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The Coastal States Organization is an Equal Opportunity Employer. CSO’s commitment to diversity includes the recognition that our mission is best advanced by the contributions of people of diverse backgrounds, beliefs, and cultures. Recruiting and mentoring staff to create an inclusive organization is a priority, and CSO encourages applicants from all cultures, races, colors, religions, sexes, national or regional origins, ages, disability status, sexual orientation, gender identity, military, protected veteran status, or other status protected by law.

Existing work authorization is required at the time of application submission as CSO is unable to sponsor any visa work sponsorship for this position.

 

Maryland Coastal Fellowship Application

Applications should be submitted by email to fellowships@coastalstates.org by November 6.

To apply to one or both fellowship projects, please submit the following as a single PDF document:

1. Resume or Curriculum vitae (limit of two pages).

2. Education, experience, and career development statement. The applicant should submit a summary statement about their education, experience, and career development objectives and interests. This statement should emphasize abilities and expectations of the fellowship experience in terms of their career development. Each section can be answered separately OR be combined into one personal statement.

The ‘Project Interest’ statement (section one) should be a single sentence.

The ‘Career Path and Objectives’ statement (section two) should not exceed 750 words.

The ‘Relevant Coursework and Position-Specific Skills’ section (three) must not exceed one page and transcripts are optional.

  • Section One: Project Interest (not included in word count)
    • Please clearly state which project you are interested in, or if you are interested in both projects.
  • Section Two: Career Path and Objectives (750 words)
    • Consider addressing the following themes:
      • How does your education or experience relate to the fellowship project(s) that you are interested in? How might that education or experience motivate you to advance the project or topic?
      • How do you see a fellowship project supporting your professional development?
      • What transferable knowledge, interests, or skills do you possess that would aid the Maryland Coastal Program in advancing the fellowship projects? You are welcome to highlight experiences from your personal, professional, and/or academic backgrounds.
      • The fellowship provides a range of opportunities to develop skills, conduct research, engage partners and communities, and inform partner, program, and policy development. Discuss how you will embrace the concept of public service.
      • Discuss a situation where you explored a new topic or challenge, how that experience went, and where you may have taken on a leadership role. Consider touching on what you learned from that experience.
  • Section Three: Relevant Coursework and Position-Specific Skills (not to exceed one page, single- spaced):
    • The applicant should briefly discuss any relevant coursework or skills that would contribute to the fellowship project(s) of interest.
    • Transcripts (optional) – Copies of all undergraduate and graduate student transcripts are encouraged, but not required (unofficial transcripts are welcome).

Learn more about both fellowship postings here.

 

Maryland Coastal Fellowship Project 1: Community Engagement and Coastal Resilience Fellow

 

Overview/Background and Project Description

This fellowship will work as a bridge between state-level programs and community actions focused on enhancing local government capacity for coastal management and heat mitigation.

The fellow will function as a communicator and strategist to address coastal hazards and advance adaptation goals. This fellow will research vulnerability hotspots (flooding and extreme heat) and conduct targeted community engagement offering tools and resources. The fellow will also provide recommendations on how the Department of Natural Resource’s (DNR) Coastal Management Program (CMP) can enhance its program of work to address heat, based on learnings from public engagement experiences.

 

Preferred Candidate Experience and Skills

Experience in the following areas is preferred:

● Strong commitment to community-based outreach, engagement, and research, related to adaptation

● Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills (Ex. experience in public engagement, science communication, and youth education)

 

Additional information

This position requires applicants willing to work in field and/or on-site, in-state vehicle travel, and public speaking/community engagement. Some out of normal business hours may be required.

Learn more about the position here.

Maryland Coastal Fellowship Project 2: Resilient Restoration Permitting and Shoreline Programs

 

Overview/Background and Project Description

A fellow will help to advance Maryland’s NextGen Adaptation Plan resilient restoration and resilient permitting and regulatory outcomes by working jointly with the Department of Natural Resource’s (DNR) Coastal Management Program (CMP) and CMP network partners at the Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE). A fellow will identify opportunities to simplify the permitting process to make the process of resilient restoration easier, support outreach and communication efforts around project implementation, and help to accelerate implementation of resilient nature-based projects. The fellow will work to review other states’ approaches – such as Virginia’s general permit and North Carolina – to identify ecosystem restoration project permitting options that incorporate resilience. The fellow will then develop proposed options for updates, engage in shoreline loan and other funding program updates, and create communication products to increase understanding about shoreline and other nature-based project restoration.

 

Preferred Candidate Experience and Skills

The following knowledge, skills, and/or experience are helpful, but not required:

● Experience with or knowledge of tidal wetlands and nontidal waterway construction regulations and permitting

● Experience with technical evaluation of eroding shorelines and shoreline erosion control projects

● Coastal, Stream, and Shoreline Restoration Design: Knowledge of or training or experience in specific restoration techniques, including Natural Channel Design, Regenerative Stream Conveyance Design, Valley Restoration Design, and Living Shoreline Design

● Database Management: Experience utilizing database computer programs to manage and analyze project data

 

Additional information

● 2-3 days/week at the MDE (Baltimore) and DNR (Annapolis) offices

● Field work to visit living shoreline and stream restoration sites is part of this project

● May require in-state and/or out-of-state travel

● Presentation of materials at DNR and MDE internal meetings

● Participate in public outreach opportunities with plain language tools

 

Learn more about the position here.