The Massachusetts Office of Coastal Zone Management (CZM) is the lead policy and planning agency on coastal and ocean issues within the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs. Through planning, technical and grant assistance, and public information programs, CZM seeks to balance the impacts of human activity with the protection of coastal and marine resources. The agency’s work includes helping coastal communities address the challenges of storms, sea level rise, and other effects of climate change; working with state, regional, and federal partners to balance current and new uses of ocean waters while protecting ocean habitats and promoting sustainable economic development; and partnering with communities and other organizations to protect and restore coastal water quality and habitats.

The Coastal Habitat and Water Quality Specialist is a critical role within CZM's Coastal Habitat and Water Quality (CHWQ) Team to support advancement of program priorities in coordination with strategic efforts within the Commonwealth. Specifically, the Coastal Habitat and Water Quality Specialist, under supervision of the CHWQ Manager, will advance priority projects to support protection, restoration, and resilience of coastal habitats. The Coastal Habitat and Water Quality Specialist will also provide technical, planning, and communications support for CZM programmatic work in coastal habitat and water quality. Specific Duties Include:

1. Technical support to advance priority protection, restoration, and resilience projects and initiatives of the Coastal Habitat and Water Quality (CHWQ) Program

• Develop and maintain a project management system to track project status, manage deadlines, and review outcomes and deliverables as projects are identified and advanced.
• Organize regular meetings of partner networks and technical teams to advance and develop priority projects. The specialist will schedule meetings, set agendas, retain contact information of participants, take notes, provide follow up and action steps, and provide technical assistance, as needed.
• Assist with scoping, contracting, and managing outside contracts in coordination with technical advisory teams and subject matter experts within CZM.
• Support effective and meaningful engagement and co-management of projects with Tribes and Environmental Justice populations, drawing from guidance from the CZM Environmental Justice Strategy, the Environmental Justice Policy of The Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs, established best practices, and other technical support tools in coordination with the CHWQ Team.
• Assist with identifying funding sources for the advancement of projects identified as priorities and provide technical support for the identification, prioritization, and development of new projects.

2. Technical support for Coastal Habitat and Water Quality Program Initiatives

• Assist with proposal development and review of external funding opportunities for habitat restoration.
• Provide technical support for the Coastal Habitat and Water Quality Grants Program including participation on review team, attendance at planning meetings, and project management in coordination with the CHWQ Team as applicable.
• Provide periodic technical assistance, as needed, for the CHWQ Team’s biological monitoring initiatives, including marine introduced species monitoring, participatory science networks, and salt marsh monitoring.
• Support the development of communication products to promote understanding and provide technical assistance on issues related to coastal habitat.
• Participate in the MA Salt Marsh Working Group and other groups working to advance the science of coastal habitat and resiliency.
• Stay current on the science and practice of coastal habitat resilience.

3. Technical support for agency initiatives:

• Coordinate with CZM and Agency staff on projects or initiatives which may require technical assistance from the CHWQ Team.
• Review recommendations from standing committees and policy initiatives for integration into CHWQ Program priorities as applicable.

The preferred candidate will have strong technical skills in project management, with previous experience in coastal biological and/or physical function and process, and familiarity with planning to support coastal habitat resiliency. The preferred candidate will have excellent inter-personal and organizational skills with a strong attention to detail, and some experience or training in facilitating diverse partnerships and stakeholders to identify and advance common goals, including best practices of meaningful engagement, accessibility, and equity. The preferred candidate will have a master’s degree in marine sciences, management, or biology and some direct, hands-on experience with monitoring in the marine and/or estuarine environment. Technical expertise in salt marsh process and function is a plus. The preferred candidate will also demonstrate strong technical and problem-solving skills, be proficient in both written and oral communications, will work effectively within a team environment, and have experience with a hybrid workspace.

A cover letter and resume expressing your interest in this position must be submitted as part of the application process. These documents must be specifically attached to the requisition for which you are applying.