Officer, Seaweed Farming

The Environment Portfolio at The Pew Charitable Trusts

For more than 30 years, Pew has been a major force in engaging the public and policy makers about the causes, consequences, and solutions to some of the world’s most pressing environmental challenges. Our environment work spans all seven continents with more than 250 professionals working at the local, national, and international levels to reduce the scope and severity of global environmental problems, such as the erosion of large natural ecosystems that contain a great part of the world’s remaining biodiversity, and the destruction of the marine environment. Pew’s global environmental program focuses on science-based, nonpartisan, and sustainable solutions to help protect the planet and people. We work in partnership with governments, Indigenous rights holders, intergovernmental organizations, non-governmental organizations, local stakeholders, scientists, and other researchers to advance public policy so that nature and communities can thrive.

Since 1990, Pew has worked in North America, South America and Australia to protect large and critically important terrestrial ecosystems, including rivers and other freshwater resources, coastal temperate rainforests, interior mountain ranges, the northern boreal forests, Australia’s Outback, and Chilean Patagonia. We work to ensure these natural systems remain bountiful, functioning, and resilient, providing essential ecological services such as clean air and clean water, sustenance and food security for local communities and more broadly for the welfare of current and future generations. Our work relies on the sciences of conservation, sociology, biology, and economics to advocate for practical and durable solutions to the loss of biodiversity. 

In the sea, reforms to how our oceans are managed are essential to address overfishing, pollution, and loss of habitat. Pew began its oceans program in the United States, focusing on ending overfishing and protecting fragile marine habitat. Starting in 2005, Pew’s ocean conservation program expanded around the world and played a significant role in reforming marine fisheries management in the European Union and on the high seas and creating large scale marine reserves around the world. Our work is grounded in the best available science and pursues domestic and international conservation measures that are long-term and provide permanent, durable protections for marine ecosystems. We also work to address systemic threats to the ocean, including from plastics, over-and-illegal fishing, seabed mining, and climate change.

Seaweed Farming

The Seaweed Farming project aims to establish the foundation for the sustainable and inclusive development of seaweed farming in Alaska and British Columbia by creating community-led visions for growth in major farming regions, building baseline ecological data and monitoring schemes, expanding precautionary safeguards, and supporting Indigenous and other small-scale producers’ engagement in farming and government consultation processes.  

Position Overview

The officer collaborates with project leadership to lead Pew’s work in Alaska to support the precautionary and inclusive growth of the local seaweed farming industry in the region. Reporting to the senior officer, International Fisheries and Aquaculture in Washington, DC, the officer will develop and maintain relationships with Indigenous groups, local, state, and federal officials, industry representatives, NGOs; scientists, and members of the media, and provide policy analysis and advocacy recommendations to help guide the development of sustainable seaweed farming in Central and Southeastern Alaska. The officer represents the project to key decision makers and partner groups, while working closely with colleagues across Pew, including those based in British Columbia.

Located in Juneau, AK, or the surrounding area, this position offers flexibility to work from home 100% of the time excluding frequent travel for meetings and site visits. Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the country for which they are seeking employment without visa sponsorship.

Responsibilities

• Foster a work environment that is diverse, equitable, inclusive, and accessible and in line with Pew and the project’s related goals.

• With the senior officer, co-lead the development and implementation of effective strategies and plans to deliver program objectives, focusing on planning and regulatory efforts to ensure that seaweed farming in Alaska benefits both people and nature.

• Develop and maintain broad substantive scientific and policy knowledge of mariculture, including seaweed farming, to inform and advance program priorities. Provide recommendations to guide the development of Pew strategies and activities.

• Partner with Pew operations staff, including communications, conservation science, and government relations.

• Identify potential partners and experts who will further Pew's objectives and assist in the development of funding agreements as relevant.

• Represent Pew in key government meetings, coalition meetings, conferences, and events.

• Participate in activities that support program and Pew-wide objectives.

Requirements

• Skilled at informing and influencing internal and external audiences through written and oral communications.

• As a remote worker, works effectively with colleagues in different locations and time zones.

• Aptitude to apply a non-partisan, evidence-based approach to projects and campaigns that require support across the political spectrum.

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience.

• Generally, eight years of applicable experience.

Key attributes and preferred experience

• Develops and moves projects forward with a high degree of independence and autonomy.

• Naturally develops and manages productive and collaborative relationships.

• Effective diplomatic skills with the capacity to work productively with a wide array of different people and institutions that may disagree with and are in competition with one another.

• Skillful at developing short- and long-term plans and setting goals in line with program strategies.

• Experience with Indigenous-led conservation, mariculture and/or fisheries policy and science, and existing contacts with local, state, and government officials and/or fishing industry in Alaska preferred.

Travel

This position requires frequent domestic and international travel to meetings and conferences.

Salary Range

The salary range represents a reasonable estimate of the annual salary based on Pew’s commitment to provide equitable and market-competitive pay. The actual salary offered will take into consideration many factors including but not limited to job-related knowledge, skills and experience, internal pay equity, and business need.

Total Rewards

We offer a competitive salary and benefit program, including: comprehensive, affordable health care through medical, dental, and vision coverage; financial security with life and disability insurance; opportunities to save using health savings and flexible spending accounts; retirement benefits to help prepare for the future; and work/life benefits to maintain a good balance.

The Pew Charitable Trusts is an equal opportunity employer, committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace. Pew considers qualified applicants for employment without regard to age, sex, ethnicity, religion, disability, marital status, sexual orientation or gender identity, military/veteran status, or any other basis prohibited by applicable law.