Marine Life Scientist

Permanent, Full-Time tendersglobal.net Washington, DC Based and Ph.D. (preferred)
Starting at $67,500-$82,500 plus generous benefits
5-7 Years of Experience Required, Ideally 1-2 Years Post-Doc

Download PDF of Job Announcement 

AWI seeks a full-time scientist to join our Marine Life Program team (Program). This role presents an exciting opportunity to enhance our existing scientific expertise and develop and implement innovative legal, policy, and administrative efforts to protect marine life at local, state, national, and international levels. Through the lens of animal welfare, you will use scientific principles and evidence to advance the Program’s mission to reduce the detrimental impacts of human activities on marine animals and their habitats. Our efforts include fostering humane, nonlethal, science-based solutions to problems in the marine environment such as fisheries entanglements and vessel strikes; working to protect threatened and endangered species and their habitats; and addressing the hunting and capture of and global trade in marine animal species. You will report to the Program’s Director and Senior Attorney, and you will work with the Program’s senior scientists and senior policy advisors as an integral part of an experienced, close-knit, and collaborative team.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Serve as an expert for Program activities on threatened and endangered species protection and on various human impacts on marine life—including international trade of marine species, bycatch, destructive fishing practices, directed hunts of marine mammals, vessel strikes, marine pollution, ocean noise, and offshore energy development. 
• Use scientific expertise to engage in various forms of advocacy; contribute to rulemaking petitions, formal comments on proposed regulations, and other communications with government officials; participate in litigation; testify at public hearings and before legislative bodies. 
• Conduct scientific literature reviews, analyze published scientific studies and trade data, and identify and assess scientific issues to support Program activities. 
• Research and prepare reports, white papers, and other technical analyses to engage in public education and outreach and to influence public policy.
• Represent AWI at meetings, hearings, conferences, and other events, as well as on relevant task forces and interdisciplinary teams.
• In conjunction with AWI’s communications staff, draft and contribute to press releases, op-eds, action alerts, educational materials, social media posts, website content, donor updates, and AWI Quarterly articles, and devise and implement appropriate media strategies highlighting the Program’s activities.
• Cultivate strong relationships and communicate with government officials, scientists, and advocates from other NGOs and coalitions; engage with coalitions supporting a variety of educational and advocacy efforts. 

Requirements

• An advanced degree in marine science, marine biology, marine conservation, marine ecology, veterinary science, or a related field. PhD preferred.
• A minimum of five years relevant experience with 1-2 years post-doctoral work preferred. We are willing to consider candidates with exceptional potential and alignment with AWI’s mission but with a varied duration of professional experience.

Qualifications and Skills
We seek candidates with the following preferred qualifications, noting that we desire applicants with diverse lived experiences.

• Passion for AWI’s mission and demonstrated commitment to public interest work, including the prevention of animal suffering and the preservation of marine life.  
• Experience working within advocacy campaigns and across disciplines using law, science, policy, and communications to advance science-based advocacy. 
• Experience analyzing complex scientific and technical documents and researching, synthesizing, and presenting scientific information to a wide range of audiences.  
• Exceptional investigative, research, writing, and communication skills.
• Excellent oral advocacy skills, including public speaking experience. 
• Knowledge of the Marine Mammal Protection Act and Endangered Species Act, and a general familiarity with or willingness to learn the National Environmental Policy Act and other federal & state laws pertaining to the protection of marine life. 
• General understanding of international marine management organizations and treaties such as the International Whaling Commission and the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora desired, but not required.  
• Demonstrated ability to cultivate and maintain relationships with a wide range of stakeholders and policymakers, including other NGOs and state, federal, and international government officials.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and proactively, as well as high capacity to work constructively in a team environment.
• Commitment to the highest standards of professional conduct.
• Strong attention to detail, as well as problem-solving skills. 
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (e.g. Word, Excel, PowerPoint).  
• Ability to work effectively with and to understand the needs and concerns of individuals from diverse cultures, backgrounds, and orientations. 
• Fluency (particularly reading fluency) in multiple languages is strongly desired, but not required. 
• Ability and willingness to travel domestically and/or internationally on a periodic basis. 

Job Location: The position may be located either on-site at AWI’s headquarters in Washington, DC, or in a remote location elsewhere in the United States, though DC is preferred. Reimbursement for the cost of relocation to the Washington, DC metro area may be available under some circumstances. 

Salary and Benefits: The starting salary will be in the range of $67,500-$82,500. Salary is based on education, experience, qualifications, skills, internal equity, and location. The maximum of the hiring range is reserved for candidates with the highest qualifications and relevant experience. A starting salary above this range will be considered for candidates who meet all requirement and bring 10 or more years of experience to the position.

We offer an excellent benefits package, including:

• 100% employer-paid medical, dental, and vision insurance.
• Paid time off policy that includes three weeks of vacation, two weeks of sick leave, five personal days, 12 paid holidays, and bereavement leave.
• 401(k) with employer match of 5% of employee’s salary.
• 12 weeks of paid parental leave following childbirth or adoption.
• Support for mental wellness, including CareFirst Wellness and an Employee Assistance Program
• 100% employer-paid short-term and long-term disability benefits.
• Access to reduced rate pet insurance payable through payroll deductions.
• Resources to attend conferences and professional development trainings.
• If working in the dog-friendly DC office, on-site parking and access to DC Metro SmartBenefits® program, or if working remotely, resources to support a home office.

About AWI: The Animal Welfare Institute (AWI) is a nonprofit organization founded in 1951 whose mission is to alleviate the suffering caused to animals by people. We seek better treatment of animals everywhere—in agriculture, in commerce, in our communities, in research, and in the wild. AWI employs more than 30 staff and consultants located in our headquarters in Washington, DC, and remotely across North America. AWI is program oriented—more than 90 percent of our budget goes to support our programs to protect terrestrial and marine wildlife, farmed animals, animals in research, and companion animals. We advance our mission through strategically crafted political and legal advocacy, educational programs, research, and engagement with policymakers, scientists, industry, educators, other NGOs, and the public. AWI is committed to fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion in our culture, policies, and practices.

AWI is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to employment practices that provide equal opportunities for all persons without regard to age, gender, race, color, national origin, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, or any other characteristic protected by federal or state law. We are committed to advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion within our organization, and encourage applications from candidates whose identities have been historically under-represented in the animal welfare movement.