About the Chesapeake Bay Foundation
Established in 1966, the Chesapeake Bay Foundation (CBF) is the largest regional nonprofit conservation organization dedicated to saving the Chesapeake Bay, its rivers and streams, and the wildlife that call it home through education, advocacy, litigation, and restoration. Since 2010, CBF has engaged in a focused effort to defend and implement the Chesapeake Clean Water Blueprint, a binding federal and state collaborative agreement aimed at reducing pollution to the science-based, legally-affirmed levels established by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The Blueprint is expected to be fully implemented by 2025. If the states and the federal government achieve Blueprint goals, the Bay will finally—after decades of failed efforts—be removed from the Clean Water Act's impaired waters list. Successfully implementing the Blueprint depends on a well-informed, engaged, active, and diverse constituency of members, advocates, and volunteers who speak up and take action to save the Bay.
CBF has a staff of approximately 230 employees working in offices in Annapolis, Maryland; Richmond and Virginia Beach, Virginia; Harrisburg, Pennsylvania; and Washington, D.C. as well as 15 field education program locations. Our staff and volunteer corps work throughout the region educating students and adults, advocating for clean water policies, restoring waterways, and litigating when necessary.
CBF's headquarters office in Annapolis, Maryland is the Philip Merrill Environmental Center, the world's first U.S. Green Build Council's LEED platinum building. In 2014, CBF opened the Brock Environmental Center—one of the world's most energy efficient, environmentally smart buildings—in Virginia Beach, Virginia.
CBF has 200,000 members and supporters and an annual budget of approximately $30 million. For more information on CBF, please visit our About CBF page.
About the Hiring Department
Context of the Position
The Virginia Rivers & Streams East Environmental Education program provides one-day, primarily canoe-based, field investigations for students and teachers. These field investigations are designed to provide participants with the opportunity to investigate and explore Virginia’s local waterways and learn about its connection to the Chesapeake Bay watershed. Participants learn about water quality and the effects that pollution and land use have on the Bay’s tributaries. The “canoeing classroom” affords students the opportunity to conduct biological and chemical tests and discover how they can take action to help preserve and restore the watershed. This mobile canoe program explores the rivers & creeks of central and tidewater, VA using different canoe sites to reach students in their local watersheds. The program staff travel extensively throughout the greater Richmond area with occasional travel to Norfolk and Virginia Beach to canoe some of the most scenic tributaries in the watershed. This position requires the ability to work with a changing work schedule/time due to the varied work sites and travel.
Essential Functions
1. Professionally serve as an Educator on the Virginia Rivers & Streams Environmental Education Program and other CBF field programs.
a. Collaborate with the Program Manager to develop and teach one-day inquiry-based field programs using multiple methods such as conducting biological sampling, water quality testing, and canoe-based activities for middle and high school students, teachers, and other participants.
b. Continually adapt program content based upon grade/age level of the group, weather, group dynamics, and feedback/evaluations from teachers/supervisors.
c. Ability to communicate ecosystem and watershed concepts to a wide range of audiences.
d. Plan & execute summer courses for Chesapeake Classrooms Teacher Professional Development and/or Student Leadership Program.
2. Safely and professionally serve as a course/field leader for the Virginia Rivers & Streams Program, and other CBF programs.
a. Ability to communicate safety instructions and rudimentary canoe skills to all participants.
b. Program staff are responsible for the safety of all field participants, ensure that all safety protocols are rigorously followed, and are required to respond to medical emergencies that may arise.
c. Program staff are responsible and accountable for performing maintenance to keep all education related equipment and gear (work truck, canoe trailer, canoes, education materials) in proper working order.
d. Attend all safety and professional development trainings.
3. Consistent ability to perform programmatic administrative duties.
4. Other duties as assigned.
Professional Experience and Qualifications
Successful Candidate should possess the following:
• Bachelor’s degree, or relevant experience.
• 1- 3 years’ experience teaching in either a formal or non-formal setting.
• Experience canoeing on both flat and moving water.
• ACA certified, preferred.
• A strong desire to teach in the field/outdoors (under all weather conditions) and work with students daily.
• Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills.
• Collaborative work style.
• Creativity, humor, and self-confidence.
• Knowledge of Virginia rivers and streams, preferred.
• Knowledge of environmental issues facing the Bay and of the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, a plus.
Physical Requirements:
• Physical ability to lift and carry heavy objects-at least 45 pounds (canoes and other equipment).
• Ability to learn to drive a work truck and safely tow a canoe trailer over long distances with a varying work schedule.
• This physically demanding position involves year-round exposure to the elements.
• Ability to work occasional evenings and/or weekends.
• Ability to work away from home for multiple-day periods throughout the year to attend trainings, meetings, or other required work events.
• Ability to have access to reliable transportation to travel to other CBF field programs & locations as needed.
Other:
• Must pass a criminal background check.
• Must possess a valid driver’s license, submit a driving record, and have an acceptable driving record.
• All education staff participate in a pre-employment & random drug screening program per the
requirements of the US Coast Guard.
Additional Information
CBF’s Education Department is committed to supporting our staff by providing robust training opportunities including: First Mate training, medical certification as a Wilderness First Responder, American Canoe Association certification, extensive training in field education theory and practice, and consideration for training to obtain a US Coast Guard Captains license.
Salary Range: $46,000
How to Apply
Using the link below, please submit a cover letter and resume. This position will remain open until filled.
Apply NowCBF offers a 36-hour work week, a flexible telework policy, and for full-time staff, a comprehensive benefits package to include: 20 vacation days, 10 sick days, 2 floating holidays, health, vision, dental, life insurance, and a 403(b) retirement plan with matching contribution. Learn more about CBF Benefits.
