Senior Manager, Field Operations, Expeditions, Pristine Seas (Science & Innovation)

How You’ll Contribute

The National Geographic Society invests in a diverse, global community of National Geographic Explorers who are leading a new age of exploration in support of our mission: to illuminate and protect the wonder of our world through science, exploration, education, and storytelling. These bold individuals represent more than 140 countries, and their vast array of backgrounds, perspectives, and fields bring us to the far reaches of the globe.

Within NGS, the Science & Innovation team is a department that oversees the Society’s grant making efforts in science, conservation and technology, develops and manages major mission programs, and establishes programmatic partnerships with like-minded non-governmental organizations (NGOs).

Over the last fifteen years, Pristine Seas, National Geographic’s flagship ocean conservation program has helped to inspire the protection of 26 of the last wild places in the ocean, encompassing more than 6 million square kilometers of ocean. We are seeking a Senior Manager, Field Operations, Expeditions, Pristine Seas to support and scale our approach over the next. Additionally, we aim to cultivate and expand a network of best-in-class partners to build a community of support for protected areas.

The Senior Manager, Field Operations will lead operations, logistics, and auxiliary science support in the field for Pristine Seas expeditions. This position is a part of the Expeditions Department of Pristine Seas Reporting to the Expedition Director, the Senior Manager, Field Operations, develops strategic plans to physically execute the expedition’s goals using boats, tools, first aid, gear and safety protocols. The Senior Manager may participate in pre-expedition planning, scouts, shorter tactical PS trips and trainings as well as full-scale expeditions. This position supports National Geographic by ensuring the safety of all staff and contractors on remote field assignments by providing the most efficient, cost effective, and maximum safety precautions from a trained and experienced staff.

This is a fixed term position through 12/31/26.

Your Impact

Responsibilities Include

Expedition Field Ops (50%)

• Lead all expedition safety and equipment requirements;
• All PS boat operations and maintenance;
• All small boat, safety, and communication equipment;
• Support the procurement of materials and supplies to be used in the field on expedition,
• Operate and maintain hyperbaric chamber on board expedition vessel;
• Operate and maintain air compressor on expedition vessel;
• Support technology and communications in the field (Iridium and Starlink);
• Participate in community support activities as needed under the direction of the Expedition Leader
• As necessary, act as Expedition Leader as designated by the Director, Expeditions
  
  

Expeditions Planning (30%)

• Assist with all pre-planning activities for expeditions, including but not limited to:
• Coordinate field logistics and procure consumables, in collaboration with Expedition Leader;
• Facilitate and plan communications support for expeditions, including onboard internet, SAT phone, and other forms of field communications;
• Collaborate with Manager, Field Logistics to identify Expedition contract requirements and collate required information;

• Proactively maintain and repair all expedition equipment to ensure consistent usability in the field;
• Co-Manage Pristine Seas warehouse space with Manager, Field Logistics in collaboration with Nuvair;
• Dive training, certification and safety support
• Maintain trainings and certifications, including but not limited to:
• Advanced First Aid;
• Recompression Chamber Operator;
• Compressor Operator;
• Outboard Motor Operator;
• Standards of Training Certification and Watchkeeping.
  

Expeditions Medical Care (15%)

• Provide medical/first-aid support in the field, and medical lead on some expeditions;
• Primary support of the onboard MD with Health and COVID treatment protocol and management
• Telemedicine liaison and primary field point of contact for MSOS;
• Oversee all Safety and Health protocols for PS Expeditions
• Coordinate and co-produce Medical & Safety plan for each expedition, in collaboration with Expedition Leader and NGS Nurse
  
  
  

Science Support (5%)

• Provide science support as needed, including data collection while on expedition and post-expedition. This may include SCUBA surveys, scientific diver support, eDNA data collection, and remote camera deployment, if needed.
  
  
  

Educational Background

Bachelor's Degree in relevant field required

Minimum Years And Type Of Experience

10 years in marine science, professional diving, professional boating and/or or marine field science support.

Necessary Knowledge and Skills

• Significant and relevant field experience. Prior experience on expedition ships strongly preferred.
• Extensive small boat handling and maintenance experience, emphasis on diving operations
• Experience with dive compressor operation
• PADI DiveMaster certification or equivalent
• Outboard Motor Operator training
• Demonstrated interpersonal, oral, and written communications skills
  
  
  

Desired Qualifications

• Certifications:
• Advanced First Aid training
• Dive Medic Technician
• Dive Master level
• Recompression Chamber Operator
• Standards of Training Certification and Watchkeeping.
• USCG Captain’s license
• Understanding of and passion for natural history and/or history & culture
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and exercise sound judgment
• Ability to successfully work within a highly collaborative team environment
  
  

Supervision

No direct reports

Salary Information

The National Geographic Society offers a competitive and holistic total rewards package. Our compensation structure and transparent pay philosophy are based on industry-specific market data for similar-sized nonprofit organizations.

The salary range for this position accounts for a wide range of factors including but not limited to organizational need; specific skill sets; experience and training; certifications; and more. At the National Geographic Society, individuals are typically hired at or near the starting point of the salary range for their role, and compensation decisions are dependent on the facts and circumstances of each case.

The salary range for this position is $99,700 - $105,000.

In addition, the National Geographic Society offers a competitive and comprehensive benefits package that includes, but is not limited to, medical, dental, and vision insurance; engaging and comprehensive wellness program; 401(k) retirement savings plan with matching contributions after 6 months of employment; flexible paid time off benefits with up to 22 days of paid annual leave per calendar year (15 days for new hires in their first year, prorated based on the number of pay periods remaining in the year) and 10 days of sick leave; 12 paid holidays and a paid winter break between December 25 and 31; paid parental leave, adoption and surrogacy expense reimbursement, fertility benefits; learning and development opportunities; Lifestyle Spending Account; pet adoption assistance and insurance; pre-tax transportation benefits with a generous employer subsidy; employer-paid life insurance and disability benefit; and a variety of National Geographic discounts and perks.

Job Designation

Remote - Our Remote designation includes staff who must work in another location in the U.S. or abroad, such as our regional leads for our Education and International teams or regional fundraisers in Advancement. Staff may also be designated as Remote by their supervisors (with approval by the Senior Team lead) because of their job duties, and are afforded this status when it is beneficial to NGS, their respective team, and the employee.

Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States. This position is not eligible for visa sponsorship.

We encourage you to apply even if your experience is not a 100% match with the position. We are looking for someone with relevant skills and experience, not a checklist that exactly matches the job description. We want to help you grow and in return, you help us grow into a stronger, more inclusive organization.