Our research crews brave all types of weather and environmental conditions to capture and band birds and bats. The crew here are capturing sea ducks.

Now hiring: Biodiversity Research Program Director/Interim Director of Science Operations

Overview: The overall intent of the Biodiversity Research Program Director/Interim Director of Science Operations is to expand BRI’s growth into national and international spaces (e.g., participate with the Convention on Biological Diversity – CBD) and coordinate current working Offshore Wind research teams. The Biodiversity Research Program Director will play an integral role in helping steer strategic growth and high-level coordination of relevant research and policy interests. The Interim Director of Science Operations position will provide high level integration with BRI’s Executive Committee and the Offshore Wind (OSW) teams in coordination with the Applied Ecology for Renewable Energy (AERE) Director/Offshore Wind Science Director. This position will also assist the Executive Director/Chief Scientist, with effective management, communication and strategic collaborative partnerships.

The successful candidate must possess a genuine interest in supporting BRI’s mission, proven experience in managing and directing environmental research programs, well-honed leadership and interpersonal skills, and a strong desire to be part of a dynamic and purpose-driven work environment. Additionally, the candidate should possess the training and experience to lead a multidisciplinary team in the development of scientific discovery and innovation in the understanding of toxicology, renewable energy, biodiversity, carbon projects and other issue-driven topics.

Key Responsibilities:
Biodiversity Research Program Director

• Work with the Executive Director/Chief Scientist to network, organize scientific/policy panels, present scientific findings, develop grant proposals to the Global Environmental Facility, and lead international projects with the United Nations Environment Programme, the Secretariat’s Office of the Minamata Convention, the Convention on Biological Diversity and the IUCN;
• Assist or oversee biodiversity surveys and related research as needed with associated soil carbon projects;
• Work with scientists who are part of BRI’s Center for Conservation and Climate Change and BRI’s Quantitative Wildlife Ecology and Research Lab (QWERL) to develop high quality nature credits (aka, biodiversity credits) that follow the Verra framework that was introduced at the CBD Conference of Parties meeting that can be eventually sold in the marketplace;
• Work with BRI’s AERE, Center for Research on Offshore Wind Energy (CROWE), and the Net Positives Research Program to navigate the needs for developing compensatory fund framework and assist in working with the federal government (e.g., U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and Bureau of Ocean Energy and Management);
• Assist with projects that include federally threatened and endangered species research, monitoring, or management (e.g., Red Knot, Piping Plover, Roseate Tern);
• Represent BRI and attend relevant international conferences held by the CBD and IUCN and other relevant international bodies;
• Support the Center for Conservation and Climate Change carbon projects in Africa (e.g., Kenya, Tanzania and Zambia) and elsewhere;
• Lead, direct, contribute and coordinate peer-reviewed scientific publications.

Interim Director of Science Operations

• Meet and work regularly with the AERE Director related to strategic planning and growth for overall OSW efforts. This team will overlap with the Chief Scientist to harmonize with the broader organizational research interests.
• Ensure that the Offshore Wind teams (i.e., CROWE, QWERL, and AERE) are coordinated with all other areas of BRI including: Administrative, Communication, Data and Analysis, and Field Teams;
• Develop individual development plans for direct staff that facilitate professional development, including potential training, conferences, and personal milestones;
• Work with the Communications Team to relay scientific findings to the United Nations and related international agencies and federal governmental decision-makers and landscape managers;
• Work with the Executive Director/Chief Scientist on new initiatives and networking, serving as an advisory liaison with federal agencies;
• Actively participate in field research when relevant or of interest.

Management/Administration

• Serve as a supervisor for 3-4 senior scientific staff with CROWE and QWERL;
• Attend regular staff meetings with CROWE and QWERL and other Centers, Research Programs and Labs when relevant;
• Work with the Executive Director and Deputy Director to manage relevant project budgets;
• Facilitate and maintain communication between BRI and external science stakeholders;
• All other duties as directed or assigned by the Executive Director.

Knowledge, Skills, and Experience Required

The successful candidate will have a PhD in a relevant scientific field and should be a highly collaborative leader with a demonstrated standing in the scientific community. The position requires the ability to lead and manage projects focused on growing the Biodiversity Research Program and help develop biodiversity-related decision support tools. Other essential abilities include:

• Maintain an expert and current knowledge base of biodiversity and conservation and policy issues;
• Provide technical support for biodiversity development projects, including field designs and report writing;
• Coordinate (i.e., lead or manage) multidisciplinary collaborative working groups to achieve research or policy goals;
• Write and publish papers in scientific journals;
• Travel to domestic and international meetings to communicate project results;
• Work with a collaborative team of colleagues to achieve project objectives;
• Ability to work a flexible schedule, including occasional weekend work or overnight travel, especially for international settings;

This position does not require expertise in OSW but serves with an overarching supervisory role. Specifically, this position helps foster collaboration, scientific synergies and cooperation among OSW staff with CROWE and QWERL. Further, this position assists in implementing new initiatives and participates in program operations, including planning, evaluation and administrative supervision.

Work Schedule and Location: This is a full-time salaried position based at BRI’s Portland, Maine office. Recognizing that wildlife work often requires intensive field seasons, BRI is dedicated to an office culture that is relaxed and supportive of both families and the individual needs of our staff. BRI supports helping professionals in their careers to develop their pathway and providing inclusion, diversity, equality, and acceptance. Field work supervision is envisioned for international projects but field stints longer than two weeks will be rare.

Compensation: BRI is committed to salary equity and our goal is to meet federal Grade-Step (GS) levels that align with years of education and experience (refer to the GS pay scale as an approximate guide for the Boston Region with a 10-15% lowered adjustment for Portland, Maine. BRI offers a fully paid employee health insurance premium, optional dependent coverage, dental, LTD, life insurance, 401k with match, and generous paid PTO and holidays. Costs associated with work travel are reimbursed. Ultimately, BRI’s benefits package, workplace flexibility, international travel options, professional development opportunities, and ability for vertical movement within the organization creates a supportive work environment and opportunities for professional and personal growth. BRI is a member of the United Nations Global Compact and as such meets DEI interests in the US.

To Apply: Please send a cover letter and CV to jobs@briwildlife.org , or by U.S. mail addressed to: Biodiversity Resource Institute, Attn: Human Resources (MPFC), 276 Canco Rd., Portland, ME 04103, 207.839.7600.

All qualified applicants receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or veteran status.

Now hiring: Climate Change Finance Manager

Overview: Biodiversity Research Institute (BRI) seeks a Climate Change Finance Manager who will collaborate and lead financial planning and analysis to support the development of climate change related carbon projects. Dedicated to assessing emerging threats to wildlife and ecosystems through collaborative research, BRI uses scientific findings to advance environmental awareness and inform decision-makers.

The Climate Change Finance Manager will oversee all the financial and accounting responsibilities for the Carbon/Climate Change consultancies at BRI, including overseeing the accounting relationships and foreign exchange tracking with foreign partner entities. As the financial needs of carbon projects involve specialized work, this position will operate within the Center for Conservation and Climate Change, but work closely with BRI leadership and finance teams. In addition, this position will liaise with the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of the partner client, CarbonSolve, to provide useful financial modeling, forecasts, analysis and reporting of project-specific and enterprise-wide financial outcomes. It is intended that this position be based at our BRI headquarters in Portland, ME.

Key Responsibilities:

• Modeling: Maintain existing and develop new complex business models.
• Forecasting: Develop and update rolling 12-month financial forecast.
• Budgeting: Develop and manage the annual and bi-monthly budget process, including variance analysis and reporting.
• Cash Flow Management: Monitor cash flow and prepare cash flow forecasts to support operational needs. Manage cash transfers between domestic and foreign accounts.
• Controls: Help establish and maintain accounting controls and procedures.
• Reporting: Support capacity building with foreign partners to produce high quality monthly and quarterly reporting and budgeting processes.
• Accounting Oversight: Oversee accounting in foreign offices to ensure timely and accurate reporting.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field; CPA or MBA a plus;
• 5+ years of experience in accounting or finance, with a focus on startup or high-growth environments;
• Strong knowledge of GAAP and financial regulations;
• Proven experience with financial modeling, forecasting, and budgeting;
• High level of competency with Microsoft Excel;
• Ability to consolidate financials from multiple entities and currencies;
• Experience with Xero accounting software a plus;
• Excellent analytical skills and attention to detail;
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills; and,
• International experience, particularly in Africa, is a plus.

Why Join Us?

• Be part of a passionate team working on projects with global reach, dedicated to improving the lives of individuals and local communities in Africa and other regions.
• Be part of supporting dynamic nature-based startup companies essential for developing a growing voluntary carbon market.
• Enjoy opportunities for growth and professional development in a growing non-profit with strong intersection with for-profit businesses

Compensation: BRI is committed to salary equity. We strive to meet federal Grade-Step (GS) levels that align with education and experience. BRI offers a fully paid employee health insurance premium, optional dependent coverage, dental, LTD, life insurance, 401k with match, and generous PTO and paid holidays. Costs associated with work travel are reimbursed. Ultimately, BRI’s benefits package, workplace flexibility, international travel options, professional development opportunities, and ability for vertical movement within the organization create an unparalleled workplace culture. BRI is a member of the United Nations Global Compact and as such meets Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion interests in the US.

To Apply: Please send a cover letter, CV, and three references to jobs@briwildlife.org with subject “Finance Manager”, or by U.S. mail addressed to: Biodiversity Resource Institute, Attn: “Finance Manager”, 276 Canco Rd., Portland, ME 04103, 207.839.7600.

All qualified applicants receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or veteran status.

Now hiring: Senior Environmental Scientists for NRDA

Overview: The Biodiversity Research Institute (BRI), a non-profit organization based in Portland, ME, seeks broadly trained environmental scientists to join our natural resource damage assessment (NRDA) consulting team. BRI’s NRDA consultants assist natural resource trustees (federal, state, and tribal environmental agencies) with the assessment of the impacts of hazardous substances and oil on natural resources, including flora, fauna, and water resources in terrestrial, aquatic, and maritime habitats. The goal is to ensure that the parties responsible for hazardous substance releases and oil discharges compensate the public for causing harm to natural resources, with the compensation used to restore those resources.

BRI’s NRDA consulting team has openings for multiple scientists covering multiple disciplines. Our team requires a broad range of expertise, including environmental chemistry, hydrology, hydrogeology, ecotoxicology, terrestrial and aquatic ecology, and restoration ecology. Successful candidates must demonstrate proficiency across multiple disciplines and be highly skilled at data analysis and synthesis, as well as written and oral presentation of the data. Our work requires the ability to present complicated science to lay audiences (attorneys, judges, and the public) in a manner that is both comprehensive and understandable.

NRDA scientists at BRI may work in the Portland office, telecommute, or be hybrid. Our work environment provides each employee with a high level of independence no matter the location. In exchange we demand a high level of performance. The NRDA team has dedicated workers who understand the level of effort required to perform the job with excellence and who at times work odd or extended hours to ensure that work is completed in a timely manner.

Responsibilities may include:

• Participation in and oversight of field data collection
• Database development and management
• Data analysis, statistics, and graphical presentation
• Comprehensive literature review and data synthesis
• Proposal and report writing
• Manuscript writing for submission to peer-reviewed scientific journals
• PowerPoint creation and presentation
• Occasional travel for field work or meetings
• Collaboration with a team of colleagues to achieve project objectives, with the flexibility to be either a team lead or supporting staff
• Other duties as directed or assigned.

Preferred Qualifications and Experience:

Successful candidates must be independently motivated, detail-oriented, methodical, highly organized, strong communicators, and collaborative team members. Preferred qualifications include:

• A Masters or Ph.D. in environmental chemistry, earth science, hydrology, hydrogeology, ecotoxicology, ecology, or related field, with multiple years of professional experience
• Proficiency in data handling and analysis, including experience with R, Python, SQL, ArcGIS, GraphPad Prism, Excel, and/or other software
• Experience developing, calibrating, and validating hydrological and/or biological contaminant transport/uptake/trophic transfer models
• Strong expertise with data visualization and mapping for scientific reports and publications
• Excellent technical writing and communication skills, including experience writing reports for lay audiences and manuscripts for peer-reviewed publications
• Strong work ethic and ability to effectively prioritize and address needs as they arise
• Ability to travel (about 10% of time)
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively.

Additional Desired Qualifications:

• Experience working for trustees on NRDA cases
• Familiarity with CERCLA, OPA, RCRA, and other environmental regulations
• Applied expertise in assessing the fate, transport, exposure, and adverse effects of contaminants released into the environment
• Demonstrated experience working with the highest levels of standard-of-care and quality assurance/quality control (QA/QC)
• Adeptness at facilitating working groups and other collaborative efforts focused on coordinating individuals to set and achieve goals
• Ability to work a flexible schedule, including occasional work and/or travel outside of normal business hours
• Experience working with a team of telecommuters
• 24- or 40-hour HAZWOPER certification.

Compensation: BRI is committed to salary equity. At a minimum, we strive to meet federal Grade-Step (GS) levels that align with education and experience. BRI offers a fully paid employee health insurance premium, optional dependent coverage, dental, LTD, life insurance, 401k with match, and generous PTO and paid holidays. Costs associated with work travel are reimbursed. Ultimately, BRI’s benefits package, workplace flexibility, professional development opportunities, and ability for vertical movement within the organization create an unparalleled workplace culture. BRI is a member of the United Nations Global Compact and as such meets Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) interests in the US.

To Apply: Send a cover letter, CV, and three references via email to jobs@briwildlife.org with the subject “NRDA Scientist”; or by U.S. mail addressed to: Biodiversity Resource Institute, Attn: NRDA Scientist, 276 Canco Rd., Portland, ME 04103

All qualified applicants receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or veteran status.