CRC’s Environmental Management Career Development Program (EMCDP) gives early career environmental managers and scientists an entry point into the Chesapeake Bay’s restoration community in a way that not only provides critical professional experience but that also advances individual growth so that future leaders are prepared to continue the restoration and management of the Chesapeake Bay and its watershed.
CRC works in partnership with the Chesapeake Bay Program to provide three-year, entry-level positions for individuals looking to begin their careers in environmental management and science. As participants in this program, CRC’s thirteen Environmental Management Staffers are embedded within the Chesapeake Bay Program offices in Annapolis, Maryland where they engage with partners from across the Chesapeake Bay watershed to meet the goals and outcomes identified in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed Agreement. Staffer positions within the program focus on specific components of the Bay’s restoration strategy such as fisheries management, habitat restoration, water quality, watershed health, data analysis and modeling, climate change, stewardship and outreach, diversity, communications, and adaptive management. Staffers in the program couple three years of coordination and substantive work experience with dedicated professional development resources and support to ensure they are equipped with the skills and networks needed to advance their careers.
A critical part of the Chesapeake Bay Program
The Chesapeake Bay Program brings together leaders from state, federal and local government, as well as academia and the watershed’s many communities, to collaborate on creating the best strategies and tools for cleaning up the Bay and the rivers and streams that flow into it. The work of the Chesapeake Bay Program is diverse, fast-paced, and always evolving. CRC Staffers are responsible for critical coordination activities that bring Chesapeake Bay Program partners together from across the watershed to have productive conversations and make important decisions necessary to keep program activities moving forward towards meeting the goals and outcomes identified in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed Agreement
A typical day for an Environmental Management Staffer
Over the course of their three years in the program, Staffers gain a wide variety of working experience. Staffers play critical roles in bringing the right people together at the right times to advance their team’s progress. Setting agendas, communicating with team members across the Bay’s watershed, developing and gathering briefing materials, documenting their groups’ discussions and decisions, and tracking actions are all part of a day’s work. Staffers may also be asked to perform literature reviews, help analyze data, develop communication and outreach materials, and more. The Staffers are valued as partnership team members and encouraged to apply their knowledge, skills and enthusiasm to their groups’ mission.
How we incorporate professional development
Each Staffer will be given ample opportunity to explore the subject areas that inspire them the most and develop critical skills needed to continue their careers or enroll in advanced academic study. Staffers are encouraged to attend workshops, field outings, training, and conferences to learn more about topics of their choosing. Opportunities to network with a wide variety of professionals are around every corner. Staffers are also periodically gathered together and provided with group training opportunities to develop skills such as grant writing, facilitation, and leadership that will be beneficial regardless of what specific next steps they take in their careers.
The future is diverse
CRC envisions a future that includes a sustainable and regenerative Chesapeake Bay ecosystem that plays a vital role in the health and well-being of the greatest diversity of stakeholders. We recognize that we can only see this vision become reality if all voices and perspectives are represented within the Bay’s science and management community. As a program that strives to develop the Bay’s next generation of scientists and managers, we want to be sure that we are doing so in a way that reflects the full diversity of the Bay’s population and advances all voices and perspectives needed to fulfill our vision of a restored ecosystem.
Program openings and how to apply
Positions within the Environmental Management Career Development Program open up periodically as Staffers complete their 3-year terms. Each Staffer supports a specific team within the Chesapeake Bay Program and the position announcement will be specific to that Staffer position and the team it supports. We do not accept general program applications. Each year we typically see between 3-5 vacancies within the program. Position announcements are posted on the CRC Jobs and Internships page for a minimum of two weeks.
To apply, you will be asked to submit a cover letter, current resume, name and contact information for three references, transcripts (unofficial copies are accepted), and a short writing sample. Be sure that your cover letter addresses how you will use your skills and background to be successful in the specific position you are applying for. And tell us a bit about your future plans so that we can learn what sort of professional development support you would be looking for. Writing samples should be between 2-5 pages and highlight your writing abilities. Samples can include research papers, memos, articles, etc. Excerpts from larger writing pieces are accepted. You must be the sole author of the sample you submit.
Questions about CRC’s Environmental Management Career Development Program? Contact us at crc-careerdevelopment@chesapeake.org.
Stay Connected! Follow along with our blog Career Development News to learn about what life is like for our Staffers and Interns as part of CRC’s Career Development initiatives.
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