Job Openings

Position Title: Operations Director-This position has been filled

Oceanic Society's mission is to conserve marine wildlife and habitats by deepening the connections between people and nature through research, community engagement, and firsthand experience. For more than four decades, the Oceanic Society has enabled local communities to reach conservation goals through science, education, and other activities. The Society has been at the forefront of hands-on ecotourism, creating opportunities for thousands of people to visit nature and participate hands-on with local communities and researchers around the world in meaningful ocean research and conservation efforts. The organization's headquarters is in Ross, CA, with an East Coast team based in the Washington, DC area. Oceanic Society also operates a field station on Turneffe Atoll in Belize, and supports field projects internationally.

I. General Function

The Operations Director is responsible to the President for the day-to-day operations management of the Oceanic Society. Primary responsibility is to ensure administrative and fiscally responsible management of the organization. The Operations Director will work with the EVP, and East Coast and HQ staff members. This is a full-time position.

II. Responsibilities

General responsibilities are to ensure policy, liability, fiscal, and human resource operations compliance; maintain efficient, integrated operations within the bookkeeping, expeditions, programs, and database departments; oversee risk management; and serve as crisis response manager.

Specific Responsibilities:

Expeditions

- Ensure policy compliance

- Monitor field station registrations

-Monitor participant payments

-Handle group agreements, compliance and billings

- Supervise Field station payroll, ensure vendors paid in timely manner

- Ensure that vendor bills reconcile with contracts and budget.

- Update budgets and forecasts as needed, and alert President to any potential shortfalls.

Financial Administration

- Work with bookkeeper to provide timely information for financial reporting. Fill in for bookkeeper as needed.

- Review of all invoices for information accuracy;

- Monitor incoming grants and contributions;

- Manage the organization's overall financial policies and accounting practices;

- Prepare financial reports for funders and work with President produce annual budget for the Board.

- Coordinate with staff to prepare all financial reports for grants and contracts;

- Financial planning and forecasting;

- Cash management;

Operations Management

- Optimize revenue opportunities for the organization

- Create and maintain documented systems that allow for consistent and on-going management of office operations including but not limited to regulatory filings and insurance;

- Assess office needs, recommend and implement new methods, procedures or strategies to solve work problems and improve coordination and productivity;

- Proactively manage database (Filemaker)

- Oversee purchasing of all office equipment and ensure price, and quality are met;

- Coordinate management of and communications between various offices and field stations;

- Provide necessary assistance on various programs, procedures, phone back up and contact information;

- Oversee travel planning and related bookkeeping records;

- Monitor 501(c)(3) compliance.

Human Resource Coordination

- Serve as human resources director and implement personnel policies and procedures;

- Communicate and interpret HR compliance regulations, and ensure that employees are in compliance with regulations, policies and procedures, practices and laws;

- Ensure effective work flow and operational consistency; oversee staff and program work plan and budget development;

- Build appropriate staff benefits programs for Oceanic Society

- Oversee payroll and benefits and maintain personnel records;

- Assist employees with human resources issues and inquires and with any conflict resolution;

- Conduct employee, volunteer and intern orientations

Qualifications:

Required:

- Desire to make a difference in the world;

- Minimum of a B.A.;

- Strong operational nonprofit experience, and ideally has worked 3-4 years in a management role in a socially-responsible, international organization

- Financial management experience

- Proficient in Microsoft office (and Mac equivalent), Peachtree financial software, Database management including FileMaker, digital photo management, Internet and E-mail, and a high overall IT proficiency.

- Excellent written and oral communication skills.

- Self-starter and ability work independently. Ability to solve problems and deal with a variety of undefined variables in situations where only limited standardization exists.

- Sensitive to international cultures

- A positive force in encouraging entrepreneurial thinking and creating dynamic work environments

- Flexible and able to multi-task, can work within an ambiguous fast-moving environment, while also being a force that drives toward clarity and solutions

- Proven ability to work with staff to accomplish program goals

- Enjoy operating is a small office environment

Preferred

- MBA or equivalent business experience strongly preferred

- Human Resources experience

- Marketing background

- Foreign language skills

Salary and Benefits:

Compensation: $44,000 annually. Benefits package target July 2013.

To apply: Please submit application material: Winning@oceanicsociety.org

MARINE MAMMAL BIOLOGIST  OCEANIC SOCIETY, BELIZE

Contract Position in Belize: January 15 - December 15, 2013

CLOSING DATE;  DECEMBER 7, 2012

 Organization Background

The Oceanic Society (OS) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization founded in California in 1969 whose mission is to conserve marine wildlife and habitats by deepening connections between people and nature through research, community engagement, and first-hand experience. We support community-focused, applied research to inform responsible conservation strategies at numerous field sites around the world and in the U.S. We have also fielded hundreds of volunteers on dozens of natural history and research expeditions to locations around the world, including Micronesia, Mexico, Costa Rica, Belize, and California.  OS has operated in Belize since 1992 and has worked with and supported numerous scientists conducting high quality research over that time period. 

 Both OS and the University of Belize’s Environmental Research Institute (ERI) operate research field stations on Turneffe Atoll in Belize, the largest coral atoll in the western hemisphere. Applied research projects stage from these field stations, including monitoring of critical marine ecosystems like coral reefs, seagrasses, and mangroves, as well as population surveys and ecology studies on dolphins and crocodiles, manatees and more recently sea turtles.

 To ensure that research at Turneffe Atoll is targeted to meet needs of national and local resource managers, OS has officially partnered with ERI, which is the national clearinghouse for biodiversity monitoring data in Belize, and is responsible for setting biodiversity conservation research priorities and coordinating biodiversity monitoring for Belize.

 Job Description

In this context, OS is seeking a unique individual with applied research experience with marine megafauna species, particularly marine mammals (i.e. cetaceans or West Indian manatees), to lead OS’s efforts to coordinate and strengthen national research priorities for key marine species, as outlined in ERI’s National Research Agenda, and to represent OS in Belize. Areas of focus could include marine megafauna conservation, determination of high-use areas and movement patterns of marine megafauna species, marine policy or marine spatial planning in Belize and the Meso-American Reef system more broadly. The physical location of the position will be split between ERI’s office in Belmopan and OS’s Blackbird Caye field station on Turneffe. Position to start in January 2013.

 Key responsibilities will include:

1)      Work with OS’s Chief Scientist to coordinate the implementation of OS research and monitoring in Belize with a focus on marine megafauna species;

2)      Guide development of OS research projects related to marine megafauna conservation;

3)      Assist in the development of special programs and projects with a wildlife conservation focus in furtherance of the objectives of OS in Belize;

4)      Coordinate OS-supported research projects based at Blackbird field station on Turneffe Atoll, and ensure that they address key research priorities identified by ERI’s National Research Agenda;

5)      Collaborate with other researchers working throughout Belize on conservation issues pertaining to improved management of migratory megafauna species;

6)      Represent OS on Committees, etc. within Belize by attending relevant meetings, seeking and cultivating partnerships with NGOs, management agencies, university researchers, funders/donors, and others, and generally aligning OS’s Belize-based activities with OS’s overall institutional priorities and mission;

7)      Provide input into the development of strategic plans for ERI in respect to marine wildlife programs and projects for approval;

8)      Lead his/her own research projects at Turneffe Atoll and other sites in Belize.

9)      Lead select Oceanic Society research projects on dolphins and manatees at Turneffe Atoll and other sites in Belize for a 4-month period.

 Preferred qualifications:

1)      M.S. in marine biology or similar;

2)      An established track-record of independent research and scientific publications; 

3)      Experience leading non-specialist volunteers in field research projects;

4)      Experience with boat-based wildlife survey methodology, including visualization surveys, acoustic tracking and behavioral observations, snorkel/dive transects, etc.

5)      Expertise in ecology and conservation of marine megafauna, particularly marine mammals;

6)      International experience and comfort with living in rustic field conditions for extended periods, and being able to solve problems and deal with challenging logistics;

7)      Dedication to teamwork, collaboration, and respect for others, as well as to conservation of marine wildlife and habitats. 

Review of applications will begin November 20, 2012 and will continue until finalists are identified. Applications received after that point may be considered if the position is not filled from the finalist pool.

Salary:  Dependent on Experience.  Does not include benefits.  Airfare is included from a U.S. gateway city.

 Interested persons should email cover letter describing qualifications for the position along with curriculum vitae, including the names and contact information for at least three references, to Dr. Bryan Wallace, Chief Scientist, Oceanic Society: staff@oceanicsociety.org and wallace@oceanicsociety.org

For more information about the Oceanic Society, visit: www.oceanicsociety.org. OS scientific advisory board: http://www.oceanicsociety.org/sci_advisors 

For more information about the University of Belize’s Environmental Research Institute, visit: http://eriub.org/

Position Title: Marine Program Coordinator,
Oceanic Society, Marin County
Part-time, 18-20 hours week, Preferred start day November 26, 2012

The Oceanic Society is a nonprofit marine conservation organization founded in 1969 whose mission is to protect endangered wildlife and preserve threatened marine habitats worldwide. Our experiential outreach programs foster public awareness and support a conservation ethic. This position requires a self-motivated individual with strong attention to detail, and someone who enjoys working in a busy, small office environment

I. General Function - Responsible for the operation of Farallon Islands and Whale Watch Nature Cruises; outreach to community partners and the media, answer questions via telephone and e-mail; take reservations and interface with naturalists and boat crew; light bookkeeping. Co-lead the expansion of a new San Francisco Bay program to schools and the public. Serve as contact person for citizen science program.

II. Responsibilities

1. Conduct pro-active outreach/marketing to through the media, , groups and others.

2. Register and process reservations via telephone and web requests for local programs; maintain reservation books. Receptionist for international programs.

3. Distribute by email pre-departure information and materials as well as record post-trip details when trips have concluded.

4. Transcribe wildlife sighting reports from biologist data sheets.

5. Prepare weekend materials for naturalists: manifest, education materials.

6. Prepare payment requests and monthly financial summary

7. Administrative Responsibilities - as delegated by the Operations Manager.

8. Oversee and maintain the Adopt-A-Whale program.

9. Coordinate the development of a San Francisco Bay program

Required Skills:

Outstanding project coordination, including: excellent communication skills, multi-tasking abilities, accuracy and attention to detail

Experience with Word, Excel, Filemaker, social media

Preferred Experience:

Background in marine biology; Naturalist or teaching experience

SEO, Email and social media marketing experience a plus
Compensation: $12/hour, 2-3 days per week (full and half-days, M Th F) No benefits. May lead to full-time staff position.
To Apply: Send resume and cover letter to: staff@oceanicsociety.org. No calls please! 

1. Expedition Coordinator - 40 hours week

Responsible for the administration of  International  Expeditions; respond to questions via telephone and e-mail; take reservations, billing and interfacing with the public and naturalists.

Posted: 1/22/2012

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