Friends of Sausal Creek
Company Name
Friends of Sausal Creek
Address
PO Box 2737, Oakland, CA, 94602, United States
Contact Name
Kimra McAfee
Phone Number
+15105013672
Email Address
eocjob@gmail.com
Company Website
www.sausalcreek.org
Job Title
Education and Outreach Coordinator
Sector
Teaching & Education
Part Time/Full Time/Other
Full-Time
Is it a student job?
No
Wage/Salary
$18-$22/hour
Education Level
Bachelor’s Degree
Job Description
Friends of Sausal Creek (FOSC) has been one of the Bay Area’s premier environmental restoration and oversight organizations for over 20 years. We are a volunteer-based, nonprofit, community organization dedicated to promoting awareness, appreciation, and stewardship of Oakland’s Sausal Creek Watershed. In addition to hands-on habitat restoration work, we educate future generations, involve the community in local environmental stewardship, and collaborate with agencies and other nonprofits to have a positive impact on the local ecosystem.
Definition
The education and outreach coordinator (EOC) will be responsible for coordinating and leading all of FOSC’s environmental education programs as well as being the organization’s lead on outreach for all organization programs—education, restoration, and monitoring. The coordinator will be responsible for tracking field trip and community outreach data, will contribute to grant reporting, and will assist with grant writing and other fundraising.
FOSC’s environmental education programs encourage local youth to be environmental stewards while teaching them about the physical and ecological connection of the creek and surrounding neighborhoods to the Oakland Estuary. The coordinator will help launch new school partnerships, coordinate with teachers and volunteer docents, develop curriculum, and lead exploratory and educational field trips in urban and wild areas in the Sausal Creek Watershed. Activities will include classroom presentations, mapping and art projects, native plant gardening in urban parks, bird watching, aquatic insect monitoring, water quality testing, and removing invasive, nonnative species and planting natives in Oakland wildlands to support habitat restoration projects. During the school year, FOSC provides field trips during both the regular school day and for after-school and, occasionally, weekend programs. During the summer FOSC leads education and restoration programs for Team Oakland high school job training crews and Oakland Parks, Recreation, and Youth Development summer campers (6-15 year olds). A major focus will be continuing the expansion of FOSC’s estuary-based field trip programs for schools located in the Fruitvale district, close to the creek outlet; this includes execution of deliverables for a Coastal Conservancy grant ending in February 2019 and seeking funding to subsequently continue the program.
Organization outreach engages the community in workdays and bimonthly environmental education presentations, informs the community about watershed issues, and provides community leadership to develop and implement urban greening projects. This includes publishing a monthly email newsletter and regular posting via social media outlets, as well as coordinating speakers for the bimonthly meetings. The coordinator will represent FOSC at outreach and tabling events, such as neighborhood festivals. The coordinator will also be the lead for the organization’s role as an outreach partner for the Bay Area Integrated Regional Water Management Disadvantaged Community Involvement Program. The focus of this program is to engage Fruitvale community members and organizations to collect information on water challenges and needs, with the goal of implementing future projects. In this role, the coordinator will attend local community meetings and events and will work with program partners throughout the region. The EOC will also seek to develop new partnerships and expand existing ones as part of implementing FOSC’s Sausal Creek Walkable Watershed Concept Plan. The purpose of the Walkable Watershed program is to engage the Fruitvale and adjacent neighborhoods with Sausal Creek in order to transform the creek from a state of obscurity and neglect to a community asset. The program seeks to catalyze urban greening and creek education projects and activities that will enhance water quality and habitat values, expand community awareness of creek health issues, and enhance public access to the creek for the environmental, cultural, and recreational benefits it can provide.
Terms and Schedule
This position is 35-40 hours per week, with a somewhat flexible schedule, but the candidate must be able to work some weeknights and some weekends. The rate of pay is $18 to $22/hour depending on experience. The selected candidate will be responsible for his/her own transportation, including transporting tools and plants to field trip sites and materials for tabling events. Workers’ Compensation Insurance is provided. One hour of paid sick leave is accrued for every 30 hours worked. After one year of employment, employee earns one week of paid personal time off each year (based on average hours/week). Successful completion of a background check, proof of negative TB results, and proof of personal auto insurance are required. Mileage to FOSC-related activities is reimbursable.
General Characteristics and Required Skills
• Undergraduate degree
• Fluency in Spanish is strongly preferred
• Experience leading indoor and/or outdoor education activities
• Experience in community outreach/recruitment and facilitating groups
• Excellent public speaking and presentation skills
• Knowledge of creek and watershed-related environmental issues
• Knowledge of restoration techniques and native plants a plus
• Knowledge of environmental and social justice issues in underserved communities
• Experience working with youth from diverse backgrounds
• Experience working with people of all ages and backgrounds
• Strong interpersonal skills, highly motivated with strong work ethic
• Demonstrated responsible behavior and judgment
• Enjoy working outdoors and in the Oakland community
The chosen candidate should have the ability to:
• Help develop environmental, cultural, and natural history curriculum for class visits and field trips
• Form new school partnerships and relationships with teachers
• Plan for and lead environmental lessons with school-aged children (6-18 years old), including educating participants on the organization, the watershed, and tool and project safety
• Purchase and maintain tools and supplies, track project budgets
• Be a self-starter; see potential of FOSC’s programs and create meaningful partnerships in order to implement them
• Be a positive role model, connect with others and forge strong relationships
• Perform several tasks concurrently, meet deadlines and work with changing priorities
• Coordinate the design, approval, and implementation of urban greening projects with local organizations, community members, and students
• Correspond professionally and in a timely manner
• Communicate effectively both orally and in writing
• Understand mission of programs and anticipate future needs
• Train and supervise interns
• Assist with grant writing and reporting
• Facilitate and work closely with a board-level community outreach and education committee
• Work closely with community stakeholders of the Sausal Creek Walkable Watershed Program to facilitate and expand the program
• Lift 40 pounds
• Use word processing, database, and spreadsheet software; Salesforce experience is a plus
Direction and Support Received
The education and outreach coordinator will receive guidance, direction, and some training from the executive director and FOSC board of directors, will collaborate with FOSC’s restoration and nursery manager, and will have support from interns and volunteer docents, as well as from FOSC’s larger volunteer base. Because there is no centralized office, it is essential that the selected candidate have the experience and motivation to work independently with minimal day-to-day supervision while keeping interested parties informed.
Applications will be accepted until the position is filled, but applicants are encouraged to apply by February 21, 2018. To apply, please email a thoughtful cover letter and resume to EOCjob@sausalcreek.org.
How to Apply
Email a thoughtful cover letter and resume to EOCjob@sausalcreek.org
Expiration Date
February 21, 2018