Director of Coastal Resilience, Prince William Sound Science Center
Climate Adaptation Knowledge Exchange, Juneau, AK, United States
Director of Coastal Resilience, Prince William Sound Science Center
Organization/Grantor:
Prince William Sound Science Center
Position/Title/Fund:
Director of Coastal Resilience
Type/Term:
Full-time, Permanent
Salary:
$90,000 - $110,000 per year
Deadline:
October 13, 2025
Description The Prince William Sound Science Center (PWSSC) in Cordova, Alaska, seeks an innovative, collaborative principal investigator to launch the organization’s program focused on coastal resilience.
The Prince William Sound Science Center (PWSSC) is an Alaska-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit. Incorporated in 1989 in the wake of the Exxon Valdez oil spill, our mission is to advance community resilience and the understanding and sustainable use of ecosystems. For over 36 years, PWSSC has been dedicated to providing tangible benefits to coastal communities through scientific research, ecosystem monitoring, applied science, inquiry-based STEAM education, and meaningful demonstration projects. PWSSC has boots on the ground, boats in the water, and students in the field year-round. Our work fosters community engagement, stewardship of natural resources, and lasting connections between people, science, and the environment while generating solutions to the challenges faced by marine and coastal communities and ecosystems.
Based in the remote and important commercial fishing community of Cordova, Alaska, our town is only accessible by boat or plane and is situated in the home of the world’s richest waters.
Responsibilities
The Director of Coastal Resilience (DCR) will have a director-level research scientist designation. At PWSSC, each scientist leads an externally funded program of research and may oversee several team members, with opportunities to pursue research, educational outreach, and initiatives that align with our mission.
The DCR will develop an applied science program in one or more fields of expertise, increasing PWSSC’s mission impact and collaborating with partners across sectors.
Through their work—and the work of others they may supervise or collaborate with—they will advance applied projects that empower coastal communities to thrive.
Examples of areas of interest include (but are not confined to)
Work with industry to bring new products, technology-driven solutions, or management approaches to fruition;
Build a comprehensive research program and identify strategic investments informed by the best available resilience science (social, environmental, economic);
Conduct investigations into renewable energy implementation options and how they may impact and benefit rural coastal community resilience;
Lead research on ecosystem management models that can be utilized at the state or federal level;
Provide insights into recent patterns of the North Pacific Ocean;
Help develop and advance regional economic development strategies, such as regenerative tourism;
Collaborate with scientists and fishermen on adaptation planning and implementation;
Establish a community engineering & entrepreneurship test bed, operating as an innovation workshop environment, startup accelerator, and prototype development hub;
Advance fisheries innovations in processing, management, or product development, such as by establishing a fisheries innovation focus area within the coastal resilience program.
The successful candidate will have a demonstrated history of collaboration with state/federal regulatory agencies, Tribes, industry, academia, and nonprofits, as well as a record of success in generating extramural funding from private, foundation, governmental, or other sources. Applicants should have a strong working knowledge of coastal and ocean issues, stakeholders in Alaska, experience working on relevant projects or research in Alaska or elsewhere, the ability to become proficient in new topics, and excellent written and verbal communication skills.
Qualifications
Advanced degree (master’s, PhD, or terminal degree) in a relevant discipline, or equivalent professional experience.
Demonstrated leadership experience in managing complex programs, research, or community initiatives.
Proven ability to secure funding from private, philanthropic, and government sources, with a track record of successful grant writing and fundraising.
Strong communication and collaboration skills, with experience working across sectors (e.g., community, industry, government, and academia).
Commitment to supporting the resilience, prosperity, and well-being of coastal communities.
Preferred
PhD or equivalent terminal degree in a related field.
Experience directing interdisciplinary teams or partnerships.
Familiarity with the northern Gulf of Alaska region, its communities, and its economic and ecological systems.
Expertise in one or more of the following disciplinary backgrounds:
Marine Biology & Ecology
Oceanography (physical, chemical, biological)
Carbon & Nutrient Cycling
Coastal Geology & Geomorphology
Fisheries Science & Management
Coastal & Marine Engineering
Climate Science & Adaptation Planning
Renewable Energy (tidal, wave, offshore wind, coastal applications)
GIS & Remote Sensing
Data Science & Modeling
Environmental Science & Policy
Economic Development
Industrial Process Improvement
Seafood Product Development
Economics (resource management, natural capital evaluation)
Sociology / Anthropology
Public Health (environmental and food security)
Community Planning & Policy
Community Development
How to Apply Please submit the following to
directorsheadcore@pwssc.org
with the subject: Director of Coastal Resilience: [Your First and Last Name]:
A cover letter describing your qualifications and what you propose to accomplish in the first two years of the position (not to exceed three pages)
Resume or CV
Three professional references who may be contacted regarding this position
Review of applications will begin on 10/13/25 and the position is open until filled. The preferred start date is as soon as possible and can be negotiated. For more information, contact the hiring committee at
hiringcommittee@pwssc.org
.
#J-18808-Ljbffr
Prince William Sound Science Center
Position/Title/Fund:
Director of Coastal Resilience
Type/Term:
Full-time, Permanent
Salary:
$90,000 - $110,000 per year
Deadline:
October 13, 2025
Description The Prince William Sound Science Center (PWSSC) in Cordova, Alaska, seeks an innovative, collaborative principal investigator to launch the organization’s program focused on coastal resilience.
The Prince William Sound Science Center (PWSSC) is an Alaska-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit. Incorporated in 1989 in the wake of the Exxon Valdez oil spill, our mission is to advance community resilience and the understanding and sustainable use of ecosystems. For over 36 years, PWSSC has been dedicated to providing tangible benefits to coastal communities through scientific research, ecosystem monitoring, applied science, inquiry-based STEAM education, and meaningful demonstration projects. PWSSC has boots on the ground, boats in the water, and students in the field year-round. Our work fosters community engagement, stewardship of natural resources, and lasting connections between people, science, and the environment while generating solutions to the challenges faced by marine and coastal communities and ecosystems.
Based in the remote and important commercial fishing community of Cordova, Alaska, our town is only accessible by boat or plane and is situated in the home of the world’s richest waters.
Responsibilities
The Director of Coastal Resilience (DCR) will have a director-level research scientist designation. At PWSSC, each scientist leads an externally funded program of research and may oversee several team members, with opportunities to pursue research, educational outreach, and initiatives that align with our mission.
The DCR will develop an applied science program in one or more fields of expertise, increasing PWSSC’s mission impact and collaborating with partners across sectors.
Through their work—and the work of others they may supervise or collaborate with—they will advance applied projects that empower coastal communities to thrive.
Examples of areas of interest include (but are not confined to)
Work with industry to bring new products, technology-driven solutions, or management approaches to fruition;
Build a comprehensive research program and identify strategic investments informed by the best available resilience science (social, environmental, economic);
Conduct investigations into renewable energy implementation options and how they may impact and benefit rural coastal community resilience;
Lead research on ecosystem management models that can be utilized at the state or federal level;
Provide insights into recent patterns of the North Pacific Ocean;
Help develop and advance regional economic development strategies, such as regenerative tourism;
Collaborate with scientists and fishermen on adaptation planning and implementation;
Establish a community engineering & entrepreneurship test bed, operating as an innovation workshop environment, startup accelerator, and prototype development hub;
Advance fisheries innovations in processing, management, or product development, such as by establishing a fisheries innovation focus area within the coastal resilience program.
The successful candidate will have a demonstrated history of collaboration with state/federal regulatory agencies, Tribes, industry, academia, and nonprofits, as well as a record of success in generating extramural funding from private, foundation, governmental, or other sources. Applicants should have a strong working knowledge of coastal and ocean issues, stakeholders in Alaska, experience working on relevant projects or research in Alaska or elsewhere, the ability to become proficient in new topics, and excellent written and verbal communication skills.
Qualifications
Advanced degree (master’s, PhD, or terminal degree) in a relevant discipline, or equivalent professional experience.
Demonstrated leadership experience in managing complex programs, research, or community initiatives.
Proven ability to secure funding from private, philanthropic, and government sources, with a track record of successful grant writing and fundraising.
Strong communication and collaboration skills, with experience working across sectors (e.g., community, industry, government, and academia).
Commitment to supporting the resilience, prosperity, and well-being of coastal communities.
Preferred
PhD or equivalent terminal degree in a related field.
Experience directing interdisciplinary teams or partnerships.
Familiarity with the northern Gulf of Alaska region, its communities, and its economic and ecological systems.
Expertise in one or more of the following disciplinary backgrounds:
Marine Biology & Ecology
Oceanography (physical, chemical, biological)
Carbon & Nutrient Cycling
Coastal Geology & Geomorphology
Fisheries Science & Management
Coastal & Marine Engineering
Climate Science & Adaptation Planning
Renewable Energy (tidal, wave, offshore wind, coastal applications)
GIS & Remote Sensing
Data Science & Modeling
Environmental Science & Policy
Economic Development
Industrial Process Improvement
Seafood Product Development
Economics (resource management, natural capital evaluation)
Sociology / Anthropology
Public Health (environmental and food security)
Community Planning & Policy
Community Development
How to Apply Please submit the following to
directorsheadcore@pwssc.org
with the subject: Director of Coastal Resilience: [Your First and Last Name]:
A cover letter describing your qualifications and what you propose to accomplish in the first two years of the position (not to exceed three pages)
Resume or CV
Three professional references who may be contacted regarding this position
Review of applications will begin on 10/13/25 and the position is open until filled. The preferred start date is as soon as possible and can be negotiated. For more information, contact the hiring committee at
hiringcommittee@pwssc.org
.
#J-18808-Ljbffr