PA Grassroots Field Specialist

~ Celebrating its 50th anniversary, 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 over 230,000 members, an annual operating budget of $26 million, a $55 million endowment, CBF’s 185 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.

Position Overview

The PA Grassroots Field Specialist will work to mobilize Pennsylvania communities to take action on the issue of water quality and the broader Chesapeake Bay watershed cleanup effort. This role will:

• Activate new volunteers, while building a core group of volunteer leaders who will participate in community organizing or other activities in support of CBF’s priority legislative and regulatory issues in Pennsylvania;
• Assist Outreach and Advocacy Manager and other staff in advocacy and decision-maker activities; and
• Work in close coordination with other Pennsylvania Office staff and as part of the broader organizational grassroots team.

Please note: This is a grant-funded position that is expected to be funded for multiple years. However, as with any position that is dependent on grant money, there is the risk of the grant expiring and the position no longer being funded. IF that should happen, CBF will review the position at that time to determine if it can then be funded from other sources of income within the organization.

Responsibilities

Essential functions include but are not limited to, the following:

1. Identify Supporters: Through methods of outreach, identify community members, businesses, and other influentials who are motivated by issues of environmental protection and watershed health to recruit as activists and volunteers
2. Organize Events: The field specialist will plan the events and actions in which their volunteers participate. Examples of events include letter-writing events, legislative visits, kayaking trips, tree plantings and stream cleanups
3. Develop Leaders: The field specialist will identify top-level volunteers and teach them organizing and advocacy skills so that that they can expand CBF’s capacity in their community.
4. Build Partnerships: The specialist will identify and engage businesses and environmental and non-environmental partner organizations with shared interests to build coalition support for local clean water efforts.
5. Keep Records: The field specialist will help set and work toward metrics and maintain accurate records about the supporters he/she identifies, leaders developed, actions planned and executed, and other information that will inform future organizing efforts.

Qualifications

Professional Experience & Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree required.
• Previous experience required in environmental protection, including experience motivating and managing volunteers.
• Ability to learn and implement CBF policies/procedures related to grassroots and public communications.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills. Proficient in computer applications, including MS office software and Salesforce software preferred.

A highly qualified candidate would also possess experience in one or more of the following:

1. Kayaking, other water related activities programming;
2. Riparian buffer restoration or tree planting; and/or
3. Community storm water outreach programming and/or environmental justice efforts.

Compensation: 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. 

To Apply

Please click "Apply" below to email a cover letter, resume, and salary history and requirements no later than August 7, 2017 to:

Human Resources/FY18-002-PAGRFS
Chesapeake Bay Foundation

~ The Chesapeake Bay Foundation is an Equal Opportunity Employer. ~