Restoration Ecology Intern

SFBBO Internship Announcement

Job Title: Restoration Ecology Intern

Application Deadline: 2/23/2025

To Apply: email a CV/resume, cover letter, and three references to Laura Echávez-Montenegro lechavez@sfbbo.org

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 at least two individuals to join us as restoration ecology interns. The position will provide opportunities to work on all aspects of SFBBO’s habitat restoration projects, but will mainly be focused on nursery work, project implementation, and volunteer management. Seasonal ecologists will be asked to work at least one weekend day per week supervising volunteer events. This full-time position is based in Milpitas, CA, with field sites throughout the South San Francisco Bay and begins 3/17/2025 or as soon as possible, and will terminate on 12/31/2025. 

In this role you will help SFBBO restore habitat in the San Francisco Bay by:

• Propagating native plants at our nurseries
• Managing irrigation schedules and regular maintenance tasks at our nurseries
• Managing invasive vegetation with methods including hand pulling, using hand tools, mowing, and (rarely) applying herbicide
• Preparing restoration sites by spreading mulch, straw, and/or seed
• Planting native plants from our nursery
• Conducting standardized vegetation surveys
• Supervising volunteers at our nursery and at on-site work days focused on controlling invasive vegetation or planting nursery stock
• Assisting with data management and report writing
• Leading groups of 5th and 6th grade students in restoration activities and nature walks around Alviso Marina County Park

Required Qualifications:

• BA/BS in biology, ecology, environmental science, or related field OR equivalent work/course experience and working towards a degree in a relevant field
• Strong interest in tidal marsh ecology and sharing scientific concepts with the public
• Some experience with CA native plant identification, common California invasive plants, and common basic plant survey techniques; knowledge of tidal marsh plants is a plus
• Some experience managing a nursery, including, inventorying, transplanting/ sowing, and/or facilities maintenance
• Strong independent work ethic, organizational skills, and attention to detail
• Valid driver’s license and a clean driving record (for traveling to and on field sites – SFBBO vehicles will be available for use; a reliable personal vehicle or transportation for reaching the SFBBO offices and nurseries IS required)
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team
• Effective oral and written communication skills

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience supervising groups of volunteers
• Experience writing and applying to grants
• Experience with some kind of field work involving long days spent working outdoors
• Experience removing vegetation using common weeding tools (hoes, McLeods, weed whackers, etc)
• Familiarity with horticultural techniques and nursery work
• Experience conducting formal vegetation surveys and identifying plants in the field
• Off-road driving experience (SFBBO vehicle provided or carpools available for driving to field sites)
• Proficiency in Spanish, Vietnamese, or other non-English languages
• Ability to work full-time (40 hours per week) August through December 2025 except for federal holidays

Schedule and Physical Requirements:

• The ability to traverse occasional uneven, rough, or inclined terrain while in the field in order to carry out field work. The individual will be exposed to outdoor elements (mud, sun, wind, dust, salt spray) while conducting field work.
• The ability to tolerate long field days in isolated locations (up to 8 hours).
• Part-time weekend work; up to 8 hours one weekend day per week. The employee will not be expected to work over 40 hours per week
• 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 40 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, people that identify as LGBTQIA2S+, 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

$19.61/hour starting wages, to be paid twice a month  (est. $39,533.76 annually at 40 hours/week). Benefits include:

• $40 per month phone and Internet stipend