Restoration of the Chesapeake Bay requires diverse, committed, passionate, individuals and the Chesapeake Research Consortium (CRC) seeks such an individual for a three-year appointment to the Chesapeake Bay Program’s Protect and Restore Water Quality Goal Implementation Team.  The objective of this goal implementation team is to coordinate and provide support to the Bay Program partners in implementing nutrient and sediment reduction efforts necessary to meet the water quality goals set to restore the Bay’s living resources. The group’s primary focus is to support efforts to reduce and cap the nutrient and sediment loads entering the Bay and to ensure that these reductions are maintained over time. The Staffer in this position will focus on topics such as land use, agriculture, nutrient and sediment trading and offsets, and how data from Best Management Practices (BMPs) is used to inform and enhance the Bay Program’s watershed model.

The candidate selected for this position will be involved in goal implementation team activities and will be responsible for meeting organization and support, member coordination and communication, task tracking, research and synthesis activities, and additional special projects as assigned.  The experiences and skills gained from the three-year appointment will be valuable to someone seeking further education or career development in the policy or scientific fields.  The selected candidate will work as a CRC employee at the U.S. EPA’s Chesapeake Bay Program Office located in Annapolis, Maryland.

The ideal candidate for the position would have the following background and qualifications.

  • A Bachelor’s degree in natural sciences, environmental management, public policy, law, watershed planning, environmental economics, or a related field, with specific knowledge or experience in watershed management, nonpoint/point source pollution, and clean water law and policy.
  • Technical knowledge and skills with Geographic Information Systems preferred; computer model code development and maintenance, and/or statistical analysis a plus.
  • Familiarity with the federal Clean Water Act.
  • Ability to perform background research, analysis, and synthesis on policy and science related topics.
  • Ability to work with people with a diversity of interests in a consensus building environment and independently plan meetings, develop agendas, and draft concise meeting minutes.
  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills and the ability to communicate with partners at all levels of program activities with diplomacy.
  • Ability to work independently and prioritize tasks under tight timelines in a fast-paced environment.
  • Demonstrated ability to problem solve.
  • Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.
  • Ability to manage and update content through a content management system for the Goal Implementation Team web page.
  • Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint (knowledge of Microsoft Access a plus).
  • Familiarity with remote technologies such as video conferencing (Web-X, Adobe Connect, etc.).
  • Interest in learning how a multi-stakeholder, governmental-environmental-management partnership sets and achieves goals through collaboration, adaptive management, and science based decision making.
  • A will to explore your career options and the passion and enthusiasm for the work and program.

The annual salary is $40,030 and a competitive vacation and benefits package is included for the three-year position.  In addition to the experience gained through their work assignments, Staffers, through individual professional development plans, also attend professional conferences, workshops, and training related to their position and identified future career interests.

Applications (a detailed cover letter, resume, list of at least three references, transcript [unofficial is fine] and a short writing sample) should be sent electronically to Melissa Fagan, Environmental Management Career Development Program Coordinator, at faganm@chesapeake.org.  Please include information concerning education and professional background, as well as immediate and long-term career goals.

Additional information about the CRC Environmental Career Development Program is available at www.chesapeake.org.  Additional information about the Chesapeake Bay Program is available at www.chesapeakebay.net.

CRC is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, sex, age, marital status, disability, veteran status or national origin. CRC maintains a drug-free workplace.  All Staffers are required to complete a federal background check upon hire.