Long Island Sound Associate Soundkeeper

WHO WE ARE:  

Save the Sound leads environmental action in your region. We fight climate change and build resilient communities, save endangered lands, protect the Sound, and restore its rivers. We do this in many ways, from legislative advocacy and legal action to engineering, environmental monitoring, and hands- on volunteer efforts. For more than 50 years we’ve been ensuring people can enjoy the healthy, clean, and thriving environment they deserve—today and for generations to come. 

Learn more about our mission and work at www.savethesound.org.    

THE POSITION: 

The Save the Sound organization is looking to expand its Soundkeeper team, a group who share a deep love and respect for the Sound and its rivers, aquatic habitats, and wildlife, and the communities that surround it. This role involves a mix of fieldwork and environmental advocacy aimed at preserving Long Island Sound, its rivers, and surrounding communities. The position requires a hands-on, outdoorsy individual who enjoys boating, science, and community engagement. Tasks include patrolling the coastline from Plum Island to the East River, identifying pollution sources, monitoring aquatic habitats, and advocating for environmental policies. Fieldwork may involve boat patrols, kayak launches, and river walks.  

The Associate Soundkeeper position is full-time, reporting to the Long Island Soundkeeper. Based in Larchmont, NY, this role will focus on the western Long Island Sound area but may travel to other locations around the Sound region as necessary. The Western Sound runs from Bridgeport, CT to Port Jeff, NY and down to Queens, the Bronx and back up through Westchester County. This position offers the opportunity to make a tangible impact on the health of the Sound through collaboration with various teams focused on water quality, legal work, and ecological restoration. This job is suited for someone who thrives in dynamic, varied work environments and enjoys working outside rather than in a traditional 9-5 office setting. 

ESSENTIAL TASKS & RESPONSIBILITIES: 

• Data Collection: Using scientific equipment such as handheld GPS units, water quality meters, bacteria sample bottles and data loggers

• Research: Conduct online research of water pollution incidents, history and impacts

• Program Development: Tabling events such as boat shows, oyster festivals and National Estuary Day

• Outreach/Education: Support the Soundkeeper in scheduling and preparing for evening presentations on a variety of water quality and fishery topics to yacht clubs, conservation groups, community programs and schools.

• Policy/Advocacy: Supporting the Soundkeeper and the NY policy team (lead by the VP of Water Protection) with NYS legislation, county and local advocacy as well as community engagement.

• Internship Mentoring: This position will assist with providing well-rounded experience for 1-2 Soundkeeper interns

• Vessel maintenance: Cleaning, small repairs, equipment maintenance

• Assessment and Retrieval of Abandoned Lobster Pots - Abandoned pot retrieval is a collaboration with CTDEEP Marine Fisheries, Cornell Cooperative Extension Suffolk County, NY, the Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk and Project Oceanography who may be contracting commercial vessels to retrieve pots this season depending on grant funding.  The vessel will support these efforts in Bridgeport and may include scuba diving to assist with the project.

• Eel Grass Restoration – We are involved with eel grass monitoring, research and restoration.  We will assist the EPA in monitoring eel grass meadows for flowering and seeding times, seed collection, gluing seeds to clams and outplacing clams on permitted experimental restoration sites. Scientific diving certification is a plus.

• We periodically assist academic researchers with projects by providing a sampling platform.

• The Soundkeeper regularly attends conferences and onshore meetings with legislators, the press and the Waterkeeper Alliance so the applicant must be able to pilot the boat independently with the Soundkeeper Intern and be willing to work with other Save the Sound Programs as needed.

• The other programs include a Community Science Bacteria Monitoring effort in the Western Sound, the Unified Water Study which coordinates 23 citizen science groups across 40 bays of Long Island Sound, beach clean-ups and habitat restoration projects which include stream and culvert assessments and wetland plantings.

• We are developing an aerial drone thermal imaging and mapping program to identify potential sources of bacteria entering along the coastline.  ArcGIS skills are highly desired for this application though not required.

• Maintaining positive and productive working relationships with all Save the Sound staff members, including providing and receiving constructive feedback;

• Participating in building productive relationships with Save the Sound's members, external partners, policy makers, and the general public;

• Completing all administrative work on time, such as timesheets, purchase orders, project reports, and planning documents.

QUALIFICATIONS:  

The applicant must have a CT or NY safe boating certificate and be able to pilot vessels up to a 25’ Parker 2530 

We are looking for a highly motivated and independent individual with: 

• Marine Science background

• Extensive boating experience - boating safety certificate and/or Coast Guard approved certificate

• Ability to work independently and prioritize daily tasks to meet program goals

• Strong communications skills

• Ability to work with and coordinate with a variety of people in a group setting

• Excellent organizational skills, experience working with data and Microsoft Excel

• Passion for protecting and restoring water quality and familiarity with Long Island Sound

• Ability to use ArcMap

TERMS & COMPENSATION: 

This is an at-will full-time, salaried, exempt position with a salary range of $58,000 - $60,000 annually commensurate with skills and experience. Our comprehensive benefits package includes company sponsored health insurance, dental and vision insurance, 403(b) with company match after 1 year, life and long-term disability insurance, a generous time off package and opportunities for professional development. 

A 40-hour work week is required but the schedule is flexible dependent upon tasks and needs of the work.  

Additional Details Common to All Positions  

Save the Sound’s Commitment to Equity and Diversity  

Save the Sound is an equal opportunity employer. We prohibit discrimination based on age, color, disability, marital or parental status, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status, or any other legally protected status in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws. 

  

Our organizational leadership and staff are working to deepen Save the Sound’s diversity, equity, and inclusion. We seek to attract a more diverse applicant pool, and to add and retain more outstanding Black, Indigenous, and People of Color to all levels of our team. We work in diverse communities and landscapes and are actively working to increase our focus on driving environmental justice and equitable outcomes through our work.  

Hybrid Work Arrangements  

Save the Sound currently has a hybrid in-office/remote work arrangement. Staff are expected to be in either of our offices, at least 2 days per week (unless their position requires otherwise). Details of this arrangement are determined upon hire and employees must notify their manager of any necessary changes. It is at the manager’s discretion to amend the agreed to work arrangement dependent upon business needs, work performance or other factors.  

TO APPLY: 

Interested candidates should submit a resume, cover letter, list of references and proof of a CT OR NY safe boating certificate via BambooHR. Applicants are encouraged to apply early, as applications will be reviewed as they are received.

Applications will be accepted starting November 20th until the position is filled.  

We are a thoughtful and thorough organization. We will be in touch to acknowledge receipt of your application and to schedule selected applicants for an interview. The hiring process for this position is expected to last 7-10 weeks. You will be informed when the hiring process is complete. Please be patient.  

Long Island Soundkeeper Background: 

The Long Island Soundkeeper Fund began in 1987 founded by Terry Backer and was a founding member of the Waterkeeper Alliance, now a global water advocacy program operating in over 40 countries with over 300 member groups. Growing from a commercial fishing advocacy group, the CT Coastal Fisherman’s Association, who organized to clean-up poor water quality Soundkeeper merged with Save the Sound in 2017.  As a regional leader protecting Long Island Sound’s shoreline, marine habitat, and water quality for more than 30 years Save the Sound merged with Connecticut Fund for the Environment (CFE) in 2004. Linking Soundkeeper’s mission of swimmable, drinkable, fishable water with CFE’s legal, scientific and policy expertise and Save the Sound’s stewardship, restoration, and community outreach capability has further enhanced our reputation for leadership in protecting and restoring Long Island Sound. In 2020, the organizations combined under one banner as Save the Sound and has remained committed to making every beach and its surrounding waters in the Sound safe for swimming, fishing, and wildlife.