Work for Save the Bay

Work for Save The Bay

Save The Bay is the largest regional organization working to protect, restore and celebrate San Francisco Bay. As its leading champion since 1961, Save The Bay protects the Bay from pollution and inappropriate shoreline development, making it cleaner and healthier for people and wildlife. We restore habitat and secure strong policies to re-establish 100,000 acres of wetlands that are essential for a healthy Bay. We engage more than 25,000 supporters, advocates and volunteers to protect the Bay, and inspire the next generation of environmental leaders by educating thousands of students annually.

Habitat Restoration

Habitat Restoration Director

Habitat Restoration Director

Background:

Save The Bay is leading the regional effort to re-establish 100,000 acres of tidal marsh to provide natural habitat for Bay wildlife and to buffer against sea level rise resulting from climate change. Scientists recommend that this amount of wetland habitat is necessary to sustain a healthy San Francisco Bay ecosystem.

Save The Bay has pioneered successful restoration and enhancement of tidal marsh habitat over the past decade through our Community Based Restoration program. Our team of restoration scientists uses trained volunteers as an essential component of our strategy to implement restoration plans of federal, state and local site partners, focusing on the unique band of transition zone habitat above the mean high tide line that does not re-establish voluntarily. This community engagement program is also supports Save The Bay’s strategic plan outcomes in constituency growth, partnerships, and advocacy.

The impacts of sea level rise from climate change increase the urgency and importance of restoring Bay tidal marsh, including healthy high-marsh transition zone. Region-wide application of Save The Bay’s adaptive management approach can increase marsh habitat sustainability, prevent tidal edge erosion, maintain marsh elevation, combat invasive species establishment, and provide refuge habitat for sensitive marsh species.

Building on our demonstrated success with these methods, including qualitative and quantitative analysis of best techniques and restoration tools, Save The Bay’s Habitat Restoration Director will develop an adaptive management plan for tidal marsh ecotone restoration, addressing effective weed removal techniques, optimal plant and species numbers for sustainable native vegetation, maintenance regimes and methods, and efficient and economical use of volunteers. S/he will lead advocacy for adoption and implementation of this plan throughout the Bay, and replication of our techniques by restoration project managers and permitting agencies for maximum regional benefit.

Position Summary:

The Habitat Restoration Director leads the Save The Bay restoration team to develop best practices, engage volunteers in community-based restoration and work with site managers, resource agencies, scientists and other partners. The Director develops strategies to support organizational goals for constituency growth, fundraising, restoration of tidal marshes and community engagement. The Director oversees on-the-ground habitat restoration, community engagement and youth education programs, and plans for program growth and sustainability. The Director manages high-level partnerships with government agencies and key stakeholders, and raises funds to support Save The Bay’s restoration program goals. The Director also provides mentorship for the Habitat Restoration Department, creating a collaborative and productive team.

Reports to: Chief Strategy Officer

Supervises: Senior Scientist, Restoration Program Manager, and Community Engagement Manager

Primary Responsibilities:

Develop and implement habitat restoration program to achieve organizational and strategic plan goals in restoration science, and objectives for community engagement, youth education and institutional partnerships.
Establish adaptive management plan for tidal marsh ecotone restoration with restoration standards addressing effective weed removal techniques, optimal plant and species numbers for sustainable native vegetation, maintenance regimes and methods, and efficient and economical use of volunteers. Secure its implementation by Bay restoration managers, resource agencies and partner organizations.
Oversee delivery of high-quality volunteer programs for adults, students and businesses that achieve restoration and education goals and constituency growth objectives; evaluate program effectiveness to ensure excellence and impact.
Design and implement adaptive management techniques for successful on-the-ground restoration projects.
Provide staff with technical knowledge and oversee analysis of quantitative and qualitative restoration data, refinement of best practices and techniques, and sharing of appropriate information with key restoration practitioners, decision makers and stakeholders.
Engage in direct communication with regulators and decision-makers to secure implementation, funding and land acquisition for 100,000 acres of restored Bay tidal marsh.
Identify and pursue partnership opportunities, new restoration sites and other strategic opportunities as appropriate.
Serve as organizational spokesperson with target audiences; create opportunities to promote restoration science program, organization, mission and goals.

Management, Fundraising, and Administrative Responsibilities

Hire, manage, evaluate, and mentor the nine-person habitat restoration program staff to meet work plan goals; hire and manage consultants as needed.
Supervise Senior Scientist, Restoration Program Manager, and Community Engagement Manager and support them with managing their direct reports.
Lead fundraising efforts to grow habitat restoration program; help secure $1 million annually in grants and contracts to support program implementation.
Establish annual work plan goals and develop and manage department budget.
Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

Master’s degree in environmental science, natural resource management, earth systems, botany, or biology required. PhD highly preferred.
Five to seven years experience in wetland restoration ecology, advocacy and program management.
Extensive knowledge of estuarine ecology, wetland restoration and wetland biology.
Experience in overseeing community engagement and environmental education programs
Strong supervision and management experience, with demonstrated success motivating employees to set and accomplish ambitious objectives.
Proven leadership.
Sets goals, manages priorities, meets deadlines; attention to detail.
Ability to build strong relationships with stakeholders and cultivate new audiences.
Exceptional writing and speaking skills with the ability to synthesize complex concepts into clear messages.
Creative, flexible, and demonstrates problem solving skills and superior judgment.
Computer proficiency with Windows and Internet research applications.
Clean background check and CA driver’s license.
Enthusiasm for Save The Bay’s mission.
Highly Desired - ownership (or unrestricted access) to a vehicle to use for work purposes.

Benefits:

We offer an excellent benefit package including fully paid medical, dental, vision, chiropractic, 403(b) plan, paid vacation, paid holidays and sick time.

To apply :
Please email your resume and detailed cover letter to: jobs@savesfbay.org Subject line and filename should read: Habitat Restoration Director – [your name].

Or mail to : Habitat Restoration Director Search, Save The Bay, 1330 Broadway, Suite 1800, Oakland, CA 94612-2519

It is a priority to Save The Bay to recruit and retain a diverse workforce. Save The Bay is an equal opportunity employer.