The Chesapeake Bay Foundation seeks an Educator/Assistant Manager for the Susquehanna Watershed Environmental Education Program. This program is based in the Harrisburg, PA region and is a mobile canoe program that travels extensively in central PA. This is a fulltime, salaried position that is exempt from overtime.

The Chesapeake Bay Foundation:
The Chesapeake Bay Foundation (CBF) is the largest regional non-profit conservation organization working solely to save the Bay. Established in 1967, CBF has a staff of approximately 185 employees working in offices in Annapolis Maryland; Richmond and VA Beach, Virginia; Harrisburg, Pennsylvania; and Washington, D.C., and in 15 field education program locations. Our staff and volunteer corps work throughout the region educating students and adults, advocating for clean water polices, restoring waterways, and litigating when necessary.

CBF’s headquarters office in Annapolis, MD 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 in Virginia Beach, VA. The Brock Center is one of the most energy efficient, environmentally smart buildings in the world. CBF has an annual budget of approximately $21 million and is supported by more than 200,000 members and e-subscribers. For more information on CBF please visit www.cbf.org

CBF Environmental Education:
Approximately 35,000 students and teachers participate each year in CBF’s education field experiences or teacher professional learning. 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 15 education programs has its own individual character. The field experience options run the gamut from the inner city boat programs in Baltimore and Hampton Roads to Pennsylvania canoe programs to remote island-based residential 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 citizen knowledge about the Bay by providing unforgettable, hands-on, student lead experiences that inspire them with a commitment to take action for the restoration of the Bay.

The education department is comprised of field programs, Teacher and Principal Professional Learning, and Student Leadership. All of these components work closely to educate and empower students to take action towards “Saving the Bay.”

CONTEXT OF POSITION

The Susquehanna Watershed Environmental Education Program is a one-day, hands-on, active and educational experience designed to provide students with the opportunity to investigate and explore a local waterway and learn about its connection to the Chesapeake Bay watershed. Participants learn about water quality through chemical and biological analysis. They discuss the effects that pollution, agriculture and land use have on the Susquehanna River and its tributaries. The “Canoeing classroom” affords students the opportunity to discover how they can take action to help preserve and restore the watershed.
This mobile canoe program explores the rivers, creeks and lakes of Pennsylvania, using approximately 20 different sites to reach students in their local watersheds.

The Program Manager and Assistant Manager travel extensively throughout Central PA to canoe some of the most scenic tributaries in the watershed. This requires the ability to work with a changing work schedules/times due to the varied work sites.

Education Program Essential Functions:
-Develop and implement one-day field programs using multiple field based methods which include: canoes, land-based, and 40-foot Bay work boats for middle and high school aged students, teachers, and other audiences
-In conjunction with the Program Manager and teachers, plan appropriate activities such as canoeing, seining, conducting biological sampling and water quality testing
-Plan and execute summer courses for Chesapeake Classrooms Teacher Professional Learning program and/or Student Leadership Program
-Continually adapt program content based upon grade/age level of participants, weather, and group dynamics and feedback/evaluations from teachers and supervisors
-Communicate the following items to all participants: safety review, rudimentary boating skills, ecosystem & watershed concepts, wildlife observation, biological sampling, water quality sampling, and other educational activities as appropriate
-Design and lead field experiences for CBF members that include local water quality issues
-Collaborate with CBF’s Environmental Protection and Restoration Department to design and lead adult field experiences for elected officials, local business community members, and others that provide a focus on action for water quality
-Complete/submit timesheets, personal expense reports, credit card reports, and all other relevant administrative tasks in a timely manner
-Program Managers oversee the Assistant Manager tasks on a daily basis, debrief field experiences on daily basis, and provide on the job training. Additionally, they are responsible for facilitating team teaching techniques in collaboration with the Assistant Manager
-Program staff are responsible and accountable for performing maintenance in order to keep all education related equipment (buildings, boats, grounds, and/or gear) in proper working order
-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
-Develop and implement one-year program plan that is in alignment with CBF’s strategic plan
-Provide timely communication and updates about the program to supervisors and other CBF departments
-Attend all safety training and professional development offerings
-This physically demanding position involves fairly frequent weekend work year-round exposure to the elements

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATIONS

Successful Candidate should possess the following:
-Bachelor’s degree in education, environmental science, biology, environmental studies, or related field, or relevant experience required
-1-3years’ experience teaching in either a formal or non-formal setting
-Experience canoeing on both flat and moving water & ACA certified, preferred
-A strong desire to teach in the field/outdoors (under all weather conditions) and work with students on a daily basis
-Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills
-Collaborative work style
-Energy, enthusiasm, and passion for students and 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 Chesapeake Bay Foundation & the Education Department mission, strategic plans & goals, a plus
-Strong commitment to safety and maintenance

Physical Requirements:
-Physical ability to lift and carry heavy objects-at least 45 pounds (canoes and other equipment)
-Ability to drive a work truck and safely tow a canoe trailer over long distances with varying work schedule
-This physically demanding position involves year-round exposure to the elements
-Ability to work occasional evenings and/or weekends
-Ability to work away from home for multiple-day periods throughout the year
-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 submit a driving record
-All education staff participates in a pre-employment & random drug screening program per the requirements of the US Coast Guard

APPLICATIONS

To apply, please submit a cover letter, resume, and contact information for (3) references no later than February 10, 2017:

SWEP AM/Education Jobs
Chesapeake Bay Foundation
Educationjobs@cbf.org

The Chesapeake Bay Foundation is an Equal Opportunity Employer.