Individual Placement - Community Stewardship and Engagement Participant

Student Conservation Association•San Francisco, CA

8d•Onsite

About The Position

The Community Stewardship and Engagement Participant will support the Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy’s Community Stewardship and Engagement team with planning, communication, delivery, and operations for community and volunteer programs at Golden Gate National Recreation Area sites. Members may be matched to a focus area based on their interests and passions. Focus areas include sustainable gardening with volunteers, ecological restoration and volunteer management, and community engagement and outreach. The role supports community stewardship programs for local community groups, community colleges, and high schools, including habitat restoration, hands-on experiential learning, and community-building activities. It also supports engagement programs, nature-based activities, outreach, and public events in parks and community spaces. Programs may be developed with community leaders to reflect community needs and can include library events, community partnerships, nature pop-ups, and outreach using the Roving Ranger and Tam Van. The position offers opportunities to learn land stewardship and inclusive volunteer program management while engaging communities that have historically been underrepresented or faced barriers to accessing nature. The position is based at Building 201, Fort Mason, San Francisco, California. Work may take place in front-country and urban settings, with regular public interaction. Some locations may have limited or unavailable cell reception and limited or no public transportation access; emergency services may be delayed by one to two hours in front-country settings. The placement runs January 26, 2027 through July 10, 2027, at 32 hours per week, Wednesday through Saturday. Typical schedules are 8:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m. or 9:00 a.m.–5:30 p.m., with some exceptions. Workdays include an unpaid 30-minute lunch and two scheduled paid 15-minute breaks. Compensation is a $640 weekly living allowance, paid biweekly and subject to applicable taxes. Defensive driving training is provided. Driving a motor vehicle for the partner organization is required.

Requirements

Interest in learning about national parks; love of the outdoors; curiosity about local ecology, environmental issues, and climate change; and eagerness to learn and share information.
Interest in helping create a safe environment for park visitors who may have little outdoor experience or have faced systemic barriers to park access.
Interest in developing public speaking and visitor engagement skills.
Ability and interest to represent the Parks Conservancy and its partners positively and professionally.
Ability to respond to public inquiries in a helpful and friendly manner.
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 seek support.
Good communication skills and respect for others.
Respond to Teams messages and emails in a timely manner.
Enthusiasm for working with people of diverse backgrounds, ethnicities, races, genders, sexualities, ages, and viewpoints.
Reliable and punctual.
Ability to learn basic computer skills.
High school degree or equivalent.
Valid driver's license and clean DMV driving record.
Ability to meet partner driving requirements and frequently drive government vehicles in urban conditions, on highways, and sometimes on narrow mountain roads; some sites may lack cell phone service.

Nice To Haves

Multicultural and/or multilingual skills.

Responsibilities

Support multiple community programs each week, including planning, content development, organization, and facilitation.
Set up programs and coordinate food and refreshments, activity supplies, vehicle loading and unloading, tool and supply maintenance, office tidiness, and audiovisual needs.
Support habitat restoration volunteer programs, nature-based walks and talks, tabling events, story times, queer- and trans-centered programming, cultural celebrations, community science activities, and nature-based arts and crafts, depending on placement.
Support the development and implementation of educational activities and interpretive materials.
Help build safe, welcoming, and accessible experiences for participants.
Support communication and outreach materials for programs.
Assist with tracking and reporting participant and program data.
Participate in meetings, workshops, and discussions with staff and other members.
For the Community Stewardship focus area, maintain native landscapes through weeding, planting, watering, and mulching.
For the Community Stewardship focus area, develop knowledge of local ecology and share it with visitors and volunteers in engaging, interactive ways.
Participate in job-related safety, diversity, equity and inclusion, workforce skills, job search, leadership, and field-specific technical training.
Present learnings and/or design a final project or program by the end of the placement.
Drive motor vehicles for the partner agency or organization as required.