The Chesapeake Bay Foundation seeks a Captain/Educator for our island environmental education center on Port Isobel, located next to Tangier Island, VA. This position is residential and the Captain/Educator must stay on site for all field programs during our education season from March through December. This is a fulltime position that is exempt from overtime.

CONTEXT OF THE POSITION 

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 is focused on understanding the delicate relationship between the ecosystem and the watermen’s’ community of Tangier.  The full-time, on-site staff consists of a Captain, Program Manager, and Assistant Manager.  All program staff serve as co-educators who plan and facilitate the field experiences for students.  Using a 50-ft USCG inspected vessel, canoes, and the surrounding marshes, the participants explore various ecosystems, examine plant and animal species, analyze water quality, and discuss the socio-economic issues facing residents of the Bay watershed, in general, and the local watermen communities.  The Port Isobel Captain is responsible for maintaining the USCG inspected vessel and providing educational experiences for participants that includes activities such as setting crab pots, dredging for oysters, and scraping the nearby underwater grass meadows.

During the fall and spring seasons, the Port Isobel Center staff typically lead 3-day field programs for students traveling from within the watershed.  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 and the captain must live on-site for education programming during the Spring, Summer, and Fall field program seasons. The centers are winterized from December – February and no housing is provided during that time

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATIONS 

Successful Candidate should possess the following:

  • Minimum 50-ton Master of Inland Waters USCG Captain license with a FCC certification
  • 3-6 years’ experience operating & maintaining a USCG inspected passenger carrying vessel
  • Experience with boat maintenance and small repairs
  • 1-3 years’ experience teaching in either a formal or non-formal setting
  • 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
  • Energy, enthusiasm, and passion for working with students and teaching about the environment
  • Creativity, humor and self-confidence
  • Desire and ability to relate to people of all ages and backgrounds
  • Knowledge of environmental issues facing the Bay
  • Knowledge of fishing/crabbing/oystering, a plus
  • Knowledge of Chesapeake Bay Foundation & the Education Department mission, strategic plans & goals, a plus
  • Strong commitment to safety of participants and maintenance of vessels, facilities, and equipment

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 live on-site at the Port Isobel Environmental Education Center from March through December
  • Ability to work evenings and weekends
  • Ability to travel to attend trainings & meetings
  • Ability to have 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 and a review of current driving record is required
  • All education staff participate in a pre-employment & random drug screening program per the requirements of the US Coast Guard

To apply, please send application through job posting on CBF website. This position will remain open until filled by a suitable candidate.

CBF offers a comprehensive benefits package to include: 20 vacation days, 10 sick days, health, vision, dental, life insurance, and a tax deferred annuity plan.  The Chesapeake Bay Foundation is an Equal Opportunity Employer

Please see website for full posting: http://www.cbf.org/about-cbf/jobs-internships/jobs/