Environmental Management Career Development Program

in support of

The Chesapeake Bay Program’s

Protect and Restore Water Quality Goal Implementation Team

Restoration of the Chesapeake Bay requires committed, passionate individuals and the Chesapeake Research Consortium (CRC) seeks such an individual for a three-year appointment to the Chesapeake Bay Program’s Protect and Restore Water Quality Goal Implementation Team.  The objective of this goal implementation team is to coordinate and provide support to the Bay Program partners in implementing nutrient and sediment reduction efforts necessary to meet the water quality goals set to restore the Bay's living resources. The group’s primary focus is to support efforts to reduce and cap the nutrient and sediment loads entering the Bay and to ensure that these reductions are maintained over time.

The candidate selected for this position will be involved in goal implementation team activities and will be responsible for meeting organization and support, member coordination and communication, task tracking, research and synthesis activities, and additional special projects as assigned.  The selected candidate will work as a CRC employee at the U.S. EPA's Chesapeake Bay Program Office located in Annapolis, Maryland.

The ideal candidate for the position would have the following background and qualifications:

• A Bachelor’s degree in natural or agricultural sciences, environmental management, public policy, law, watershed planning, environmental economics, or a related field, with specific knowledge or experience in watershed management, nonpoint/point source pollution, and clean water law and policy; 
• Excellent diplomatic, synthesis, technical writing and presentation skills;
• Demonstrated ability to problem solve;
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail;
• Ability to manage and update content through a content management system for the Goal Implementation Team web page and ChesapeakeStat;
• Ability to work with people with a diversity of interests in a consensus building environment and independently plan meetings, develop agendas, and draft concise meeting minutes;
• Ability to work independently and prioritize tasks under tight timelines in a fast-paced environment;
• Familiarity with the federal Clean Water Act;
• Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint (knowledge of Microsoft Access a plus);
• Ability to work with a range of partners as part of interdisciplinary teams and collaborative processes;
• Interest in learning how a multi-party, governmental-environmental-management partnership makes decisions effectively and sets and achieves goals through collaborative and regulatory processes; and
• A will to explore your career options and the passion and enthusiasm for the work and program.

The annual salary is $35,466 and a competitive vacation and benefits package is included for the three-year position.  In addition to the experience gained through their work assignments, Staffers, through individual professional development plans, also attend professional conferences, workshops, and training related to their position and identified future career interests.

Applications (a detailed cover letter, resume, list of at least three references, and a short technical writing sample) should be sent electronically to Melissa Fagan, Environmental Management Career Development Program Coordinator, at faganm@si.edu.  Please include information concerning education and professional background, as well as immediate and long-term career goals.

Additional information about the CRC Environmental Career Development Program is available at www.chesapeake.org.   Additional information about the Chesapeake Bay Program and the Water Quality Goal Implementation Team is available at www.chesapeakebay.net. 

CRC is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, sex, age, marital status, disability, veteran status, or national origin. CRC maintains a drug-free workplace.  All Staffers are required to complete a federal background check upon hire. 

Project Description

The Chesapeake Research Consortium and the NOAA Chesapeake Bay Office (NCBO) seek a summer intern for late May through mid to late August 2012 (12 weeks) to assist with field work on living resources of the Chesapeake Bay.  Since its creation in 1992, NCBO has supported the Chesapeake Bay Program by providing science, service, and stewardship of the natural resources of the Bay.  Our scientists conduct regular sampling of fish populations and their habitat in the Bay watershed to better understand the delicate balance and health of this vital ecosystem.  This research has resulted in the accumulation of spatially referenced habitat characterizations and a vast number of digital images representing the diverse flora and fauna of the Bay.

The intern will primarily support the Office’s habitat assessment/fisheries priorities. A significant amount of time will be spent sampling and documenting fish populations in Chesapeake Bay tributaries.  The position entails a monitoring component including fisheries and invertebrate sampling on reef and shoreline habitats using several sampling techniques.  Some data entry, literature review, and other administrative tasks will also be assigned as needed.  The intern will also have the opportunity to assist NCBO staff in benthic mapping exercises, underwater grass sampling, and conducting Bay-focused outreach lessons for K-12 students.

Opportunities

This internship provides a unique opportunity to contribute to large-scale, long-term ecological research critical to understanding Chesapeake Bay living resources.  The intern will gain valuable experience in field techniques for sampling a variety of fish and invertebrate species.  These experiences will provide a strong background in conservation biology, ichthyology, ecology, hydrology, and chemistry.  The position will also provide an opportunity to expand the intern’s knowledge of Chesapeake flora and fauna and the technologies related to field research and ecosystem monitoring. 

Deliverables

•  Sample macrofauna populations and characterize aquatic habitats of the Chesapeake Bay
• Enter data from sampling efforts into the database
• Presentation to NCBO staff at the conclusion of the internship summarizing work conducted

 Requirements

• Willingness to engage in physically demanding work, typically taking place outdoors on a boat
• Knowledge of and/or comfort in using reference sources on flora and fauna of Chesapeake Bay
• Experience in Web-based research
• Experience in data management and analysis a plus
• Motivated self-starter with ability to work and reason independently
• Must be a college-level student entering sophomore, junior, or senior year of undergraduate study

 The Intern will work at NCBO in Annapolis, MD; access to computers, copiers, and phone services for the position will be provided.  The person must be a US citizen and will be reimbursed at the end of each month, for a total of up to $4000 for the equivalent of twelve weeks of full time activities (480 hours).  Some hours will be variable due to the nature of field work.  Candidate should be flexible as plans may change due to weather.  No benefits or vacation reimbursements will be provided.  Housing is not provided, but we offer assistance in arranging affordable local housing.

Please submit a short cover letter, resumé, and two references (phone numbers and e-mails) to Dave Jasinski at Dave Jasinski, PO Box 1295, Gloucester Point, VA  23062 or through e-mailing djasinsk@gmail.com by February 17, 2012.

Project Description

The Chesapeake Research Consortium and the NOAA Chesapeake Bay Office (NCBO) seek a summer intern for late May through mid to late August 2012 (12 weeks) to assist with office work on living resources of the Chesapeake Bay.  Since its creation in 1992, NCBO has supported the Chesapeake Bay Program by providing science, service, and stewardship of the natural resources of the Bay.  NCBO plays an important role in leading and facilitating the development of Bay policies focused on advancing oyster restoration and ecosystem based fisheries management.  NCBO scientists and resource managers routinely engage with other federal, state, and academic partners on critical issues facing Bay protection and restoration that require policy analysis and recommendations.  NCBO works to better integrate science and policy by synthesizing key scientific findings into products that can be used to inform senior leadership and managers in day-to-day decision/policy making and promote sustainable, ecosystem-based approaches to resource management.

The intern will primarily support the Office’s Coastal and Living Resource Management priorities including fisheries, oyster restoration, climate change, coastal and marine spatial planning, and aquaculture.  A significant amount of time will be spent working with NCBO staff and leadership on fisheries (i.e., blue crab, striped bass, alosines, oyster and menhaden) management and restoration challenges.  The position entails synthesizing complex scientific issues for use in management and policy discussions, supporting NCBO interactions with the Chesapeake Bay Program, and assisting in implementation of the President’s Strategy for Chesapeake Bay Protection and Restoration.  The intern may also have some opportunity to assist NCBO staff with field sampling, education, and outreach.

 Opportunities

This internship provides a unique opportunity to contribute to improved understanding and management of Chesapeake Bay living resources.  The intern will gain valuable experience working on complex science and policy issues that cross state and political boundaries and require significant stakeholder engagement.  The intern will become familiar with the Chesapeake Bay Program and NOAA and experience first-hand development and implementation of resource management policies.  The experiences and skills gained from the internship will be valuable to someone seeking further education or career development in the policy or scientific fields. 

Deliverables

• Support implementation of the President’s Strategy for Chesapeake Bay Protection and Restoration
• Provide scientific and policy advice on key resource management issues
• Presentation to NCBO staff at the conclusion of the internship summarizing work conducted

Requirements

• Knowledge of estuarine systems and processes and/or interest in governance structures and policy development
• Strong research skills and experience in analysis and synthesis of complex information
• Motivated self-starter with communication skills and ability to work independently
• Must be a college-level student entering sophomore, junior, or senior year of undergraduate study

The Intern will work at NCBO in Annapolis, MD; access to computers, copiers, and phone services for the position will be provided. The person must be a US citizen and will be reimbursed at the end of each month, for a total of up to $4000 for the equivalent of twelve weeks of full time activities (480 hours). Candidates should expect to follow a normal weekday work schedule (roughly 9-5, M-F) with occasional variations for possible field work or other activities.  No benefits are provided.  Housing is not provided, but we offer assistance in arranging affordable local housing.

Please submit a short cover letter, resumé, and two references (phone numbers and e-mails) to Dave Jasinski at Dave Jasinski, PO Box 1295, Gloucester Point, VA 23062 or through e-mailing djasinsk@gmail.com by February 17, 2012.

Project Description The Chesapeake Research Consortium and the NOAA Chesapeake Bay Office (NCBO) seek a Summer Intern for the period of late May through mid to late August 2012 (12 weeks). The intern will support the logistical and technical aspects of the Chesapeake Bay Interpretive Buoy System (CBIBS, http://buoybay.noaa.gov/).

The CBIBS component of the position would include maintenance, preparation, and calibration of sensors and buoys; field service visits to buoys; web-based work on quality control and data validation; and CBIBS product and application development. More information about CBIBS can be obtained through the link http://buoybay.noaa.gov/.
Opportunities This internship provides an opportunity to learn about and contribute to the study of water quality in the largest estuary in North America. The intern will gain a strong background in cutting-edge remote sensing technologies, diverse water quality parameters, and NOAA products and services. The intern will work alongside and establish connections with NOAA staff as well as a variety of NOAA partners, with potential for diverse networking opportunities and future career development.
Deliverables

• Hands-on knowledge of the maintenance, preparation, and calibration of water quality sensors
• Hands-on work with buoys currently deployed in the Chesapeake Bay
• Experience with web-based quality control and validation techniques
• Opportunities to contribute to product and application development

Requirements 

• willingness to engage in physically demanding work, typically taking place outdoors • motivated self-starter with ability to work independently 
• interest and/or background in technology desirable 
• should be comfortable working on the water in a 22 foot boat 
• Must be a college-level student entering sophomore, junior, or senior year of undergraduate study 

The Intern will work at NCBO in Annapolis, MD; access to computers, copiers, and phone services for the position will be provided. The person must be a US citizen and will be reimbursed at the end of each month, for a total of up to $4000 for the equivalent of twelve weeks of full time activities (480 hours). Some hours will be variable due to the nature of field work. Candidate should be flexible as plans may change due to weather. No benefits are provided. Housing is not provided, but we offer assistance in arranging affordable local housing.

Please submit a short cover letter, resumé, and two references (phone numbers and e-mails) to Dave Jasinski at Dave Jasinski, PO Box 1295, Gloucester Point, VA 23062 or through e-mailing djasinsk@gmail.com by February 17, 2012.

Restoration of the Chesapeake Bay requires committed, passionate individuals and the Chesapeake Research Consortium (CRC) seeks such an individual for a three-year appointment to the Environmental Modeling Group on EPA Chesapeake Bay Program’s Scientific, Technical Analysis and Reporting (STAR) Team. The Modeling Group develops, maintains, and applies environmental models in support of decision making by the Chesapeake Bay Program Partnership. The successful applicant will apply technical knowledge and skills such as model code development and maintenance, statistical analysis, and literature reviews in the area of atmospheric, watershed, and estuarine modeling. STAR’s mission is to facilitate productive deployment of scientific resources, to provide timely, quality information to managers, and to expand communication between workgroups. STAR will supply a forum for analysis and synthesis, engaging river commissions, government and non-governmental agencies and organizations and academic institutions. Monthly STAR meetings will foster continuing dialogue between Chesapeake Bay Program Goal Implementation Teams and data providers, ensuring effective and responsive use of scientific resources in addressing management questions. As a result, in addition to technical tasks, a staffer should expect to engage in work such as coordination and logistics, and will gain hands on experience in working with natural resource managers from around the Chesapeake Bay, providing support to and at times participating in STAR meetings.

The ideal candidate for the position would have the following background and qualifications:

• A Bachelor’s or Master’s degree with a focus on engineering, natural or environmental science, mathematics, or a related area of study;
• Ability to research, organize, and synthesize complex information for use by leadership;
• Possess strong skills in coding, statistical analysis, and/or GIS across multiple operating systems and software packages;
• Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint;
• Possess good writing and communication skills;
• Ability to work with people in a consensus building environment and independently plan meetings, develop agendas, and draft concise meeting minutes;
• Ability to work independently and under tight timelines;
• Ability to work with a range of partners as part of interdisciplinary teams and collaborative processes;
• Interest in learning how a multi-party, governmental-environmental-management partnership makes decisions effectively and sets and achieves goals; and
• A will to explore your career options and the passion and enthusiasm for the work and program.

The annual salary is $35,466 and a competitive vacation and benefits package is included for the three-year position. In addition to the experience gained through their work assignments, Staffers, through individual professional development plans, also attend professional conferences, workshops, and training related to their position and identified future career interests.

Applications (a detailed cover letter, resume, list of at least three references, and a short writing sample) should be sent electronically to Melissa Fagan, Environmental Management Career Development Program Coordinator, at faganm@si.edu. Please include information concerning education and professional background, as well as immediate and long-term career goals.

Additional information about the CRC Environmental Career Development Program is available at www.chesapeake.org. Additional information about the Chesapeake Bay Program and STAR is available at www.chesapeakebay.net.

CRC is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, sex, age, marital status, disability, veteran status, or national origin. CRC maintains a drug-free workplace. All Staffers are required to complete a federal background check upon hire.