The mission of the Chesapeake Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve in Maryland (CBNERR) is to improve coastal resource management by increasing scientific understanding of estuarine systems and making estuarine research relevant, meaningful, and accessible. CBNERR protects estuarine natural areas at three components: Otter Point Creek, Jug Bay, and Monie Bay-for research and education programs.
Monie Bay is one of three sites that make up CBNERR. It is located on the Deal Island Wildlife Management Area (Somerset County), which is managed by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources. The primary education event for 16 years has been Wetlands and Wildlife Field Day, which occurs in September when all the fourth graders in the county come to the marsh for this exciting event. Research projects study the impacts of management actions and sea level rise on wildlife habitat. New technologies measure marsh erosion and accretion to see if the marsh is keeping up with sea level rise. To learn more about the Reserve, see
www.dnr.state.md.us/bay/cbnerr.
Position Description: This position will build on the success of Wetlands and Wildlife Field Day to initiate additional stewardship and education programs, build community awareness and support of the Reserve, and foster a sense of stewardship in local communities by recruiting and coordinating volunteers and organizing volunteer research and stewardship projects.
The Monie Bay Volunteer Coordinator will be supervised by the CBNERR-MD Stewardship Coordinator, but will also work closely with the Deal Island Wildlife Management Area staff and other partners. Activities may include:
- Provide stewardship opportunities for Maryland's urban and rural citizens, including both students and the community surrounding the Monie Bay component
- Recruit, train, and coordinate volunteers and volunteer activities for restoration, research and monitoring, and education projects-volunteer field sampling projects may include bay grasses, emergent vegetation, invertebrates, reptiles, amphibians, fish, mammals, and/or birds
- Serve as local community liaison and build volunteer and community support for and interest in Monie Bay programs
- Initiate and foster new partnerships that help to achieve CBNERR goals
- Work with CBNERR and partner staff to develop oral history videos for Monie Bay
- Assist with preparations for and implementation of Wetlands and Wildlife Field Day
- Assist CBNERR staff with planning, overseeing, and managing any visitor facilities that may be built or acquired for the Monie Bay CBNERR component
- Attend and represent CBNERR at community events, providing presentations and activities, as appropriate
- Attend meetings required of all CBNERR Staff and Interns, including site manager meetings
For more detailed information about the project, please contact the CBNERR Stewardship Coordinator, Chris Snow, at 410-260-8732 or via email at
csnow@dnr.state.md.us.
Qualifications: This position is open to qualified undergraduates or graduates with experience in volunteer coordination who are capable of working independently with minimal supervision. The qualified person should be self-motivated, have good communication and writing skills, and be comfortable working in physically challenging environments. The ideal candidate will have an understanding of the complex nature of the Chesapeake Bay ecosystem, the challenges it faces, and management issues.
Application Requirements: Qualified applicants should submit the following:
- a short proposal (less than three single spaced pages) that describes an example volunteer program and the steps they would take to set it up;
- copies of unofficial transcripts;
- two letters of recommendation; and,
- a one-page resume.
All applications must be received by March 26, 2010.
Position Details: This position is a part-time seasonal contractual employee with the Maryland Department of Natural Resources under the supervision of the CBNERR Stewardship Coordinator. This is a part-time position, and the total number of hours worked per week will be variable and flexible, with a minimum of 16 hours per week and maximum of 40 hours per week (7- to 10-month position beginning May 2010). Salary will depend on education and experience.
Email complete applications to:
Chris Snow, CBNERR Stewardship Coordinator
csnow@dnr.state.md.us410-260-8731
