This news just made me smile a huge, smirky, I-told-you-so kind of smile. The Texans are getting on board! Yee Haw!

Job Opportunity: Atlantic Canada SeaChoice Campaign Coordinator

Sustainable Seafood Canada

* Please Note: Deadline extended until 5:00pm June 20th, 2007

Sustainable Seafood Canada is a coalition of leading Canadian conservation organizations working together via the SeaChoice program to raise public awareness of the threats to oceans and the solutions that sustainable fisheries offer. Sustainable Seafood Canada brings together broad national expertise from the: Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society - BC Chapter, David Suzuki Foundation, Ecology Action Centre, Living Oceans Society, and the Sierra Club of Canada - BC Chapter. These member organizations have a demonstrated history of engagement in market-based campaigning and policy reform for fisheries. The Ecology Action Centre (EAC) is the major east coast member of Sustainable Seafood Canada, and is Nova Scotia's oldest environmental organization. The position is part time, and will be housed at the EAC's newly eco-renovated office on Fern Lane in Halifax.

The Atlantic SeaChoice Campaign Coordinator will report to and take direction from the Sustainable Seafood Canada Steering Committee (which includes representatives from the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society, David Suzuki Foundation, Ecology Action Centre, Living Oceans Society and Sierra Club of Canada - BC Chapter) and specifically from the Marine Conservation Coordinator at the Ecology Action Centre. Working with and reporting to the Steering Committee, the Atlantic coordinator will take a lead role in coordinating SeaChoice program activities, outreach and public relations on Canada's east coast,

The SeaChoice program includes research on the status of Canadian fisheries, public education, industry outreach, strategic media and website based communications, the development of fisheries policy reform initiatives, as well as cooperation with other sustainable seafood initiatives and organizations that are working on sustainable fisheries policy reform.

Responsibilities:
Coordination:
-Coordinate all logistics related to implementation of the Atlantic Seachoice program.
Liaise with the SeaChoice coordinator on the west coast.
Serve as lead contact for the program on the east coast of Canada
and respond to inquiries from the media and public.
Provide oversight of research projects undertaken by Seachoice member
organization staff and/or contractors on fisheries, chain of custody
research and stock assessments.
Maintain active, functional working relationships with all steering
committee representatives and their organization's staff that are assigned
to work on specific Seachoice projects and activities,
particularly the Marine Issues Committee of the Ecology Action
Centre, CPAWS NS and CPAWS NL.
Regularly provide reports on emerging issues and news to the steering
committee.



Program Development:
Work with SeaChoice coordinator to facilitate the creation of
outreach products for the SeaChoice program (e.g. promotional
materials, novel outreach tools, website content etc.)
Work with outside contractors for necessary projects: e.g.
website, species assessments
Develop relationships and liaise with partners, including seafood
retailers, suppliers, restaurants and fisherman across Canada
Develop funding opportunities for SeaChoice and participate in
writing grant applications.
Conduct any research work as directed by the steering committee.
Build an enhanced level of outreach and education to the public
and seafood industry.
Organize outreach and education initiatives and events, including
event coordination and volunteer participation.
Increase public awareness of SeaChoice and sustainable seafood by
seeking out media opportunities to promote the program.
Work with the SeaChoice coordinator to maintain, update and
continue the development of the Seachoice Website and the online
Loaves and Fishes discussion forum on local, sustainable food in
Nova Scotia (www.ecologyaction.ca/loavesfishes).
Liase with the Food Security Network, EAC's Food Action
Committee, SlowFood NS and other relevant groups in Atlantic
Canada to ensure that sustainable fisheries are included in local
food discussions.



Opportunities:
To work with five of the major marine non-governmental organizations in
Canada
To develop coordination skills across a national range of stakeholders in
NGO's, government, industry and the public sector
To develop a broad understanding of fisheries issues and policy in Canada
To play a pivotal role in the implementation and growth of the first
national sustainable seafood program



Qualifications
Primary
Interest and understanding of environmental and marine conservation
issues (an undergraduate degree is mandatory and a graduate degree is
preferred.
Proficient with MS Office Suite: Outlook, PowerPoint, Word, Excel
Flexible and adaptable - willing to be open to an evolving work plan.
Strong attention to detail
Strong writing skills
Strong interpersonal and campaign skills
Excellent time management skills
Experience in:
outreach, education and communications
coordinating events and groups
marketing - an asset, but not required


Secondary
Knowledge of fisheries issues in Canada (particularly east
coast, Atlantic)
and internationally, knowledge of scientific fisheries literature
Knowledge of environmental certification (e.g. FSC, MSC etc.).
Some familiarity with systems that assess the status of natural
populations or their suitability for harvest (e.g.
COSEWIC, IUCN Red listing, SARA, CITES, MSC)
Some experience conducting and critiquing scientific and social
research
Ability to synthesize and distill large amounts of detailed information
over a broad range of species
Willingness to travel as necessary



Cover letter and resume can be sent to Susanna Fuller at marine@ecologyaction.ca

Website: www.seachoice.org

Wage/Salary: $17.00/hr

Hours per week: 20 hrs/week

Closing date: June 15th, 2007

Term: July 1, 2007 - December 30, 2007 with possibility for extension

The International Ocean Institute will be holding its third annual Elisabeth Mann Borgese Ocean Lecture on 8th June to commemorate and celebrate the life and work of Professor Mann
Borgese. Dr Kathleen Conlan, Research Scientist with the Canadian Museum of Nature in
Ottawa, will give an illustrated presentation on Under the Polar Ice: Diversity,
Disturbance and Climate Change at 7.00 p.m. in Room 105 of the Weldon Law Building,
Dalhousie University, 6061 University Avenue. A reception will follow, and all are
welcome to attend.