Field Associate: Clean River Team (part-time)

Field Associate:

Clean River Team (part-time) The San Diego River Park Foundation San Diego, California Job Type Permanent Salary $21 per hour Benefits paid time off and sick leave Deadline May 31, 2026 Min. Experience 0 - 1 year The San Diego River Park Foundation was founded in 2001 to create a better future for the San Diego River and San Diego. Additional information about the organization is available at www.sandiegoriver.org. We are seeking an energetic, self-motivated, reliable individual to fill the position of Field Associate. This person will play a role in leading field surveys and volunteer clean-up events along the river. Ideal candidates will be interested in community organizing and engagement, environmental restoration, geospatial data collection, and field work.

Responsibilities:

The San Diego River Park Foundation believes that service is an excellent pathway to long-term stewardship and increased engagement with the San Diego River and its future. This person will play a role in coordinating and hosting events for the public, including river field surveys, cleanups, and potentially other activities such as restoration projects.

Duties will include:

Planning, coordinating and hosting volunteer events to support our Trash-Free River program, at least two field events per week (survey one day and clean-up the other). Must be available at least Tuesday and Wednesday. Coordinating and supervising volunteers to do this work, with group sizes ranging from to 20 regular, trained volunteers, as well as occasionally supervising larger groups of 75-150 first-time volunteers. Assist with contributing data to online data portal (www.immappler.com/sandiegorivertrash), and use portal to guide clean-ups Participate in data collection related to encampments occurring in the riverbed, to facilitate data-sharing with homeless outreach partners, land managers, elected officials and other policymakers Work with staff to sustain and grow volunteer engagement with the San Diego River Park Foundation through these events Train, mentor and supervise unpaid intern(s) to assist with volunteer events Cross-train with other Trash-Free River program staff to support other events Participate in planning with team to advance Trash-Free River goals Other duties as assigned The ideal candidate will: Be committed to the environmental mission of organization Value working with members of the community Be able to (and be interested in) work outdoors and get dirty Have documented volunteer coordination, community outreach, and/or community organizing experience Be a self-starter interested in working independently Have strong navigational skills for orienting self and team in the riverbed Be able to work in a dynamic, small office and with student-interns as well as volunteers of all types Be comfortable with using smart phone/tablet technology to access data portal Have strong public speaking, communication skills, and commanding presence for volunteer events Have past experience interacting with people experiencing homelessness, and/or be willing to learn the organization's respectful approach to interactions Be flexible, adaptable, and organized with strong multi-tasking and prioritization skills Basic knowledge of Google Suite, Word and PowerPoint Competency with data analysis in Excel Must be able to lift 50+ pounds and walk up to 5 miles on uneven terrain Must have a current driver's license and good driving record, and be able to drive a company vehicle (truck) Have an associate or bachelor's degree or the equivalent in relevant experience Familiarity with the San Diego River ecology and geography is a plus

Other Qualifications and Requirements:

Event planning or experience serving as a volunteer leader preferred Past volunteer leadership training or experience supervising others is a plus Social media experience is a plus (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter) Hepatitis A vaccination and tetanus vaccination are strongly recommended for this employee (can be completed after hire) First aid certification will be required for this employee (can be completed after hire) Must be available Tuesday and Wednesdays. Schedule for other work day(s) is flexible This position will include weekend work and may include occasional evening work. This job description is intended as a guide to the general job responsibilities and is not inclusive of every duty the employee may be expected to perform. This job is part time at 20 hours/week, with occassional opportunities for additional hours.

How To Apply To apply:

Review the job description listing on https://sandiegoriver.org/about-us/employment-internships/. Then, send a resume and cover email to sarah@sandiegoriver.org. No phone calls, please. Email questions are welcomed. Please include in your cover email (or separate letter) your interest in the position and working with the organization. The San Diego River Park Foundation is an Equal Opportunity Employer. This is an at-will position.

Deadline:

Open until filled.

Start Date:

Immediately.