Work at SFBBO
Thanks for your interest in joining a great team at SFBBO! Please see below to read about our current job openings for a Biologist-Education Specialist and a Field Biology Intern.
Biologist-Education Specialist Job Announcement
Job Title: Biologist and Education Specialist
Application Deadline: 2/25/2024
To Apply: email a CV/resume, cover letter, and three references to khovind@sfbbo.org.
Description:
The San Francisco Bay Bird Observatory (SFBBO) is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to promoting sustainability by engaging communities in avian science, habitat conservation, and education. We are hiring someone to join us as an education specialist and biologist. The position will allow the employee to gain experience working with all of SFBBO’s science teams, but is intended to grow into a primarily education-focused position. This full-time position is based in Milpitas, CA, with field sites throughout the South San Francisco Bay and begins March 11, 2024, or as soon as possible.
In this role you will help SFBBO carry out our new Strategic Plan by:
Required Qualifications:
Preferred Qualifications:
Schedule and Physical Requirements:
Statement on Qualifications
Research has shown that people’s identities can influence their willingness to apply for jobs. For example, a Hewlett Packard internal report found that men applied to jobs when they met 60% of the qualifications, while women applied only when they met 100% of the qualifications. We encourage you to apply even if you do not meet every qualification!
Our Commitment to DiversitySFBBO is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes everyone to our team. We firmly believe that diverse employee teams help us to achieve our best organizational outcomes and provide the most effective support to the equally diverse communities we serve. We are deeply dedicated to creating and maintaining an inclusive, equitable and supportive work environment. We believe in growth and supporting our employees as best we can so they can become their best selves in and outside of work. A healthy work environment means building an inclusive culture where people can thrive together and feel supported and empowered.
We strongly encourage people of all backgrounds and identities, including but not limited to people of color, lesbian, gay, bisexual, queer, transgender and non-binary people, veterans, parents, and individuals with disabilities to apply. If you need reasonable accommodation at any point in the application or interview process, please let us know. In your cover letter, please feel free to note which pronouns you use (they/them, she/her, he/him, etc.).
Compensation and Benefits$20 - $22/hour starting wages (rate dependent on skills and experience), to be paid twice a month (est. $41,600 - $45,760 annually at 40 hours/week). Benefits include:
Job Title: Biologist and Education Specialist
Application Deadline: 2/25/2024
To Apply: email a CV/resume, cover letter, and three references to khovind@sfbbo.org.
Description:
The San Francisco Bay Bird Observatory (SFBBO) is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to promoting sustainability by engaging communities in avian science, habitat conservation, and education. We are hiring someone to join us as an education specialist and biologist. The position will allow the employee to gain experience working with all of SFBBO’s science teams, but is intended to grow into a primarily education-focused position. This full-time position is based in Milpitas, CA, with field sites throughout the South San Francisco Bay and begins March 11, 2024, or as soon as possible.
In this role you will help SFBBO carry out our new Strategic Plan by:
- Working with our science teams to conduct field surveys of snowy plovers, least terns, and other species as needed
- Helping our ecologists restore tidal marsh habitats at several sites around the Bay through nursery work, invasive vegetation management, planting, managing volunteer events, and vegetation surveys.
- Further developing SFBBO’s environmental education program and expanding it by seeking funding and writing grants
- Managing SFBBO’s environmental education including leading classroom education and tidal marsh habitat restoration activities for underserved youth with our partners Marshmallow Minds, conducting workshops, field trips, and bird walks as needed, and potentially speaking at education events at our Coyote Creek Field Station (pending funding).
- Managing and training teams of community science volunteers for our Least Tern and Colonial Waterbird research programs; managing volunteers through our partnership with the Oiled Wildlife Conservation Network (OWCN); and working with partners such as Peninsula Open Space Trust, Keep Coyote Creek Beautiful, and the Oakland Zoo.
Required Qualifications:
- BA/BS in biology, ecology, environmental science, or related field OR equivalent work/course experience
- Strong interest in environmental education and volunteer management
- Excellent writing skills with some experience in any of: report writing, grants, science writing, curriculum development
- Some experience with bird identification and common survey techniques
- Strong independent work ethic, organizational skills, and attention to detail
- Valid driver’s license and a clean driving record (for traveling to field sites; a reliable personal vehicle is recommended for reaching the SFBBO offices but not required)
- Ability to work independently and as part of a team
- Effective oral and written communication skills
Preferred Qualifications:
- Experience writing a curriculum for environmental education programs or planning educational/volunteer events
- Experience writing and applying to grants
- Experience with avian field work, such as: bird identification, nest searching, and floating eggs to determine eggs. Any experience with snowy plovers or least terns (or similar species) should be especially highlighted.
- Experience with native plants, horticultural techniques, and plant surveys
- Off-road driving experience (SFBBO vehicle provided for driving to field sites)
- Fluent in Spanish, Vietnamese, or other non-English languages
Schedule and Physical Requirements:
- The ability to traverse occasional uneven, rough, or inclined terrain while in the field in order to carry out field surveys. The individual will be exposed to outdoor elements (mud, sun, dust, salt spray) while conducting field surveys.
- The ability to tolerate long field days in isolated locations (up to 8 hours).
- Irregular hours on field survey days, including early mornings, evenings, and occasional weekends. Some weeks will require 5 days in the field, with work hours variable depending on sunrise, sunset, and high tide time.
- The ability to safely drive company vehicles on dirt levees to remote field locations (SFBBO vehicle provided for off-road driving).
- The ability to occasionally move or transfer materials weighing up to 20 pounds.
Statement on Qualifications
Research has shown that people’s identities can influence their willingness to apply for jobs. For example, a Hewlett Packard internal report found that men applied to jobs when they met 60% of the qualifications, while women applied only when they met 100% of the qualifications. We encourage you to apply even if you do not meet every qualification!
Our Commitment to DiversitySFBBO is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes everyone to our team. We firmly believe that diverse employee teams help us to achieve our best organizational outcomes and provide the most effective support to the equally diverse communities we serve. We are deeply dedicated to creating and maintaining an inclusive, equitable and supportive work environment. We believe in growth and supporting our employees as best we can so they can become their best selves in and outside of work. A healthy work environment means building an inclusive culture where people can thrive together and feel supported and empowered.
We strongly encourage people of all backgrounds and identities, including but not limited to people of color, lesbian, gay, bisexual, queer, transgender and non-binary people, veterans, parents, and individuals with disabilities to apply. If you need reasonable accommodation at any point in the application or interview process, please let us know. In your cover letter, please feel free to note which pronouns you use (they/them, she/her, he/him, etc.).
Compensation and Benefits$20 - $22/hour starting wages (rate dependent on skills and experience), to be paid twice a month (est. $41,600 - $45,760 annually at 40 hours/week). Benefits include:
- Full health, dental, and vision benefits
- Personal Time Off (PTO) accumulation at a rate of 0.076hrs/per worked hrs per pay period, capped at 160 hours
- Access to a state-run retirement program
- $40 per month phone and Internet stipend
- Options for remote work and flexible hours on non-field days
Field Biology Intern
The San Francisco Bay Bird Observatory (SFBBO) is a regional not-for-profit organization dedicated to the conservation of birds by conducting scientific research, avian population monitoring, habitat restoration, and connecting people to nature. We conduct this work in support of bird and habitat conservation.
We are looking for someone to join our team as a field biologist intern. The intern will conduct waterbird surveys in urban areas and within the baylands of South San Francisco Bay, with supplemental assistance with additional field biology projects. The intern will receive training and mentorship from SFBBO staff and will develop their skills in waterbird survey techniques and data management.
This position is part-time (10-20 hours per week) and expected to last from March 1st until August 2024. The exact time and duration will depend on the duration of field surveys as determined by the intern’s capabilities and interests. The work is expected to be centered in either Oakland, CA or Milpitas, CA.
In this role you will:
Required Qualifications:
Preferred Qualifications:
Schedule and Physical Requirements:
Our Commitment to Diversity
SFBBO is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes everyone to our team. We firmly believe that diverse employee teams help us to achieve our best organizational outcomes and provide the most effective support to the equally diverse communities we serve. We are deeply dedicated to creating and maintaining an inclusive, equitable and supportive work environment. We believe in growth and supporting our employees as best we can so they can become their best selves in and outside of work. A healthy work environment means building an inclusive culture where people can thrive together and feel supported and empowered. We strongly encourage people of all backgrounds and identities, including but not limited to people of color, lesbian, gay, bisexual, queer, transgender and non-binary people, veterans, parents, and individuals with disabilities to apply. If you need reasonable accommodation at any point in the application or interview process, please let us know. In your cover letter, please feel free to note which pronouns you use (they/them, she/her, he/him, etc.).
Because ecology fieldwork often is conducted at odd hours (sunrise) and in remote locations, access to a personal vehicle and schedule conflicts are frequently an impediment to students and other earlier career scientists seeking to gain experience. SFBBO is committed to creating an internship that is as accessible as possible, and are happy to work with applicants to craft a final set of duties and responsibilities that meet the needs and interests of the applicant. At a minimum, the ability to access either Oakland or Milpitas by public transit is necessary, but field duties in more remote locations may be adjusted to the intern’s accessibility needs.
Compensation
Compensation is $17.20/hour. This is a part-time position, with an expected range of 10-20 hours per week with the final number of hours negotiable depending on the intern’s interests and capabilities. There are options for remote work and flexible hours on non-field days. An SFBBO vehicle or reimbursement for use of a personal vehicle will be available for pre-approved, work-related travel. SFBBO will also provide most field gear, including a spotting scope.
To Apply
Please email a resume with three references (professional or professor references preferred, but personal references OK), and a cover letter telling us why you are interested in this internship and what capabilities you would bring to our team to Amy Parsons (aparsons@sfbbo.org). If you have questions about the position, reach out to Waterbird Science Director Nathan Van Schmidt at nvanschmidt@sfbbo.org. The positions will be open until filled, but we anticipate reviewing applications and interviewing candidates as early as Feb 12th.
The San Francisco Bay Bird Observatory (SFBBO) is a regional not-for-profit organization dedicated to the conservation of birds by conducting scientific research, avian population monitoring, habitat restoration, and connecting people to nature. We conduct this work in support of bird and habitat conservation.
We are looking for someone to join our team as a field biologist intern. The intern will conduct waterbird surveys in urban areas and within the baylands of South San Francisco Bay, with supplemental assistance with additional field biology projects. The intern will receive training and mentorship from SFBBO staff and will develop their skills in waterbird survey techniques and data management.
This position is part-time (10-20 hours per week) and expected to last from March 1st until August 2024. The exact time and duration will depend on the duration of field surveys as determined by the intern’s capabilities and interests. The work is expected to be centered in either Oakland, CA or Milpitas, CA.
In this role you will:
- Be mentored in designing an independent research project on habitat conditions and nest success ofBlack-crowned Night-Herons in Oakland, CA
- Receive mentorship in scientific analysis, statistics, and technical writing
- Conduct waterbird surveys and water quality sampling at sites throughout the Bay Area
- Learn survey methods for state-listed threatened species including Snowy Plovers and Least Terns
- Work with SFBBO staff and volunteers to coordinate field work
- Enter, proof, and manage data collected
- Assist with equipment maintenance and other SFBBO projects as assigned
Required Qualifications:
- Pursuing or have recently obtained a degree or certificate in biology, ecology, or related field
- A strong interest in waterbirds and field ecology and passion for science
- Strong independent work ethic, organizational skills, and attention to detail–for both diligently recording observations and for effectively developing an independent project
- Ability to navigate and orient using maps
- Ability to work effectively independently and as part of a team
- Good oral and written communication skills
Preferred Qualifications:
- Experienced at bird identification for waterbird species of the San Francisco Bay (including shorebirds, waterfowl and gulls)
- Valid driver’s license and a clean driving record and off-road driving experience for driving to field sites (not required; see Our Commitment To Diversity below)
- Working knowledge of data entry (Microsoft Access or Microsoft Excel)
- Basic familiarity with statistics
Schedule and Physical Requirements:
- The ability to traverse uneven, rough, or inclined terrain while in the field in order to carry out field surveys. The individual will be exposed to outdoor elements (mud, sun, dust, salt spray) while conducting field surveys.
- The ability to tolerate long field days in isolated locations (up to 8 hours).
- Irregular hours on field survey days, including early mornings, evenings, and occasional weekends. We are happy to work with applicants around their school schedule and/or other duties.
- The person in this role will sometimes need to move or transfer materials weighing up to 20 pounds.
- Reasonable accommodations will be made to allow individuals to perform the essential functions of this position.
Our Commitment to Diversity
SFBBO is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes everyone to our team. We firmly believe that diverse employee teams help us to achieve our best organizational outcomes and provide the most effective support to the equally diverse communities we serve. We are deeply dedicated to creating and maintaining an inclusive, equitable and supportive work environment. We believe in growth and supporting our employees as best we can so they can become their best selves in and outside of work. A healthy work environment means building an inclusive culture where people can thrive together and feel supported and empowered. We strongly encourage people of all backgrounds and identities, including but not limited to people of color, lesbian, gay, bisexual, queer, transgender and non-binary people, veterans, parents, and individuals with disabilities to apply. If you need reasonable accommodation at any point in the application or interview process, please let us know. In your cover letter, please feel free to note which pronouns you use (they/them, she/her, he/him, etc.).
Because ecology fieldwork often is conducted at odd hours (sunrise) and in remote locations, access to a personal vehicle and schedule conflicts are frequently an impediment to students and other earlier career scientists seeking to gain experience. SFBBO is committed to creating an internship that is as accessible as possible, and are happy to work with applicants to craft a final set of duties and responsibilities that meet the needs and interests of the applicant. At a minimum, the ability to access either Oakland or Milpitas by public transit is necessary, but field duties in more remote locations may be adjusted to the intern’s accessibility needs.
Compensation
Compensation is $17.20/hour. This is a part-time position, with an expected range of 10-20 hours per week with the final number of hours negotiable depending on the intern’s interests and capabilities. There are options for remote work and flexible hours on non-field days. An SFBBO vehicle or reimbursement for use of a personal vehicle will be available for pre-approved, work-related travel. SFBBO will also provide most field gear, including a spotting scope.
To Apply
Please email a resume with three references (professional or professor references preferred, but personal references OK), and a cover letter telling us why you are interested in this internship and what capabilities you would bring to our team to Amy Parsons (aparsons@sfbbo.org). If you have questions about the position, reach out to Waterbird Science Director Nathan Van Schmidt at nvanschmidt@sfbbo.org. The positions will be open until filled, but we anticipate reviewing applications and interviewing candidates as early as Feb 12th.