The Chesapeake Bay Foundation seeks a GIS Specialist I in the Administration Department to be based at the Philip Merrill Environmental Center located in Annapolis, MD.
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.
CBF has a staff of approximately 210 employees working in offices in Annapolis, Maryland; Richmond and Virginia Beach, Virginia; Harrisburg, Pennsylvania; and Washington, D.C. 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 U.S. 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 an annual budget of approximately $30 million and is supported by over 300,000 members and e-subscribers. For more information on CBF, please visit cbf.org.
DEPARTMENT DESCRIPTION
Administration
Administration’s mission is to significantly contribute to the improvement of the water quality of the Chesapeake Bay by providing a strong operations infrastructure for CBF staff. The mission is to develop and maintain procedures, systems, equipment, facilities, and property so that staff can work safely, efficiently, creatively, and productively to save the Bay.
CONTEXT OF THE POSITION
The GIS Specialist I will manage multiple projects as assigned. Projects will require creative thinking and problem solving to conduct analysis and answer complex questions. The GIS Specialist will organize and run GIS training events with staff, create written documentation and training videos, administer cloud GIS platforms, and field technical questions from staff.
Essential functions include:
1. Project Management
* Manage multiple projects from a variety of CBF departments and staff at one time
* Coordinate and lead meetings for projects as required
* Provide project documentation
2. Creating Maps and Mapping Applications
* Use ESRI GIS software to create compelling static and interactive maps
* Customize web mapping applications to enhance CBF’s web presence and communicate our work with the public
3. Conducting Spatial Analysis
* Use spatial analysis tools to analyze CBF data and other sources of raster and vector data to better understand that data and help the organization make better, more informed, data driven decisions.
* Includes the use of a variety of ArcGIS Desktop toolsets including Spatial Analyst tools
4. Data Management
* Assist in managing data and data collection procedures
* Create and maintain metadata for CBF published spatial data
* Follow established data standards and procedures to ensure data quality
5. Software Support
* Provide GIS Software support to CBF users.
* Includes software installation, troubleshooting user problems, assigning licenses, and creating and managing accounts.
* Administer ArcGIS online site
6. Staff Training and Communication
* Provide formal GIS training to staff annually
* Create training videos and documents for CBF staff
* Work with summer interns to ensure they are equipped to use GIS (as needed) to accomplish their work
* Communicate GIS news and updates to staff via monthly newsletter and updates to the SharePoint page
PREFERRED PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATIONS
Bachelor’s degree in Geographic Information System, Geography, Environmental Studies, or a related field with adequate GIS classwork required. 1-2 years using GIS in a professional setting. Experience using GIS while working in the conservation field preferred. Must be proficient in the use of ArcGIS software (ArcMap, ArcGIS Pro, ArcGIS Online, ArcGIS Enterprise) including the use of spatial analysis tools. Must have experience creating high quality cartographic products for print and for online publication. Experience with SharePoint, Box, and Power Automate is a plus. Excellent attention to detail and the ability to manage and track multiple projects at once. Demonstrated initiative to advance project objectives and ability to work independently, create and implement work plans, and manage timelines to ensure deadlines are met.
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.
Salary Range: $55,800
To apply, please send resume and cover letter through job posting on CBF website no later than July 11, 2022.
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.
