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Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy · 1 month ago

Senior Program Manager, Community Science (Full-time w/ benefits)

Sausalito, CA

Full-time

Onsite

Mid, Senior Level

$85K/yr - $90K/yr

5+ years exp

Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy is a nonprofit organization that partners with the National Park Service to support the Golden Gate National Recreation Area. The Senior Program Manager will lead the Golden Gate Raptor Observatory programs, ensuring operational excellence, managing field operations, and overseeing volunteer coordination while promoting community engagement in science.

Non ProfitWildlife Conservation

Responsibilities

Leads the annual cycle of GGRO’s raptor banding and Hawkwatch programs, ensuring smooth seasonal planning, execution, and wrap-up

Oversees and supervises field operations, including banding sites & equipment, captive bird facility, and vehicles, ensuring safety, maintenance, and regulatory compliance

Secures all required relevant banding station permits (i.e., U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, U.S. Geological Survey Bird Banding Lab and California Department of Fish & Wildlife Scientific Collecting Permit) and other research permits associated with GGRO programs

Monitors all field activities and takes appropriate action in response to any wildlife injuries or mortalities associated with permitted work

Coordinates and implements GGRO activities in collaboration with National Park Service and Parks Conservancy staff to ensure consistency with organizational policies

Oversees data collection, management, quality control, and analysis throughout the annual research cycle for all GGRO programs

Collaborates with CCS team to prepare annual data summaries and reports for all GGRO programs and submit them to the relevant permitting agencies in a timely manner

Collaborates with CCS team to develop and share science communication products for volunteers, partners, and the public through a variety of modalities (e.g., digital content, lectures, tabling)

Co-manages the GGRO teaching collection and library, including hundreds of bird skins & artifacts

Co-leads recruitment, coordination, and supervision of 100+ GGRO volunteers through the NPS Volunteers-in-Parks (VIP) program

Oversees and works with staff to develop and deliver annual volunteer training and safety programs

Provides ongoing communication, guidance, and feedback to ensure high-quality data collection and a positive volunteer experience consistent with NPS and Parks Conservancy policies

Works with other community science staff to foster an inclusive, welcoming environment to engage local communities in non-institutional ways that demystify science, expand what it means to do science, and spark curiosity

Supervises Program Manager

Provide daily operational leadership to staff, interns, and volunteers, ensuring effective program delivery throughout the annual cycle

In collaboration with the Associate Director, hires, trains, and supervises staff and interns, providing mentorship and performance feedback to support professional development and safe, effective GGRO operations

Qualification

OrnithologyUSGS Bird Banding Lab PermitScientific ResearchAvian HusbandryData ManagementGIS ProficiencyScience CommunicationVolunteer ManagementLeadershipCommunication SkillsCollaboration SkillsProblem Solving

Required

Demonstrated experience in ornithological field methods including bird banding, species and subspecies identification, and safe handling of raptors

Proficiency with field equipment such as bow nets, mist nets, and dho-gazza nets

Experience collecting biological samples (feathers, swabs, blood) and applying transmitters is a plus

Familiarity with scientific literature in related fields, such as raptor biology and ecology, citizen & community science, and field and analytical methods

Has been the Responsible Individual on a BBL master banding station permit and is authorized to work with raptors OR has held a BBL personal master bander permit and is authorized to work with raptors OR has sufficient skills and handling hours working with raptors to become a BBL permit Responsible Individual and with additional organizational support can supervise GGRO's master banding station permit

Demonstrated familiarity with research design and methods particularly with regards to raptor biology & ecology, long-term longitudinal datasets, or community science

Demonstrated experience with data life cycles including field data collection, data management, quality control, analysis, reporting, and accession

Willingness to work with volunteers and partners towards collection of actionable science data as part of a community science team on public lands

Proficiency with database management and basic GIS and interested in computational statistics tools such as R

Demonstrated experience with bird husbandry and best practices in captive animal welfare

Familiarity with regulatory compliance and protocols regarding animal welfare. For example, USDA Animal Welfare Act and Inter-agency Research Animal Committee

Interest in translating scientific concepts and research findings into clear, compelling messages for stakeholders, partners, and the public

Commitment to engaging local communities in non-institutional ways that demystify science, expand what it means to do science, and spark curiosity

Willing interest in the theory and practice of community science and being part of a team fostering that practice on public lands

Proven ability to guide and support staff and volunteers toward shared goals

Strong judgment and empathy, including ability to address conflict and setbacks, and find solutions

Ability to work with others to turn organizational vision and strategic direction into coordinated day-to-day action

Demonstrated commitment and understanding of the best practices to promote welcoming and inclusive team dynamics, particularly as it pertains to conducting scientific fieldwork, working in the outdoors, or community science

Demonstrated ability to train and certify banding apprentices

Successful track record managing complex programs with many participants and stakeholders and multiple moving parts and deadlines

Strong planning and organizational skills, with attention to detail and follow-through

Ability to identify challenges, develop solutions, and iteratively improve processes as part of a multidisciplinary team

Experience ensuring safe, consistent, and high-quality program delivery in dynamic environments

Excellent written and verbal communication skills, adaptable to different audiences

Ability to build trust and collaboration among staff, volunteers, partners, and community members

Skilled at facilitating meetings, trainings, and partnerships that strengthen collective impact towards shared goals

Demonstrated ability to work independently while advancing team priorities

Flexible and responsive to evolving needs, opportunities, and community feedback

Commitment to curiosity, learning, reflection, and adaptability in service of organizational mission and impact

Bachelor's degree required in a relevant field such as environmental science, ecology, biology, natural resources, conservation, environmental education, or a related discipline

5+ years of progressively responsible experience in program or project management

Demonstrated experience working with volunteers or staff in field-based programs, with a track record of leadership, mentorship, and team coordination

Valid Driver's License

USGS Bird Banding Lab permitee

Already holds or has held a USGS BBL Master Bander permit and is authorized to work with raptors OR has sufficient skills and handling hours to apply to become a Master Bander authorized to work with raptors, with organizational support