Fellow: Golden Gate Raptor Observatory

Fellow: Golden Gate Raptor Observatory

Are you passionate about biology or environmental science and interested in gaining experience studying and working with raptors? This is a full-time, 9-month paid fellowship position that is anticipated to end on March 14, 2025

Organization Description:

Since 1981, the Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy (Parks Conservancy) has served as the nonprofit partner of the National Park Service, collaborating with the Presidio Trust, partners, donors, and the community to support the Golden Gate National Recreation Area (GGNRA). The GGNRA stretches across three Bay Area counties north and south of the Golden Gate Bridge and includes iconic places such as Muir Woods National Monument, Fort Point National Historic Site, Alcatraz Island, Crissy Field, Mori Point, Lands' End, and the Presidio of San Francisco.  

The Parks Conservancy engages at the intersection of national park sites, local communities, social justice, and climate resilience. Collaborating with partners, our staff are dedicated to enhancing public awareness and providing volunteer and educational opportunities in the parks. We are park builders, caretakers, ambassadors and educators, all working to connect people to parks in support of our vision Parks for All Forever. Join us. 

Department Description:    

The Golden Gate Raptor Observatory (GGRO) is a program of the Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy and the National Park Service and is made up of approximately 200 community volunteers plus a small staff. The GGRO’s mission is to inspire the preservation of California birds of prey, collectively known as raptors, through research, community science, community outreach, and education. Our primary focus is to study and monitor the Pacific Raptor Flyway, particularly at the Marin Headlands, part of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area. We are dedicated to the conservation of raptors through both careful data collection and by engaging the public in our research.

The GGRO is housed under the Parks Conservancy’s Conservation and Community Science (CCS) department. CCS supports the climate adaptive work of the Parks Conservancy, National Park Service, and agency partners by engaging our local communities and regional conservation practitioners in efforts that address the information needs of park scientists. We develop and carry out conservation science studies designed to fill critical data gaps, spark curiosity, and engage a more diverse cross-section of Bay Area residents to understand how to improve the climate resilience of our parks as temperatures and seas rise. We work to demystify the scientific process by building bridges between community members, land managers and practicing scientists. We also work to rectify historic injustices built into the practice of science by expanding our collective understanding of what it means to “do science’ and by re-connecting with non-institutional ways of understanding our relationship to the natural world.

Position Overview:

The Golden Gate Raptor Observatory is seeking passionate biology or environmental science early-career biologists looking to gain experience studying and working with raptors at a long-term study site, interacting with many different and multifaceted people in team settings, and being part of a National Park Service based community science team.

GGRO Fellows will learn the scientific background of GGRO’s migration studies and our counting and banding field techniques, while discovering the ins and outs of a 40-year-old, muddy-boots, community science operation in a beautiful national park surrounded by urban areas. Fellows will work to hone their identification skills of California raptor species and other local birds, learn how to trap and band migrating raptors, assist with educational programs on Hawk Hill, as well as interpreting the migration for park visitors and school groups.

We are hiring two Fellows! This is a 9-month paid fellowship program that supports the Golden Gate Raptor Observatory. This fellowship is expected to run from mid- June 2024 to mid-March 2025.

Essential Functions and Responsibilities:

GGRO Fellows support the daily activities of our 150+ volunteer scientists in close coordination with GGRO staff.

Raptor migration field research

Identify and count up to 19 species of birds of prey

Learn how to trap and band hawks and falcons

Collect detailed and accurate data in the field

Work alongside the volunteers daily to accomplish programmatic goals

Animal husbandry

Outreach and education

Deliver public talks on hawk biology and migration

Provide educational programs and outreach for volunteers

Maintain and create outreach materials for public display

Develop content for social media platforms and program newsletters

Data management

Enter and proof migration data using Access database and Excel

Generate data reports and season summaries

Administrative/Operational support

Provide logistical support for day-to-day office and field operations

Assist with seasonal projects

Position Terms:

• This is a full-time position for a 9-month term.
• Start Date: June 17th, 2024
• End Date: March 14th, 2025

Schedule:

• Full-time (40 hours a week), 5 days per week
• To prepare for the field season, Fellows will attend raptor trainings and workshops alongside volunteers. These trainings are held in the evenings or on weekends, and the Fellows’ schedule will be adjusted accordingly
• During the field season (late July to early December), the work schedule will be 5 consecutive days that will include one weekend work day, and may include holidays
• Work days may include working overtime
• Field season scheduling will vary based on program needs

Location: This position involves a mix of in-person office work at Fort Cronkhite, and field work in the Marin Headlands, Marin County, CA.

Transportation: Must have reliable transportation to the Marin Headlands.

Reports To: Senior Program Manager, GGRO

Desired Education and/or Experience:

• College degree or relevant experience in biological sciences or related field
• Minimum age: 18 years old
• Prior experience with animal husbandry or wildlife handling is recommended, but not required
• Minimum two years of driving experience with a valid driver's license, excellent driving record, safe driving skills, and successful DMV record check is required to drive work vehicles

Desired Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Passion for bird identification and wildlife study
• Able to communicate effectively, build relationships, and treat others with respect
• Able to adapt to changing plans (for example, poor weather, unpredictable environmental conditions, etc.)
• Takes initiative and can self-motivate
• Effectively manage time with multiple assignments and deadlines to ensure timely completion of projects
• Ability to work with large groups of people with different backgrounds, ethnicities, races, genders, sexualities, ages, and viewpoints; wants to welcome, teach, and inspire multicultural audiences
• Understands the power of teamwork, balances team and individual responsibilities

Physical Requirements and Work Conditions:

• Able to work full days in an outdoor setting and some hiking required (in inclement weather, on steep slopes, in rough terrain, and in poison oak)
• Able to stay focused and motivated, even during extended periods of heavy fog
• Work involves long periods of standing as well as sitting
• Ability to lift up to 50 lbs
• Adequate vision to spot and identify birds of prey, as well as to read small fonts – may include corrective lenses
• Adequate hearing to be able to respond to situations where you may not have a visibility of the person speaking or of the animals that you are working with – may include hearing devices
• Work regularly requires wearing personal protective equipment (PPE), such as safety glasses, ear plugs, gloves, masks, etc. Required PPE is provided by the Parks Conservancy.

Pay Rate and Benefits:

Pay rate: $22/hour (Grade 😎

Benefits include:

• Medical, dental, and vision plans (free) for employee and family
• Paid vacation and personal days, paid holidays, and sick days
• 403(b) retirement plan
• Employer-match Commuter Program
• Employee Assistance Program, employee discounts and more
• Work in a beautiful location in the Golden Gate National Recreation Area.

Health and Safety:

It is the goal of the Parks Conservancy to create and maintain a safe and healthy workplace. We work to mitigate hazards and risks that may cause harm to employees, consistent with state and federal laws. Employees play an active role in creating a safe and healthy workplace and are expected to comply with all applicable health and safety rules. 

Based on the current state of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Parks Conservancy requires all employees to be vaccinated and to provide proof of such vaccination as a condition of employment. 

Application Deadline Date: Applications will be reviewed as they come in. Priority consideration will be given to applications received by March 18, 2024. After that date, applications will be accepted until the position is filled. Please apply with a resume and thoughtful cover letter.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified. All employees may be required to perform duties outside of their normal responsibilities from time to time, as needed.

The Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Recruitment, placement and promotions are conducted without regard to an individual's race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, physical handicap, veteran status or sexual orientation, or any other classification protected by Federal, State, and local laws & ordinances.  We will consider qualified candidates with criminal history in a manner consistent with the requirements of the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply.

To apply for this position, please use this link:  https://jobapply.page.link/hsF1p