About the Chesapeake Bay Foundation
Celebrating its 50th anniversary, the Chesapeake Bay Foundation (CBF) is the nation’s leading conservation organization dedicated solely to restoring and protecting the Chesapeake Bay, our nation’s largest estuary. With over 240,000 members, an annual operating budget of $26 million, a $55 million endowment, CBF’s 185 full time staff work in offices in Annapolis and Easton, MD; Richmond and Virginia Beach, VA; Harrisburg, PA; Washington, DC; and in 15 field education program locations across the Bay watershed
CBF’s headquarters – the Philip Merrill Environmental Center – in Annapolis is the world’s first USGBC LEED platinum building. In 2014, CBF opened the Brock Environmental Center in Virginia Beach; the Brock Center is the tenth certified Living Building and one of the most energy efficient, environmentally smart buildings in the world.
Context of the Position
The Watershed Coordinator will be responsible for developing an innovative and comprehensive Watershed Management Plan in a central Pennsylvania watershed. The Coordinator will work closely with federal, state, and local government agencies, academia, non-profits, local stakeholders, individual citizens, and Pennsylvania CBF Office staff. He or she will organize and facilitate steering committee meetings, coordinate watershed modeling and spatial analysis activities, arrange logistics for public meetings, and prepare draft and final plan documents
Essential Functions
1. Watershed Management Plan Development. Provide leadership in developing a comprehensive plan through the collection and analysis of land use and resource information, existing water quality data, watershed modeling, spatial analysis, identification and clarification of stakeholder concerns, establishment of goals and implementation timelines, and support of locally initiated strategies. At a minimum, the plan must conform to EPA’s nine elements for watershed management plans.
2. Form & Coordinate Steering Committee. Prepare meeting agendas and coordinating activities to support plan development. Provide leadership to develop strong working relationships among established steering committee members, local stakeholders, and federal, state, local government. Manage technical support to the steering committee. The Coordinator will also coordinate any subcommittees as necessary.
3. Community Relations. Lead community outreach efforts related to the project. This includes participating in local and relevant events and meetings, developing and disseminating project materials, cultivating strategic relationships, and networking among agencies, organizations, businesses, and individuals.
4. Project Management. Provide oversight and authorship for the watershed management plan, including routine project updates, partner coordination, and timely completion of deliverables. Identify and secure technical support partners, as necessary. Work with appropriate CBF staff to maintain a project website and preparation of project oriented materials, press release, presentation, etc.
Professional Experience and Qualifications
A minimum of a bachelor’s degree in environmental sciences, management, or planning, or a related natural resource field plus three years’ professional experience. A robust knowledge of watershed issues, non-point source pollution reduction strategies, watershed management planning, geographic information systems (GIS), watershed modeling, and spatial analyst tools is required. The ability to effectively coordinate and manage a complex multi-organizational project. Experience in coordinating diverse groups, consensus building, and facilitation are necessary. Robust public speaking and written communication skills desired.
Please note this is a grant-funded position that is expected to be funded for multiple years. However, as with any position that is dependent on grant money, there is the risk of unexpected funding problems and the position can no longer being funded through the grant. IF that should happen, CBF will review the position at that time to determine if it can then be funded from other sources of income within the organization.
How to Apply
To apply, please send cover letter, resume, and salary history and requirements no later than February 1, 2018 to:
Human Resources/FY18-027-PAWC-Central
Chesapeake Bay Foundation
employment@cbf.org
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.
