American Bird Conservancy
Texas Coastal Outreach Coordinator
Position Summary:
Title: Texas Coastal Outreach Coordinator
Supervisor: Gulf Coastal Program Manager
Location: Upper Texas Coast Region
Submission Deadline: May 27, 2022
Introduction:
This is a full-time salaried position with American Bird Conservancy working to reduce trash accumulation on coastal beaches and shorelines. The Texas Coastal Outreach Coordinator will manage and develop the Stopping Plastic Litter Along Shorelines (SPLASh) program, a coordinated education and outreach campaign that engages local communities, natural resource managers, and other people whose lands are impacted by trash and plastic pollution. Coastal bird conservation and impacts from trash and plastic (and other threats) will be a primary focus.
As the primary representative of ABC addressing threats posted by marine debris, the Coastal Outreach Coordinator will interact with local stakeholders on a regular basis, including local governments, state and federal agencies, and NGOs.
The Coordinator will organize and promote coastal clean-ups with volunteers and community stakeholders. Education and outreach efforts with the general public, school-age children, and community stakeholders will be ongoing, and results of cleanups and educational-based activities will be reported through an online platform. The Coordinator will work with a graphic designer to develop outreach materials. The coordinator will use polls and on-line surveys to gauge behavioral change.
The Coordinator will work from a home office. Travel will be necessary throughout the upper Texas coast using a reliable personal vehicle and a Gulf Coastal Program four-wheel-drive truck. Travel may also include occasional trips to ABC headquarters and/or locations selected for ABC staff retreats.
Primary Duties:
- Work alongside Gulf Coast Bird Observatory (GCBO) to conduct at least 12 coastal clean-ups per year with local volunteers, citizen scientists, and school groups
- Collect trash data that coincides with existing protocols and efforts
- Enter clean-up data to the Don’tTrashaGoodThing database and work with GIS specialist to update visualization tools
- Attend and coordinate community events (i.e. Trash Bash, Earth Day, World Ocean’s Day) alongside GCBO
- Work with ABC’s Gulf Coastal Program Manager, GCBO, and a graphic designer to develop educational materials to be used at community events and to distribute to regional Visitor Centers
- Develop (and/or expand upon) voluntary Trash Management and Prevention actions with local municipalities, state, and federal land and natural resource managers
- Employ a grassroots marketing campaign to urge the public to responsibly dispose of trash and plastics and to move away from using single-use plastics
- Distribute on-line surveys to cleanup participants asking them about how their trash disposal and single-use plastic use habitats have changed, what they might suggest, and what they need to act (behavioral change evaluation)
- Work closely with ABC’s Gulf Coastal Program Manager and GCBO to track all project deliverables and outcomes
- Work with ABC’s Gulf Coastal Program Manager and others to identify opportunities to expand SPLASh program into other states, including identification of partners and funding sources
- Work with ABC staff and leadership from various divisions to develop ABC’s internal and public-facing stance on the issue of plastic pollution/trash, including internal ABC efforts to reduce waste at events and public-facing products like a webpage highlighting ABC’s efforts on the issue
- Serve on committees of regional trash management stakeholder coalitions including Partners in Litter Prevention (PLP) and Plastic Pollution Prevention Partnership (P3P). Hold regular meetings and facilitate collaboration between stakeholders
Position Requirements:
- Must be highly skilled in communicating and working with recreational beach users, volunteers, community members, local, state and federal agencies, and staff of multiple partner organizations
- Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Studies, Natural Resources Management, Wildlife Sciences, Education, Communications, Political Science, Social Sciences, or a related discipline
- Working knowledge of outreach and interpretation related to bird/wildlife conservation and trash and plastics management and reduction activities
- Experience developing and implementing educational (K-12) curriculum
- Strong verbal and written communication skills required – this position will require frequent public speaking. Also, intermediate skills with Microsoft Office products
- Intermediate to fluent Spanish is highly desirable
- Knowledge and experience working with Texas environmental stakeholders including researchers, various agency staff and managers, non-profit organizations, and other community stakeholders
- Working knowledge of graphic design is desired
- Proven report writing skills
- Must have valid driver's license and reliable personal vehicle for travel between work sites (mileage reimbursed)
- Authorized to work in the U.S.
- Background screening required
Benefits:
- Benefits include medical, medical flex, and 403(b) plan.
- Paid vacation days (15), holidays (10+), and sick leave.
To Apply:
Please send a cover letter, resume, and 3 professional references to Bamboo HR: https://abcbirds.bamboohr.com/jobs/view.php?id=141
At American Bird Conservancy, we believe that a diversity of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills makes us more effective. We are committed to creating a respectful and inclusive work environment for all of our employees.
As an equal opportunity employer, ABC is committed to ensuring that employees and applicants for employment have equal opportunities regardless of race, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, age, religion, physical or mental disability, medical condition, veteran status, marital status, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or any other factor unrelated to the requirements of the position.