Staff Ecologist - Roger Williams University - Military veterans preferred

Roger Williams University

Location: Providence, RI Category: Professional and Clerical Posted On: Thu May 15 2025 Job Description:

The Narragansett Bay Estuary Program (NBEP) seeks a motivated team player to join the Narragansett Bay region's National Estuary Program as Staff Ecologist in NBEP's Providence, RI office. The ideal candidate will be passionate and knowledgeable about watershed, estuarine, and coastal ecosystem conservation and restoration in southern New England. The Staff Ecologist will step into a newly-created position, reporting to the Executive Director, and should be ready to support existing projects while thinking carefully and creatively about how this new role can support partners to help fill gaps in ecosystem monitoring and protection. This position is contingent on continued grant funding. NBEP expects to begin interviews in June.

NBEP is one of 29 place-based National Estuary Programs first established in 1987 by an amendment to the federal Clean Water Act and overseen by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. NBEP uses a voluntary, community-driven approach to enhance water quality, wildlife, and quality of life across our study area, which includes Narragansett Bay, Little Narragansett Bay, the Rhode Island Coastal Ponds, and their watersheds in Rhode Island, Massachusetts, and Connecticut. A catalyst for scientific inquiry and collective action, NBEP offers consensus-building, scientific analysis and communications, and grant-making services to help restore and sustain the region's natural resources in the face of legacy challenges and accelerating change. Guided by a diverse 30+ member partnership, NBEP is hosted by the Community Partnerships Center at Roger Williams University, leveraging our shared interest in creating collaborative paths to a better future for ecosystems, economies, and communities. Learn more about NBEP at www.nbep.org.

Essential Functions / Characteristics
Facilitation and Coordination

• Coordinate closely with NBEP partners to advance watershed, estuarine, and coastal habitat restoration and conservation efforts
• Convene and participate in working groups to address habitat restoration and conservation needs: organize meetings, prepare agendas, take notes, and track action items
• Provide support to NBEP's Science Advisory Committee

Project Cultivation and Management

• Oversee habitat-related subawards, contracts, and Requests for Proposals
• Work with partners to identify and secure funding for priority habitat projects
• Identify and help fill gaps in ecosystem monitoring and restoration efforts
• Track projects and accomplishments for NBEP's Comprehensive Conservation and Management Plan (CCMP)

Science Synthesis and Communication

• Work with diverse people and interests, including local, state, and federal agencies; watershed organizations; Tribes; farmers; academics; students; and consultants
• Connect with various audiences, including committees, partners, nonprofit groups, university classes, and the interested public, through presentations, meeting participation, and written communications (fact sheets, newsletter articles, technical reports, white papers, StoryMaps)
• Contribute to the development of the 2027 State of Narragansett Bay and Its Watershed Report and subsequent updates

• Master's degree in ecology, biology, botany, environmental science, environmental engineering, hydrology, geography, or any discipline related to understanding complex ecosystems
• Passion for southern New England natural habitats and wildlife
• Demonstrated ability to work with a small team and with diverse people and interests toward common goals
• At least five years of professional experience in a conservation, management, and/or scientific field related to the estuarine, coastal, and riverine habitats represented in the Narragansett Bay region
• Strong emotional intelligence with the ability to listen, empathize, find common-ground, defuse conflict, and establish trust
• Capability to successfully manage multiple projects simultaneously
• Valid driver's license and ability and willingness to travel to meetings and project sites in the region

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in grant and contract management
• Experience in ecological monitoring
• Experience convening project teams and facilitating meetings
• Excellent written communication skills
• Experience working with volunteers, students, and interns
• Knowledge of local, state, and federal permitting requirements for ecological restoration projects
• ArcGIS, R, and open science skills
• Comfort working in a hybrid environment with Microsoft products

Salary range $62,498-$75,000

At the University's discretion, the education and experience prerequisites may be accepted where the candidate can demonstrate, to the satisfaction of the University, an equivalent combination of education and experience specifically preparing the candidate for success in the position.

Roger Williams University is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer and committed to a diverse workforce. All applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other basis protected by applicable state and federal law. For information on our Non-discrimination policy, visit here.

RWU prohibits all forms of discrimination on the basis of sex in its education programs and activities and is required by Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (Title IX) and its implementing regulations not to discriminate in such a manner. Complaints of Title IX sexual harassment should be reported to the Title IX Coordinator at the contact information listed below. Details regarding the formal complaint process can be found here: Title IX Sexual Harassment Policy and Procedures. All complaints of sexual harassment will be taken seriously and responded to promptly. TITLE IX COORDINATOR: Dr. Jen Stanley, 1 Old Ferry Road, Bristol, RI 02809 / Phone Number: (401) 254-3123 /Email Address: jstanley@rwu.edu

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