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Specialist, Florida Conservation
Ocean Conservancy
St. Petersburg, FL, USA
USD 60k-65k / year
Posted on Jun 4, 2026
POSITION TITLE: | Specialist, Florida Conservation |
DEPARTMENT/PROGRAM: | Florida Conservation |
REPORTS TO: | Director of Florida Conservation |
STATUS: | Full Time |
LOCATION: | Florida |
ABOUT OCEAN CONSERVANCY
For more than 50 years, Ocean Conservancy has delivered effective, evidence-based solutions for the ocean and all who depend on it. Today, we continue to unite science, people and policy to protect our ocean from the greatest challenges it faces: climate change, plastic pollution and biodiversity loss. We are a 501(C)3 headquartered in Washington, D.C. that inspires a worldwide network of partners, advocates and supporters through our comprehensive and clear-eyed approach to ocean conservation. Together, we are securing a healthy ocean and a thriving planet, forever and for everyone.
POSITION SUMMARY
As a core member of Ocean Conservancy’s Florida Conservation Team, the Specialist, Florida Conservation will provide critical mission support, added capacity and will expand and enhance the organization’s ability to work with partners in state and local governments and within the conservation community across Florida. The Specialist will serve as a key point of contact with both existing and new local government partners and will provide critical staff support for flagship projects such as marine plastics assessments and grassroots advocacy, sea level rise and climate change initiatives, water quality and abundance interventions, and marine wildlife and habitat protection efforts. The Specialist will also represent Ocean Conservancy in public appearances, testimony and in outreach and education activities.
The Specialist will report to the Director of Florida Conservation, and will based in Florida, either in person from our St. Petersburg office, or remotely.
PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES
- Network and partner with state and local government officials on marine conservation priorities in target regions of Florida including South Florida, West Central Florida, Southwest Florida, the I-4 corridor, and Northeast Florida.
- Network with environmental NGO peers and partners statewide to maximize impact for marine conservation
- Network with impacted stakeholders on issues including water quality and abundance, sea level rise and climate change, marine debris and ocean plastics, and habitat and wildlife
- Represent Ocean Conservancy in public settings, including events such as conventions, symposia, and restoration and cleanup events
- Provide public testimony to local and state government on marine conservation issues, for example in support of marine debris regulation or fertilizer ordinances
- Help develop and refine Ocean Conservancy’s policy positions on marine conservation issues affecting the state
REQUIRED SKILLS/QUALIFICATIONS/EXPERIENCE
The successful candidate will, at a minimum, possess the following qualifications:
- One to five years of experience in the field of environmental conservation in Florida; an advanced degree (in science, law, policy, or a field related to conservation) will be considered in lieu of experience.
- A genuine, ardent passion for the conservation of Florida’s marine environment, and a deep connection to the state and its ecosystems.
- Familiarity and experience with the latest marine conservation issues in Florida, and with the potential spectrum of solutions to address those issues – this includes water quality and abundance, nutrient pollution, plastic pollution and marine debris, sea level rise and climate change, and threats to wildlife and habitat, among others.
- Innate empathy and a willingness to work with people from across economic and political spectrums and from diverse communities to achieve a greater good
- Excellent communications skills, both written and verbal; facility with public speaking; experience and comfort with speaking to the media a plus.
- Experience and familiarity with environmental policy analysis and advocacy and a desire to develop policy positions that will have a positive impact for Florida’s marine environment
- Highly detail oriented, adaptable, well-organized, and self-starting – ability to work independently and manage up
- Highly collaborative and outgoing with large, multi-disciplinary teams
EDUCATION/TRAINING
- Bachelor’s degree in a field relevant to Ocean Conservancy’s marine conservation mission
COMPENSATION
Ocean Conservancy is committed to fair pay practices and posts expected salary ranges for each of its positions. Compensation will be commensurate with the candidate’s specialty skills, years of experience, location, and unique background. The expected salary range for this role is $60,000 - $65,000 annually. We would welcome the opportunity to connect with potential candidates whose salary requirements may be outside of the expected range.
TO APPLY
If you think you’d be a great fit for the job and are interested in joining Ocean Conservancy’s team, please apply here. Please include a resume and cover letter in one file on your application.
HYBRID WORK ENVIRONMENT
Ocean Conservancy embraces a hybrid work environment, which allows our staff the flexibility to work virtually and in-person while building strong connections across the institution.
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
Ocean Conservancy provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.
This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.
We encourage applicants who have a diverse level and range of relevant skills and experiences to apply. A 100% match is not required. We want to support employees’ career growth and in return, our employees help Ocean Conservancy grow into a stronger, more inclusive institution.