Job Opening

Kelp Restoration Technician

Two positions available

Desired start date: April 1, 2025

Summary

Two Kelp Restoration Technician positions will support the Kelp Restoration Program, a joint initiative of Greater Farallones Association (GFA) and Greater Farallones and Cordell Bank National Marine Sanctuaries (Sanctuaries) to address the severe loss of kelp forests on the Northern California coastline. The Technicians will contribute to implementing and monitoring kelp restoration and research efforts along the Sonoma/Mendocino coastline. These two positions are full-time, temporary seasonal positions from April 2025 to October 2025 and will involve scientific diving and other fieldwork-based activities.

Background

Greater Farallones Association (GFA) is the nonprofit partner of 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, which comprise one of the most diverse and bountiful marine environments in the world, an area of 4,581 square miles off the northern and central California coast. With approximately 30 staff members, GFA is supported by a diverse mix of government grants, program service contracts, private philanthropy, and donated services. GFA has an annual operating budget of approximately $5 million and is co-located in the National Marine Sanctuary office in a beautiful historic building on Crissy Field in the Presidio with an additional field office at Bodega Marine Lab.

Scope of Work

• Assisting with kelp culture husbandry and maintenance.
• Assisting with outplanting bull kelp.
• Assisting with subtidal scuba-based surveys and other diving activities.
• Conducting intertidal surveys and urchin removals, sampling, and dissections.
• Contributing to restoration field planning, including implementing novel kelp restoration techniques and streamlined methods for monitoring and assessment.
• Conducting field operations aboard a NOAA research vessel, a small boat, and from the coast/shoreline, including using PISCO protocols for subtidal field surveys, ensuring NOAA diving safety standards are met, and maintaining equipment.
• Collaborating closely with project partners, including federal, state, tribal, academic, nonprofit, and fishers.
• Entering data and conducting QA/QC on extensive data sets.
• Assisting with outreach opportunities.
• Other duties when assigned.

Required Qualifications

• Knowledge of kelp forest community structure and species.
• Experience with scientific diving and task loading in cold water.
• Experience in conducting monitoring and/or research in the marine environment.
• Possess the following diving certifications: Open Water, Advanced Open Water, and Rescue Diver from a nationally recognized agency and at least 30 additional dives beyond training. Previous or active AAUS scientific diver certification is highly desired.
• Possess the following certifications and trainings or be able to obtain them within two months upon hire:
  • NOAA Diver Certification (NDC), which includes Adult CPR and FA, Emergency
    Oxygen Administration.
  • Partnership for Interdisciplinary Studies of Coastal Oceans (PISCO) methods and
    protocols.
  • Motorboat Operator Training Course (MOTC or MOCC)
  • NOAA Small Boat Component Course.
• Excellent organizational skills and ability to coordinate and communicate field logistics.
• A valid driver’s license, access to a reliable personal motor vehicle, and proof of auto insurance; ability and flexibility to travel as needed to remote field sites and vessel launch areas in Marin, Sonoma, and Mendocino counties.
• Ability to lift and carry up to 50 pounds while hiking on uneven terrain for up to a mile, work aboard a research vessel for multiple days, and conduct work in inclement weather.
• Proficiency with Google Drive, Microsoft Suite and database software.
• Pass a federal background check to obtain a DoD Common Access Card for access to federal buildings, vehicles, and computer networks and systems.

Desired Qualifications

• Education in a relevant field.
• Diving in kelp forests along the Northern California coast or similar environment.
• Working on research vessels for multiple days at a time.
• Operating boats and drones; knowledge of applicable regulations and best practices.
• Designing and conducting marine restoration projects.
• Proficiency with quantitative data analysis and statistical software.
• Knowledge of or ability to learn seabirds and marine mammals of Northern California.

Employee Status and Benefits

These are seasonal (April-October), full-time, non-exempt staff positions with Greater Farallones Association. The starting hourly rate is $28-$30/hour with a 1.25x the regular hourly rate for diving activities (estimated at 350 hours in total over the six months), with fully paid health, dental, vision, and life insurance. These positions are highly dynamic, physically demanding, and heavily field-based. The Kelp Restoration Technicians will have a designated office space at either Greater Farallones and Cordell Bank National Marine Sanctuaries headquarters at Crissy Field in San Francisco or Olema in Western Marin County, where they may work in person five days a week (and at times including early mornings, evenings, and weekends), with the ability to work remotely when not in the field. The Kelp Restoration Technicians may also work frequently at GFA’s office at UC Davis Bodega Marine Laboratory in Bodega Bay.

Application Instructions

To apply, please send your resume, a brief cover letter, and three references (all in a single PDF) to kelpjobs@farallones.org. Your cover letter should describe your experience with scientific diving and related field operations, and marine restoration and conservation projects. Applications will be accepted until February 28th, and reviewed promptly, with a desired start date of April 1st.

Greater Farallones Association is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race; color; national origin; ancestry; religion; sex; sexual orientation; gender identity or expression; marital status; pregnancy, childbirth, lactation, or related medical conditions; reproductive decision making; status as a victim of domestic violence, assault, or stalking; genetic information; medical condition; disability, physical or mental; age (for persons over 40); or military or veteran status.