Who We Are

MAR is a Tampa Bay-based nonprofit dedicated to regenerating the natural spaces that make this area amazing. Through our TREE Program (urban forestry), BLUE Program (marine conservation), and SOL Program (health and wellness), we show up in community parks, beaches, trails, and waterways with volunteers, partners, and action!

We are a small, tight-knit team that gets a lot done with limited resources. Everyone here wears multiple hats, cares deeply about the work, and looks out for one another. If you have ever wanted a role where your Monday morning meeting might be followed by suiting up for an underwater cleanup or coordinating a reef development project by the weekend, this is the team for you.

The Role

The Blue Program Coordinator leads the implementation, coordination, and growth of MAR’s marine-focused Blue Initiative. This is not a desk-only position, you will be equally at home writing a project proposal on a Wednesday and pulling debris from a local waterway on a Saturday.

This role combines hands-on environmental field work with program management, community engagement, grant writing, and stakeholder coordination. You will serve as the primary driver of the Blue Initiative’s day-to-day momentum and long-term development, working directly alongside the Executive Director and the broader MAR team.

We are looking for someone who has a background in marine conservation and genuinely passionate about our oceans, waterways, and coastal ecosystem. We are looking for someone who takes initiative without being asked, and brings both the organizational rigor to manage complex projects and the warmth to represent MAR in the community. If you need constant guidance to know what to do next, this role may not be the right fit. If you see what needs to happen and make it happen, then we want to hear from you.

What You Will Do

Program Implementation & Coordination

• Lead day-to-day logistics of the Blue Initiative including planning, permitting support, underwater cleanups, and outreach events
• Collaborate with marine science partners, environmental agencies, and contractors to ensure project alignment and compliance
• Track project progress, timelines, and deliverables using tools like Gantt charts, project trackers, and MAR’s internal systems
• Coordinate volunteer events, beach and underwater cleanups, and hands-on community engagement efforts
• Support permit logistics, equipment maintenance checklists, and pre-event preparation as needed

Community & Stakeholder Engagement

• Serve as a public-facing ambassador for the Blue Initiative at events, meetings, partner collaborations, and community gatherings
• Build and maintain relationships with schools, local businesses, coastal communities, government agencies, and marine conservation partners
• Represent MAR professionally and warmly in every setting:  in the field, in a meeting room, and online
• Serve as a point of contact for volunteers, community partners, and vendors on event days

Grant Writing & Administrative Reporting

• Research, draft, and submit grant proposals to support the Blue Initiative’s programming and growth
• Maintain accurate records of project activities, permits, partner communications, and event metrics
• Support grant reporting cycles, budget tracking, and impact documentation
• Contribute field stories and program updates for newsletters, social media, and external communications
• Write short post-event blog recaps when assigned, capturing key moments and measurable outcomes
• Attend Monday morning team meetings (10:00 to 11:30 AM) as a standing weekly commitment
• Contribute to organizational learning, strategic planning, and cross-program collaboration

Data, Reporting & Documentation

• Track and record event metrics: attendance counts, volunteer hours, marine debris collected, reef health data, and other program-specific indicators
• Conduct data analysis and contribute to impact reports following events and project milestones
• Input data accurately into MAR’s tracking systems and databases
• GIS skills are a plus for mapping reef sites, cleanup zones, and environmental monitoring data

What We Are Looking For

You Must Have

• A background in marine biology, environmental science, coastal resource management, or a related field
• Passion for marine conservation, coastal ecosystems, and environmental restoration 
• A proven ability to self-start and self-manage: you see what needs to happen and you make it happen without waiting to be asked
• Experience with community organizing, program coordination, environmental projects, or grant writing 
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail, especially when juggling multiple projects, deadlines, and stakeholders at once
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills. 
• Physical ability to work outdoors in Florida heat, humidity, rain, and varied coastal terrain
• A reliable personal vehicle and valid driver’s license for local travel to event and field sites
• Basic comfort with digital tools including Google Workspace, Excel, and project management platforms

You Will Stand Out If You Have

• Dive certification (any level) or prior experience with water-based conservation work or underwater cleanups
• Familiarity with the Tampa Bay area communities, ecosystems, and waterways
• GIS knowledge or experience with environmental data tracking and spatial reporting
• Experience managing grants, writing proposals, or supporting nonprofit reporting cycles
• Prior involvement with reef restoration, marine debris monitoring, or similar blue carbon or coastal resilience work

Work Environment and Schedule

This is a physically active, field-forward role that also requires genuine comfort sitting down to write, plan, and report. A typical MAR week includes a mix of remote administrative days, in-person event days, and field monitoring. The following is an example schedule for this position:

Standard Work Days: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Some Saturday

Monday Commitment: Required attendance at weekly team meeting, 10:00 to 11:30 AM

Regular Time Off: Saturday and Sunday – if event – take a weekday off

Event Days: Primarily Saturdays; weekday events and field days also occur regularly (usually 1 – 2 events per month, but could be more)

Remote Work: Project proposals, administrative tasks, data entry, reporting, and planning

In-Person Work: Event setup, execution, and breakdown at beaches, waterways, parks, and coastal sites across Tampa Bay

Dress and Gear: Appropriate outdoor and water attire required on field days; MAR branded gear provided

Note: Florida weather does not always cooperate. This role requires genuine comfort working in heat, humidity, rain, and occasionally muddy or wet conditions. Events run rain or shine unless there is a safety reason to postpone.

Compensation and Benefits

Compensation: Full-time salaried position; $50,000

Paid Time Off: PTO and sick leave

Spot Bonuses: Performance-based spot bonuses available

Professional Development: Opportunities to grow skills in marine conservation, grant writing, nonprofit operations, event management, and community engagement

Mission Impact: Direct, visible contribution to marine ecosystem restoration and coastal health in Tampa Bay

Equal Opportunity Employer

MAR is an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. We believe diverse teams build stronger communities and we actively seek candidates from a range of backgrounds and lived experiences.

How to Apply

To apply, submit the following to kira@wearemar.org:

• A current resume
• A brief cover letter that tells us why this role and why MAR specifically
• Optional: a link to any relevant work samples, grant writing examples, event photos, or field documentation you are proud of

Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis. We will reach out to candidates whose background aligns with what we are looking for. We appreciate every person who takes the time to apply and we commit to treating every applicant with respect throughout the process.

Please do not send resumes via LinkedIn or Indeed. Every application must be emailed directly to the address above.

Questions? Reach out to Kira, Operations Manager, at kira@wearemar.org.