Individual Placement - Community Stewardship and Engagement Participant

Student Conservation Association•San Francisco, CA

3d•Onsite

About The Position

The Community Stewardship and Engagement Participant supports the Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy’s community and volunteer programs at park sites within the Golden Gate National Recreation Area. Participants work with Program Managers on planning, communication, delivery, and operations. Placement focus areas include sustainable gardening with volunteers, ecological restoration and volunteer management, and community engagement and outreach; members are matched to an area based on their interests and passions. Community stewardship programs serve local community groups, community colleges, and high schools through activities such as habitat restoration, hands-on experiential learning, and community-building at National Park sites. Engagement and outreach programs include nature-based activities, public events, library programs, partner programs, and outreach events using mobile vehicles. Programs may be co-created with community leaders to reflect community needs and connect people with nature and parklands. The position is based at Building 201, Fort Mason, San Francisco, and runs January 26, 2027 through July 10, 2027. The schedule is 32 hours per week, Wednesday through Saturday, generally 8:00–4:30 or 9:00–5:30, with some exceptions. Work includes frequent interaction with the public and driving government vehicles. Work locations may have limited public transportation or cell service; emergency services may be delayed by one to two hours in some settings.

Requirements

High school degree or equivalent.
Valid driver’s license and clean DMV driving record.
Ability to fulfill partner driving requirements; frequent driving is required in urban conditions, on highways, and sometimes on narrow mountain roads.
Interest in learning about national parks, the outdoors, local ecology, environmental issues, and climate change.
Interest in helping create a safe environment for visitors with limited outdoor experience and people who have faced systemic barriers to park access.
Interest in developing public speaking and visitor engagement skills.
Interest in developing community, youth, and volunteer management skills, including training, supervision, and leading groups and individuals in planned activities and programs.
Interest in developing engaging and creative educational and interpretive materials.
Energetic and self-motivated, able to work independently after receiving direction, and willing to ask questions or request support.
Good communication skills and respect for others; responds to Teams messages and emails in a timely manner.
Enthusiasm for working with people from diverse backgrounds, identities, ages, and viewpoints.
Reliable and punctual.
Ability to learn basic computer skills.
Willingness to represent the Parks Conservancy and partners positively and professionally and respond helpfully and courteously to public inquiries.

Nice To Haves

Multicultural or multilingual skills.

Responsibilities

Support multiple community programs each week, including planning, content development, organization, and facilitation.
Set up programs and coordinate food, refreshments, activity supplies, vehicles, tools, office tidiness, and audiovisual needs.
Support the development and implementation of educational activities and interpretive materials.
Help create safe, welcoming, and accessible experiences for participants.
Support program communication and outreach materials.
Track and report participant and program data.
Participate in meetings, workshops, and discussions with staff and other members.
For community stewardship placements, maintain native landscapes through weeding, planting, watering, and mulching.
For community stewardship placements, develop knowledge of local ecology and share it with visitors and volunteers in engaging, interactive ways.
Participate in job-related training on safety, diversity, equity and inclusion, workforce skills, job search essentials, leadership, and field-specific technical skills.
Present learnings and/or design a final project or program by the end of the placement.
Drive government vehicles as required for partner agency or organization work.