The mission of Chesapeake Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve in Virginia (CBNERR-VA or Reserve) is to exhibit leadership in coastal zone management through innovative estuarine and coastal watershed science and education programs that promote natural-resource stewardship and science-based solutions to complex socioecological challenges.
Job Description:
This role provides technical support for CBNERR-VA administered by the Virginia Institute of Marine Science (VIMS), William & Mary (W&M), serving as a Research Specialist II in its Water and Stewardship programmatic sectors. The Research Specialist II assumes a supporting role in the day-to-day operations associated with the Reserve’s Water and Stewardship programs.
Core Duties and Responsibilities:
Field & Lab Support for CBNERR-VA Water Program (45%)
- Day-to-day operations associated with the Reserve’s shallow water quality monitoring program include routine maintenance and deployment/retrieval of continuous monitoring instruments.
- Various responsibilities for elements of discrete water sample collection and analysis (e.g., bottle cleaning/labeling, collection, processing such as filtration/weighing/drying, cleaning, note taking/chain of custody, and selected analysis).
- Miscellaneous field & lab responsibilities related to ongoing (e.g., buoy, DataFlow) and new water quality program efforts.
Field & Lab Support for CBNERR-VA Stewardship Program (45%)
- Support field and laboratory efforts related to long-term monitoring of critical Reserve nearshore habitats including seagrass beds, emergent wetlands, and living shoreline projects.
- Support field and citizen science activities related to species of concern management strategies, such as nest protection, debris removal, and restoration plantings.
- Assist in geospatial surveys using standard survey and GPS-based technologies to be used in the development of natural resource related GIS-based data files and habitat maps.
- Collect and process multi-media (water, soil, biological) samples.
- Complete field and lab associated instrument/sample data sheets and assist in computer-based data entry.
Assist in Other Reserve Programs. (10%)
- Participate and provide assistance to Reserve’s core programmatic areas (administrative, research, education, training and stewardship) as needed.
Required Qualifications
Education:
- Bachelor’s degree in environmental, marine, biological, physical science or related field.
Competencies:
- Familiarity and interest in coastal habitats and resource management.
- Ability to support field and laboratory functions of water quality and ecosystems studies.
- Interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to work independently and collaboratively as a team member.
- Ability to drive to field sites with a state/VIMS vehicle (valid driver’s license required) and serve as support crew on research vessels.
Experience:
- Previous field experience working in a variety of coastal habitats (e.g., tidal marshes, submerged aquatic vegetation, oyster reefs and natural shorelines).
Preferred Qualifications
Competencies:
- Working knowledge of YSI datasonde or other similar equipment used for water quality monitoring.
- Working knowledge of multi-media (e.g., water, soil, flora/fauna) sample collection and processing.
- Experience operating a boat and/or trailering vessels.
Experience:
- 1-2 years previous filed/lab experience.
Salary: up to $50,000, commensurate with experience
Application deadline: June 29, 2026
