Chesapeake Bay Foundation Internship Opportunity

THE CHESAPEAKE BAY FOUNDATION

Established over 50 years ago, the Chesapeake Bay Foundation (CBF) is the nation’s leading conservation organization dedicated solely to restoring and protecting the Chesapeake Bay, our nation’s largest estuary. With 300,000 members, an annual operating budget of $26 million, and a $55 million endowment, CBF’s 190 full time staff work in offices in Annapolis and Easton, MD; Richmond and Virginia Beach, VA; Harrisburg, PA; Washington, DC; and in 15 field education program locations across the Bay watershed.

CBF's headquarters - the Philip Merrill Environmental Center – in Annapolis is the world’s first USGBC LEED platinum building. In 2014, CBF opened the Brock Environmental Center in Virginia Beach; the Brock Center is the tenth certified Living Building and one of the most energy efficient, environmentally smart buildings in the world.

DEPARTMENT DESCRIPTION

EPR - 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

The Maryland Farm Stewardship Assistant (MFSA) will assist the MD Outreach Manager on outreach, restoration, and service-learning events CBF will be hosting in the Summer of 2022. Spending part of their time at sites across Maryland, and part at CBF’s Clagett Farm, the MFSA will gain exposure to both hands-on restoration practices and regenerative agriculture while working alongside CBF staff to defend the Chesapeake Clean Water Blueprint while engaging diverse constituents and stakeholders across the state.

Essential functions include:

Assisting with the Farm Stewardship Program at agricultural, wetland, and riparian restoration events by:

Loading and transporting trees from CBF’s Clagett Farm Tree Nursery (in Upper Marlboro, MD) to the restoration sites using a truck and 14’ trailer (training will be provided- experience is a plus)
Loading and transporting equipment to the site (prior to event days)
Marking holes for auguring (prior to event days), if necessary
Placing tree shelters and mulching trees (if needed) on planting days
Re-staking or removing/placing shelters on trees at previous planting sites
Help recruit a diverse contingent of volunteers for restoration events
Assist volunteers on event days (signing in, demonstrating planting and use of equipment)
Assist in maintaining tree nursery stock (weeding, watering, and organizing)
Assist with small group volunteer events and workdays at CBF’s Clagett Farm
Clean out and organize restoration storage areas at the Phillip Merrill Environmental Center
Assist with post-event organization and entering volunteer data into tracking spreadsheets
Tabling at fairs, festivals, and farmers' markets to promote the Farm Stewardship Program

PREFERRED PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATIONS

Successful candidates should have a strong background and interest in environmental science, agriculture, or related field; with a desire to pursue restoration and/or outreach work as a future career. A combination of hands-on outdoor experience and background education is a plus. The assistant will be required to work certain weekdays, weekends, and some evenings. Candidate MUST be available at least three days a week, all day, and on some weekends. The assistant must be comfortable lifting at least 40lbs. In addition, the candidate should be familiar with environmental issues and problems facing the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries and be able to work with the general public and volunteers of all ages and backgrounds.

Salary $12.00/hour

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 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 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.

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.