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 has a staff of approximately 210 employees working in offices in Annapolis, Maryland; Richmond and Virginia Beach, Virginia; Harrisburg, Pennsylvania; and Washington, D.C. as well as 15 field education program locations. Our staff and volunteer corps work throughout the region educating students and adults, advocating for clean water policies, restoring waterways, and litigating when necessary.

CBF's headquarters office in Annapolis, Maryland is the Philip Merrill Environmental Center, the world’s first U.S. Green Build Council’s LEED platinum building. In 2014, CBF opened the Brock Environmental Center—one of the world’s most energy efficient, environmentally smart buildings—in Virginia Beach, Virginia.

CBF has an annual budget of approximately $30 million and is supported by over 300,000 members and e-subscribers. For more information on CBF, please visit cbf.org.

About the Hiring Department

Communications

Communications galvanizes support for and involvement in Bay restoration efforts. Communications works to frame the public debate on regional water-quality issues; brands CBF as a strong, credible, effective authority with broad expertise; works with other departments to grow and engage CBF’s members, activists, and volunteers; and serves as a leader in institutional cross-functional campaigns.

Context of the Position

CBF’s Communications department is broken into five functional areas: Writing and Content Development, Creative Services, Media Relations, Digital Outreach, and Operations and Internal Communications. The Graphic Designer will serve on the Creative Services team and will report to the Director of Creative Services.

The Graphic Designer will contribute strategically to CBF’s priorities through print and digital design. Current CBF priorities include:

• 1. Protecting and implementing the Chesapeake Clean Water Blueprint
• 2. Leveraging CBF’s Making History Campaign, which includes:
• a. Planting 10 million new trees in Pennsylvania via the Keystone 10 Million Trees Partnership
• b. Planting 10 billion new oysters in the Bay via the Chesapeake Oyster Alliance
• c. Activating 1 million supporters around the watershed via CBF’s Chesapeake 1 Million Voices for Clean Water Initiative
• 3. Realizing the measured success of CBF’s primary functions:
• a. Educating students, teachers, and adults about the issues facing the Bay and the solutions available to make it healthy
• b. Advocating directly with decision makers and indirectly through influencers for policy and funding that will help save the Bay o Litigating, when necessary, against polluters
• c. Restoring and protecting the Bay’s natural filters like trees and oysters
• 4. Building resources that will help forward these functions

Essential Functions

Taking direction and supervision from the Director of Creative Services, the Graphic Designer will:

• 1. Design and produce effective print and digital products that help communicate CBF’s priorities and programs. Products may include: CBF’s flagship Save the Bay magazine; CBF’s Annual Report, Calendar, online Year in Review, and investigative reports; Event collateral, signage, catalogs, and other materials.
• 2. Leverage and adapt design for both print and digital distribution. Protect CBF’s brands by refining (as needed), following, and assisting other departments, partners, and vendors to follow the institutional style guides for all projects.
• 3. Using UI/UX best practices, provide assistance to CBF’s Digital team on design and functionality of CBF digital presences, including CBF’s website, microsites, and emails.
• 4. Work with outside printers and other vendors to ensure proper transfer of files, approval of proofs, and project completion.
• 5. Perform other appropriate duties as requested by the Vice President for Communications.
• 6. Other duties as assigned.

Professional Experience and Qualifications

Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution required. A minimum of five years related experience; experience in art and design is mandatory. Ability to translate complex concepts into clear, exciting, easily understood, and visually interesting graphics a must. Excellent oral and written communication skills required. Ability to work in teams critical. Must demonstrate a commitment to the environment. Ability to work under tight deadlines when necessary. Excellent time management is required. SOFTWARE EXPERTISE: Mastery of Photoshop, InDesign, Illustrator, and Acrobat Professional is essential. Demonstrated knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite (PowerPoint, Word, Excel, and Outlook), standard office equipment, and computer systems is necessary. Knowledge of other Adobe Creative Cloud software, code editor software, and Asana project management is desirable.

Ability to communicate effectively with people from diverse backgrounds and experiences. Ability to receive and give supportive feedback to foster equity and inclusion in working relationships. Ability to recognize, nurture, and learn from strengths in co-workers. Having flexibility to accomplish job responsibilities in several work environments, whether it be from home, on the road, or in an office.

Additional Information

To apply, please send resume and cover letter through job posting on CBF. This position will be open until filled.

Salary Range: $65,000

How to Apply

Using the link below, please submit a cover letter and resume. This position will remain open until filled.