Education and Outreach Coordinator

Friends of Sausal Creek Jobs and Internships

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) leads FOSC’s environmental education program, developing local youth environmental stewards. Through hands-on experiences, students learn about the physical and ecological connection of the creek to the bay and surrounding urban areas. This position also maintains and builds community connections to engage the lower Sausal Creek watershed community (Fruitvale) in stewardship opportunities and urban greening projects.

1. Environmental Education:

• Plan and lead environmental classroom lessons and experiential field trips in urban and open spaces in the Sausal Creek Watershed with K-12 students (ages 6-18). (Topics/Activities: watershed ecology, creek-to-bay connection, mapping/art projects, bird watching, aquatic insect monitoring, water quality testing, removing invasive, nonnative species and planting natives to support habitat restoration projects).
• Continue the expansion of FOSC’s lower watershed and estuary-based field trip programs for schools located in the Fruitvale district, close to the creek outlet. Develop new school/youth organization partnerships and maintain existing relationships; coordinate with teachers and volunteer docents.
• Lead summer education and restoration programs; collaborate with Team Oakland job training crews (ages 15-24) and Oakland Parks, Recreation, and Youth Development summer campers (6-12 year olds).
• Update/develop lesson plans, implement program evaluation, coordinate school waivers, and complete administrative tracking.

2. Community Outreach

• In collaboration with the community, create and promote culturally appropriate watershed stewardship and educational opportunities (e.g. restoration workdays, tours). Keep the community informed about watershed issues and opportunities.
• Support local community members and student volunteers in leading watershed project(s).
• Attend local community meetings and events and collaborate with program partners; represent FOSC at outreach and tabling events (e.g. neighborhood festivals). Build new community and organizational partnerships and maintain existing ones in Fruitvale.
• Take the lead for the organization as an outreach partner in the lower watershed and continue to engage Fruitvale community members and organizations in reviewing feasibility study findings and providing feedback. Work with the City of Oakland to move forward community identified projects (e.g. increase access and quality of open space/parks, create a green corridor, build stormwater pollution and illegal dumping awareness)

3. Stewardship and Team Support

Water Quality Testing (WQT)

• Partner with lead water quality volunteer(s) in improving field work and public data sharing; assist with monitoring: data collection, entry, and analysis.
• Research and collaborate with Water Board, EPA, SFEI to improve field work or/or analysis.
• Assist FOSC in exploring permitting process of BMI.

Restoration and Nursery Programs

• Lead one to two restoration workdays a month; supervise and encourage volunteers; educate groups on FOSC opportunities, watershed worksites, and ecology.
• Assist with nursery workdays as needed.

Community Events and Communication

• Assist with large group event organization and implementation (e.g. Plant Sale) and monitoring and reporting activities (trout, pallids, etc.).
• Assist with logistics for FOSC community events: Community Talk speakers (bimonthly meetings-6 per year) and/or other FOSC community activities (e.g. film screening, book club).
• Conduct administrative tasks: Salesforce data entry, staff reports, contribute to grants.

How to apply:

Applications will be accepted until the position is filled, but applicants are encouraged to apply by June 17, 2022. To apply, please email a PDF cover letter and résumé  to [email protected]