Marine Ecologist

Biodiversity Research Institute (BRI) seeks a conscientious and detail-oriented marine ecologist to work on offshore wind and wildlife issues for our non-profit organization located in Portland, Maine. We are a scientific nonprofit group dedicated to environmental research and monitoring that supports the protection of biodiversity and ecological health. BRI’s mission is to assess emerging threats to wildlife and ecosystems through collaborative research, and to use scientific findings to advance environmental awareness and inform decision makers. Successful candidates must possess a genuine interest in supporting BRI’s mission and a strong desire to be part of a dynamic and purpose-driven work environment.
 
The Marine Ecologist will be part of BRI’s Center for Research on Offshore Wind and the Environment (CROWE; and work on projects related to offshore wind energy development, including such projects as the Offshore Wind Environmental Technical Working Group (https://www.nyetwg.com/) and managing bird- and bat-focused research as part of Project WOW (https://offshorewind.env.duke.edu/). 

Position Responsibilities

• Provide ecological, technical, and decision science support for state and federal agencies, industry representatives, and other stakeholders in the environmental community to address environmental issues relating to offshore wind energy development;
• Organize and develop technical programs for stakeholder workshops and meetings;
• Conduct literature reviews and make scientific recommendations based on the available literature;
• Develop manuscripts, presentations, reports, fact sheets, and other materials;
• Work collaboratively to manage and coordinate research and stakeholder engagement projects; and
• All other duties as directed or assigned. Depending upon the applicant’s areas of expertise, this may include conducting fieldwork in support of BRI’s research projects (such as at-sea surveys, seabird tracking, or Motus station deployment) and/or conducting statistical analyses of survey, movement, or other datasets.

Knowledge, Skills and Experience Required

• The successful candidate should be detail-oriented and have a track record of excellent interpersonal and communication skills. Essential qualifications include:
  Bachelor’s degree or preferably higher in biology or a related field, with substantial experience in marine systems
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including scientific and technical writing as well as an ability to effectively communicate with a wide range of stakeholders
• Excellent organizational and logistics skills
• Strong work ethic and ability to effectively prioritize and address needs as they arise
• Ability to work effectively as part of a team, and willingness to work collaboratively with a wide range of colleagues and stakeholders
• Ability to work a flexible schedule, including occasional weekend work or overnight travel

Other Requirements
Other desired characteristics or skills include a strong familiarity with the aquatic taxa of the eastern United States, particularly New England and/or the New York Bight; decision-based science expertise; experience working with offshore wind energy stakeholders, including environmental nonprofits, offshore wind developers, state and federal regulators, fishermen, and others; familiarity with the known and potential impacts of offshore wind energy development on wildlife; communications and outreach experience, including website design and management; quantitative and analytical expertise, including use of R, Python, and/or ArcGIS; and a sense of humor. 

Compensation and Employee Benefits 
Status: Full-time, salaried

BRI is committed to salary equity and our goal is to meet federal Grade-Step (GS) levels that align with years of education and experience. refer to the GS pay scale as an approximate guide for the Northeast Region. BRI offers a fully paid employee health insurance premium, optional dependent coverage, dental, LTD, life insurance, 401k with match, and generous paid PTO and holidays. Costs associated with work travel are reimbursed. Ultimately, BRI’s benefits package, workplace flexibility, international travel options, professional development opportunities, and ability for vertical movement within the organization create an unparalleled workplace culture. BRI is a member of the United Nations Global Compact and as such meets DEI interests in the US.

Work Environment: BRI strives to provide a supportive and collaborative environment that fosters personal growth and career advancement. BRI is dedicated to an office culture that is relaxed, supportive of both families and the individual needs of our staff. BRI is an inclusive community and welcomes anyone who has an interest in wildlife research.

Research Center Appointment: Center for Research on Offshore Wind and the Environment (CROWE) (https://briwildlife.org/crowe/)
Location: BRI’s Portland, Maine office