The Chesapeake Bay Foundation seeks a Director of the Professional Learning Team to be based at its Philip Merrill Environmental Center headquarters located in Annapolis, MD.
About the Chesapeake Bay Foundation
Established in 1967, 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 Environmental Education
Approximately 35,000 students and teachers participate each year in CBF’s education field experiences or teacher professional learning. The Bay, and its watershed, is our classroom and CBF environmental educators are responsible for bringing the Bay alive to students. We strive to make a lasting impression about the excitement and vulnerability of the Bay.
Each of CBF’s 15 education programs has its own individual character. The field experience options run the gamut from our urban boat programs in Baltimore and Hampton Roads to Pennsylvania canoe programs to remote island-based centers. We use hands-on experiential teaching techniques to educate students about the health of the Bay and connect them back to their local environment. Educators promote and develop citizen knowledge about the Bay by providing unforgettable, hands-on experiences that inspire participants with a commitment to take action for the restoration of the Bay.
The education department is comprised of Student Field Programs, Teacher and Principal Professional Learning, and Student Leadership. All of these components work closely to educate and empower participants to take action towards “Saving the Bay.”
Context of the Position
The Director of the Professional Learning Team (PLT) will work to promote and foster environmental literacy across the watershed through the development & implementation of Meaningful Watershed Educational Experiences (MWEEs). One of the main avenues to accomplish this goal is through the coordination and management of all operations of the Chesapeake Classrooms Teacher Professional Learning program. This program provides immersive 5-day summer field investigation courses for teachers. The Chesapeake Classrooms program engages over 350-400 teachers in MD, PA, and VA annually through these summer courses. The Professional Learning Team also consists of the Education Outreach Educators, who focus on creating and sustaining opportunities for schools, teachers, and students to participate in all CBF education programs. The Outreach Educators focus primarily on the DC Metro Area, Baltimore City, and select counties in Pennsylvania. The Director of the Professional Learning Team will supervise these six staff, that are geographically distributed across the Bay watershed, to ensure that all programmatic and departmental goals are achieved. The Director of PLT coordinates and manages the Principal Environmental Leadership Program that provides 3-day summer institutes for principals, administrators, and other school leaders and develops and manages systemic environmental literacy partnerships with key school systems.
The Director of TPL reports to the Vice President of Education and serves as a member of the Education Directors Team and the Education Senior Management Team to develop goals and objectives for the department. Additionally, Director of PLT also oversees the Teacher Environmental Literacy Leaders (TELL) program that focuses on training and mentor teachers to assist with CBF’s 5 day summer courses and follow up with course participants throughout the school year to support teachers in the development and implementation of their MWEE projects.
Professional Experience and Qualifications
Successful Candidate should possess the following:
Master’s degree in Education, or equivalent experience
Proven track record in developing and managing direct reports to improve their productivity and capabilities within a highly collaborative team
At least five years of classroom teaching experience or equivalent experience
Familiarity with state and national education standards and experience with curriculum development
Strong understanding of environmental education, field-based investigation, and project-based learning
Knowledge of environmental issues facing the Bay
Collaborative work style that excels in a team setting working with dedicated and professional staff
Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills
Excellent writing skills, experience with grant proposals and management is preferred
Proven ability to meet frequent deadlines
Proficient in computer systems and use of multiple platforms to manage the Professional Learning Team
Basic budget management skills, preferred
Additional Information
This position is open until filled by a suitable candidate. No phone calls please.
For a full description and to apply: http://www.cbf.org/about-cbf/jobs-internships/jobs/