Washington Maritime Blue is a non-profit, strategic alliance formed to accelerate innovation and sustainability in support of an inclusive blue economy.
Quiet Sound
Maritime Blue hosts the Quiet Sound Program, a collaborative program to reduce the impacts to Southern Resident killer whales from large commercial vessels. The goal of the Quiet Sound program is to better understand and reduce the cumulative effects of acoustic and physical disturbances from large commercial vessels on Southern Resident Orcas throughout their range in Washington State. The program is staffed by Maritime Blue employees, guided by a Leadership Committee representing major stakeholders in large commercial shipping, tribes, state and federal agencies, and NGOs, and supported by an Advisory Group.
Position Description
The Washington Maritime Blue Quiet Sound Program Manager will work with the Quiet Sound Program Director to advance the development and implementation of Quiet Sound. This role will be responsible for supporting the Leadership Committee members and Advisory Group in the development and project management of key projects through a collaborative process. The Program Manager will support public and private fundraising efforts, communications, contracting, research and reporting in coordination with project partners and the Maritime Blue team. This position will report to the Quiet Sound Program Director.
The type of projects this Program Manager will administer include our work in:
- Voluntary operational measures for commercial vessels, such as the Admiralty Inlet Slowdown
- Whale detection and alerts to commercial mariners, including visual, acoustic, thermal imaging detection streams
Duty areas:
Quiet Sound projects:
- Lead the prep, implementation, and follow-up for the voluntary vessel slowdown program by managing daily logistics, delegating tasks, coordinating with project partners/stakeholders, etc.
- Lead the on-going efforts to improve the Whale Report Alert System by managing daily logistics, delegating tasks, coordinating with project partners/stakeholders, etc.
- Facilitate partner/stakeholder meetings relating to project implementation
- Support the Program Director in grant management and reporting relating to specific projects
- Coordinate work with subcontractors for Quiet Sound projects
- Review scientific and technical resources and translate findings into recommendations for the Quiet Sound Director and Leadership Committee
- Communicate with many different kinds of stakeholders and program partners which include mariners, maritime organizations, researchers, NGOs, governments, ports, etc.
Quiet Sound administration:
- Support the Quiet Sound Program Director in managing the Quiet Sound Leadership Committee and Advisory Group through preparing for meetings, facilitating, and coordinating meeting follow-up
- Support the fundraising efforts for Quiet Sound by assisting in applying for grants, foundation outreach, and pursuing state/federal funding opportunities
- Support the Quiet Sound Program Director in strategic planning and budget management for the overall program
- Support Quiet Sound external communications through public presentations and developing communications materials such as newsletters, website updates, one-pagers, and social media posts in coordination with Quiet Sound team and Maritime Blue communications team
- Represent Quiet Sound in external committees and work groups, both local and transboundary groups with Canada
Maritime Blue operations:
- Support Maritime Blue operations by attending internal meetings and participating in a staff committee, student mentorship, member events
Qualifications
This is an opportunity for an individual with excellent project management experience to make a significant impact for the benefit of endangered cetaceans. The successful candidate will lead projects and support programs, work collaboratively with a large and diverse group of members, partners, and stakeholders. Specific background and experience preferred include:
- Subject matter expertise in whales, commercial maritime, and/or underwater noise is great—but also great to show us how you have approached becoming a subject matter expert in another topic in a previous professional role
- Experience in project management preferably in the maritime, ocean, and/or environmental sectors
- Highly organized; a driving force who manages toward clarity and solutions
- Strong project management skills managing complex, multifaceted projects resulting in measurable successes and program growth
- Excellent communication skills, able to communicate complex scientific information to various audiences
- Excellent writing skills
- Experience in working collaboratively with internal and external teams to move a project forward
- Grant writing experience and knowledge
- A successful track record in managing a project budget as part of a broader program
- A team player with a flexible and creative approach
- Professional experience with systems and tools like Microsoft Office, Google Workspace, Trello, Keela and Monday
- Personal qualities of integrity, credibility, and a commitment to Washington Maritime Blue’s mission and focus on the values of diversity, equity and inclusion
You will feel prepared to take on this role if you have experience in:
- Working independently while maintaining effective working relationships with co-workers, supervisors, customers, and the public
- Engaging multi-stakeholder/partner groups that are mission driven to successfully create and implement strategic and operational plans, deliver excellence in project development and planning
- Working effectively with colleagues and partners from the full range of differences reflected in our community, including but not limited to ability status, age, economic/social class, English proficiency, race/ethnicity, family status, gender identity and expression, national origin/citizenship status, religion/spiritual expression, and sexual orientation
Work Environment
Washington Maritime Blue is headquartered in Seattle, WA with partners, stakeholders, projects and sites across the state of Washington. The Quiet Sound team supports the options of in-person or remote work with the expectation that staff can meet regularly in person (at least once/week at the Seattle office).
- Office Environment with occasional project site visits (exposure to computer screens)
- Occasional, optional opportunities to go on boats and ships for a day trip related to project work (about 3x year)
- Must be able to travel domestically. International travel may be an option
- Noise level is usually moderate
- Must be able to comply with organizational vaccination requirement while in office (and prepared to comply with mask mandates in the future if needed)
Compensation: $72,100 - $90,000 plus comprehensive benefits
Closing Date: Open until filled with Priority Deadline of May 27, 2024
