Assistant Program Manager in Crisfield, Maryland at Chesapeake Bay Foundation Inc.

The Chesapeake Bay Foundation seeks an Assistant Program Manager/Educator to reside at one of CBF’s Island Environmental Education Centers.

*MUST BE ABLE TO START BY THE FIRST WEEK OF OCTOBER*

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 our education, advocacy, litigation, and restoration efforts, we work together toward our vision of a healthy and resilient Chesapeake Bay ecosystem where people, plants, and animals thrive together.

CBF has a staff of approximately 200 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.

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

This position is full-time, year-round, and require staff to live on site from March – December (spring, summer, and fall education seasons). Applicants should be able to start before the end of September. Please note that CBF education centers have a strict “no pet policy.”

During the spring & fall field seasons, the Island staff typically lead 3-day field programs for students ranging in age from middle school through high school. In the summer, and occasionally during the rest of the year, the center hosts a variety of trip participants including adult groups, teacher groups, and student leadership programs. Housing is provided for staff only and the Assistant Manager must live on-site for the duration of Spring, Summer, and Fall field program seasons. The centers are winterized from December – February and no housing is provided during that time.

The Islands Assistant Manager will live and work at one of the following centers:

The Smith Island Education Center, located in Tylerton, Maryland, is part of Smith Islands three communities that has a total population of 300 people. CBF owns two houses in the community of Tylerton, from which we operate a residential environmental education center for groups of students and/or adults. The center incorporates canoes, a skiff, and a 40-foot workboat into the program.

The Karen Noonan Memorial Environmental Education Center, is situated on 20 acres of marsh in southern Dorchester County, Maryland. Once one of the great Chesapeake hunting lodges, the Karen Noonan Center was completely renovated in 1995 to create an environmentally sound, state-of-the-art residential center. Participants in our program can see how a “green building” can function not only as a learning tool but as a home. The center has a 40-foot workboat, canoes, a pier, and approximately 100 feet of beachfront.

The Port Isobel Education Center, is a 250-acre island that is situated in the heart of the Tangier Island archipelago. The island showcases a variety of estuarine habitats such as marshes, a pine forest, and a ¼ mile beach. The program focuses on understanding the delicate relationship between the ecosystem and the watermen community of Tangier. The center has a 50-foot workboat and a fleet of canoes that are used with all participants.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Professionally serve as an Educator on the Island Environmental Education Programs, and other CBF field programs

• Assist the Program Manager with developing and teaching 3-day/2-night 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

Safely and professionally serve as a course/field leader for the Islands Environmental Education Program, and other CBF programs

• Ability to communicate safety instructions to all participants and ensure a safe learning environment
• 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

Consistent ability to perform programmatic administrative duties which include:

• Complete all relevant administrative tasks in a timely manner
• Provide timely communication and updates to supervisors and other CBF departments
• Develop and implement one-year program plan that is in alignment with CBF’s strategic plan
• Attend all safety and professional development trainings

Other duties as assigned

Successful Candidate should possess the following:

• Bachelor’s degree or relevant experience required
• 1+ years’ experience teaching in either a formal or non-formal setting
• A strong desire to teach in the field/outdoors and inspire students on a daily basis
• Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills
• Collaborative work style
• Knowledge of environmental issues

Physical Requirements:

• Ability to live on-site at one of CBF’s Island Education Centers for the duration of the term
• Physical ability to lift and carry heavy objects-at least 45 pounds (canoes and other equipment)
• Ability to become a First Mate according to CBF’s required skills checklist
• This physically demanding position involves frequent exposure to the elements
• Ability to travel to attend trainings & meetings
• Ability to have reliable transportation to travel to other CBF field programs & locations as needed
• CBF Island education centers have a strict no pet policy

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