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Science-Policy Fellow: Ocean and Coastal Resources
California Ocean Science Trust
Sacramento, CA, USA
Posted on Jan 24, 2025
Science-Policy Fellow: Ocean and Coastal Resources
We are seeking a creative and dynamic colleague who is passionate about applying their scientific expertise for science-policy collaborations, to join us in bringing science to the state decisions shaping the future of our coast and ocean. This position is a 12-month, full time, fixed-term appointment. We encourage individuals from a broad range of identities and experiences to apply. The position will be open until filled, with application review on a rolling basis beginning February 4, 2025. Candidates must be available to start on or before April 1, 2025.
About California Ocean Science Trust (OST)
We are a state-connected, science nonprofit dedicated to accelerating progress towards a healthy and productive ocean future for California. Created by state legislation, we bridge the gap between cutting-edge scientific research and sound ocean management.
One of our key roles is to bring science advice, recommendations and syntheses to state agencies and departments with policy, management and regulatory jurisdiction for coast and ocean decisions. Our closest state partner is the cabinet-level California Ocean Protection Council (OPC); our Executive Director serves as OPC Science Advisor and chairs the OPC Science Advisory Team. We partner with OPC staff to bring scientific analyses, solutions and advice to state ocean policy priorities, and encourage solution-focused research on the challenges facing coastal communities and ocean ecosystems in California.
Serving one of the most diverse states in the country, we see diversity, equity, inclusion, belonging, and access as central values to our organizational philosophy and imperative to our mission. We are committed to cultivating a work environment where staff from all backgrounds and identities feel a sense of belonging and can thrive.
Science-Policy Fellow
Ocean Science Trust is partnering with OPC and other state agencies and departments on a range of ocean policy topics including biodiversity conservation, restoration and mitigation, and natural resource monitoring and evaluation. We are also collaboratively undertaking steps to strengthen the role and relevance of the legislatively mandated OPC Science Advisory Team. The Science-Policy fellow will play a critical role in collaborative work to bring scientific expertise and input to these topics and policy processes.
While this work will provide opportunities to contribute across various projects, specific responsibilities of the Fellow will include supporting projects related to monitoring and evaluation, habitat restoration, and relevant social science connections, including:
- Coordinating expert working groups Including scheduling and facilitating meetings, preparing agendas, coordinating follow-up work
- Drafting and revising science communication products (text, graphs) for expert review, including communicating technical scientific information for the public and policymakers
- Participating in meetings with scientists and managers from multiple agencies, organizations, and institutions
- Contributing to decisions about content and format of final reports for the policymaker and public audiences
- Helping to expand the expert network contributing expertise to state ocean science-policy processes
Fellowships at Ocean Science Trust are a unique opportunity to launch a career in the science-policy sector. Fellows experience the inner workings of policy and management and build valuable facilitation, communication, and strategic skills while drawing on and advancing their formal academic training. They engage a diverse landscape of partners including state and federal agencies, NGOs, and scientists. The Science-Policy Fellow will join a dynamic and multi-disciplinary team united by a mission to put science to work towards responsible, durable, and equitable decision-making.
The Science Fellow will report directly to, and receive mentorship from, a Senior Science Fellow. Our work is highly interdisciplinary and collaborative; both existing and new partnerships are critical to project development and impact. Our ideal candidate is comfortable in both leading and supporting roles and is willing to adapt roles in response to team and/or partner needs throughout the course of the fellowship.
Location
Ocean Science Trust is headquartered in Sacramento, California, but staff work remotely and are based throughout the state. Our team values the flexibility of remote work and is dedicated to effective remote team collaboration. Travel within California will be required, including frequent travel to Sacramento, CA.
Qualifications
Skills and attributes:
- Strong scientific aptitude, with the ability to understand, apply, and communicate information effectively across a wide range of disciplines and audiences.
- Ability to synthesize and translate complex science and policy concepts, distill and organize critical information from diverse sources, and identify knowledge gaps and opportunities for science to inform decision making.
- Experience in project support or management and strong ability to adapt as projects evolve, prioritize among multiple tasks and adjust to short or changing timelines. Comfortable working in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.
- Demonstrates an understanding of and sensitivity to identity, race, and biases, and the dynamics they create in addressing the needs and priorities of diverse communities and people.
- Excellent communication skills and the ability to write clearly, cohesively and succinctly.
- Strong interpersonal skills to professionally and effectively represent the organization to all partners, funders, vendors, contractors and other constituents.
- Flexible team player, able to take on diverse tasks and play both supporting and leading roles as needed to achieve organizational goals.
- Values diverse knowledge systems and has familiarity and/or interest in the role of environmental justice and equity in the creation of science-policy products.
- Refined political acumen and understanding of policy processes is a plus.
Knowledge and experience:
- M.S. in a marine science, related natural science, or relevant social science with connections to these fields required
- Broad familiarity with marine natural and social sciences (deep expertise in one or more topical areas would be a bonus)
- Familiarity with California’s regulatory and governance structures pertaining to statewide ocean and coastal priorities is preferred but not required.
- Experience with multi-institution scientific collaborations, and in inspiring and motivating science experts to effectively collaborate and progress towards meaningful outcomes.
- Demonstrated experience working within multi-organizational partnerships that rely on collaboration rather than formal reporting structures.
- Experience with online tools and processes for effective remote team collaboration.
- Science communication, non-technical writing, and distilling technical information for general audiences;
- Experience facilitating working groups and meetings
- Experience collaborating with multiple entities and sectors
- Familiarity with data management practices and open data reporting (e.g. GitHub, DataOne, creating reproducible workflows)
Salary and Benefits
The position is a 12-month, full time, fixed-term appointment. The salary for this position is $65,000. We offer a generous benefit plan which includes paid time off, medical, dental, vision insurance, and more. We have flexible, family-friendly schedules, the option to work in our Sacramento office or remotely, and a mobile phone and internet subsidy.
To Apply
Click the Apply for This Job button in the upper right of your screen to complete the application questions, and to submit your required application materials including a resume and cover letter describing your specific interest and fit for the position. The position will be open until filled, with application review on a rolling basis beginning February 4, 2025. Candidates must be available to start on or before April 1.
You must be authorized to work in the U.S. and be a current resident of the State of California, or willing to relocate if hired. Ocean Science Trust is an equal opportunity employer. We embrace diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all staff. Thank you for your interest.