The Chesapeake Bay Foundation seeks a Virginia Rivers & Streams Environmental Education Program Assistant Manager/Educator in the Education Department to be field based throughout western and central VA.

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 14 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 an annual budget of approximately $30 million and is supported by over 200,000 members and e-subscribers. For more information on CBF, please visit cbf.org.

DEPARTMENT DESCRIPTION

Environmental Education

CBF's Environmental Education provides field experiences, teacher professional learning, and student leadership for over 25,000 participants each year. The Bay, and its watershed, is our classroom and CBF environmental educators are responsible for bringing the Bay alive to students. We strive to make a lasting impression about the excitement and vulnerability of the Bay. Each of CBF's 14 education programs has its own individual character. The field experience options run the gamut from our urban boat programs in Baltimore and Hampton Roads to Pennsylvania canoe programs to remote island-based centers. We use hands-on experiential teaching techniques to educate students about the health of the Bay and connect them back to their local environment. Educators promote and develop knowledge about the Bay by providing unforgettable field investigations that inspire participants with a commitment to take action for the restoration of the Bay.

The education department is comprised of Student Field Programs, Teacher and Principal Professional Learning, and Student Leadership. All of these components work closely to educate and empower participants to take action towards "Saving the Bay."

CONTEXT OF THE POSITION

The Virginia Rivers & Streams Environmental Education Program provides one-day 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, agriculture, 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 and lakes of western and central VA, using different canoe sites to reach students in their local watersheds. The program staff travel extensively throughout western and central VA 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 varied work sites and travel.

Requirements

1. Professionally serve as an Educator on the Virginia Rivers & Streams program and other CBF field programs.

Assist the Program Manager with developing and teaching one-day inquiry-based field programs using multiple field-based methods such as conducting biological sampling, water quality testing, and canoe-based activities for middle and high school students, teachers, and other participants.
Continually adapt program content based upon grade/age level of the group, weather, group dynamics, and feedback/evaluations from teachers/supervisors.
Ability to communicate ecosystem and watershed concepts to a wide range of audiences.
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 VA Rivers & Streams program, and other CBF programs.

Ability to communicate safety instructions and rudimentary canoe skills to all participants.
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.
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.
Attend all safety and professional development trainings.

3. Consistent ability to perform programmatic administrative duties which include:

Complete & submit timesheets, personal expense reports, credit card reports, and all other relevant administrative tasks in a timely manner.
Provide timely communication and updates to supervisors and other CBF departments.

4. Other duties as assigned.

PREFERRED 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.
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 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.

Salary Description

$48,500

Chesapeake Bay Foundation

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Virginia Rivers & Streams Environmental Education Program Assistant Manager/Educator