Job Opening

Image 1 Credit: Clint Graves. Image 2: Greater Farallones Offices on Crissy Field. Image 3: Aerial of GFNMS.

Seabird Protection Network Outreach Coordinator

Thank you for your interest. We are no longer accepting applications for this position.

Greater Farallones Association (GFA) seeks a qualified candidate to serve as Outreach Coordinator for the Seabird Protection Network, a program of the Greater Farallones and Cordell Bank National Marine Sanctuaries and Greater Farallones Association, that aims to protect seabirds from human disturbances. The Outreach Coordinator’s focus is to build and maintain partnerships with boaters and small plane pilots in the greater Bay Area, with the goal of encouraging these audiences to avoid disturbing sensitive seabirds. This position requires on-the-ground outreach including developing messaging and delivering materials and presentations at events and meetings, and distributing information at harbors, marinas and airports.

Background

GFA is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization working in close partnership with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to conserve the wildlife and ecosystems of Greater Farallones and Cordell Bank National Marine Sanctuaries; to raise public awareness of the value of the sanctuaries; and to help educate and steward the next generation of marine stewards. 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 building an inclusive, sustainable, and effective workplace.

Greater Farallones National Marine Sanctuary is a protected area of more than 3,295 square miles off the northern and central California coast. The waters within the sanctuary are part of a nationally significant marine ecosystem encompassing a diversity of highly productive marine habitats, and an abundance of species – including hundreds of thousands of seabirds. The Outreach Coordinator position is a GFA staff member who, as a NOAA Affiliate, represents NOAA to external audiences.

Seabird Protection Network’s primary goal is to minimize levels of human disturbance at breeding and roosting seabird colonies. The Outreach Coordinator develops strategies, messages, and materials to encourage boaters and pilots to avoid disturbing seabird colonies along the California coastline from Point Sur to Bodega Head. The SPN project is supported by funds stemming from the Luckenbach oil tanker spill (managed by NOAA and overseen by federal resource Trustee agencies), and is a partnership between the US Fish and Wildlife Service’s Common Murre Restoration Project and Greater Farallones National Marine Sanctuary.

Scope of Work

The Outreach Coordinator is the Seabird Protection Network’s frontliner for conducting outreach to boaters and pilots throughout the greater Bay Area. This includes designing and giving presentations to boaters and pilots, staying aware of events and other opportunities to distribute products, and visiting partners at harbors, marinas, tackle shops, and airports. The Outreach Coordinator will also work with the SPN team to develop messages, strategies, presentations and materials. The goal of this work is to provide boaters and pilots with the information they need to identify and avoid disturbing seabird colonies. The Outreach Coordinator will also perform a variety of administrative duties including database maintenance, and other duties as assigned. Duties may change depending on the skill set of the successful candidate.

Job Duties

Conduct outreach to boaters and pilots 

      • Develop and implement strategies to minimize human disturbance of marine wildlife.
      • Prepare and present information on seabird conservation, regulations, and the Seabird Protection Network to pilots and boaters through presentations at meetings, distribution of materials at events, and through regular e-newsletters and annual mailers. 
      • Draft outreach materials, including tide books, posters, brochures and other materials. 
      • Distribute products at marinas, tackle shops, airports, and marine outfitters. 
      • Assist in evaluating the effectiveness of messages and outreach materials.
      • Attend targeted events (ie air/boat shows, aviation conferences) to distribute products, and speak with attendees; or in lieu of attendance contact event organizers of the event and provide outreach information and materials.
      • Conduct in-person meetings and outreach visits, as well as video meetings, and making phone calls to existing and new program partners.
      • Research appropriate events for tabling.

Manage and build partnerships in the boating and pilot community 

      • Maintain and strengthen established partnerships with regional airports, flight and kayak clubs, harbors and tackle shops throughout the Bay Area by distributing products and touching base with contacts.
      • Identify prospective new partnerships within the boating, fishing, and civilian aviation sectors. 
      • Solicit feedback from program partners using conversations, interviews, and online tools.

Program administration and tracking progress

      • Meet regularly with Seabird Protection Network program staff.
      • Manage an event calendar for the project.
      • Track outreach activities and submit reports.
      • Update database that tracks partner contacts, product distribution and seabird disturbances.
      • Update website content using WordPress software.
      • Prepare and format documents.
      • Research and draft material to include in monthly pilot and boater newsletters.

Organizational Workplace Development

      • Contribute to GFA organizational culture by building an inclusive joint workplace; build strong relationships with both GFA and federal staff. 
      • Engage in organizational and professional development activities, including exploring and addressing justice and inclusion at GFA and in our partnerships.
      • Participate in meetings and in Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion training and evaluation efforts.
      • Comply with GFA policies and all applicable laws and regulations.

Preferred Qualifications

      • Experience in marketing, community-based social marketing, campaigning, and/or public outreach. 
      • Experience in designing behavior-change campaigns, messages and materials.
      • Public-speaking and audience engagement experience in a variety of settings. 
      • Excellent in-person and written communication skills, including the ability to craft and evaluate effective messages to various audiences. 
      • Must have a valid driver license, access to a reliable personal motor vehicle, proof of auto insurance, a clean driving record, and ability to travel throughout the Bay Area, using a personal vehicle, with mileage reimbursed. A government vehicle may be available for use.
      • Commitment to a just, equitable, and inclusive workplace and marine science field.
      • Proficiency with Google Drive, Microsoft Office Suite, and database software is a plus.
      • Graphic design and experience drafting e-newsletters and web content are helpful.
      • Experience with or knowledge of the boating, fishing or aviation communities is a plus.
      • Ability to work both independently and as a team member 
      • Ability to work at a computer for up to eight hours per day, with breaks
      • Ability to lift and carry 30 pounds to transport and set up tabling and materials.
      • Full vaccination against COVID-19 (exemptions apply)

Schedule and Office Setting

The Outreach Coordinator must be based in the San Francisco Bay Area, and will conduct in-person outreach throughout the region. The successful candidate may work from a home office, but must supply their own telephone and internet. Attendance at monthly in-person staff meetings at the Greater Farallones National Marine Sanctuary’s San Francisco office is required. In-person team meetings and external events will also be required. A government computer will be provided.

Weekly online meetings will be scheduled during normal business hours (9:00 AM to 5:00 PM). Some outreach will be conducted on weekends and evenings.

How to Apply

To apply, please send your resume, a brief cover letter, and three references (all in a single PDF) to SPNjobs@farallones.org. Your cover letter should describe your experience and comfort with public outreach and/or customer service. This job announcement will remain open for applications through October 31st, 2023.  Candidates will be contacted and interviewed during the week of November 13th, with a start date on or before December 11th.

Employment Status and Benefits

This position with Greater Farallones Association is conditioned on passing the federal background check and reports to Greater Farallones Association’s SPN Project Coordinator. The starting pay range for the position is $28 – $30/hr. This position is authorized to work 30-32 hours per week, and includes full benefits. Greater Farallones Association offers excellent benefits including fully paid Health Insurance, Dental, Vision, Group Term Life Insurance, and the option to participate in a 403(b) retirement plan.

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.

Back