Community Science Director

San Diego’s Leading Clean Water Advocacy Organization Seeks Community Science Director

San Diego’s leading clean water advocacy organization seeks an energetic and detail-oriented individual with at least three years of professional experience to lead our Community Science program and advance our critical mission. Join us to protect and restore San Diego County’s coastal waters, rivers, and streams. We use science, education, grassroots coalition building, and litigation to tackle persistent and emerging water quality, water supply, and climate resilience issues across our region.

Position Overview

The Community Science Director (“Director”) will lead San Diego Coastkeeper’s water quality monitoring program, which oversees trained volunteers and students to regularly monitor water quality at multiple locations across San Diego County. The community science program is a key element of Coastkeeper’s Watershed Watch program, which utilizes monitoring, education, and environmental stewardship activities to engage the public and drive policy change to reduce pollution of San Diego’s coastal and inland waters.

The Director will oversee the collection and analysis of water quality samples and share the data and insights with our members and the general public. They will prepare regular reports to support our policy advocacy on a range of issues, including the need for increased investment in regional stormwater and wastewater infrastructure. The Director will also develop written content for social media, Coastkeeper e-newsletter, and blog posts discussing our data, water quality trends, and related policy initiatives.

This is an excellent opportunity for a passionate, collaborative, results-driven person looking to lead Coastkeeper’s robust community science program into the future. Successful candidates will have a strong environmental science background, have demonstrated experience developing and implementing water quality monitoring and assessment programs, and have excellent science communication skills.

The Science Director will report directly to the Executive Director.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Community Science water quality monitoring program, including regular collection of samples, coordination with outside laboratories for analysis, and training of volunteers, students, and interns.
• Responsible for field and lab equipment inventory, purchasing, and maintenance.
• Update data to San Diego Coastkeeper website and the California Environmental Data Exchange Network (CEDEN) monthly.
• Regularly update and maintain Coastkeeper’s Swim Guide beach water quality data webpage, which shares data from San Diego County’s bacterial monitoring program.
• Provide support as needed to Coastkeeper’s education, outreach, communications, and development staff, including outreach activities, data sharing, and active support on grant reporting and proposals.
• Assist Coastkeeper’s legal team in the collection of stormwater samples related to enforcement investigations and compliance activities.
• Assist Coastkeeper’s Executive Director in the collection of samples in San Diego Bay and offshore, using Coastkeeper’s patrol vessel.
• Draft content for Coastkeeper’s social media, earned media, e-newsletter, and blog posts regarding our data and related policy initiatives supporting our mission.
• Represent Coastkeeper at networking events and coalition meetings to actively cultivate and build beneficial partnerships.
• Coordinate with internal staff and program partners to consistently and strategically meet program deliverables within set timelines and budget.

Required Qualifications

• Master’s degree in biology, chemistry, ecology, environmental science, or a related field.
• At least 3 years of experience with environmental monitoring and assessment, with a particular preference for developing and implementing water quality monitoring programs in freshwater and marine environments.
• Experience training and supervising volunteers and students (high school to college age).
• Demonstrated experience developing and implementing quality assurance project plans (QAPP) and collecting water samples in the field following standard protocols.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication and organizational skills.
• Excellent time management skills and the ability to handle multiple projects simultaneously.
• Ability to work effectively and collaboratively as a member of a small, highly productive team.
• Proficiency with Google Apps, including Gmail, Google Calendar, and Google Drive, and Microsoft programs, including Word, PowerPoint, and Excel.
• Clean and valid California Driver’s license, with the ability to operate a 12-passenger van to and from field sampling locations.

Preferred Qualifications

• Demonstrated passion for environmental protection, and an interest in water issues in the San Diego region in particular.
• Comfortable with public speaking to diverse audiences including groups of volunteers, students, industry professionals, decision-makers, and the general public about Coastkeeper’s community science work.
• Proficiency in GIS, data visualization, and use of public databases such as CEDEN.

Physical Requirements

• Mobility to work in a standard office environment using office equipment.
• Must be able to sit for long periods of time and engage in basic movements such as bending, standing, and lifting weight up to 30 pounds.
• Must have reliable transportation for travel to meetings and events throughout the county.
• Ability to work outside in the field and on the water, at times in difficult and physically demanding conditions.

Salary, Benefits, and Terms

• Schedule: Full-time, permanent, salaried; 40 hours per week, must be available to work weekends and occasional evenings as needed.
• Location: San Diego Coastkeeper’s office in the city of San Diego, with field sampling and trainings occurring regularly throughout San Diego County. Applicants must live in or be willing to relocate to the San Diego region.
• Benefits: Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance; generous paid vacation, holiday, and sick leave.
• Compensation: $70,000 – $78,000 per year, commensurate with experience.

To Apply

Qualified candidates are encouraged to submit a cover letter and resume as a single PDF document to [email protected] with “YOUR LAST NAME, Community Science Director” in the subject line. If your application is a potential match for our requirements, we will contact you. Please no phone calls or email inquiries.

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Start date: Immediately

San Diego Coastkeeper is committed to diversity in the workplace and is an equal opportunity employer. We maintain a policy of non-discrimination with regard to age, ancestry, color, creed, disability, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and any other class protected by applicable state or federal law.