Biologist and Education Specialist

Job Title: Biologist and Education Specialist

Application Deadline: 2/25/2024

To Apply: email a CV/resume, cover letter, and three references to [email protected] 

Description: 

The San Francisco Bay Bird Observatory (SFBBO) is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to promoting sustainability by engaging communities in avian science, habitat conservation, and education. We are hiring someone to join us as an education specialist and biologist. The position will allow the employee to gain experience working with all of SFBBO’s science teams, but is intended to grow into a primarily education-focused position. This full-time position is based in Milpitas, CA, with field sites throughout the South San Francisco Bay and begins 3/11/2024 or as soon as possible. 

In this role you will help SFBBO carry out our new Strategic Plan by:

• Working with our science teams to conduct field surveys of snowy plovers, least terns, and other species as needed 
• Helping our ecologists restore tidal marsh habitats at several sites around the Bay through nursery work, invasive vegetation management, planting, managing volunteer events, and vegetation surveys.
• Further developing SFBBO’s environmental education program and expanding it by seeking funding and writing grants
• Managing SFBBO’s environmental education including leading classroom education and tidal marsh habitat restoration activities for underserved youth with our partners Marshmallow Minds, conducting workshops, field trips, and bird walks as needed, and potentially speaking at education events at our Coyote Creek Field Station (pending funding).
• Managing and training teams of community science volunteers for our Least Tern and Colonial Waterbird research programs; managing volunteers through our partnership with the Oiled Wildlife Conservation Network (OWCN); and working with partners such as Peninsula Open Space Trust, Keep Coyote Creek Beautiful, and the Oakland Zoo.

Required Qualifications:

• BA/BS in biology, ecology, environmental science, or related field OR equivalent work/course experience
• Strong interest in environmental education and volunteer management 
• Excellent writing skills with some experience in any of: reporting, grants, science writing, curriculum development
• Some experience with bird identification and common survey techniques
• Strong independent work ethic, organizational skills, and attention to detail
• Valid driver’s license and a clean driving record (for traveling to field sites; a reliable personal vehicle is recommended for reaching the SFBBO offices but not required)
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team
• Effective oral and written communication skills

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience writing a curriculum for environmental education programs or planning educational/volunteer events
• Experience writing and applying to grants
• Experience with avian field work, such as: bird identification, nest searching, and floating eggs to determine eggs. Any experience with snowy plovers or least terns (or similar species) should be especially highlighted.
• Experience with native plants, horticultural techniques, and plant surveys
• Off-road driving experience (SFBBO vehicle provided for driving to field sites)
• Fluent in Spanish, Vietnamese, or other non-English languages 

Schedule and Physical Requirements:

• The ability to traverse occasional uneven, rough, or inclined terrain while in the field in order to carry out field surveys. The individual will be exposed to outdoor elements (mud, sun, dust, salt spray) while conducting field surveys.
• The ability to tolerate long field days in isolated locations (up to 8 hours).
• Irregular hours on field survey days, including early mornings, evenings, and occasional weekends. Some weeks will require 5 days in the field, with work hours variable depending on sunrise, sunset, and high tide time.
• The ability to safely drive company vehicles on dirt levees to remote field locations (SFBBO vehicle provided for off-road driving).
• The ability to occasionally move or transfer materials weighing up to 20 pounds.

Reasonable accommodations will be made to allow individuals to perform the essential functions of this position.

Statement on Qualifications

Research has shown that people’s identities can influence their willingness to apply for jobs. For example, a Hewlett Packard internal report found that men applied to jobs when they met 60% of the qualifications, while women applied only when they met 100% of the qualifications. We encourage you to apply even if you do not meet every qualification!

Our Commitment to Diversity

SFBBO is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes everyone to our team. We firmly believe that diverse employee teams help us to achieve our best organizational outcomes and provide the most effective support to the equally diverse communities we serve. We are deeply dedicated to creating and maintaining an inclusive, equitable and supportive work environment. We believe in growth and supporting our employees as best we can so they can become their best selves in and outside of work. A healthy work environment means building an inclusive culture where people can thrive together and feel supported and empowered.

We strongly encourage people of all backgrounds and identities, including but not limited to people of color, lesbian, gay, bisexual, queer, transgender and non-binary people, veterans, parents, and individuals with disabilities to apply. If you need reasonable accommodation at any point in the application or interview process, please let us know. In your cover letter, please feel free to note which pronouns you use (they/them, she/her, he/him, etc.).

Compensation and Benefits

$20 – $22/hour starting wages (rate dependent on skills and experience), to be paid twice a month  (est. $41,600 – $45,760 annually at 40 hours/week). Benefits include:

• Full health, dental, and vision benefits
• Personal Time Off (PTO) accumulation at a rate of 0.076hrs/per worked hrs per pay period, capped at 160 hours
• Access to a state-run retirement program
• $40 per month phone and Internet stipend 
• Options for remote work and flexible hours on non-field days