About this opportunity
MPOWIR Mentoring Physical Oceanography Women to Increase Retention lists this Program Director – Ocean Science Trust opportunity in sacramento, California. Review the employer’s description below for duties, qualifications and application requirements.
Job description
Ocean Science Trust is a small non-profit organization dedicated to accelerating progress towards California’s vision for a healthy and productive coast and ocean with salient and rigorous science. Our collaborative team – with diverse science, policy and management expertise – pursues projects and initiatives that draw together diverse perspectives to synthesize, interpret and share science that can inform and advance policy, funding and management decisions. For more information, please visit
Program Director
The Program Director plays a senior leadership role on a cross-functional and multi-disciplinary team to ensure rigorous and unbiased science is integrated into policy and management decisions impacting California’s ocean and coastal areas. Through a partnerships-based approach to all projects, s/he will work closely with stakeholders and partners to synthesize, interpret, and share scientific information that is salient and credible, and will identify and pursue both programmatic and fundraising opportunities to advance science-informed decision-making.
We are seeking a collaborative team leader and an accomplished relationship builder to grow our climate adaptation work. The Program Director will develop and implement new initiatives that inform state, local, and community efforts to mitigate and adapt to the impacts of sea-level rise, ocean acidification, and other changing ocean conditions. We seek an entrepreneurial leader well-versed in current and emerging innovative climate adaptation science and practice, including strategies for financing adaptation actions and promoting positive social change for coastal communities. This is an exciting opportunity to build on OST’s initial work focussed on fisheries and adaptation in a resource management context, and shape a strategic vision that supports state adaptation needs and priorities. Reporting to the Executive Director, the Program Director will work closely with a peer Program Director.
Responsibilities
Leadership and Management
Provide a clear vision, strategic direction, and oversight for programmatic work, with a focus on mission alignment and sustainability.
Lead the development, design, and execution of new projects and initiatives.
Ensure programmatic work is aligned with organizational, business, and financial needs and priorities, as well as staff capacity and expertise.
Ensure ongoing program excellence, integrity and transparency, through productive partnerships and rigorous project management.
Lead, coach, and develop OST’s high-performance science staff, engaging them in grant, workplan, and budget development for projects and initiatives.
Work closely with the Executive Director to inform and advance the organization’s strategic vision and plan as part of the senior management team.
Partnerships and Communications
Maintain, cultivate, and advance productive partnerships and collaborations with all stakeholders, including tribes and tribal communities, community leaders, industry, state, and federal government decision-makers, NGOs, the academic scientific community, and, most prominently, members of the Ocean Protection Council Science Advisory Team.
Represent the organization in diverse venues, such as community meetings, academic conferences, and State partners meetings.
Ensure the successful delivery of high quality products that meet the needs and expectations of clients and key audiences.
Fundraising and Development
Identify and pursue funding opportunities to advance the mission of the organization and meet the needs of the State.
Maintain and develop relationships with existing and new state, federal, and philanthropic funders.
Intellectual Foundations and Organizational Culture
Guide the integration of state-of-the-art science into OST programming.
Foster intellectual development and staff contributions through activities such as conference presentations and publications and by fostering strong internal communications and transparency of process.
Desired Skills and Attributes
Demonstrated ability to work effectively as part of a multidisciplinary team
Possess an entrepreneurial spirit and be a creative and flexible thinker
Possess a collaborative and service-oriented focus, with ability to balance multiple perspectives.
Demonstrated strategic, analytic, and synthetic abilities
Ability to design and implement collaborative processes and engage effectively with a diverse portfolio of public and private contractors, partners, and collaborators
Possess an extensive network of science, management, and policy experts
Strong networking and relationship building skills
Outstanding written and verbal communication skills; ability to translate scientific and technical concepts and organizational messages for diverse audiences
Ability to prioritize multiple tasks and remain flexible when faced with short or changing timelines
Authorized to work in the United States
Desired Knowledge and Experience
7+ years of substantive and relevant experience; familiarity with California’s marine and coastal human-natural ecosystems preferred
Advanced degree in climate science, social science, political science, public policy, natural resource management, or other relevant field
Demonstrated success fostering professional growth of staff
Demonstrated effectiveness in fundraising and managing relationships with funders to build excitement for and successfully frame mission-driven work
Extensive knowledge of the science and practice of climate adaptation. Familiarity with current and emerging approaches to adaptation in coastal and ocean contexts.
Extensive knowledge of policy processes and management approaches to ocean and coastal resources
Familiarity with California’s human interface and social implications relative to marine and coastal policy and management preferred
Familiarity with new approaches for adaptation financing, fostering social resilience, and diversifying community adaptation options preferred
Compensation and Location
Ocean Science Trust offers an excellent benefits package and a competitive salary that is commensurate with experience. The benefit plan, upon completing the qualifying period, includes medical, dental, and vision insurance, and up to 3.5% employer matching 403b plan.
The preferred location for this position is Sacramento, CA, however Oakland, CA will be considered as an alternative. OST is amenable to considering the option of some remote work. Travel within California and possibly elsewhere in the U.S. will be required. Applicants must possess a valid drivers’ license permitting driving within the U.S. and may be required to use their own vehicle for travel, reimbursable at the state rate.
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Website
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Worksite address
sacramento, CA, 95828, US
Who can apply
Review the original listing for work authorization, qualifications and employer requirements.