Friends of Sausal Creek (FOSC) is a volunteer-based, nonprofit, community organization dedicated to promoting awareness, appreciation, and stewardship of Oakland’s Sausal Creek Watershed. In addition to hands-on habitat restoration work, we educate local youth, involve the community in local environmental stewardship, and collaborate with agencies and other nonprofits to have a positive impact on the local ecosystem.
We are looking for an enthusiastic, hardworking team member who is interested in learning the ropes at a small nonprofit and stepping into a leadership role. The education and outreach coordinator (EOC) is responsible for leading all of FOSC’s environmental education programs as well as serving as the lead on outreach for all our programs—education, restoration, and monitoring. The EOC is responsible for tracking field trips and community outreach data, contributing to grant reporting, and assisting with grant writing and other fundraising. Given the uncertainty and changes due to the pandemic, the timing of some task will vary and require creative thinking and flexibility.
Environmental Education: The EOC will lead FOSC’s environmental education program, which encourages local youth to be environmental stewards. Through hands-on experiences, student learn about the physical and ecological connection of the creek and surrounding urban areas. Most of the education tasks will be delayed until schools have reopened and teacher are ready for field trips (tentatively early 2021). The EOC will:
Launch new school partnerships and maintain existing relationships; coordinate with teachers and volunteer docents; and develop/update curriculum (environmental, cultural, and natural history).
Plan for and lead environmental classroom lessons and experiential field trips in urban and wild areas in the Sausal Creek Watershed with K-12 students (ages 6-18). Activities include classroom presentations and field trips on watershed ecology, mapping and art projects, tool and project safety, native plant gardening in urban parks, bird watching, aquatic insect monitoring, water quality testing, and removing invasive, nonnative species and planting natives in Oakland wildlands to support habitat restoration projects.
Continue the expansion of FOSC’s estuary-based field trip programs for schools located in the Fruitvale district, close to the creek outlet.
Lead summer education and restoration programs for Team Oakland job training crews (ages 15-24) and Oakland Parks, Recreation, and Youth Development summer campers (6-12 year olds).
Implement program evaluation, coordinate school waivers, and complete administrative tracking.
Organization Outreach and Communication: Organization outreach engages the community in workdays and bimonthly environmental education presentations, and provides community leadership to develop and implement urban greening projects. The EOC is charged with keeping the community informed about watershed issues and opportunities through a variety of methods. The EOC will:
Publish a monthly email newsletter and regular posting via social media outlets, as well as coordinating speakers and/or activities (e.g. film screening, book club) for the bimonthly meetings (virtual at this time).
Take the lead for the organization as an outreach partner for the Bay Area Integrated Regional Water Management Disadvantaged Community Involvement Program. The focus of this program is to engage Fruitvale community members and organizations to collect information on water challenges and needs, with the goal of implementing future projects.
Attend local community meetings and events and work with program partners throughout the region. Represent FOSC at outreach and tabling events (e.g. neighborhood festivals) when they resume.
Develop new partnerships and expand existing ones as part of implementing FOSC’s Sausal Creek Walkable Watershed Concept Plan, which seeks to transform the creek from a state of obscurity to a community asset.
Reports and Fund Development Assistance: The EOC contributes to ongoing fund development activities
including donor campaigns and grant applications. The EOC will:
Research potential grants, contracts, and funding opportunities.
Draft grant proposals.
Implement evaluation, collect and analyze data, and generate funder reports.
Terms and Schedule
This position is 35-40 hours per week, with a somewhat flexible schedule. The candidate must be able to work
some weeknights and some weekends. The rate of pay is $18 to $22/hour depending on experience. The selected
candidate will be responsible for personal transportation, including transporting tools and plants to field trip sites
and materials for tabling events. Mileage to FOSC-related activities is reimbursable. Workers' Compensation
Insurance is provided and a health reimbursement arrangement is available. One hour of paid sick leave is accrued
for every 30 hours worked. After three months of employment, employee begins to accrue two weeks of paid
personal time off each year (based on average hours/week) and five holidays. Successful completion of a
background check, proof of negative TB results, and proof of personal auto insurance are required.
General Requirements
Undergraduate degree
Fluency in Spanish is strongly preferred
Experience leading experiential education activities; enjoy working outdoors and in the Oakland community
Experience working with youth from diverse backgrounds and with volunteers of all ages and backgrounds
Knowledge of environmental and social justice issues and experience working with communities that historically have not had access to parks and open spaces
Knowledge of creek and watershed-related environmental issues; knowledge of restoration techniques and native plants a plus
Experience in community outreach/recruitment and facilitating groups
Excellent public speaking and presentation skills
Demonstrated writing ability and proficiency with social media (e.g., Instagram, Facebook), email marketing (e.g., Constant Contact) and CRM software (e.g., Salesforce). Strong word processing, database, and spreadsheet software skills
Interest in grant research, grant writing and reporting
Able to purchase and maintain tools and supplies, track project budgets
Experience hiring, training, and supervising intern a plus
Able to lift 40 pounds
Core characteristics and qualities
Strong interpersonal skills, highly motivated with strong work ethic
Organized and detail-oriented while maintaining focus on ‘big picture’; perform several tasks concurrently, meet deadlines, and work with changing priorities
Able to work closely with small team and board-level advisors
Be a positive role model, connect with others and forge strong relationships; demonstrated responsible behavior and judgment
Be a self-starter; see potential of FOSC’s programs and create meaningful partnerships in order to implement them
Be passionate about the mission of programs and anticipate future needs
Direction and Support Received
The EOC will receive guidance, direction, and some training from the executive director and FOSC board of directors, will collaborate with FOSC’s restoration and nursery manager, and will have support from interns and volunteer docents, as well as from FOSC’s larger volunteer base. Because there is no centralized office, it is essential that the selected candidate have the experience and motivation to work independently in a home officewith minimal day-to-day supervision while keeping interested parties informed.
Applications will be accepted until the position is filled. Applicants are encouraged to apply by July 27, 2020. To apply, please email a cover letter and résumé to jobs@sausalcreek.org
