San Francisco Bay Ecologist

POSITION DESCRIPTION
Restoration Ecologist
San Francisco Bay, Audubon California

The mission of Audubon California is to conserve and restore California's natural ecosystems, focusing on birds, other wildlife, and their habitats for the benefit of humanity and the earth's biological diversity. By connecting people with nature, Audubon California will be a leader in creating a powerful California voice for the environment, deeply rooted in and broadly drawn from all parts of our population. The San Francisco Bay Estuary is among the most significant shorebird and waterbird sites in North America. It is an Important Bird Area (IBA) of global significance providing critical breeding, wintering and stopping grounds for over 70 percent of the migratory birds of the Pacific Flyway. Audubon California has a significant presence on San Francisco Bay through its long-term lease of 900 acres of subtidal lands in Richardson Bay (north of San Francisco) and it’s environmental education center In the past several years Audubon has partnered with National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, San Francisco State University and USGS to undertake restoration of subtidal habitat, participated in establishing subtidal habitat goals for San Francisco Bay, and initiated systematic winter water bird surveys in Richardson Bay. Audubon is also in the process of restoring tidal marsh habitat and terrestrial habitat in the Audubon Sanctuary and on adjacent county owned lands. We are also partnering with Audubon Chapters and federal agencies and others to restore tidal marsh habitat at San Pablo Bay National Wildlife Refuge and advocate for Important Bird Areas in San Francisco Bay. We are seeking a new staff member to play a lead role in identify, developing and implementing projects and increasing Audubon’s regional presence in science and education.

Summary of Position
The San Francisco Bay Ecologist will be responsible for working with public and private partners to oversee all restoration and monitoring activities for Richardson Bay. In addition, the Ecologist will work with partners to identify and implement additional restoration projects around San Francisco Bay, and seek ways to engage Audubon Chapters in these projects. It is expected that the Ecologist will work with established teams of public and private partners involved in San Francisco Bay, be willing to speak on behalf of Audubon, be a public advocate for San Francisco Bay in collaboration with Important Bird Areas Program staff, as well as help secure long-term private and public funding for the restoration of riparian, wetlands, and estuarine habitats in San Francisco Bay. The Ecologist will be located at the Richardson Bay Audubon Center & Sanctuary in Tiburon, and will report to the Center Director. The Ecologist will be an integrated member of the Sanctuary team, working with the Sanctuary Manager on bird monitoring, and working closely with education staff to ensure a strong link between restoration projects and educational programs. In addition, the Ecologist will be expected to work with Sanctuary and State staff to frame science work around the Bay within the mission of Audubon California (e.g., translating the impacts of estuary work on birds and other wildlife). This is a full-time three year position and will be extended if additional funds can be secured.

Primary Duties

• Lead implementation of the Aramburu Island restoration project, including securing public funding, planning and permitting for this 17-acre restoration project in Richardson Bay.
• Manage contracting, reporting, and project implementation. Direct long-term project monitoring and associated research.
• Work with U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s San Pablo Bay National Wildlife Refuge to secure funding for tidal marsh restoration project at Sonoma Creek or other sites within the refuge.
• Help identify and secure private and public funding to advance habitat restoration and stewardship work at the Richardson Bay Audubon Sanctuary.
• Work closely with education staff to link restoration with our educational programs.
• Work for the protection of Richardson Bay and other San Francisco Bay Important Bird Areas.
• Oversee bird monitoring projects at the Richardson Bay Sanctuary; work with partners on an integrated bird monitoring program for the whole San Francisco Bay estuary (such as annual shorebird surveys).
• Based on restoration projects and other related research, write reports and scientific papers that analyze and interpret results, and present findings to managers, scientists, activists and the public.
• In collaboration with the Research Coordinator at the National Estuarine Research Reserve, review permit applications and regulate the use of Richardson Bay and Audubon’s intertidal and upland properties for research and other activities.
• Work with Sanctuary director and other Audubon staff on policy issues in San Francisco Bay and write letters addressing key issues that impact natural resources within the estuary.
• Assist and support other science staff within Audubon California as needed and communicate and interact with a broad public audience several times per year.
• Supervise 3 staff, as well as occasional interns and volunteers.

Requirements:

• A minimum of a Master’s degree in biology or ecology with at least 4 years of professional work in ecology or restoration biology and significant restoration experience in riparian, wetlands, or estuarine habitats.
• Experience in ornithology or environmental education preferred.
• Candidates should possess knowledge of Pacific coast riparian, estuarine, and coastal Ecosystems flora and fauna, and monitoring methods for specific habitat types or resources.
• Candidates must be familiar with the San Francisco Bay Estuary subtidal systems, particularly native water birds and shorebirds, and/or the ecology of salt marshes is desirable. Prior experience preferred.
• Candidates should have strong oral and written communication skills (including the ability to communicate clearly with non-scientists) and enjoy working with a large, multifaceted team.
• Experience writing and administering government grants, and partnering with government agencies beneficial. Candidates must be willing to do field work under a wide variety of conditions.
• Willingness to travel throughout the San Francisco Bay area is a must.
• Experience handling small watercraft is preferable.
• Candidates expected to collaborate with education staff on programming in order to build an educated local constituency for Bay conservation and restoration.
• Candidates must possess good organizational skills, demonstrated initiative, flexibility, creativity, sound judgment and a positive attitude.
• Willingness to work occasional evenings and weekends as needed.
• Commitment to Audubon California’s mission.

Audubon promotes a diverse workplace and is an equal opportunity employer. It is the policy of the National Audubon Society to employ the person best qualified for the job regardless of race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, disability (handicap) or marital status.