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Job Offer: Director of Conservation and Policy:South Norwalk , CT

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The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk, Inc.

Director of Conservation and Policy

The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk, Inc. (TMA or the Aquarium) seeks a Director of Conservation and Policy (Director) to lead the design, creation and execution of a comprehensive, impactful conservation and policy department for the Aquarium.         
 

ORGANIZATION BACKGROUND

The mission of the Aquarium 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 33 years, the Aquarium has played a significant function 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 hosted nearly 500,000 guests annually before the pandemic, and about 80,000 students and children participated 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. A nationally recognized leader in STEM education, the Aquarium takes a cradle-to-career approach in developing programs for students from pre-K to college.
 
The Aquarium is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. 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, which contribute 28,000 hours annually (the equivalent of 17 staff). The Aquarium is home to about 7,000 animals, consisting of 320 species in 75 exhibits, featuring touch tanks for horseshoe crabs, rays, sharks and jellies, everyday keeper talks, and animal feedings. The primary exhibits take guests on a voyage from the shallow salt marshes to the depths of the Long Island Sound and the ocean beyond, culminating with Pinniped Cove and the Open Ocean exhibits. A state-of-the-art 4D Theater provides a versatile venue for digital films, lectures and presentations.
 
The Aquarium engages in a wide variety of research and conservation projects focused on the Long Island Sound – an Estuary of National Significance – and its ecosystem. These projects include field-located research projects, as well as collaborative citizen-science and community-science projects in conjunction with numerous academic, non-profit and governmental partners. In particular, the Aquarium has long-running water quality and biodiversity monitoring programs, which offer rich data sets to determine impacts of land-located activities and climate change on fish, wildlife and habitats in Long Island Sound. The Aquarium also actively advocates for public policies to improve management and 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.  The Aquarium is a member of the Aquarium Conservation Partnership.     

POSITION SUMMARY

The Director of Conservation and Policy plays a central function in the overall success of the Aquarium, with the responsibility of creating and managing a new department established with this position. The Director will supervise a comprehensive portfolio of existing programs, activities and initiatives, as well as develop, create, and implement a strategic vision, with additional programs and initiatives, to achieve the basic mission of the Aquarium: “to appreciate and protect Long Island Sound, its ecosystem, and the global ocean beyond.” The Director will also have responsibility for developing and implementing partnerships locally, regionally and nationally to fulfil the goals of the strategic vision, which includes ensuring an active function for the Aquarium in public policy. The Director will also work closely with senior TMA leadership abilities to ensure that conservation priorities are incorporated internally into exhibits, educational programs, and outreach efforts, and in particular, work closely with the Vice President of Philanthropy and Engagement to secure adequate fundraising for conservation and policy.  The Director reports to the President and CEO, works closely with the Board of Trustees, and is part of the institution’s senior management team alongside leadership abilities of Animal Husbandry, Operations, Exhibits, Education, Guest Services, and Philanthropy and Engagement. 
 
PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES
   » Lead the Aquarium’s research, conservation and policy strategies and activities through the creation of a new department of conservation and policy, the supervision of existing activities and initiatives, and the expansion of new programs and policy positions. 
   » Lead the creation and implementation of a new multi-year conservation strategy, with a focus on the Long Island Sound ecosystem, but also including broader marine conservation issues and climate change. 
   » Lead a coordinated, integrated approach to conservation and policy in conjunction with senior management and other departments, including serving as a member of the senior management team that guides strategic decision-making.
   » Lead, develop and implement a strategy, and develop and manage relationships, for fundraising for conservation and policy, in conjunction with the Vice President of Philanthropy and Engagement, including identification and stewardship of donors and grant opportunities, and writing and management of grant awards and donor commitments for conservation and policy. 
   » Lead the development and strengthening of external networking relationships and involvement with the public, as well as key partners (e.g., academic institutions, non-profit organizations, significant industry and stakeholder organizations, government officials and lawmakers). In particular, engage on significant issues with the Aquarium Conservation Partnership (ACP) and the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA).
   » Increase the Aquarium’s visibility and influence on conservation and policy priorities, by representing the Aquarium publicly, and serving as the Aquarium's primary spokesperson on conservation and policy for a variety of audiences, including testifying as appropriate before state and federal officials and lawmakers.
   » Build, train, and supervise an effective team, support staff, and consultants for research, conservation and policy.
   » In coordination with senior leadership abilities, supervise and manage the department’s finances and budget, collateral and publications, and administration of the conservation and policy department, its procedures and policies.
   » Work with the President to motivate and strengthen the Board of Trustees in its function related to conservation and policy, and in particular serve as management lead for the Board’s significant committee on conservation. 
   » Other tasks as assigned by the CEO. This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, tasks or responsibilities. 
 
QUALIFICATIONS
   » Minimum of 7 years of significant and progressive practice in mission-located conservation programs or organizations, including 3-4 years of management practice. 
   » Bachelor’s degree or equivalent, with advanced degree preferred, in environmental (preferably ocean or climate-related) science, public policy, law or a related field.
   » practice with state, federal, and/or international environmental policy-making arenas, working directly with public officials and policymakers, and demonstrating a knowledge of significant laws at the state and federal level on ocean stewardship and climate change.
   » A comprehensive knowledge of conservation and policy, with a particular emphasis on coastal and marine conservation issues, as well as climate change policy.  Specific knowledge of issues relating to Long Island Sound is a plus.
   » Strong established external networks in the ocean conservation and climate change community, ideally related to ocean conservation non-profit organizations and private foundations. Such networks and connections specifically to Long Island Sound are a plus.
   » A proven track record of leadership abilities in coalition-building, as well as in the management of prosperous research, conservation and policy programs and initiatives. practice in designing and implementing prosperous policy campaigns is a plus.
   » A proven track record in fundraising and securing/managing grants and gifts.
   » An attitude of creativity, innovation, confidence and entrepreneurship.
   » Commitment to the Aquarium’s mission, with an appreciation for the important function that the Aquarium plays in conservation, education and the life of a vibrant community. 
   » Strong leadership abilities capability with proven management expertise in leading and developing a staff, and working within a highly motivated team. 
   » A powerful and persuasive public speaker, able to communicate effectively with audiences including press, elected officials, scientists and conservation professionals, schoolteachers, Aquarium members, funders, and the public. 
   » Excellent written and verbal communication expertise, and strong interpersonal expertise. 
 

Perks

Excellent benefits

How to submit the application:

TO APPLY
Please send a cover letter, CV and income requirements to Rosemarie Lombardi at E-Mail: rlombardi@Maritimeaquarium.org, with Director of Conservation and Policy in the subject line of your email. Preference will be given to applications received before December 18, but the position will remain open until filled.  No phone calls please.
 
The Maritime Aquarium is an equal opportunity employer with a commitment to diversity. All individuals, regardless of personal characteristics, are encouraged to apply.
The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk, Inc.
10 North Water Street
South Norwalk, CT 06854

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Job Category: Other [ View All Other Jobs ]
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Job Location: Other
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Post Date: 04/27/2024 / Viewed 4366 times
Contact Information
Company: South Norwalk , CT
Contact Email: rlombardi@Maritimeaquarium.org


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