Community Conservation Fellow

Position Summary

Audubon California is seeking two fellows for a program dedicated to engaging a broad diversity of communities to create meaningful conservation solutions that work for birds, nature, and people. The Community Conservation Fellowship seeks to build lasting relationships between local communities and Audubon.

Working at the Richardson Bay Audubon Center & Sanctuary in the San Francisco Bay Area, the Fellows will engage communities in nature, environmental advocacy, and climate resilience over a nine month period beginning January 2026. With mentorship from Audubon staff, the Fellows will contribute to conservation and outreach work at the Richardson Bay Audubon Center and through the San Francisco Bay Program.

Throughout the fellowship, fellows will receive training and gain the skills necessary for hands-on habitat restoration, leadership development, community stewardship, and advocacy training. Through center-based programming, Fellows will practice and develop skills by working with youth and communities - building up student leaders, advocates, and land stewards.

Fellows will co-design with Audubon staff a series of outdoor community events and projects that target diverse, multi-generational audiences. Additionally, the Fellow will work with the San Francisco Bay Program Manager during restoration field workdays. Through hands on learning, the Fellows will learn various surveying and monitoring techniques at various field sites.

This job requires a culturally competent, organized, and responsible person who is an excellent communicator that can work effectively as part of a team and independently. The successful applicant must have an enthusiasm for the outdoors, and a willingness to learn, teach, and share actively with community groups.

Fellows should be a resident of the SF Bay Area or agree to on-site housing at the Richardson Bay Audubon Center & Sanctuary. This role is on-site at the Richardson Bay Audubon Center and Sanctuary. Length of Assignment: January 2027 - September 2027 Hours: 40 hours per week

Compensation

$20.00 / hour Additional Job Description Essential Functions: Willingness to obtain FAA Part 107, Remote Pilot Certificate Comfortable with long hours in the field in adverse weather and on difficult terrain Help with restoration activities around the Center and nearby project sites Assist and lead programming of daily center and community-based activities Maintain garden tools and other equipment Create social media posts and videos demonstrating conservation activities and climate resiliency Assist with curriculum development for the Audubon Youth Leaders (AYL) program Assist with curriculum development for environmental education for ages 4-7 during Audubon Adventure Summer Camp Be a representative of Audubon when dealing with visitors and program attendees Support a culture of philanthropy, including public funding efforts.

Collaborate with colleagues across the Americas including through joint planning and execution of shared priorities. Maintains and fosters culture of safety. Other duties as assigned. Qualifications and Experience: Interest or experience in community engagement, native plants, habitat restoration, and/or climate resiliency. Interest in birds a plus.

Basic knowledge of ecology and identification of common local birds, primarily waterbirds and shorebirds.

Interest or experience in environmental education, interpretation, or outreach Desire to engage with others, with an emphasis on young people, about conservation and the natural world Willingness to spend periods of time outside in varied weather conditions Possess the necessary communication and motivational skills to lead small groups Experience/ability in teaching or working with diverse audiences Strong research and writing skills Strong oral communication skills Strong work ethic with exceptional organizational skills and an eye for details Minimum of one year of relevant job or volunteer experience in outreach, organizing, communication, education, or conservation.

Or a current student pursuing an undergraduate or graduate degree with a focus on or interest in environmental, climate change, marine or coastal, administrative, and/or land use law, or other relevant topics Adaptable and versatile; able to thrive in a fast-paced and dynamic work environment Proficiency with Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and Microsoft Word Access to a vehicle or a valid driver's license will expand field work opportunities.

Commitment to Audubon's organizational values of care, collaboration, change, integrity, impact, and innovation. Experience fostering inclusive and collaborative work environments is valued. We are committed to providing an inclusive and accessible hiring process for all candidates. Accessibility Statement The National Audubon Society endeavors to keep our careers site accessible to any and all users.

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