About the Alliance: The Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay (Alliance) is a regional nonprofit organization whose vision is clean streams and rivers flowing through resilient landscapes, cared for by the people who live, work, and play in the Chesapeake Bay watershed; and whose mission is to bring together communities, companies, and conservationists to improve our lands and waters. The Alliance was founded in 1971 and has offices in Annapolis, MD, Lancaster, PA, Washington, D.C., and Richmond, VA.

Job Description: The Water Quality Monitoring Projects Associate is a part-time position working under supervision of the Water Quality Monitoring Initiative Director. The successful candidate will work directly with landowners, Alliance staff, and a diverse set of project partners in order to conduct monitoring activities on stream restoration and forest buffer projects. Project partners include the Alliance for Aquatic Resource Monitoring (ALLARM) at Dickinson College, Stroud Water Research Center, and Izaak Walton league of America and grantees of the National Fish & Wildlife Foundation’s Chesapeake Bay Stewardship Fund program. Monitoring activities occur in the Spring (March-May) and Fall (September-October) and include a visual/physical assessment, temperature and water clarity measurements, and benthic macroinvertebrate sample collection. Substantial outreach and fieldwork throughout central Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Virginia is required.

Specific Duties of the Position:

  • Work with project partners to select 5-10 restoration projects/sites annually that are suitable for monitoring and establish a monitoring schedule for each site.
  • Coordinate and conduct initial site visits for all monitoring sites.
  • Coordinate and lead pre- and post-implementation monitoring activities with a group of 3-5 people (project staff or volunteers).
  • Lead trainings for volunteers participating in the monitoring program.
  • Work closely with project partners, landowners, volunteers, and other stakeholders to carry out monitoring activities.

Minimum Qualifications & Experience:

  • Bachelor’s degree in natural resources, environmental science or a relevant field. A Master’s degree may be substituted for 1 year of experience. Candidates with alternative education, but with extensive relevant professional experience, will also be considered.
  • 1+ years relevant professional experience (including any internships) related to this position.
  • Technical knowledge of visual assessment methods, and water quality and benthic macroinvertebrate monitoring techniques. Technical knowledge of forest buffer or stream restoration project implementation is a plus.
  • Strong communications skills, internally as part of a team and also with external audiences.
  • Field savviness and ability to travel is essential.
  • Great time management skills, including the ability to effectively prioritize tasks.
  • Problem-solver, objective decision maker.

The Alliance aspires to be an inclusive multicultural organization that celebrates the rich dimensions of diversity such as race, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, age, physical abilities, religious and political beliefs. We are committed to ensuring diversity and inclusion remain integral to our organizational structure, policies, board of directors, staff, strategic goals, grants, partnerships and program delivery. The Alliance believes a broad base of participation and partners reflecting all of society is needed to be successful in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed restoration effort. Visit www.allianceforthebay.org/DEI to learn more.

The Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay offers a family friendly, flexible work environment. We are committed to building a diverse team and strongly encourage candidates from all backgrounds to apply. If you meet at least 75% of the qualifications of this description, we encourage you to submit an application.

Supervision: The Water Quality Monitoring Projects Associate reports directly to the Water Quality Monitoring Initiative Director.

Hours and Location: The Water Quality Monitoring Projects Associate position is predominantly based in the Lancaster, Pennsylvania office, with remote-work available as needed. This position requires travel, primarily to sites across central Pennsylvania, but occasionally to other parts of the Chesapeake Bay watershed, including potential overnight travel to Maryland and Virginia. Some night and weekend work is required.

The position is part-time (24 hours per week, three consecutive weekdays per week) with potential to grow into a full time position.

Salary & Benefits: $26,400-$30,000, commensurate with experience. Competitive pro-rated benefits include: health, dental, and vision insurance, 403b retirement fund, life insurance, professional development opportunities, vacation, sick, and holiday and other leave, and more.

Application: The information listed below should be emailed to Careers@allianceforthebay.org no later than October 15, 2023. Indicate “Water Quality Monitoring Projects Associate” in the email subject line. No telephone inquiries please.

  1. Your resume
  2. A list of 2 professional references.
  3. A written response to the following prompts:
  • Describe your experience working with landowners, volunteers, or other stakeholders in monitoring or similar efforts.
  • Describe your monitoring experience, specially as it relates to visual assessments, and water quality and benthic macroinvertebrate sampling techniques.

See the full job description to learn more and apply.