Community Science Intern with Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy

Location: San Francisco,California,United States

Start Date:  June 2, 2026,
End Date: March 5, 2027
Compensation: $18/hour
Application Due: April 17, 2026 

This is a full-time position for a 9-month term.

Reports To: Program Manager, Community Science

Schedule: Full time (32-40 hours per week), 5 consecutive days during field season, including some evening and weekend shifts; scheduling will vary based on program needs.

Work Sites: Work takes place in the Marin Headlands or remotely. This internship can be hybrid (in-person & remote). During the raptor migration season, we expect 3-5 days of on-site work that will include a weekend day.

This is a paid nine-month internship program specifically designed for individuals who are either early in their careers or graduating college. The internship provides an immersive work-based learning experience and professional development opportunities in the park. Candidates must have a college degree or equivalent experience and be at least 18 years of age.

Organization Description:

The Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy is the nonprofit partner of the National Park Service overseeing the Golden Gate National Recreation Area — 84,000 acres of national parkland spanning the San Francisco Bay Area, including Muir Woods, Ocean Beach, Crissy Field, and Alcatraz Island. The Parks Conservancy is a membership organization created to preserve the Golden Gate National Parks, enhance the experiences of park visitors, and build a community dedicated to conserving the parks for the future. 

With our local and federal partners, the Parks Conservancy is committed to the work of supporting Bay Area national parks as places where we can further racial and social justice for our community and climate resilience for these protected lands

Department Description:

The Conservation and Community Science Department (CCS) supports the ecological and climate-adaptive work of the Parks Conservancy, the National Park Service, and our One Tam partners. Together, we strategically fill gaps in our ecosystem knowledge and coordinate conservation actions at a landscape scale, while creating opportunities to connect people, parks, and partners. 

The Golden Gate Raptor Observatory (GGRO) is one of our suite of community science programs and is operated by the Parks Conservancy and the NPS. Staff and 100+ volunteers work together to study the birds of prey migrating through the Marin Headlands each fall. GGRO has two core program areas—raptor banding and Hawkwatch—contributing over 10,000 hours of volunteer service hours to the GGNRA each year.

Position Overview:

The intern will support the Hawkwatch program primarily. As a secondary focus, the intern will  conduct raptor banding fieldwork and help perform associated tasks. Additionally, there will be opportunities to get creative making science-based content and activities for in-person and online outreach and community engagement. Interns are also required to take part in professional development activities throughout the parks.

Essential Functions and Responsibilities:

Volunteer support, public engagement & outreach

·        Respond to email inquiries about our community science programs.

·        Assist staff in volunteer management tasks—for example, preparing training materials, sending weekly email announcements, updating volunteer documents and databases.

·        Support planning and managing volunteer events.

·        Help transport, set up, and clean up materials and equipment for volunteer events.

·        Help volunteers safely participate, learn, and have fun at events.

·        With support, create science communication content such as taking photos, contributing short summaries for email newsletters and social media, and designing activities to engage the broader community in science .

·        Assist at other community outreach events in Marin and San Francisco, as needed.

·        Represent the Parks Conservancy to the public in a positive and professional manner.

Fieldwork

·        Learn the Hawkwatch quadrant method to identify and count 19 species of raptors.

·        Learn techniques in raptor trapping and banding.

·        Help with avian husbandry, as needed.

·        Participate in team fieldwork with careful adherence to protocols, in accordance with training.

·        Drive pickup trucks and other vehicles safely on fire roads, surface streets, and remote roads in Marin County.

Data Management

·        Enter data into project-specific platforms

·        Participate in conducting quality control checks on data contributed by volunteers.

General

·        Understand and closely follow protocols to maintain a safe work environment.

·        Communicate in-person and by email, phone, videoconference, etc. in a consistent, timely, and professional manner.

·        Keep survey and program equipment in good working condition and proper storage.

·        Other duties, as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

·        Likes working with people, doing science, being outside, and is comfortable with office time.

·        Eager to get all kinds of people excited about nature, science, community, and public lands.

·        Desire to learn about biodiversity, community science, science communication, climate resilience, environmental education, volunteer management, and event planning.

·        Energetic and self-motivated; able to work independently once provided direction.

·        Good communication skills and respect for others. Responds to texts and emails in a professional and timely manner.

·        Detail-oriented and organized, able to accurately transcribe data, keep calendars and shared documents accurate and up to date.

·        Able to follow directions and problem-solve, willing to ask for support as needed.

·        Desire to gain experience working outdoors leading public events and doing fieldwork.

·        Actively cares about own safety and the safety of others.

·        A valid driver’s license and clean driving record

·        Intermediate computer literacy and ability to quickly learn new software.

·        Desire to work in a team and to work with a diversity of people with different backgrounds, ethnicities, genders, sexualities, ages, and viewpoints.

Education and/or Experience:

·        College degree, or equivalent experience, in ecology, environmental studies, resource management, geography, biology, science education, environmental education or another related field

·        At least 1 year (can be cumulative) of experience working face-to-face with members of the public (e.g., customer service, camp counselor, community outreach activities)

·        Some experience spending time outdoors, recreation counts

·        At least 1 year of driving experience

·        Experience using spreadsheets and email

Health and Safety:

It is the policy of the Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy to create and maintain a safe and healthful workplace free from recognized hazards that may cause harm to employees, consistent with and in compliance with applicable state and federal laws. Employees will play an active role in creating a safe and healthy workplace and will comply with all applicable health and safety rules. The Conservancy is committed to the goal of implementing an effective health and safety program and an injury prevention program.

Based on the current state of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Parks Conservancy requires all employees, interns, and independent contractors to be vaccinated and to provide proof of such vaccination as a condition of employment or performing contract work.

Physical Requirements and Work Environments:

·        Work is performed both in both office and outdoor settings 

·        Work is primarily performed standing or walking 

·        Fieldwork often requires standing on an open hillside for 6 hours under a range of weather conditions 

·        Fieldwork may include sitting on a stool for up to 8 hours 

·        Animal care requires contact with live birds and their aviaries.

·        Work requires squatting and kneeling 

·        Work frequently requires walking and lifting in varied terrain under a range of weather conditions 

·        Frequently lifts, carries and positions objects weighing up to 50 pounds 

·        Adequate vision to spot and ID birds of prey, as well to read small fonts – may include corrective lenses 

·        Must drive 4WD vehicles over rough dirt roads; driver’s license required  

·        Ability to condense safety guidelines into field trainings and situations 

·        Some work is performed sitting at a desk and in front of a computer 

·        Work location is Ft. Cronkhite, Marin County, California, and throughout the Marin Headlands 

·        Work week will include weekend days, some holidays, and some evenings 

Pay Rate and Benefits: 

o   Additionally, Interns have access to the Employee Assistance Program and Employee discounts.

o   Uniform shirts, jacket, and hat with the Parks Conservancy logo will be provided; interns will also receive a stipend for work pants and/or boots.

  Professional Development

o   Learn about One Tam and environmental work in government and nonprofit sectors.

o   Gain experience in complex projects involving multiple agencies.

o   Gain experience in community science, science communication, place-based environmental education, and volunteer management.

o   Opportunity to work with other CCS teams, Parks Conservancy departments, and One Tam partners on community engagement and conservation management programs

o   Opportunity to attend workshops on a variety of topics including resume building and interview skills, park history, flora and fauna, conservation and climate change, social and environmental justice, and much more.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified. All employees may be required to perform duties outside of their normal responsibilities from time to time, as needed.

EEO Statement

Environment for the Americas provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.