The Chesapeake Bay Foundation seeks a Port Isobel Captain/Educator in the Education Department to be based field based in Tangier, Virginia.
THE CHESAPEAKE BAY FOUNDATION
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 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
Environmental Education
CBF’s Environmental Education program introduces students, teachers, and other citizens to the wonders of the watershed and works to heighten sensitivity, increase knowledge, and empower people to take positive action toward the Bay’s restoration.
CONTEXT OF THE POSITION
The Port Isobel Captain/Educator is responsible for operating & maintaining the 50 ft USCG inspected vessel and providing educational experiences for participants that includes activities such as setting crab pots, dredging for oysters, and scraping the nearby underwater grass meadows. The Port Isobel Captain is part of a 3-person education team that consists of a Captain, Program Manager, and Assistant Manager. All program staff live on-site and serve as co-educators who plan and facilitate the field experiences for students and teachers. This position requires that the captain live on-site for education programming during the Spring, Summer, and Fall field program seasons (March – early December). CBF provides housing for only CBF staff, and we cannot accommodate pets. The centers are winterized from mid-December – February and no housing is provided during that time. The Port Isobel Environmental Education Center is a 250-acre island that is situated in the heart of the Tangier Island archipelago. During the fall and spring seasons, the Port Isobel Environmental Education staff typically lead 3-day field programs for students traveling from within the watershed. In the summer, and occasionally during the rest of the year, the center hosts a variety of trip participants including adult groups, teacher groups, and student leadership programs. Participants explore various ecosystems, examine plant and animal species, analyze water quality, and discuss the socio-economic issues facing residents of the Bay watershed, in general, and the local watermen communities.
Essential functions include:
- Safely & professionally serve as Captain of the Port Isobel vessel(s)
- Familiarity and ability to maintain compliance with USCG rules and regulations for an inspected vessel.
- Ensure safe operation of the boat.
- Inform passengers of safety precautions.
- Conduct & manage regular safety checklists and inspections, in coordination with the Senior Fleet Manager.
- Maintain & repair a 50-foot workboat and the 6-pack Carolina skiff in coordination with the Fleet Senior Manager.
- Clear and professional communication skills concerning the safe operation of the boat especially with regards to communicating roles, expectations, and proper training for program staff/crew.
- Professionally serve as an Educator on the Port Isobel Environmental Education Program and other CBF field programs.
- Assist with developing and teaching inquiry-based field programs using multiple field-based methods such as conducting biological sampling & water quality testing for middle and high school students, teachers, and other participants.
- Continually adapt program content based upon grade/age level of the group, weather, group dynamics, and feedback/evaluations from teachers/supervisors.
- Collaborate with other CBF Educators in the planning and implementation of summer courses for Chesapeake Classrooms Teacher Professional Development and/or Student Leadership Program.
- Program staff are responsible for the safety of all field participants, ensure that all safety protocols are rigorously followed, and are required to respond to medical emergencies that may arise.
- Consistent ability to perform programmatic administrative duties which include:
- Complete & submit required administrative tasks and paperwork on due dates.
- Provide timely communication and updates to supervisors and other CBF departments.
- Other duties as assigned
PREFERRED PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATIONS
- Minimum 50-ton Master of Inland Waters USCG Captain License with an FCC certification
- 3-6 years’ experience operating & maintaining a Coast Guard inspected passenger carrying vessel
- Experience with boat maintenance and small repairs
- 1-3 years’ experience teaching in either a formal or non-formal setting, preferred
- A strong desire to teach in the field/outdoors on a boat and inspire students on a daily basis
- Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills
- Knowledge of environmental issues, a plus
- Ability to demonstrate understanding of local communities
Physical Requirements:
- Physical ability to lift and carry heavy objects, at least 45 pounds (canoes and other equipment)
- This physically demanding position involves frequent exposure to the elements
- Ability to live at Port Isobel during the education seasons – March through December. No housing is provided during the winter months of end of December through Early February
- Ability to work evenings and weekends
- Ability to travel to attend required meetings and safety and professional development trainings
- Ability to work away from home for multiple-day periods throughout the year
Other:
- Must pass a criminal background check
- All education staff participate in a pre-employment & random drug screening program per the requirements of the US Coast Guard
- Must possess a valid driver’s license, submit a driving record, and have an acceptable driving record
Salary Range: $50,000 – $55,000
To apply, please send resume and cover letter through job posting on CBF website. This position will be open until filled.
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.
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.
