Employment

Science Programs Director
Milpitas, California

The San Francisco Bay Bird Observatory is seeking a strong science leader with the ability to grow and manage our science programs. The Science Programs Director will be responsible for fundraising, program and staff development, and cultivating a network of partners among community leaders, state and federal agencies, and private partners. The Science Programs Director will be responsible for managing key projects in our Landbirds and Waterbirds Programs such as the Coyote Creek Field Station long-term banding station, the Upland Habitat Goals Focus Teams, our long term involvement with the San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge on the South Bay Salt Ponds Project, and a study of the effects of California Gulls at landfills on nesting success of federally protected birds

The Bird Observatory is a small non-profit organization with 5 permanent full-time staff members and an annual budget of $400,000 located in Milpitas in the heart of the South San Francisco Bay Area. SFBBO has 26 years of experience conducting avian research in the San Francisco Bay Area. Our research contributes to land management decisions that address local conservation challenges of concern to resource agencies, policymakers, and California citizens. In addition to riparian research and breeding population studies of colonial water birds and California Gulls, we participate in the South Bay Salt Pond Science Team and the San Francisco Bay Area Upland Habitat Goals Focus Teams. Through our Outreach program, we actively provide opportunities for people to be directly involved in the natural history and science of the San Francisco Bay Area, expanding their appreciation for the local environment. The Bird Observatory has a team of 100 long-standing, dedicated volunteers who greatly enhance the reach of our science.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Actively pursuing funding opportunities through grants and contracts
• Managing existing grants and contracts
• Mentoring, development, and evaluation of technical staff; overseeing Landbirds and Waterbirds Program Supervisors
• Directing the publication of bird observatory studies in peer-reviewed outlets
• Representing the bird observatory at professional conferences
• Supporting our mission through program development and tracking
• Networking with partners for professional visibility
• Coordinating volunteer management and training for technical assistance with the Outreach Programs Coordinator and Science Program staff

QUALIFICATIONS

• Advanced degree in biology, ornithology, or related field (Ph.D. a plus)
• Grant and contract development experience
• Team building and mentoring experience 
• Staff training experience related to standard ornithological methods (bird banding, point counts, nest searching)
• Experience with experimental design and statistical analyses for bird banding and count data
• Technical writing and publication experience
• Collaborative partnership experience with state and federal agencies and private foundations

Salary range: $45,000 - $50,000 depending on qualifications and experience including a competitive benefits package including 15 paid time off days to start.

To apply, please submit both a cover letter and resume to ExecutiveSearch@sfbbo.org no later than July 11th, 2008. Please include “Science Programs Director Search” in subject line.