The University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science (UMCES) invites applications for a Faculty Research Assistant to act as a coordinator with a strong science or environmental policy educational background. The successful candidate will work with dynamic agency and academic partners. The position is based at the Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) in Annapolis, Maryland, and offers a hybrid or in-person work schedule.
Areas of Responsibility
This position will advance the goals of restoring Maryland’s waterways and bays by working to integrate environmental restoration and resilience into the state’s implementation programs; provide staff support to Maryland’s Bays Watershed Workgroup and Maryland’s Whole Watershed Program; and increase implementation through the development of new policies, partnerships and strategies. The position supports the Center Director for Watershed and Bays Resilience in coverage of Chesapeake Bay Program activities and may serve on various Bay Program workgroups related to the Chesapeake Bay Watershed Agreement clean water, healthy landscapes, engaged communities and thriving habitat, fisheries and wildlife goals that have a direct connection to Whole Watershed program implementation;
grant reviews and grant management for selected projects from Chesapeake and Atlantic Coastal Bays Trust Fund and Whole Watershed Fund; coordination of multi-agency planned annual expenditure report
for Bay Restoration; meeting coordination, project reviews, mapping, data management and synthesis, science translation, local engagement and reporting.
Four main tasks will be addressed during the objective’s term:
1. Improved capacity of Bay restoration and resilience. This position will provide logistical and administrative support to Maryland’s Bays Workgroup and Bays Restoration Officer, coordinate tracking of restoration implementation and represent DNR on various Chesapeake Bay Program
workgroups as needed.
2. Improved capacity for aligning Whole Watershed program implementation and Chesapeake Bay partnership efforts. Support the Whole Watershed team with administrative, planning and adaptive management tasks, grant management, field visits, and integration of FieldDoc.
3. Enhance communication workflow processes. Assist in the planning and execution of recurring meetings, synthesize and disseminate information, support Chesapeake and Atlantic Coastal Bays Trust Fund, Grants Gateway and Whole Watershed communications needs.
4. Integrate Co-Benefits into Programs, Policies and Partnerships. Assist with developing the targeting scheme and proposal review process to incorporate co-benefits into projects, review proposals and advise center directors on opportunities to emphasize co-benefit connections including wildlife habitat, riparian buffers, and wetland restoration; the restoration of aquatic resources; carbon sequestration; mitigation, adaptation, or resilience; local employment opportunities; improving and protecting public health; recreational opportunities and public access to waterways and natural habitats into various implementation programs.
Required Qualifications
BS degree with at least 3 years of professional experience in a relevant role is required however a MS degree in either evironmental or natural sciences is preferred.
This position requires excellent communication and collaboration that includes: strong written and verbal communication skills; high level
of organization; intellectual curiosity; eagerness to solve problems and learn new things; emphasis on customer service; and ability to work under tight timelines with multiple priorities.
The selected candidate will be required to review and accept the UMCES Principles of Conduct.
UMCES offers excellent benefit options through the State of Maryland, to include medical, dental, prescription, FSA, life insurance and AD&D. Regular full time employees also receive university retirement benefits, a very generous tuition remission program and comprehensive annual and sick leave benefits.
This is a 100% full time, exempt position. Salary is commensurate with experience, ranging from $50,000 - $63,000 per year. The funding for this position is from a state grant and will be available as long as funding is available.
Required Application Materials:
Letter of interest, Resume, and List of 3 references and their contact information
Best Consideration Date:
May 29, 2026
Open Until Filled:
yes
The University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science is an equal opportunity employer. The Center’s policies, programs, and activities are in conformance with pertinent Federal and State laws and regulations on nondiscrimination regarding race, color, religion, age, national origin, sex, and disability. Inquiries regarding compliance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended; Title IX of the Educational Amendments; Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973; and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990; or related legal requirements should be directed to the Assistant Vice President of Human Resources, Center Administration, 2020 Horns Point Rd, Cambridge, MD 21613.
