Conservation Grant Manager

POSITION OVERVIEW:

We are seeking a full-time Conservation Grant Manager to join the Department of Conservation and Policy. The Department of Conservation and Policy conducts applied research on the species and habitats of Long Island Sound and supports the development of policy that will improve the health and resiliency of marine and coastal systems. This position will assist the department with the management of the department’s grant portfolio, financial records, and scientific datasets.

The ideal candidate will be able to organize and analyze multiple data types, be adept at MS Excel, and be interested in joining the team out in the field on occasion for research project execution. The typical work schedule will be Monday through Friday from 9am – 5pm, but weekend, early morning, and evening work will be required occasionally with advance notice. The position is expected to be comprised of ~95% grants/data management, and ~5% field research in support of the department.

This position is based in Norwalk, CT, but a hybrid work schedule is possible.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Assist Director with development and submission of grant applications including preparation of budgets, proposal narratives, and all supporting documents. Manage awarded grants (financial management, compliance, preparation of sub-award agreements, reporting) and maintain calendar of grant proposal and reporting deadlines
• Partner with the Advancement Team, specifically the Senior Grant Manager, and the Finance Team on proposal submission and grant tracking and reporting
• Assist Director with management of departmental budget, including reconciliation of expenses across both grant-funded and not grant-funded accounts, as well as documentation of grant-required matching funds
• Assist with scientific data entry and quality control
• Manage scientific datasets and ensure all data are appropriately stored, backed up, and shared
• Support Director and other staff on overall program implementation as needed (including participating in field research when needed)

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree required in Business Administration, Accounting, Finance, Applied Mathematics, Data Science, or related field (field of study is less important than skill set)
• Excellent computer competency, including Microsoft Office (Excel)
• Experience managing complex budgets
• Experience in project management: managing data, timelines, and deliverables to both internal and external parties
• Detail-oriented and excellent organizational skills required
• Must be comfortable occasionally working outside in all weather conditions, including on boats
• Must be able to work collaboratively, work independently, and multi-task
• Must be able to appropriately handle confidential information
• Data analysis and statistics skills (especially in R) would be a plus
• Familiarity with a general ledger and financial reporting would also be valuable

This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk is an equal opportunity employer with a commitment to diversity. All individuals, regardless of personal characteristics, are encouraged to apply.

ABOUT THE MARITIME AQUARIUM:

The mission of The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk is to inspire people of all ages to appreciate and protect the Long Island Sound, its ecosystem, and the global environment, through living exhibits, marine science, and environmental education. The second largest family attraction in Connecticut, and 50 miles from New York City, the Aquarium hosts nearly 512,000 guests annually and about 54,000 students and children participate annually in a diverse array of educational programs in and out of the classroom, along the shoreline, and on the water. The Aquarium is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums and is a member of the Aquarium Conservation Partnership. Its annual operating budget is approximately $13 million, consisting of about $10 million in earned income, with the remaining funds derived primarily from private support and government sources. The strength of the Aquarium is its 80+ full-time staff, and part-time and seasonal staff ranging from 30 to 80 additional employees, in addition to nearly 200 volunteers. The Aquarium is home to ~8,000 animals, consisting of 285 species in 75 exhibits, featuring touch tanks for horseshoe crabs, rays, sharks and jellies. The Aquarium engages in a wide range of research and conservation projects focused on Long Island Sound – an Estuary of National Significance – and its ecosystem. These projects include field-based research projects, as well as collaborative community-science projects in conjunction with numerous academic, non-profit and governmental partners. The Aquarium also actively supports the development of public policies that improve stewardship of Long Island Sound and the ocean. This includes testifying before the Connecticut General Assembly on policies affecting the Long Island Sound ecosystem, and working with city, state, and federal officials and lawmakers on environmental initiatives that are local, national and global in scope.