The Chesapeake Bay Foundation seeks a James River Captain/ Educator in the Education Department to be field based in Richmond, VA.

THE CHESAPEAKE BAY FOUNDATION

Established in 1967, 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 210 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 an annual budget of approximately $30 million and is supported by over 300,000 members and e-subscribers. For more information on CBF, please visit cbf.org.

DEPARTMENT DESCRIPTION

Environmental Education

CBF’s Environmental Education program intro­duces students, teachers, and other citizens to the wonders of the watershed and works to heighten sensitivity, increase knowledge, and empower people to take positive action toward the Bay’s restoration.

 

CONTEXT OF THE POSITION

 

The Chesapeake Bay Foundation’s James River Environmental Education Captain/ Educator engages students, teachers, and other participants on a floating classroom to explore a variety of locations that have historical ties to the health of the river: plantations, heavy industry, and wildlife preserves.  Aboard a 42-foot Bay workboat, Baywatcher, participants explore the James River and its tributaries, sample aquatic life, perform water-quality tests and learn about the effects of human activities on the estuary.  The Captain/Educator will co-design and co-lead education programs along with the Program Manager/Educator.  The boat operates primarily out of Jordan Point Marina in Hopewell, VA but occasionally travels to other ports such as Newport News, VA.

 

 

Essential functions include:

 

  1. Safely & professionally serve as Captain of the Baywatcher
  2. Familiarity and ability to maintain compliance with USCG rules and regulations for an inspected vessel
  3. Ensure safe operation of the boat
  4. Inform passengers of safety precautions
  5. Conduct & manage regular safety checklists and inspections, in coordination with the Senior Fleet Manager
  6. Maintain & repair a 42-foot workboat
  7. Clear and professional communication skills concerning the safe operation of the boat especially with regards to communicating roles, expectations, and proper training for program staff/crew

 

  1. Professionally serve as an Educator on the Baywatcher and other CBF field programs
    1. Assist with developing and teaching one-day inquiry-based field programs using multiple field-based methods such as conducting biological sampling & water quality testing for middle and high school students, teachers, and other participants
    2. Continually adapt program content based upon grade/age level of the group, weather, group dynamics, and feedback/evaluations from teachers/supervisors
    3. Plan & execute summer courses for Chesapeake Classrooms Teacher Professional Development and/or Student Leadership Program
    4. 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

 

  1. Consistent ability to perform programmatic administrative duties which include:
    1. Complete & submit timesheets, personal expense reports, credit card reports, and all other relevant administrative tasks in a timely manner
    2. Provide timely communication and updates to supervisors and other CBF departments
    3. Develop and implement one-year program plan that is in alignment with CBF’s strategic plan
    4. Attend all safety and professional development trainings

 

 

PREFERRED PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATIONS

  • Minimum 50-ton Master of Inland Waters USCG Captain License
  • 3 years’ experience operating & maintaining a Coast Guard inspected vessel
  • 1-3 years’ experience teaching in either a formal or non-formal setting
  • Ability to teach in the field, under all weather conditions, and work with students on a daily basis
  • Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills
  • Collaborative work style
  • Creativity, humor, and self-confidence
  • Knowledge of environmental issues facing the Chesapeake Bay, a plus

Physical Requirements:

  • Physical ability to lift and carry heavy objects, at least 45 pounds (canoes and other equipment)
  • This physically demanding position involves year-round exposure to the elements
  • Ability to work occasional evenings and weekends
  • Ability to travel to attend meetings and trainings
  • Ability to work away from home for multiple-day periods throughout the year
  • Ability to have access to reliable transportation to travel to other CBF programs & locations, as needed

Other:

  • Must pass a criminal background check
  • All education staff participate in a pre-employment & random drug screening program per the requirements of the US Coast Guard
  • Must possess a valid driver’s license, submit a driving record, and have an acceptable driving record
  • Ability to communicate effectively with people from diverse backgrounds and experiences. Ability to receive and give supportive feedback to foster equity and inclusion in working relationships.
  • Ability to recognize, nurture, and learn from strengths in co-workers.
  • Having flexibility to accomplish job responsibilities in several work environments, whether it be from home, on the road, or in an office.

 

 

Salary Range:  $50,000

 

To apply, please send resume and cover letter through job posting on CBF website no later than February 21, 2022.

 

CBF offers 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.

 

CBF requires that all staff be fully vaccinated against COVID-19.  The successful candidate will need to submit verification of vaccination or have a valid religious or medical reason not to be vaccinated.

 

WE ARE COMMITTED TO DIVERSITY, EQUITY, INCLUSION, AND JUSTICE

 

Just as biodiversity is the key to a thriving ecosystem, human diversity is the key to saving the Bay. Success depends on people from widely diverse backgrounds, cultures, ethnicities, identities, and races taking collective action. Clean water, clean air, and a safe environment are rights we all share.

 

To increase diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice, the Chesapeake Bay Foundation will:

 

  • Recruit and retain a staff, board, and membership that reflect the diversity of people living within the Chesapeake Bay region;
  • Strengthen and broaden the diversity of our partnerships;
  • Celebrate and value the diversity of staff; and
  • Fight to ensure that everyone has equal access to clean water, clean air, and a safe environment.

 

CBF is proud to be an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status.