Good Catch Coordinator - South Carolina Aquarium

We are not looking for job seekers. We want difference makers!

Join a team of passionate individuals at Charleston's No. 1 family attraction! Every South Carolina Aquarium employee plays a crucial part in helping us care for sick and injured sea turtles, provide education programming for students, continue critical conservation work and create an exceptional visitor experience.

Inclusion, diversity, equity and accessibility are core values of our institution, and we are committed to fostering a workplace filled with active participation from diverse voices throughout all departments and leadership roles. We look forward to applications from all who qualify, and we encourage people of color, LGBTQIA+ individuals, veterans and those with disabilities to apply.

The South Carolina Aquarium is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA).

Job Summary:

This position is responsible for maintaining and growing the South Carolina Aquarium's Good Catch program. Good Catch aims to increase demand and consumption of local (US South Atlantic), sustainable seafood by educating consumers, supporting businesses that commit to sourcing and identifying local seafood options, and making local seafood accessible to all community members. This position requires coordinating Good Catch events, creating and strengthening relationships with partners, maintaining relevant databases and providing educational and technical expertise to further the Good Catch program. Additionally, this person will promote and expand the Good Catch Seafood Connection and coordinate with regulatory agencies, fisherman and aquaculture farmers, restaurateurs, seafood markets, purveyors and the general public as it relates to the program.

Essential Functions:

• Support and establish relationships with restaurant and purveyor partners, seafood producers, and members of the South Carolina food systems community.
• Maintain the Good Catch partner database.
• Connect with restaurants to:
  1. Obtain invoices and other documentation to provide assurance of local sourcing.
  2. Develop training opportunities for restaurant staff.
  3. Coordinate/organize and speak at Good Catch dinners and events.
• Connect with seafood producers and purveyors to:
  1. Stay current with information on seafood sourcing, availability and sustainability.
  2. Coordinate and engage them to speak at Good Catch dinners and events.
• Connect with the food systems community in South Carolina to improve access to local, sustainable seafood by underserved communities.
• Promote and expand the Good Catch Seafood Connection, a collaborative effort that provides free, local and sustainably harvested seafood to food insecure neighbors in the Lowcountry.
• Serve as an administrator of the Good Catch Seafood Survey citizen science project to:
  1. Engage with the user community.
  2. Work with the developer to maintain and contribute to its improvement.
• Work interdepartmentally to:
  1. Develop and maintain educational products with current information.
  2. Support marketing, PR and social media opportunities.
  3. Plan and organize program-specific events hosted at South Carolina Aquarium.
  4. Participate in community events to educate the general public about sustainable seafood.
  5. Promote 'Ask Before You Order' campaign.
• Attend events and conferences to promote the work of Good Catch
• Assist in the development of the Good Catch strategic plan.
• Adhere to the South Carolina Aquarium Policies & Procedures.

Other Duties and Responsibilities:

• Support the Aquarium mission by participating in sponsored events on a regular basis.
• Support Conservation Department initiatives as necessary.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Candidate must be self-directed and take pride in their work.
• Candidate must work collaboratively and enjoy working with people.
• Knowledge of seafood, fishing techniques, and fisheries management.
• Knowledge of the food and beverage industry and food systems.
• Ability to digest, analyze and use technical information and data.
• Ability to engage a wide variety of audiences about issues surrounding sustainable seafood.
• Confident speaker/presenter.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, including ability to write for and present to various audiences including technical experts and lay people.
• Detail-oriented with excellent organizational skills and the ability to multi-task and meet deadlines.
• Ability to work weekends and evenings, as needed.

Education and Experience Required:

• Bachelor's degree in Biology, Marine Biology or related field.
• At least 2 years of experience in science education, fisheries management or science communication.

Licenses and Certifications Required:

• Valid Driver's License

Physical Requirements:

• Requires average walking, standing, bending, stooping, crouching, sitting and computer and phone tasks required.
• Occasional ability to lift up to 50 lbs.

Working Conditions:

• Combination work-from-home and in-office environment
• Contact with customers, outside vendors and the public
• Occasional travel, late nights and weekends required

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not construed to be an exhaustive list of all job duties performed by the personnel classified.

The Aquarium is an "at-will" employer, and as such, employment with the Aquarium is not for a fixed term, or definite period and may be terminated at the will of either party, with or without cause, and without prior notice.

Diversity and Inclusion:

Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) and others who identify as nonwhite, people with disabilities, members of the LGBTQIA+ community, and those with lived experience with racism and/or misogynoir are encouraged to apply for this role.

The South Carolina Aquarium is proud to be an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status.