Work at SFBBO
Please see below for our latest job openings.
landbird banding intern
SFBBO is dedicated to the conservation of birds and their habitats through science and outreach. We are located in Milpitas. SFBBO’s Coyote Creek Field Station bands birds throughout the year to study bird migration patterns and the bird community of one of the largest riparian habitats in the South Bay Area.
We seek an intern (or two) to work with Landbird Program biologists to band birds, train and work with volunteers, and analyze and manage data. The internship will run from Fall through Summer, is not paid, and will be 10-20 hours per week. Banding occurs on Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday mornings (45 minutes before sunrise) at the Field Station. Interns will be expected to work 1-2 days a week (flexible). Desired Intern qualities: Hard work ethic, excellent attitude, responsible, and commitment to the project of at least 1-2 years. Previous bird banding experience a plus, but not required. What you will get: Bird banding skills with extensive training, data management and analysis training, Bay Area ecology networking opportunities, access to 35 years of long term biological data for project development. We are very interested in working with interns who are interested in developing their research further as a senior thesis or Masters thesis, though that is not required.
Please submit a resume (with references) and cover letter if interested to Landbird Program Director Josh Scullen, jscullen@sfbbo.org.
We seek an intern (or two) to work with Landbird Program biologists to band birds, train and work with volunteers, and analyze and manage data. The internship will run from Fall through Summer, is not paid, and will be 10-20 hours per week. Banding occurs on Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday mornings (45 minutes before sunrise) at the Field Station. Interns will be expected to work 1-2 days a week (flexible). Desired Intern qualities: Hard work ethic, excellent attitude, responsible, and commitment to the project of at least 1-2 years. Previous bird banding experience a plus, but not required. What you will get: Bird banding skills with extensive training, data management and analysis training, Bay Area ecology networking opportunities, access to 35 years of long term biological data for project development. We are very interested in working with interns who are interested in developing their research further as a senior thesis or Masters thesis, though that is not required.
Please submit a resume (with references) and cover letter if interested to Landbird Program Director Josh Scullen, jscullen@sfbbo.org.
science outreach intern
The San Francisco Bay Bird Observatory (SFBBO) is seeking a part-time intern to assist with science outreach activities. The internship will be based in Milpitas, CA, and the work hours can be flexible around the intern’s schedule. The intern will receive training and mentorship from SFBBO’s Outreach and Communications Director and will develop their skills in citizen science, fundraising, and community outreach techniques. The internship is not paid and we will accept rolling applications.
Key Responsibilities:
Required Qualifications:
Preferred Qualifications:
To Apply:
Please e-mail the following materials to Outreach and Communications Director Kristin Butler, kbutler@sfbbo.org: 1) cover letter, 2) resume, and 3) list of two references (names, email addresses, and phone numbers). Include all materials in one Word or PDF file, and include your last name in the file name.
Key Responsibilities:
- Fundraising: Assist with fundraising activities, including helping at donor events, filing constituent information, analyzing surveys, and producing donor acknowledgments.
- Outreach: Work with SFBBO staff, citizen science volunteers, and partners to lead bird walks, banding demos, and other special events to educate the community about avian science.
- Education: Help with Family Science Nights and other educational events to introduce Bay Area families to the importance of environmental protection.
- Volunteers: Help train and manage a team of 50 citizen science volunteers participating in SFBBO’s Colonial Waterbird nest monitoring program, and lead volunteer group habitat restoration efforts.
- Communications: Maintain constituency contact lists and assist with communications activities, including social media.
Required Qualifications:
- Coursework toward a degree in science, environmental studies, biology, ecology, education, communications, public relations, nonprofit studies, or related field
- Enthusiasm for environmental education and protection, and ability to speak before groups and work with diverse populations
- Expertise in MS Word, Excel, and Outlook; Adobe Photoshop; and other office computer software
- Effective oral and written communication skills and strong work ethic, organizational skills, and attention to detail
- Willingness to work irregular hours, including some evenings and weekends, and ability to work independently and as part of a team
Preferred Qualifications:
- Experience working with MS Access, Exceed, or similar data bases
- Familiarity with Constant Contact, Network for Good, website design, and other fundraising and communications tools
- Experience using Facebook, Twitter, and other social media
- Experience designing fliers, newsletters, and advertisements using Publisher or other design software a plus
- Knowledge of avian science and Bay Area bird communities preferred
- Valid driver’s license, clean driving record, and reliable personal vehicle
To Apply:
Please e-mail the following materials to Outreach and Communications Director Kristin Butler, kbutler@sfbbo.org: 1) cover letter, 2) resume, and 3) list of two references (names, email addresses, and phone numbers). Include all materials in one Word or PDF file, and include your last name in the file name.
Waterbird intern
We have two waterbird internships that will begin in January 2019 with a 3-month commitment with the possibility for extension depending on project availability and intern performance. The internships will be based in Milpitas, CA. The interns will receive training and mentorship from SFBBO staff and will develop their skills in waterbird survey techniques and data management. The interns will be assisting with surveys at managed ponds in support of the South Bay Salt Pond Restoration Project (www.southbayrestoration.org). The interns may assist with additional projects in the Waterbird Program, including SFBBO’s California Gull Research and Monitoring, Colonial Waterbird Nest Monitoring, and Avian Disease Prevention programs (https://www.sfbbo.org/avian-science.html).
Key Responsibilities:
Required Qualifications:
Preferred Qualifications:
Compensation: Applicants should be students or recent graduates (within the last year) with a degree in wildlife biology, environmental science or a related field. This is a full-time internship position. A stipend of $125/week will be provided. Shared housing may be available at the Don Edwards San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge in Fremont, CA for non-residents. An SFBBO vehicle or reimbursement for use of a personal vehicle will be available for pre-approved, work-related travel. SFBBO will provide most field gear, including a spotting scope.
TO APPLY
Please e-mail the following materials to Dr. Max Tarjan, mtarjan@sfbbo.org: 1) cover letter, 2) resume, and 3) list of three references (names, email addresses, and phone numbers). Indicate in your cover letter whether you would like to be considered for a Waterbird Internship, the Colonial Waterbird Internship, or both. Include all materials in one Word or PDF file, and include your last name in the file name. Include “Waterbird Internship” in the e-mail subject. The deadline for applications is November 30th. SFBBO is an EOE.
Key Responsibilities:
- Conduct waterbird surveys and water quality sampling at South Bay ponds
- Conduct gull counts and behavioral survey at local landfills
- Work with SFBBO staff, partner agencies, and volunteers to coordinate field work
- Enter, proof, and manage data collected
- Assist with equipment maintenance and other SFBBO projects as assigned
Required Qualifications:
- Coursework toward a degree in biology, ecology, or related field
- Familiarity with waterbird species of the San Francisco Bay (including shorebirds, waterfowl and gulls)
- Good physical condition and enthusiasm for long days in the field
- Willingness to tolerate harsh field conditions (mud, sun, dust, salt spray)
- Willingness to work irregular hours including early mornings, evenings and some weekends
- Strong work ethic, organizational skills, and attention to detail
- Valid driver’s license, clean driving record, and reliable personal vehicle
- Ability to navigate and orient using maps
- Ability to work independently and as part of a team
- Effective oral and written communication skills
Preferred Qualifications:
- Recently completed BA/BS in biology, ecology, or related field
- Excellent waterbird identification skills
- Off-road driving experience (SFBBO truck provided for off-road driving)
- Solid computer skills, including working knowledge of MS Access and Excel
- Experience conducting field work in the San Francisco Bay
Compensation: Applicants should be students or recent graduates (within the last year) with a degree in wildlife biology, environmental science or a related field. This is a full-time internship position. A stipend of $125/week will be provided. Shared housing may be available at the Don Edwards San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge in Fremont, CA for non-residents. An SFBBO vehicle or reimbursement for use of a personal vehicle will be available for pre-approved, work-related travel. SFBBO will provide most field gear, including a spotting scope.
TO APPLY
Please e-mail the following materials to Dr. Max Tarjan, mtarjan@sfbbo.org: 1) cover letter, 2) resume, and 3) list of three references (names, email addresses, and phone numbers). Indicate in your cover letter whether you would like to be considered for a Waterbird Internship, the Colonial Waterbird Internship, or both. Include all materials in one Word or PDF file, and include your last name in the file name. Include “Waterbird Internship” in the e-mail subject. The deadline for applications is November 30th. SFBBO is an EOE.
Colonial waterbird intern
The San Francisco Bay Bird Observatory (SFBBO) is seeking a part-time intern to assist with the Colonial Waterbird Project. The internship will begin January 1, 2019, and extend through August 31, 2019. The internship will be based in Milpitas, CA, although many tasks can be completed remotely. The intern will receive training and mentorship from SFBBO staff and will develop their skills in data management, volunteer management, and waterbird survey techniques. The intern’s primary role will be managing volunteers, data entry, and maintaining a database for the Colonial Waterbird Monitoring Project, a citizen science project. The intern may also assist with SFBBO’s California Gull Research and Monitoring and Avian Disease Prevention programs (https://www.sfbbo.org/avian-science.html).
Key Responsibilities:
Required Qualifications:
Preferred Qualifications:
Applicants should be students or recent graduates (within the last year) with a degree in wildlife biology, environmental science or a related field. The internship is unpaid and hours can be used for volunteer or course credit if approved by your university. The internship will require 5-10 hours per week, including weekly meetings with the Program Director. Select weeks with field work (e.g. Gull Surveys in mid-May) may require up to 15 hours per week on a limited basis. If field work is performed, 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 e-mail the following materials to Dr. Max Tarjan, mtarjan@sfbbo.org: 1) cover letter, 2) resume, and 3) list of three references (names, email addresses, and phone numbers). Indicate in your cover letter whether you would like to be considered for a Waterbird Internship, the Colonial Waterbird Internship, or both. Include all materials in one Word or PDF file, and include your last name in the file name. Include “Waterbird Internship” in the e-mail subject. The deadline for applications is November 30th. SFBBO is an EOE.
Key Responsibilities:
- Manage volunteer site assignments and respond to inquiries
- Enter, proof, and manage colonial waterbird data collected by citizen scientists
- Prepare short summary reports of colonial waterbird data for local organizations
- Prepare training materials for citizen scientists and plan or participate in outreach events
- Conduct gull counts in the field during breeding season
- Assist with surveys to collect dead, diseased, and injured birds in South Bay sloughs as part of an effort to prevent avian botulism outbreaks
- Work with SFBBO staff, partner agencies, and volunteers to coordinate field work
- Assist with other SFBBO projects as assigned
Required Qualifications:
- Coursework toward a degree in biology, ecology, or related field
- Solid computer skills and experience with data entry, proofing, and analysis
- Strong work ethic, organizational skills, and attention to detail
- Ability to work independently and as part of a team
- Effective oral and written communication skills
- Interest in working with volunteers/citizen scientists
Preferred Qualifications:
- Familiarity with waterbird species of the San Francisco Bay
- Experience using Microsoft Access and Excel
- Experience doing fieldwork with spotting scopes
- Previous participation in citizen science programs
Applicants should be students or recent graduates (within the last year) with a degree in wildlife biology, environmental science or a related field. The internship is unpaid and hours can be used for volunteer or course credit if approved by your university. The internship will require 5-10 hours per week, including weekly meetings with the Program Director. Select weeks with field work (e.g. Gull Surveys in mid-May) may require up to 15 hours per week on a limited basis. If field work is performed, 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 e-mail the following materials to Dr. Max Tarjan, mtarjan@sfbbo.org: 1) cover letter, 2) resume, and 3) list of three references (names, email addresses, and phone numbers). Indicate in your cover letter whether you would like to be considered for a Waterbird Internship, the Colonial Waterbird Internship, or both. Include all materials in one Word or PDF file, and include your last name in the file name. Include “Waterbird Internship” in the e-mail subject. The deadline for applications is November 30th. SFBBO is an EOE.