29 Jan Ocean Conservancy Job Opening: Fisheries Economist

Ocean Conservancy
Fisheries Economist
Austin, Texas
Full Time

About the Organization
Founded in 1972, Ocean Conservancy promotes healthy and diverse ocean ecosystems and opposes practices that threaten ocean life and human life. Ocean Conservancy is working with fishermen to identify win-win solutions for meeting conservation objectives such as setting sustainable catch levels, ensuring plans are working to end overfishing and restore deleted populations, reducing bycatch, and increasing profitability in the industry.

The Ocean Conservancy believes that well-managed fisheries are an investment in the future of the ocean as an engine that drives our climate, our economy, and our ecosystems (for more information, see: www.oceanconservancy.org).

Ocean Conservancy’s Fisheries Conservation program focuses on achieving sustainable U.S. fisheries with an emphasis on ending overfishing. A key aspect of our work is developing economic incentives that reward fishermen for innovative practices that protect ocean ecosystems. The program works in partnership with other NGOs in the region, seafood businesses, fishermen and policy-makers to generate new policies that aim to rebuild depleted fish populations and incentivize the use of fishing gear that is less damaging to the marine environment.

Fisheries Economist
The Fisheries Economist will be responsible for leading Ocean Conservancy efforts to develop and implement incentive- based solutions for U.S. fisheries. S/He will work with a team of Ocean Conservancy scientists, attorneys, policy advocates, media and outreach staff to design and implement incentive-based mechanisms to achieve conservation goals. The work will center primarily on fisheries in the Gulf of Mexico region and will involve external partnerships with other NGOs, policy- makers, the fishing community and seafood businesses.

This is an excellent opportunity for an individual with an economics background to apply his/her skills towards improving all aspects of marine management in the Gulf. The ideal candidate will have a degree in natural resource economics, experience working with fisheries and a passion for developing long-term solutions to environmental issues.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities
Includes the following and other duties as assigned:
+ Develop and coordinate Ocean Conservancy’s efforts to promote economic incentive-based solutions that advance conservation goals in Gulf of Mexico fisheries.
+ Design and manage research programs to advance the understanding of incentive-based fisheries management.
+ Work to educate seafood businesses on sustainable seafood sourcing practices and fisheries policy.
+ Acquire information and data on all aspects of fisheries, including ecological, sociological and economic characteristics of fisheries.
+ Analyze the fishery supply chain, identify sustainability gaps, and formulate strategies for filling those gaps in line with conservation goals.
+ Work closely with a team of scientists, lawyers, communications and outreach experts, and policy analysts to
research, analyze and advocate for appropriate economic incentives for conservation. Serve as a resource for the team with regard to the principles of natural resource economics.
+ Synthesize information from parallel fields (agricultural loans, stock-option pool allocation, cap-and-trade systems, environmental credit markets, land trusts, wetlands mitigation banks) to inform development of new incentive- based fisheries management models.
+ Lead a team of Ocean Conservancy staff (including external consultants). Develop and monitor staff workplans and budgets.
+ Maintain cooperative working relationships with colleagues in government agencies, regional fishery management councils, industry groups, scientific and academic communities, and other conservation groups.
+ In coordination with program and development staff, conceptualize and draft proposals to support Ocean Conservancy’s marine fish conservation initiatives.
+ Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications
The successful applicant will have the following minimum qualifications:
+ Advanced degree in natural resource economics or related field of expertise in natural resource management and conservation.
+ Three to five years professional experience with policy analysis, synthesis, interpretation and reporting on a range of scientific information and data required.
+ Experience using economic tools and principles to affect policy changes in fisheries or other natural resource management arenas essential.
+ Familiarity with US fishery management systems, regulations and policy, and the seafood industry preferred.
+ Excellent organizational, written and verbal communication skills; working knowledge of the Microsoft suite of programs and the ability to integrate across disciplines and to work with a wide variety of stakeholders.
+ Ability to work with minimal supervision, set priorities among competing projects, meet objectives and
deadlines, to resolve routine problems independently, and to recognize and work with supervisor to resolve complex or unusual problems.
+ Willingness to occasionally travel and work long hours when required by project objectives.

Compensation and Benefits
The expected start date for this position is ideally March 2010. The position will be located in Ocean Conservancy’s Gulf of Mexico Regional Office in Austin, TX. The Ocean Conservancy offers an excellent benefits package and a competitive salary that is commensurate with experience.

To Apply
To be considered for this position, interested candidates must follow the link below to submit a resume, cover letter, and salary requirements: http://www.ceaconsulting.com/what/position_details.aspx?client=CEA&jobId=67
Inquiries received via phone call or direct email will not be eligible for review.
The Ocean Conservancy is an equal opportunity employer.

January 2010