Program Assistant | Cal Parks

Title: Program Assistant 
Reports to: Director of Programs 
Location: Hybrid, SF Bay Area or Santa Cruz 
Job Type: Full-time, non-exempt 
Compensation: $26 - $30 per hour 
Post date: May 31, 2024 

Mission: Protecting and preserving the California state park system, for the benefit of all.
Vision: Our vision is that Californians have a state park system that is accessible and relevant, adequately and sustainably funded, and stewarded for future generations. 
 

JOB DESCRIPTION: 

With a rich history spanning more than five decades, California State Parks Foundation (CSPF) champions the cause of California state parks, ensuring their protection and preservation for the greater good. By collaborating with park partners and dedicated park staff, as well as engaging policymakers in Sacramento, we actively address the challenges faced by our beloved parks. It is an exciting time for the organization, as we recently released our 2024–2027 strategic plan, setting the path for continued growth. We are guided by our Justice, Equity, Inclusion, and Diversity (JEID) commitments as well as our core organization values: A Bigger Tent, Future Forward, Connections Create Results, Celebrate California. 

The Program Assistant supports the organization's goals to build climate resilience, expand access to parks, enhance visitor experience, preserve history and culture, and steward natural spaces. Reporting to the Director of Programs, this position closely collaborates with the Climate Resilience Program Manager and Community Partnership and Impact Manager​ to research and collect data on all 280 California State Parks, identify and document current threats and potential solutions within parks, and produce reports that demonstrate the impacts of the organization’s work. In addition, the Program Assistant will staff events, organize logistics, provide general information internally and externally, and collect and assemble survey data.  

This is a full-time, non-exempt position eligible for overtime as approved. The Program Assistant may be required to work on-site two days per week at one of our Bay Area locations, with some travel required for park and partner site visits, staff events, and other events as needed.   
 

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Research and Information Management (60%) 

  • Project-manage the organization’s database of all California state parks and park partners (nonprofit organizations that work in state parks), ensuring all information and data are up to date and accurate. 

  • Assist in evaluating and recording park-specific threats and solutions as they pertain to the organization's core programs of Climate Resilience, Access & Experiences, and Park Excellence.  

  • Utilize and draw on online and print sources as well as in-person interviews to distill relevant information. 

  • Manage relevant documents and images in the organization’s SharePoint as well as other platforms. 

  • Assist in Volunteer Park Corps (volunteers who help collect information on parks, threats, and solutions) recruitment, training, and coordination.  

  • Proficiently use Salesforce for data management, relationship building, and reporting.  

Assemble Program Survey Data across all CSPF Programs (20%) 

  • Assist in the design and dissemination of program surveys. 

  • Collect and summarize program survey data and provide reports on outputs and outcomes.  

  • Interpret and communicate scientific and programmatic terms, information, and concepts as they pertain to specific program elements, outputs, and outcomes. 

General Program Support (20%) 

  • Attend and represent the organization at events. 

  • Provide logistical support. Examples include arranging meetings, being a point of contact for information and questions, working with vendors, and coordinating and shipping supplies.  

  • Participate in and support organization-wide events, including staff meetings, Earth Day, Volunteer workdays, and California State Parks Week. 

  • Complete additional duties as assigned.  
     

QUALIFICATIONS:

  • Ability to work both independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced, multi-tasking team environment 

  • Understanding of environmental and conservation practices 

  • Familiarity with the California state park system is preferred 

  • Good research skills 

  • Project management skills — familiarity with tools such as Salesforce, Asana, Slack, SharePoint, Adobe Acrobat Pro, Expensify, and Zoom is strongly preferred 

  • Knowledge of the Microsoft Office suite 

  • Good written and oral communication skills 

  • Organized with attention to detail 

  • Committed to maintaining data integrity 

  • Willingness to pitch in and perform other tasks as needed 

  • Ability and willingness to travel across California to state parks as needed (approximately 10% of time) 

  • Occasionally engaging in outdoor activities, including hiking, interpretive walks, habitat restoration, tabling at events, etc. 

  • A valid driver's license is required 

  • Commitment to California State Parks Foundation’s mission 
     

If you do not meet all the qualifications, we still encourage you to apply.   
 

Justice, Equity, Inclusion, and Diversity: At California State Parks Foundation, our mission is protecting and preserving the California state park system, for the benefit of all. We believe that California’s state parks are essential to the health, happiness, and quality of life for all Californians. If we truly are to benefit all, we must address justice, equity, inclusion, and diversity (JEID) in our work. While the process of integrating JEID may not be easy, we are full of hope regarding our vision for a future California state park system that engages a broad audience and is welcoming and accessible to all. We commit to fostering an organizational culture that celebrates learning and growth, leans into difficult conversations and feedback, values connection to each other, and sustains staff and board members’ well-being and sense of belonging. 

Compensation: This is a full-time, non-exempt position @ 37.5 hours per week. The hourly rate for any work completed up to 40 hours a week is between $26 - $30 per hour, depending on experience. You may also be eligible for overtime (any work above 8 hours a day and 40 hours a week), and your overtime rate is between $39 - $45 per hour. You may also be eligible for double time, and your double time rate will be between $52 - $60 per hour. Regular, overtime and double overtime are pursuant to state, federal and the Organization’s guidelines.  

Benefits: Employee benefits include medical, dental, and vision insurance, acupuncture/chiropractic, participation in 401k retirement plan with match after one year of service, employee life, accidental, long- and short-term disability insurance, participation in pre-tax commuter benefits and flexible spending account, health and wellness and hybrid office stipend, paid vacation, 13 paid holidays, birthday holiday, and sick time.    

To Apply: Please submit your application through the “Apply” link. Your application should include your resume and a thoughtful cover letter that addresses why you are a good fit for this position and the organization. Please use separate attachments for each individual component with your last name in the file names. Applications are considered on a rolling basis until the position is filled.

The California State Parks Foundation is an Equal Opportunity Employer. People of color, LGBTQ people, people with disabilities and veterans are strongly encouraged to apply. Qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records will be considered for the position in accordance with San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, Police Code, Article 49.