Research Manager, Ocean Pollution

**_Taking action for the ocean today, so we can all flourish._**

**ROLE OVERVIEW**

The Ocean Wise Pollution Research Program was established in 2014 and consists of two core initiatives: (1) Pollution Tracker: a coast-wide monitoring program of chemical contaminants and microplastics along the British Columbia Coast, and (2) Marine mammal toxicology: research investigating chemical contaminant levels and their associated molecular-level health effects in various marine mammal species.

**KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES**

**Leads a dynamic team and ensures a high-quality and productive research program by**:

- Working with team members and external collaborators to deliver novel, international-caliber scientific research with conservation impact;
- Drafting and submitting research proposals to a variety of funders, including government agencies, foundations, corporations, and donors;
- Engaging with coastal Indigenous communities to foster collaboration and participation in monitoring activities and outcomes;
- Contributes to a measurable reduction in ocean pollution by changing or influencing policies, as supported by research outcomes;
- Administering contracts, agreements, and budgets related to individual partnerships;
- Contributing to scientific publications for submission to the international scientific literature;
- Setting objectives for the Ocean Pollution group and overseeing progress towards meeting those objectives;
- Ensuring sufficient staffing through retention and recruitment;
- Performing and/or overseeing departmental administrative duties, including scheduling, payroll, approval of expenses, preparation of contracts with external vendors and service providers; and preparing, administering and monitoring annual operational budgets and monthly forecasts;
- Reviewing work performed by team members.

**Ensures safe and effective field and laboratory operations by**:

- Ensuring that all staff, volunteers, and contractors are sufficiently trained, have appropriate gear, and conduct work in compliance with Ocean Wise health & safety policies;
- Ensuring maintenance and preparation of field equipment;
- Ensuring field data sheets are completed and duplicated.

**Conducts and/or supports pollution monitoring and scientific research on marine environmental quality by**:

- Overseeing field and laboratory-based contaminants-related research and monitoring programs, specifically, the Pollution Tracker program;
- Ensuring submission of appropriate samples to designated analytical laboratories;
- Collaborating with colleagues on laboratory or field studies;
- Drafting or contributing to scientific manuscripts for submission to international journals.

**Communicates the results of research by**:

- Presenting to internal staff and external partners on research findings;
- Presenting to local and international scientific conferences;
- Conducting regular consultations with the Director of the Whales Initiative and designated colleagues, and where necessary, the Director of Communications;
- Overseeing the maintenance and further development of the Pollution Tracker website (pollutiontracker.org), the Pollution Tracker database, and inputs to internal Ocean Wise digital platforms;
- Managing data sharing with internal and external researchers and ensuring the development of efficient data sharing processes;
- Ensuring the promotion of our programs and providing information on chemical pollution through education and outreach.

**Provides management, coaching and mentoring to direct reports and fosters the development of the team by**:

- Creating an environment conducive to individual development, productivity, and achievement while ensuring open lines of communication;
- Ensuring that employees are well organized, sufficiently trained to perform their responsibilities, and provided support to develop to their potential;
- Providing direction, guidance and support to team members and motivating staff to achieve a high level of performance and productivity;
- Establishing performance objectives/goals, reviewing progress throughout the year, and completing formal performance reviews for direct reports as required;
- Recruiting, hiring, and promoting team members in accordance with standard Ocean Wise policies.

**QUALIFICATIONS**

**Education and Experience**
- PhD in toxicology or related field. MSc with relevant experience will also be considered;
- Minimum 5 years’ experience in contaminants-related research or monitoring;
- Experience processing contaminant data and handling large datasets;
- Experience writing funding proposals;
- Experience supervising direct reports;
- Experience preparing technical reports and manuscripts for publication;
- Experience engaging with Indigenous communities;
- Experience managing large budgets and ensuring funds are spent according to agreements.

**Technical Competencies**
- Excellent organizational skills and demonstrated ability to work productively and efficiently wit