Climate Project Scope:

One of the greatest challenges of our time, for parks and society alike, is climate change. Parks are home to invaluable natural resources threatened by climate change. While this presents many challenges, this also makes them an ideal environment to demonstrate the on-the-ground impacts and to connect the issue to a place that people cherish. While the threats of climate change are understandably daunting, the Institute at the Golden Gate is helping trusted climate messengers, like park staff, speak to the public on this issue in a way that resonates with a variety of audiences and inspires action.

In 2014, the Institute convened and continues support for the Bay Area Climate Literacy Impact Collaborative (BayCLIC), a consortium of over 30 informal environmental education institutions dedicated to making the Bay Area the leader in climate literacy and action. BayCLIC members reach over three million individuals annually, representing a significant opportunity to reach broad audiences with climate messages.

The climate fellow will work closely with members of BayCLIC and the Institute’s Climate program manager, focusing on one of BayCLIC’s key initiatives: connecting educators to local climate science resources. The climate fellow’s main deliverable will be to help strategize, plan, and put on at least three scientist and educator seminars. The overarching objective of these seminars will be to bring together informal educators interested in local climate science and scientists that are working on climate change related research. The climate fellow will also work with BayCLIC members to identify the goals for each seminar, whether it be an introductory conversation between scientists and educators on how they can better collaborate or to encourage scientists to get involved with specific educational programs. In addition to the seminars, the fellow will also help populate BayCLIC’s local climate science database and assist with coordinating bi-monthly BayCLIC meetings.

Climate Fellow Responsibilities:

• Organize at least three science/educator seminars with subject matter experts (70%)
• This includes coordinating speakers, securing venues, creating communications materials, and managing guest lists and other seminar logistics
• Oversee evaluation of science seminars and synthesize key takeaways (5%)
• Assist with resource gathering for local climate science database (15%)
• Provide logistical support for bi-monthly BayCLIC meetings; this includes taking notes and assisting with meeting coordination (10%)

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Basic Requirements:

• Commitment to developing a career in the sustainability, environmental education, or social justice sector
• Excellent research, writing, and analytical skills
• Strong verbal communication skills
• Attention to detail, accuracy, and thoroughness; completes work in timely manner, strives to increase productivity
• Great social and emotional intelligence
• Finely-tuned time management and multi-tasking skills
• Ability to engage with, listen to, and learn from a broad range of stakeholders, encouraging their meaningful participation
• Interest in collaboration and an ability to work well in small teams

Preferred Skills:

• Background in climate change, climate literacy, climate science, environmental education, or related field
• Facilitation and public speaking experience preferred but not required
• Experience working with educators, either in the formal or informal space is desired
• Experience planning mid-large scale events

Additional Details:

• Fellows will work collaboratively with the Institute at the Golden Gate for a period of six (6) months and will receive a monthly stipend
• Working space will be provided at the Institute at the Golden Gate located at Fort Mason in San Francisco, CA 
• Work is performed mostly in an office setting with regional travel for meetings required (up to 20%)
• The climate fellow reports directly to the climate program manager