applied to small businesses; tools and strategies for creating sustainability solutions in the real world; an opportunity to create a customized and feasible action plan for an actual business; and skills for effectively communicating with individuals and businesses about sustainability. Additionally, Manomet believes that addressing today’s environmental, social, and economic challenges requires bringing together individuals with different backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives, and is committed to working with people who are underrepresented in this field and enrolling U360 classes that have geographic, academic, racial and ethnic, socioeconomic, and age diversity. As such, participating students have the unique opportunity to meet and work closely with students from other colleges throughout the east coast; becoming part of a network of peers who also want to make a difference in the world. More information can be found at: https://www.manomet.org/project/u360/

JOB DESCRIPTION

Details

• U360 is designed for students enrolled in business, economics, science, environmental, sustainability and/or liberal arts programs, but all majors are welcome to apply.
• This is a team program, and each year, up to 40 students are enrolled from different colleges and divided into teams of no more than eight.
• In order to increase access to this program for students, U360 is (and always has been) an entirely virtual program with a high level of mentorship, support, and engagement between the students and U360 staff. Students participate from their own campuses and will not have to travel to the Manomet office.
• The program is an average of 10 hours/week, which includes team trainings, workshops and weekly meetings, and independent research, outreach, and interviews with businesses. Students create their own schedule and work remotely outside of the mandatory group time. (The workshops and team meetings will be scheduled once the teams are formed, in order to accommodate every student’s schedule.)
• Students are required to attend all workshops and the weekly team meeting from their campus via live video conference.
• This is an unpaid internship, but students can often earn university credit for participation (depending on university policies, major requirements, etc.). Ideally, the internship takes the place of a class in the student’s schedule and is not being done on top of a full course load.

Timeframe:

• U360 is a two-semester internship; the program starts the first week of the fall semester and concludes on the last day of the spring term; excluding all university holidays and breaks

Experience required:

• Sophomore and higher undergraduate students are eligible
• Interest in business and/or sustainability
• Basic computer skills (specifically Microsoft Office and Google programs)

Additional skills and experience preferred:

• Ability to work independently and manage time effectively
• Ability to listen and communicate effectively (verbally and in writing)
• A willingness to contact and interact with professionals (in person, over the phone, and via email) and some degree of comfort with doing so
• Strong interpersonal skills and attention to detail

Instructions for applying:

• The deadline to apply for next school year is at 11:59pm on June 30^th
• Submit your current resume with a cover letter and three references (include each reference’s name, relationship to you, email address, and phone number) to Lora Babb, U360 Program Manager, at lbabb@manomet.org. (NOTE: at least one reference must be a professional reference and no direct relatives can be listed as a reference.)
• Complete this online questionnaire: http://goo.gl/forms/DFB3gWbSj9

Links for more information:

• U360 Curriculum Brochure
• U360 Overview Video (3 mins)
• U360 Alumni Testimonials Video (2 mins)
• U360 Alumni Testimonials (written)