search
Donate

LIVING SHORELINES COORDINATOR

ABOUT US:

The Surfrider Foundation is the world’s largest grassroots coastal conservation organization dedicated to the protection and enjoyment of the world’s ocean, waves, and beaches for all people through a powerful activist network. We have achieved many important victories to protect vital coastal and ocean resources. These accomplishments demonstrate the important role of recreational users in advancing coastal and ocean stewardship. Since 1984, Surfrider's appeal is not only our strong reputation and track record of success, but also the lifestyle and values we embody. 

By joining the Surfrider Foundation, you will be welcomed into an open and inclusive network of incredibly supportive and collaborative people who work hard and play hard. You will have the opportunity to work with dedicated people who are also passionate coastal users with their feet in the sand and toes in the water. You help bring together diverse voices and perspectives to provide our community with the leadership and tools necessary to make a difference at their beach and in coastal communities across the United States. At Surfrider, we build leaders and we are problem solvers; our culture sets us apart and influences everything we do. Coastal recreation is fun and working at Surfrider is too.

OPPORTUNITY:

Surfrider’s Climate Action Program is a first line of defense against the impacts of climate change on our coasts. Nature-based solutions, including the conservation and restoration of coastal dunes, wetlands, and mangrove forests, and the constructions of living shorelines will help local communities proactively adapt to climate change impacts and respond to chronic coastal erosion. Surfrider’s network around the country is working everyday to address climate change through these nature-based solutions and new federal and state investments are making more of these opportunities possible. The Living Shorelines Coordinator will leverage Surfrider’s current climate action work by directly working on living shorelines projects in and coordinating new opportunities to implement Nature Based Solutions. 

Based: Orange County or San Diego County, California

The Surfrider Foundation is recruiting a Living Shorelines Coordinator to support and coordinate Surfrider’s living shorelines work in Southern California and assist nature-based climate work in other areas of the United States. The coordinator will work with Surfrider’s Coasts and Climate Initiative Sr. Manager, Climate Action Manager, California policy and regional staff, Sr. Environmental Director, chapter network, and student clubs to spearhead new and existing community-level projects, identify new project opportunities, develop partnerships and resources, communicate program impact to the public and internally, and support fundraising efforts. This is a full time position. Remote work is acceptable within Orange County and San Diego County.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

  • Coordinate and monitor current and future living shorelines projects in Southern California.
  • Collaboratively develop resources for living shorelines circulated among regional managers and chapters.
  • Conduct outreach and education regarding the benefits of living shorelines.
  • Convene stakeholders with vested interests in living shorelines projects.
  • Help identify and develop partnerships with local organizations and institutions such as conservancies, other nonprofits, urban and conservation corps, universities, and others to scale-up restoration. 
  • Support federal, state, and local permitting processes for living shoreline projects. 
  • Communicate impact via blog, to Surfrider’s social media team, and internal communications.
  • Serve as a’ living shorelines spokesperson’ for Surfrider’s Climate Action Program to local and national media. 
  • Communicate regularly with regional managers, chapters, and headquarters.
  • Track and identify federal and state funding opportunities for coastal resilience, including restoration, and work with Surfrider’s Development Department to fundraise accordingly.
  • Track armoring projects (seawalls, revetments, etc.) and living shoreline opportunities in California . 

Reports to: Coasts and Climate Initiative Sr. Manager 

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE:

  • Minimum of two years of professional experience working on coastal ecosystem conservation and restoration.
  • General understanding of coastal zone management in California, including California Coastal Commission processes.
  • Bachelor's degree in environmental studies, marine biology, oceanography, geology, urban planning, or a related field, or equivalent experience. 
  • Significant understanding of nature-based solutions and coastal resilience issues.
  • Experience with local, state, and federal resource management permitting processes. 
  • Understanding of public policy and climate action planning as it relates to nature-based solutions and coastal resilience.
  • Ability to communicate clearly with media, public audiences, scientific community,  and policy makers. 
  • Ability or willingness to learn how to use tech tools, platforms, and apps such as Salesforce, Hubspot, Golden, Google Drive and Basecamp
  • Ability to travel in Southern California.
  • Ability to work flexible hours (including some weekends and evenings), as needed, within the full-time weekly schedule
  • Ability to work effectively from a home office and in a remote team setting.
  • Skilled in GIS, Google Applications, and other desktop tools.

SALARY AND BENEFITS:

The Surfrider Foundation offers a salary that is competitive with other national, not-for-profit conservation organizations. The salary range for this position starts at $55,000+.

Benefits include medical, dental and vision coverage monthly premiums compensated 100% by Surfrider Foundation, Long-Term Disability insurance, Employee Assistance program (EAP), Section 125 Flexible Spending Account (FSA), 401(k) plan with partial employer matching. Surfrider also provides paid holidays, vacation and sick time.

TO APPLY:

Please send cover letter (including your salary requirements) and resume to: 

Email: careers@surfrider.org

Deadline for receiving resumes: Accepting submissions until the position is filled. 

JEDI COMMITMENT:

The Surfrider Foundation is committed to fostering a just, equitable, diverse, and inclusive organization for all people who protect and enjoy the world’s ocean, waves, and beaches. Our success and impact depend on learning from our community, standing in solidarity with our allies and working towards a more just future, both for our organization and the environmental movement as a whole.

The Surfrider Foundation is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace that is committed to attracting and retaining a diverse workforce. Together we strive to create and maintain working and learning environments that are inclusive, equitable and welcoming. We are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender identity, Veteran status, or any other protected class.

To learn more about our Justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion commitments, please visit: https://www.surfrider.org/pages/diversity-equity-inclusion