HALFMOON CONSERVATION COORDINATOR

The Chesapeake Bay Foundation seeks a Halfmoon Conservation Coordinator in the EPR Department to be based at our Pennsylvania office located in Harrisburg, PA.

About 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 230 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 200,000 members and supporters and an annual budget of approximately $30 million. For more information on CBF, please visit our About CBF page.

About the Hiring DepartmentEnvironmental Protection and Restoration (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 Coordinator will cultivate and facilitate watershed conservation opportunities with agricultural producers, landowners, agribusinesses, partners, and contractors within the Halfmoon Creek Watershed.  The Coordinator will facilitate delivery of conservation services and projects to landowners, conduct annual engagement events and activities, and work closely with county, state, and federal conservation agencies in delivering conservation cost-share in accordance to CBF’s Halfmoon Creek Watershed Restoration Project.

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 unexpected funding problems, and the position can no longer being funded through the grant.  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.

Essential Functions

1. Create and maintain proactive, collaborative relationships with a network of conservation organizations, federal/state/local agencies, agribusinesses, and the community within the project area.     

2. Foster the delivery of project funding to the watershed, including: 

• Private sector contracted conservation engineering, planning, and permitting services. 

3. Cultivate a culture of stewardship among the agricultural community in the watershed. 

• Organize conservation educational activities to educate the agricultural producers about conservation funding programs.

4. Proactively and collaboratively work with CBF’s financial and grants management team to accurately and timely process contracts, project invoices, reports, and all other required documents/metrics to achieve project deliverables.

5. Contribute to promoting the awareness and reputation of CBF in the community.  

6. Foster and maintain close collaboration with CBF’s Pennsylvania Watershed Planning and Restoration teams and other CBF staff.

Professional Experience and Qualifications

A minimum of an Associate’s degree in Biological Science, Agricultural Science, Forestry, or related field, or equivalent experience. A Bachelor’s degree is preferred, but not required.  A successful candidate must have a deep understanding and appreciation of Pennsylvania’s agricultural heritage and culture.  Candidate must also have a familiarity with the design, installation, and benefits of agricultural best management practices. 

While not required, applicants with knowledge of state and federal agricultural cost-share program requirements and private technical service providers is preferred. 

A successful candidate will be a motivated self-starter with strong interpersonal and communication skills and the ability to network effectively with the agriculture community.  Knowledge and experience in sales and marketing principles is desired.  The ability to coordinate project activities with external and internal partners is required.  Candidates must enjoy working independently, proactively, and coordinating multiple priorities.  

Candidates must have a working knowledge of Microsoft Windows and access to an internet connection, as well as a valid motor vehicle license with the ability to use a personal vehicle for work travel (CBF reimburses for mileage driven using the federal government mileage reimbursement rate).

The successful candidate is expected to participate in USDA NRCS sponsored Technical Service Provider training opportunities.

Additional Information

This is a fully grant-funded position that will conclude when the grant term ends on January 31, 2028.

Salary Range: $50,000 (negotiable)

CBF offers a 36-hour work week, a flexible telework policy, 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. Learn more about CBF Benefits.