Maryland engagement coordinator

The Chesapeake Bay Foundation seeks a Maryland Engagement Coordinator in the Advocacy and Restoration Department to be based in Annapolis, Maryland.

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 our education, advocacy, litigation, and restoration efforts, we work together toward our vision of a healthy and resilient Chesapeake Bay ecosystem where people, plants, and animals thrive together.

CBF has a staff of approximately 200 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.

DEPARTMENT DESCRIPTION

Advocacy and Restoration

CBF’s Advocacy 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 Engagement Coordinator expands and mobilizes CBF’s advocacy network by cultivating diverse relationships and activating supporters around clean water issues. The Coordinator develops partnerships, designs and executes effective engagement programs, and drives advocate action. Reporting to the MD Director of Advocacy and working closely with the Maryland policy team, the Coordinator implements the Maryland Office’s advocacy strategy. The role strengthens CBF’s influence by connecting members, partners, community leaders, and decision makers to advance clean water goals throughout Maryland.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Leverage, build, and strengthen relationships with individuals and community leaders to serve as validators, ambassadors, and advocates for clean water across Maryland.
• Engage and mobilize CBF members, advocates, volunteers, and constituents to support and amplify CBF’s legislative, regulatory, and policy priorities at the local, state, and federal levels through events, speaking opportunities, and grassroots activities.
• Proactively include existing advocates and cultivate new advocates in activities impacting priority issues in Maryland.
• Coordinate, promote, and execute high-quality events in close collaboration with the Maryland policy team, MD program staff, and other CBF departments that reinforce retention, visibility, and meaningful engagement among volunteers and advocates.
• Develop and align community engagement strategies and actions for legislative and policy initiatives in coordination with the MD policy team, the engagement team, and other organization- and department-wide teams.
• Build CBF’s roster of advocates and connect advocates and decision makers to the urgency of clean water issues.
• Educate and train citizen leaders and constituents on clean water and climate issues and inspire them to take action.
• Expand CBF’s advocacy activities by identifying, testing, and refining innovative, creative organizing and engagement methods and tools.
• Work in coordination with CBF’s Marketing and Communications team to develop written and electronic materials that synthesize technical information and activate, build, and empower people in the improvement of the health and resiliency of the Chesapeake Bay.
• Utilize CBF programs, software, and systems to track activities of volunteers, members, and advocates.
• Represent CBF in partnerships and coalitions with environmental, community, civic, and educational organizations.
• Proactively cultivate new partnerships with watershed groups, conservation districts, community-based organizations, civic associations, non-traditional partners, industry stakeholders, and local leaders in priority geographies.
• Create clear pathways for partners and stakeholders to remain engaged through advocacy, stewardship, and restoration activities.
• Seek opportunities to develop relationships and partnerships to build and activate volunteers and advocates.
• Engage college-level advocates and cultivate the next generation of environmental leaders through campus partnerships, internships/fellowships, and mentorship.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in environmental science or studies, policy, political science, or related fields and up to three years of relevant experience.
• Candidates who possess insight, lived experience, and skills for community organizing and volunteer management equivalent to a bachelor’s degree or intensive year-long field program, are encouraged to apply.
• Demonstrate a history or ability to implement coordinated events and public action for the environment or related issues.
• Cultural competency and demonstrated experience engaging a wide range of communities is desired.
• Well-developed interpersonal skills and demonstrate CBF’s core values of being credible, connected, and courageous.
• Ability to build relationships, network and communicate with a diverse set of individuals and organizations will be critical to CBF’s engagement, advocacy and policy success.
• Ability to be a public facing member of CBF’s team and be a key contributor to successful advocacy and outreach efforts.