Established in 1966, 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 US 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 230 employees working in offices in Annapolis, Maryland; Richmond and Virginia Beach, Virginia; Harrisburg, Pennsylvania; and Washington, DC 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 US 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 200,000 members and supporters and an annual budget of approximately $30 million. For more information on CBF, please visit our About CBF page.
Environmental Protection and Restoration (EPR)
CBF's Environmental Protection and Restoration department defends and restores the Chesapeake Bay by protecting the Bay's natural resources from pollution and other harmful activities by fighting for strong and effective laws and regulations; restoring the Bay's essential habitats and filtering mechanisms; and involving citizens in CBF's environmental efforts by recruiting, training, and incorporating them as effective partners and leaders.
Context of the Position
This position will assist the Virginia Oyster Restoration Manager and have substantial responsibilities for the day-to-day operation of CBF’s Virginia Oyster Restoration Program based out of Brock Environmental Center in Virginia Beach, Virginia. This position will manage the VA shell recycling program, outreach and marketing for the Chesapeake Oyster Alliance, and oyster advocacy initiatives. The position will also assist with GIS support, as well as producing and monitoring spat on shell and reef balls.
Essential Functions
- Manage the CBF shell recycling program in Virginia. This includes checking in regularly with participating restaurants and shell recycling volunteers to ensure shells are being picked up. Routinely operate a Ford F-150 truck and tow a utility trailer to collect shells and maintain public oyster bins.
- Help manage outreach work in Virginia and Maryland related to the Chesapeake Oyster Alliance initiative. This includes engaging with Alliance partners, promoting the work of the Alliance in social media, traditional media, and messaging to the public and partners, assisting with Alliance events, and acting as a liaison about the Alliance work to other staff.
- Collaborate with communications on media coverage and content for use in marketing materials and promotion of oyster restoration programs. Assist in mobilizing citizens around Bay-related issues and advocacy asks, including working at a CBF table at a festival or on a university campus, or giving presentations to community groups. Assist with Chesapeake Oyster Alliance events and partner meetings including semi-annual Partner Meetings and the annual Chesapeake Oyster Science Symposium.
- Provide assistance to other oyster restoration programs including spat on shell production, reef ball construction and deployment, volunteer management, data entry, and oyster gardening. Assist with hiring and managing oyster restoration program interns. Support permitting and outreach work using ArcGIS suite.
- Advance the goals of the Chesapeake Oyster Alliance strategic plans, including promoting aquaculture, restoration, research, and public engagement.
Professional Experience and Qualifications
Successful candidate should be a college graduate with a major in environmental science, fishery science, aquaculture, marine affairs, or a related field with 1-2 years of experience in one of these related fields to include college course experience. Self-initiative, the ability to work independently, as well as with a team, and excellent written and oral communication skills are required. A candidate with experience with shellfish aquaculture and/or oyster restoration efforts is preferred. A candidate with experience working with and coordinating volunteers is also preferred. Familiarity with Excel, Word, Outlook, Canva, GIS, and social media management is required.
Must be able to lift 40 pounds and be comfortable working outside and on the water during the summer. A candidate with or with interest in obtaining a Captain’s license is preferred. We seek a creative thinker interested in learning about the Chesapeake Bay as well as furthering the Foundation’s mission to “Save the Bay.”
This is a campaign-funded position and is currently funded through June 30, 2025.
Salary Range: $42,000 - $44,000
Closing Date: February 16, 2024.
