Field Associate: Clean River Team

The San Diego River Park Foundation was founded in 2001 to create a better future for the San Diego River and San Diego. Additional information about the organization is available at www.sandiegoriver.org. We are seeking an energetic, self-motivated, reliable individual to fill the position of Field Associate.  This person will play a role in leading field surveys and volunteer clean-up events along the river.  Ideal candidates will be interested in community organizing and engagement, environmental restoration, sustainability, and field work.  

Responsibilities:  The San Diego River Park Foundation believes that service is an excellent pathway to long-term stewardship and increased engagement with the San Diego River and its future. This person will play a role in coordinating and hosting events for the public, including river field surveys, clean-ups, and potentially other activities such as restoration projects. Duties will include:

• Planning, coordinating and hosting volunteer events to support our Clean River program, at least two field events per week (Friday surveys / Saturday clean-ups).
• Coordinating and supervising volunteers to do this work, with group sizes ranging from 2-20 regular, trained volunteers to larger groups of 75+ first-time volunteers
• Assist with contributing data to online data portal (www.immappler.com/sandiegorivertrash), and use portal to guide clean-ups
• Participate in data collection related to encampments occurring in the riverbed, to facilitate data-sharing with homeless outreach partners, land managers, elected officials and other policymakers
• Work with staff to sustain and grow volunteer engagement with the San Diego River Park Foundation through these events
• Train, mentor and supervise unpaid intern(s) to assist with volunteer events
• Cross-train with other Clean River program staff to support other events
• Participate in planning with team to advance Clean River goals
• Other duties as assigned

The ideal candidate will:

• Be committed to the environmental mission of organization
• Value working with members of the community
• Be able to (and be interested in) work outdoors and get dirty
• Have documented volunteer coordination, community outreach, and/or community organizing experience
• Be a self-starter interested in working independently
• Have strong navigational skills for orienting self and team in the riverbed
• Be able to work in a dynamic, small office and with student-interns as well as volunteers of all types
• Be comfortable with using smart phone/tablet technology to access data portal
• Have strong public speaking, communication skills, and commanding presence for volunteer events
• Have past experience interacting with people experiencing homelessness, and/or be willing to learn the organization’s respectful approach to interactions
• Be flexible, adaptable, and organized with strong multi-tasking and prioritization skills
• Basic knowledge of Google Suite, Word and PowerPoint
• Competency with data analysis in Excel
• Must be able to lift 50+ pounds and walk up to 5 miles on uneven terrain
• Must have a current driver’s license and good driving record, and be able to drive a company vehicle (truck)
• Have an associate or bachelor’s degree or the equivalent in relevant experience
• Familiarity with the San Diego River ecology and geography is a plus

Other Qualifications and Requirements:

• Event planning or experience serving as a volunteer leader preferred
• Past volunteer leadership training or experience supervising others is a plus
• Social media experience is a plus (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter)
• Hepatitis A vaccination is strongly recommended for this employee (can be completed after hire)
• First aid certification will be required for this employee (can be completed after hire)
• This position will include weekend work and may include evening work