Plastic-Free Sea Coordinator

Do you have a passion for the ocean?

Do you like uniting and empowering people to solve problems?

Are you concerned about plastic waste and pollution?

Do you want to use your skills to ensure a more sustainable world with less plastic?

General Job Description

The Plastic-Free Sea Coordinator position is critical to the success of Clean Ocean Action’s mission. The Coordinator is responsible for advancing programs focused on reducing marine litter and connecting programs to plastics pollution, including micro-plastics, clean water, and climate change issues. The Coordinator works at the local, regional and state levels specializing in support of coastal communities and environmental programs to promote marine debris and litter pollution reduction through policies, actions, and laws. A signature program among these is the Beach Sweeps program and related community engagement and resource development. The position is in consultation and coordination with COA’s Executive Director and Water Quality Research Director.

Specific Responsibilities: Coordinate all aspects of multi-level marine debris reduction and research programs.

A. Lead all Beach Sweeps and related programs.

1. Recruit, train, coordinate and maintain volunteers, including Beach Captains, Junior Beach Captains, and other community science volunteers.
2. Work and build connections with municipalities (i.e., mayors, clerks, departments of public works) through Beach Sweeps and engage them in broader waste reduction efforts.
3. Manage and ensure the integrity of Beach Sweeps data by adhering to QA/QC protocols.
4. Coordinate press events and represent COA in the media related to the Beach Sweeps and plastic reduction initiatives.
5. Prepare Sponsorship Packages and ensure sponsor needs are met.
6. Produce the annual Beach Sweeps Report, and other materials as needed.
7. Ensure the Beach Sweeps Planning Timeline Template is updated annually.

B. Lead and coordinate the Corporate Beach Sweeps program.

1. Coordinate all aspects of the summer-focused Corporate Beach Sweeps from recruitment to planning, to implementation to wrap up, and production and distribution of Annual Final report.

C. Work with Water Quality Research Director to implement additional community science programs to provide evidence-based data to reduce sources of litter pollution, including but not limited to:

1. Delaware River Litter Reduction project: engage community groups, especially in the Lower Delaware River Watershed, including Environmental Justice (EJ) communities, and seek opportunities to link to litter reduction programs.
2. Macro-micro litter assessment programs.

Additional Responsibilities:

1. Assist in the coordination and implementation of COA policy initiatives and campaigns to improve awareness and reduction of plastic pollution and other litter sources.
2. Establish and/or maintain effective working relationships with NJ Clean Communities Coordinators and its Executive Director, as well as other organizations working on waste reduction initiatives.
3. Collaborate with the Microplastics Work Group and facilitate a national network of scientists, policy makers and organizations.
4. Support COA’s leadership roles on state and federal policy committees, including the federal Marine Debris Action Plan and the NJ Plastic Advisory Council.
5. Identify and incorporate Diversity Equity, and Inclusion principles in all programs.

Planning, management, organization, and coordination of programs listed above include community cohesion and collaboration, logistics, follow-up, contact maintenance, trainings, materials development, new program development, writing, correspondence, media interviews and materials, and more.

Program Expectations

Annual goals and expectations will be mutually developed. Once the above programs are understood, it is expected that they will grow, expand and be enhanced to further help reduce pollution.

COA is committed to providing an environment of mutual respect where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants and staff members 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.

Skills & Qualifications for Success:

A. Education & Experience

• Degree or 3+ years of experience in marine and/or environmental studies/science, or related field
• Superior communication abilities, including strong mastery of the English language and excellent editing and proofing skills.
• Powerful story of passion for the ocean and commitment to environmental advocacy

B. Technical Skills

• PC, Microsoft Suite (Access, Excel, Word, Outlook), Google Suite proficiency
• Data management experience, especially in Microsoft Access
• Bilingual skills, a plus

C. Other Skills

• Superior time management skills
• Intern management skills (college level)
• Proven volunteer recruitment, training, motivation and retention
• Exceptional organizing skills and passion for and attention to detail
• Creative thinker and active learner & listener
• Excellent interpersonal skills with ability to effectively communicate with different audiences
• Ability to work collaboratively
• Environmentally focused result-oriented, professional, resourceful, flexible, and highly responsible

Time, Requirements, & Compensation:

• full-time, salaried position located in-person at the COA office in Long Branch, NJ
• meetings/events as scheduled, including evenings and weekends at times (compensation/flexibility time is available)
• salary competitive and commensurate with experience and proven success
• reliable vehicle and valid driver’s license; travel is required to program sites, meetings, and events
• benefits include health and dental insurance coverage offered on a cost-sharing basis, paid holidays and Paid Days Off (PDO), employer paid professional workshops and training.

Application Instructions:

The position is currently open. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled. Please send cover letter (including your experience with Adobe products), CV, three references with affiliations, one writing sample, and salary expectations to Office@CleanOceanAction.org with “Plastic Free Sea Coordinator_Your Name” in the subject line.