Opportunity

Ocean Career: Oyster Restoration Coordinator at the Chesapeake Bay Foundation

Established in 1967, 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 U.S. 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.

The Chesapeake Bay Foundation seeks an MD Oyster Restoration Coordinator in the EPR- MD Department to be based at the Philip Merrill Environmental Center located in Annapolis, MD. CBF has an annual budget of approximately $30 million and is supported by over 300,000 members and e-subscribers.

About the Hiring Department: Environmental Protection and Restoration

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

Working with the MD Oyster Restoration Center Staff, Senior Fisheries Scientist and Urban and Community Resilience Manager, Maryland Oyster Restoration Coordinator will manage the Oyster Gardening Program across the state, coordinate volunteers for oyster restoration events, maintain a database of all MD oyster related activities; assist in maintaining and repairing oyster restoration equipment; create and maintain outreach and communications for oysters. In addition to these functions, the coordinator will participate in all other oyster related activities.

Essential Functions

1. Manage the Maryland Oyster Gardening Program which includes but is not limited to:

  • Recruiting new gardeners and stewarding relationships with existing gardeners through outreach and annual workshops.
  • Scope and expand the oyster gardening program to new communities and geographies.
  • Train Oyster Ambassador volunteers to develop their own community oyster gardening programs led by CBF.
  • Lead planning, scheduling, coordination across multiple departments, and logistics to implement workshops for new oyster gardeners and oyster returns and handout for existing gardeners.
  • Connect oyster gardeners with opportunities to support oyster policy.
  • Maintain a database of current and future gardeners – Track and steward, use LCRM database.
  • Provide support and assistance to oyster gardeners throughout season by fielding phone calls and emails. Serves as main point of contact for all oyster gardeners and oyster gardening inquiries from CBF members and the public.
  • Responsible for planting of all returned year-old oysters, including coordination with regulatory agencies and data collection, management, and reporting.

2. Execute oyster restoration projects and lead all related volunteer restoration efforts and events. Coordinate volunteer involvement for oyster restoration in concert with CBF staff in all departments. Reef Ball construction and producing spat-on-shell are a primary focus at ORC, but other activities are also included.

  • Shared management of the recruitment hiring and supervision of the Maryland Oyster Restoration Assistant Position. (Pre-COVID)
  • Work with CBF staff and partners to organize projects and events
  • Host Oyster Restoration Center tours to visiting volunteer groups explaining the restoration process, oyster biology, associated ecological services of oyster reefs and context of oyster fisheries management.
  • Recruit for oyster restoration volunteer events (e.g. shell shaking, shell bagging, reef ball construction). Manage and teach volunteers while on site.
  • Assist with recruitment of shell recycling volunteers when needed.
  • Coordinate activities across multiple locations.

3. Volunteer Tracking and Data Management • Work with staff and volunteers to develop and maintain the oyster volunteer database, catalog oyster gardening data and reef locations, and turn information into outreach materials.

  • Manage volunteer data tracking and report out all volunteer activity to operations and grant management teams.
  • Manage Oyster Restoration annual report through collaboration with both the oyster team and communications department.

4. Equipment maintenance and repair

    • Outboard engine maintenance and repair for 21’ Carolina Skiff
    • Organize supplies, manage inventory and procure materials needed for restoration and oyster gardening programs.
    • Assist in necessary maintenance and repairs at the Oyster Restoration Center and of restoration program vessels and trailers

5. Oyster Restoration Program Outreach

      • Assist in promoting oyster restoration inside and outside of CBF.
      • Work with Communications on specific promotional activities and materials.
      • Document oyster restoration activities via photos, video, etc.
      • Work with the Communications Department to update CBF web site, Facebook and Blog with oyster events.

6. Other duties as assigned

Professional Experience and Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in biology, environmental science or related field or 2 years’ experience in related field required; experience in remote setting, shellfish nursery operations, and husbandry and knowledge of regulatory aspects of aquaculture and fisheries, in particular, oysters, in the Bay desirable; experience operating and maintaining small boats up to 21 feet in length, Maryland law specifies that anyone born on or after July 1, 1972, must have a Certificate of Boating Safety Education; ability to swim and be comfortable working in Bay waters are prerequisites; ability to communicate with public officials, watermen, students, CBF members, and others about CBF’s mission and Restoration Program; ability to learn and implement CBF policies and procedures related to field programs and safety policies; ability to collect and organize data, keep logs and records as necessary, and juggle multiple projects/ responsibilities/schedules while remaining organized and enthusiastic; excellent oral and written communication skills required; must be proficient in MS Office and similar software. Must be able to drive a truck towing trailers and boats plus launching boats and comfortable being around heavy equipment like a Bobcat loader. Must be able to obtain a DOT medical card, CPR and Wilderness First Aid certification annually Must be reliable, organized, highly motivated, have a positive attitude, hold a valid driver’s license, and have reliable transportation. Must be able to obtain a captain’s license.

Ability to communicate effectively with people from diverse backgrounds and experiences. Ability to receive and give supportive feedback to foster equity and inclusion in working relationships. Ability to recognize, nurture, and learn from strengths in co-workers. Having flexibility to accomplish job responsibilities in several work environments, whether it be from home, on the road, or in an office.

Additional Information

CBF offers a comprehensive benefits package to include: 20 vacation days, 10 sick days, 2 floating holidays, health, vision, dental, life insurance, and a 403(b) retirement plan with matching contribution.

CBF requires that all staff be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. The successful candidate will need to submit verification of vaccination or have a valid religious or medical reason not to be vaccinated.

WE ARE COMMITTED TO DIVERSITY, EQUITY, INCLUSION, AND JUSTICE

Just as biodiversity is the key to a thriving ecosystem, human diversity is the key to saving the Bay. Success depends on people from widely diverse backgrounds, cultures, ethnicities, identities, and races taking collective action. Clean water, clean air, and a safe environment are rights we all share.

To increase diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice, the Chesapeake Bay Foundation will:

      • Recruit and retain a staff, board, and membership that reflect the diversity of people living within the Chesapeake Bay region;
      • Strengthen and broaden the diversity of our partnerships;
      • Celebrate and value the diversity of staff; and
      • Fight to ensure that everyone has equal access to clean water, clean air, and a safe environment.

CBF is proud to be an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status.

Salary Range: $45,000 - $47,000
How to Apply: Please submit a cover letter and resume no later than September 24, 2021.

Learn more about this opportunity and how to apply.

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