The Otter Project

Current Jobs

MPA Watch Coordinator – San Luis Obispo, CA

• Part-time 10-15 hours a week.
• $12 hour

As part of our effort to protect sea otter habitat, The Otter Project has been heavily involved with the formation of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) along California’s central coast. In order to foster compliance with the regulations of these MPAs, The Otter Project trains a network of volunteers to monitor resource use in and around MPAs from Año Nuevo State Park to Point Buchon in San Luis Obispo. Volunteers are trained to identify onshore and offshore ocean activities and collect data on resource use.

The Role

The Volunteer Coordinator is responsible for managing the recruitment efforts for the MPA Watch monitoring program in the San Luis Obispo region. This includes providing support to existing volunteers, canvassing for new recruits and running training sessions.

The position is part-time, averaging from 10-15 hours/week and reports to the Monterey Volunteer Manager.

For MPA Watch Recruitment, the Volunteer Coordinator will:

• Recruit volunteers for MPA Watch in the San Luis Obispo region
• Take initiative in leveraging local resources to find new volunteers (eg. tabling events at farmers’ markets and community fairs, flyering, etc.)
• Make presentations to local environmental groups, clubs and college-level classes

For MPA Watch Volunteer Trainings, the Volunteer Coordinator will:

• Plan and facilitate volunteer trainings at Montana de Oro (including setting dates and planning logistics)
• Compile materials needed for trainings
• Follow up with new recruits after training sessions to answer questions

For MPA Watch Data Collection, the Volunteer Coordinator will:

• Ensure collection of hardcopy data from volunteers
• Encourage volunteers to submit photos to the MPA Watch meetup website
• Ensure that volunteers have all materials for carrying out data collections (data map, protocol sheet, binoculars & clipboard)

For MPA Watch Volunteer Development, the Volunteer Coordinator will:

• Coordinate volunteer meetings every 6-10 weeks
• Maintain consistent contact with volunteers; be responsive to questions, comments, concerns
• Help keep volunteers enthusiastic and involved
• Use social networks to develop and maintain online communications with volunteers

The Otter Project will reimburse the Volunteer Coordinator for cell phone use and the cost of printing survey materials.

Applicants will require reliable transport to fulfill job requirements.

Requirements

• +2 years volunteer management experience, preferably for an environmental advocacy organization OR experience with managing groups in some capacity.
• Experience in training groups in an outdoor environment a plus.
• Must be self-motivated and able to work autonomously.

 How to apply

Send an email to volunteer@otterproject.org with the following items:

• A cover letter addressed to Mark Welden-Smith.
• A resume of no more than 2 pages.

Successful applicants will be contacted by email to arrange a phone interview, followed by an in-person interview in Monterey, CA.

Questions about the role should be forwarded to volunteer@otterproject.org. No phone calls please.