Field Educator

Save The Bay has been working since 1961 to Celebrate, Protect, and Restore the San Francisco Bay. We offer middle and high school students, teachers, and other Bay Area residents environmental education experiences in wetlands around the Bay and in their schools. These programs provide participants with an awareness of the Bay, a connection between their daily lives and local wetlands, and a sense of responsibility for the Bay through active stewardship.  

Position Description: 

Save The Bay's Watershed Education Program seeks energetic part-time Field Educators to lead community-based restoration programs for middle and high school students, community and corporate groups, and Bay Area residents. Save The Bay connects students, teachers and the general public directly to the Bay, introduces them to the issues impacting San Francisco Bay, and empowers them to take action to save the Bay. Our Watershed Education Program includes 3 unique programs that are tailored for different ages: 

Canoes In Sloughs: an on-the-water canoe field trip program for youth and schools;

Community-based Restoration: a habitat restoration and stewardship program for schools, corporate and community groups, and Bay Area residents of all ages;  

Discover the Bay: a weekend outings program for families and adults  

Responsibilities: 

• Lead one-day Community-based Restoration and Discover The Bay field programs for middle and high school students, corporate and community groups, and the general public   
• Lead habitat restoration projects for these groups with a focus on non-native plant removal, native plant propagation and outplantings, shoreline clean-ups, and native oyster and eelgrass monitoring   
• Assist with project planning and communication between other field staff and project mangers   
• Develop meaningful environmental education activities and hands-on curriculum for field programs   
• Ensure rigorous safety standards during programs   
• Manage and maintain trucks, safety gear, restoration tools and equipment   
• Assist with operation and maintenance of native plant nurseries   
• Conduct periodic school-based educational programs, such as classroom visits   
• Perform administrative work associated with field programming   
• Team teach and work closely with a team of field educators   
• Assist with teacher and community workshops throughout the year   
• Drive a truck on Bay Area freeways to get to multiple project sites   
• Maintain high standards of performance in a professional work environment   
• Occasional work in an office setting, conducting research for special projects and using standard software programs   
• Monitor tidal marsh restoration projects and collect data

Qualifications: 

Required: 

• Must have a college degree in Ecology, Environmental Science/Studies, Biology, Conservation or equivalent experience   
• At least one year experience in education programs, preferably with experience in outdoor environmental education programs   
• At least one year experience leading habitat restoration projects   
• Knowledge of basic Bay ecology, wetland habitats, CA native plants   
• Energy and enthusiasm for working with middle and high school students, teachers and adults while managing their safety, and teaching them about the Bay   
• Physical ability to lift and carry heavy objects   
• Clean driving record and strong commitment to safety and maintenance of truck, restoration tools, and all other equipment   
• Initiative, creativity, and collaborative work style; attention to detail, flexible and easily adaptable to change   
• Experience working with diverse student populations and people with differing ability levels   
• You must have your own vehicle or unrestricted access to a vehicle   
• Willingness to work Saturdays and occasional Sundays   
• Wilderness First Aid and CPR certified (If not certified, training courses are offered frequently and partially subsidized by Save The Bay.)

Preferred: 

• Knowledge of environmental issues impacting San Francisco Bay   
• 2-3 years experience in habitat restoration, native plant nursery operations   
• Knowledge of subtidal habitats, plus field experience   
• Canoe and kayak experience   
• Fluency in Spanish or other languages

Salary and Benefits: 

• Hourly rate begins at $14.00/hour, with regular opportunity for pay increases   
• 3 days per week (2 weekdays, Saturdays)   
• Training and professional development opportunities

Position begins week of September 10, 2007. Applications will be considered upon arrival, and interviews will begin before the application deadline. Final application deadline is August 13th, 2007.  

To Apply: 

Please send resume and cover letter by email or postal mail. No phone calls please. 

Save The Bay
Attn: Laura Wainer
Restoration Projects Manager
350 Frank Ogawa Plaza, Suite 900
Oakland, CA 94612 

For more information about Save The Bay, please visit our website.

It is a priority to Save The Bay to recruit and retain a diverse workforce. Save The Bay is an equal opportunity employer.