Founded in 1987 by the late David Packard, MBARI is a nonprofit oceanographic research center advancing marine science and engineering to understand our changing ocean. MBARI hosts approximately 200 employees, with shore facilities that include state-of-the-art science and engineering laboratories, manufacturing and electrical fabrication shops, and dock facilities for MBARI vessels.

MBARI is seeking an Engagement Specialist for the Central and Northern California Ocean Observing System (CeNCOOS).This is a 5-year grant funded position. CeNCOOS is a Regional Association of the US Integrated Ocean Observing System (IOOS®) and works to address societal challenges to realize a safe, healthy and prosperous California coastal ocean powered by information solutions. CeNCOOS is intensifying efforts to foster resilience to ocean hazards, climate change and enhancing equitable service delivery. This is backed by a $100M national investment in infrastructure and system modernization to support delivery of data and information services.

In close collaboration with the Deputy Director, CeNCOOS Director, and diverse regional and national teams, the role will lead network engagement and the translation and dissemination of ocean information to support resilient decision making and functioning of a sustainable Blue Economy. An integral part of this role involves reaching frontline, overburdened, and underserved communities, as well as workforce development as ocean industries expand.

The successful candidate will join a diverse team of scientists, resource managers, educators, tribal federal state and local governmental representatives, non-governmental bodies and industry. Regional partners range from Pt. Conception to the Oregon border, with cooperation extending to West Coast and national levels.
The role will include goals for:
• Performing network engagement and communications activities to advance CeNCOOS’s contributions to:
          o A new national network of water level, wave and webcams in with coastal communities;
          o New ecosystem change assessment activities for place-based management, and;
• Improving Equitable Service Delivery regional and nationally within the IOOS Enterprise.

Primary responsibilities:
• Engage with CeNCOOS member organizations, ocean observing practitioners, users of ocean information, and the greater IOOS network and make connections and build relationships with new user groups;
• Maintain working relationships and communications with representatives from academic, industrial, governmental and tribal organizations and coordinate shared research efforts, and follow-up on feedback for continuous improvement;
• Develop engagement and outreach strategies to target new and existing users of information to promote CeNCOOS tools to foster an understanding of ocean data and how to access it;
• Develop and disseminate communications materials including writing newsletter, website and social media content, presentations and educational materials tailored for specific audiences;
• Join or lead (when appropriate) CeNCOOS teams and working groups to drive program developments and improvements, including setting meeting agendas and goals, including to support the ongoing development of the California Ocean Observing Systems Data Portal and products that support resilient decision making;
• Serve as liaison between the information users and information product developers, compiling, communicating with and following through with questions and issues, such as tracking the delivery of new data streams from multiple partners for waves, water level, imaging, ocean sound and biology and ecosystems variables;
• Support efforts to enhance diversity, equity and inclusion at various levels within CeNCOOS and IOOS, including the development and oversight of a new CeNCOOS Ocean Data Ambassadors program;
• Help coordinate development of educational materials, including for community colleges and other venues that reach frontline, overburdened, and underserved communities;
• Track and report progress towards coastal and climate resilience and equitable service delivery goals.

Required qualifications:
• Master of Science degree or similar experience in science communications, a marine or earth sciences, policy, or related field.
• Strong written and oral communication skills
• Must be able to work independently and productively with minimum supervision and able to manage multiple tasks.
• Desire to learn new skills as part of a team.
• Team player with excellent interpersonal skills.
• Must be service-oriented, flexible, and enjoy working with a variety of staff.

Desired qualifications:
• Program and/or project management. This includes aspects such as assisting in the coordinating of ocean observing resources, data management and modeling activity, and facilitating the dissemination of our work via communication and outreach activity.
• Educational experience, including classroom teaching, curriculum development and/or informal education can be beneficial.
• Working knowledge is desired for best practices to communicate with, and serve, frontline, overburdened, and underserved communities.