Application Deadline: June 1, 2026
Desired start date: July 1, 2026
Greater Farallones Association (GFA), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, seeks a Kelp Restoration Program Fellow responsible for supporting field, lab, data, outreach, and reporting activities for the Kelp Restoration Program, a joint initiative of GFA and Greater Farallones and Cordell Bank National Marine Sanctuaries to address the severe loss of bull kelp forests on the northern California coastline. Supervised by the Kelp Restoration Program Manager, this position is ideal for a college student or early-career professional who is interested in marine science, habitat restoration, and conservation, and in GFA’s work to ensure a resilient California coast and ocean.
As the primary nonprofit partner to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Greater Farallones and Cordell Bank National Marine Sanctuaries, GFA conducts joint research, conservation, and education to support healthy ecosystems in the Sanctuaries. GFA has 30 staff members and an annual operating budget of approximately $5 million. It is co-located in the National Marine Sanctuary office in a beautiful historic building on Crissy Field in the Presidio.
Greater Farallones Association aims to foster inclusivity, justice, and equity within our organization, and in the broader fields of ocean conservation, environmental education, and nonprofit management. All staff members are expected to bring a demonstrated commitment to developing skills in building an inclusive, sustainable, and effective workplace.
Job Duties
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- Assist in the lab to culture all life stages of bull kelp and prepare outplants for the field.
- Assist with urchin dissections and related sample processing.
- Serve as a visual observer for kelp canopy surveys.
- Learn about and contribute to habitat restoration design and implementation.
- Support field surveys, data collection, data management, analysis, and QA/QC.
- Support equipment and supplies management.
- Contribute to partner engagement, project-related community outreach, and reporting to resource managers.
- Participate in professional development opportunities across GFA and partner organizations.
- Develop a capstone project or report summarizing fellowship work.
- Other duties as assigned.
Preferred Qualification
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- Education in marine science, ecology, environmental studies, biology, or a related field.
- Familiarity with kelp forest ecosystems or northern California coastal ecology.
- Experience with fieldwork or monitoring in marine, coastal, or other outdoor environments.
- Experience with laboratory husbandry, sample processing, or other hands-on research support.
- Experience with data entry, QA/QC, and organization of scientific or programmatic datasets.
- Experience with data management, basic data analysis, GIS, statistical software, or spreadsheet/database software.
- Proficiency with Google Workspace and Microsoft Office.
- Experience working from small boats or aboard research vessels.
- Experience with community outreach, environmental education, or public engagement.
- Interest in nonprofit management, grants, collaborative conservation partnerships, and professional development.
- Ability to work both independently and as part of a collaborative team.
Commitment to GFA’s mission and to a just, inclusive, and equitable workplace.
Required Qualifications
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- Currently enrolled in community college, a four-year undergraduate or graduate program, or graduated from one of these programs within the past two years.
- Interest in marine ecology, habitat restoration, ocean conservation, or a related field.
- Ability to work safely and effectively in laboratory, office, shoreline, and vessel-based settings.
- Excellent organizational and communication skills, and ability to coordinate field logistics with a collaborative team.
- A valid driver’s license, proof of automobile insurance, a clean driving record, and access to reliable transportation; ability and flexibility to travel as needed to remote field sites and vessel launch areas in Sonoma County.
- Ability to lift and carry up to 50 pounds while hiking on uneven terrain for up to a mile, work aboard a research vessel or small boat, and conduct work in inclement weather.
- Be fully vaccinated against COVID-19, as defined by the Centers for Disease Control, and provide proof prior to beginning work.
Employee Status and Benefits
This hybrid remote/on-site position is full-time for a total of 520 hours from July through September 2026, with regular onsite work in Bodega Bay, at field sites along the Sonoma coastline, and occasional work from GFA’s sanctuary office in San Francisco; remote work may occur when the Fellow is not in the field or office. Compensation is $28 per hour. This position is highly dynamic, physically demanding, and field-based, and may include early mornings, evenings, and occasional weekends. As a temporary employee, the position includes holiday pay and sick leave but confers no other benefits. This position offers additional training in restoration methods, field monitoring, data analysis, outreach, and reporting to resource managers.
Application Instructions
To apply, please send your resume, brief cover letter, and three references – all in a single PDF – to kelpjobs@farallones.org. Your cover letter should address your interest and/or experience in kelp restoration and conservation, relevant field, lab, or data experience, and your commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion. Professional references should include immediate supervisors familiar with your work performance and capacity to succeed. Applications are due June 1, 2026.
GFA is committed to providing opportunities to marine scientists from all backgrounds and is an equal-opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age (over 40), pregnancy or family status, protected veteran status, or any other protected status.