The Chesapeake Bay Foundation’s education program seeks a Student Leadership Project Manager to be based at its PA State Office located in Harrisburg, PA. This is a term position that will end September 30, 2016.
THE CHESAPEAKE BAY FOUNDATION
The Chesapeake Bay Foundation (CBF) is the largest regional non-profit conservation organization working solely to save the Bay. Established in 1967, CBF has a staff of approximately 185 employees working in offices in Annapolis Maryland; Richmond and VA Beach, Virginia; Harrisburg, Pennsylvania; and Washington, D.C., and in 15 field education program locations. Our staff and volunteer corps work throughout the region educating students and adults, advocating for clean water polices, restoring waterways, and litigating when necessary.
CBF’s headquarters office in Annapolis, MD 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 in Virginia Beach, VA. The Brock Center is one of the most energy efficient, environmentally smart buildings in the world. CBF has an annual budget of approximately $21 million and is supported by more than 200,000 members and e-subscribers.
Environmental Education
CBF’s education program has been operating field programs for students of all ages since 1972. Approximately 35,000 students, teachers, school administrators and adults participate each year in field experiences, teacher training, principal leadership programs or student leadership programs. The Bay is our medium and CBF environmental educators are responsible for bringing the Bay alive to students.
Each of CBF’s 15 education programs has its own individual character. We stress patient, careful, and individual observation by participants. The senses — sight, hearing, smell, taste and touch — are the most valuable tools for studying the Bay. Other tools are useful supplements: trawls, seines, cast nets, field guides, binoculars, and water chemistry gear. We use hands-on teaching techniques to motivate and educate the students. The field experience runs the gamut from the inner cities of Baltimore and Hampton Roads to remote Fox Island. The education department is administered from our Annapolis office.
The education department is comprised of field programs, teacher professional development, including the Chesapeake Classrooms program, and a student leadership program. All of these program components work closely to encourage and lead students to take action toward “Saving the Bay.”
CBF’s Student Leadership Program was revised in 2013 with the goal of facilitating active student participation in 100% of CBF’s policy initiatives. Throughout the past two years the program has established a network of student leaders in Maryland and Virginia and provided pathways for advocacy opportunities in partnership with state and local student councils and student organizations as well as providing leadership training and facilitating student directed communication/ outreach for high school students. CBF faces a timely opportunity to expand that student network into Pennsylvania in support of organizational priorities.
Student Leadership Program
CBF’s Student Leadership Program is a strategic component of the Education Department’s contribution to the CBF mission. Not only will student actions support present day legislative and grassroots efforts, this initiative also seeks to identify and empower a new generation of talented, motivated, and passionate individuals who see themselves as catalysts for making a lasting positive change in saving the Chesapeake Bay.
Essential functions include:
- Collaborate with the other programs in Education to ensure program’s success and purpose. This position is part of the Student Leadership Team, supervised by the Director of Field Programs.
- Inspire and organize students to realize their own leadership skills, preparing them to become lifelong advocates for the Chesapeake Bay.
- Deepen student connections in strategic policy with custom designed field experiences and leadership training.
- Incorporate priority messaging into student programs, emphasizing the need for dramatic acceleration of pollution reductions from agriculture and stormwater.
- Ensure the program audience is positioned to provide support in priority policy areas by facilitating speaking engagements, press opportunities, and participation in advocacy events.
- Provide advanced level opportunities after baseline ecological literacy is established through student field experiences by facilitating student workshops with an emphasis on urban/suburban/agricultural runoff issues and solutions.
- Continue to expand on in-depth relationships with schools to engage students, green clubs, and teachers in restoration work and advocacy opportunities.
- Partner with CBF’s grassroots coordinators to deepen student connections in strategic locations and increase opportunity for student advocacy.
- Work with and train CBF staff designated to support student alumni.
- Track student action stories and collaborate with CBF’s social media/communication team.
- Manage administrative tasks for student alumni program
- Complete/submit timesheets, personal expense reports, credit card reports and all other relevant administrative tasks.
- Attend all safety training and professional development offerings.
- Participate in a random drug-testing program for the Coast Guard.
- This physically-demanding position involves occasional overnight and weekend work, and year-round exposure to the elements.
- Work is based in Harrisburg, PA/Central PA with expectations for frequent travel to cultivate partnership goals with grassroots coordinators and EPR staff throughout Pennsylvania or other CBF offices based on need.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATIONS
Successful candidate should possess:
- 2-4 years of experience working with education, nonprofits, youth organizing.
- Bachelor’s degree in liberal arts, education, environmental science or related field.
- Experience working in the marketing or communications field desired.
- Demonstrated success in the design of projects for different age groups, settings, and constituencies (ie restoration projects, volunteer/community projects).
- Must be able to work independently, as well as within a team.
- Creativity, humor, and self-confidence.
- Desire and ability to relate to people of all ages and backgrounds.
- Understanding of CBF’s mission and programs.
- As a visible representative of CBF’s ‘Save the Bay’ message, the individual must be able to “walk the talk,” not only possessing a deep appreciation for the environment, but also by living as a responsible ecological citizen of the watershed.
All education staff undergo a background check and participate in a random drug-testing program through the USCG.
The Chesapeake Bay Foundation’s headquarters office is located in the Philip Merrill Environmental Center, a “cutting edge,” environmentally responsible building located directly on the Bay. CBF also operates regional offices in Richmond and Virginia Beach, VA, Salisbury, MD, Harrisburg, PA and Washington, D.C.
To apply, please Email resume, cover letter, salary history or requirements and contact information for three references by April 3, 2015 to:
Laura Burrell Baxter, Director of Education Operations
Chesapeake Bay Foundation
lbbaxter@cbf.org
CBF offers a comprehensive benefits package to include: 20 vacation days, 10 sick days, health, vision, dental, life insurance, and a tax deferred annuity plan. The Chesapeake Bay Foundation is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
http://www.cbf.org/about-cbf/jobs-internships/jobs/pennsylvania-jobs