Community Programs Specialist II

About the California Academy of Sciences

The California Academy of Sciences is a globally renowned scientific and cultural institution located in the heart of San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park. Home to a world-class planetarium, aquarium, research center, and natural history museum—all under one living roof—our mission is to regenerate the natural world through science, learning, and collaboration.

Our extensive collections span plants, animals, fossils, and cultural artifacts from across the globe and throughout history. We are a diverse team of leading biodiversity scientists, educators, storytellers, designers, and communicators who work collaboratively to advance knowledge and inspire action through science and storytelling.

When you join the California Academy of Sciences, you become part of a mission-driven community that values curiosity, collaboration, and innovation. Whether you're working behind the scenes in research or engaging the public on the museum floor, your work will help connect people to the natural world and empower them to protect it.

About the Opportunity

Reporting to the Director, the Community Programs Specialist II (CPS) is responsible for collaborating with Managers, Directors, and Program Coordinators to design, implement, and evaluate science and nature-based education programming focused on family engagement for SFPUC customers and ratepayers– particularly in historically marginalized communities including Southeast SF, the Mission, and the Tenderloin–with a focus on water, power, and sewer systems.

The CPS will provide out-of-school, place-based learning experiences for underserved and at-risk families from San Francisco, fostering a connection to science and nature through curated experiences that are culturally relevant and that position families in opportunities to take meaningful environmental action in their communities. Furthermore, the CPS will offer families and their youth activities that cultivate scientific curiosity and provide guidance for at-home, play-based and hands-on science learning. Activities will integrate community-based action and foundational science focused deeply in healthy water, power, and sewer systems of San Francisco.

The Community Programs Specialist will facilitate monthly nature exploration sessions, science activities, and culturally relevant and accessible educational resources for families focused on power, water, and sewer, ensuring all programming aligns with SFPUC sustainability priorities and community engagement goals.

Organizational CultureJoin a team dedicated to the Academy’s mission, vision and values! Currently, the Academy has a new strategic plan including three initiatives – Hope for Reefs, Thriving California, and Islands 2030 – that leverage biodiversity science, environmental learning, and collaborative engagement to regenerate fragile ecosystems around the world. Learn more at https://www.calacademy.org/about-us/major-initiatives.

We hope you are inspired by what we do and are excited to contribute to our mission. The mission of the California Academy of Sciences is to regenerate the natural world through science, learning, and collaboration. The Academy is looking for candidates who do great work, and we know they may come from a number of different backgrounds and experiences. We encourage you to apply even if you do not believe you meet every qualification for the position.

This position is based in San Francisco, California. Staff are currently expected to work from the Academy offices at least 2-3 times per week, which may fluctuate based on business needs. Please do not apply if you are not able to work onsite. 

Key Responsibilities

• Facilitate monthly science nature exploration sessions in outdoor spaces accessible to families in priority neighborhoods focused on water, power and sewer.
• Plan instruction for science activities that are grounded to water, power, and sewer and that are accessible to families and applicable for classroom education, in terms of complexity, content, and learning goals.
• Plan and facilitate hands-on activities focused on exposing underserved families to local natural environments, to facilitate their connection with nature, and create feasible pathways for relevant climate and biodiversity action.
• Create curriculum content that encourages families, students, and teachers continued exploration and climate and biodiversity action, at home in local communities.
• Provide opportunities for families to engage in interactive learning experiences that build empathy, curiosity, and knowledge about local ecological systems and SFPUC resource operations.
• Create a library of user-friendly, actionable take-home resources for families, focused on practical biodiversity and climate action activities and SFPUC-related environmental topics.
• Ensure all programming promotes awareness and understanding of SFPUC systems (water, power, sewer) and supports learning about environmental and social sustainability, climate change, and pollution reduction in connection with the Academy’s regeneration priorities.
• Communicate, collaborate, and when possible, partner with underserved community organizations, cultural groups, and environmental educators and organizations to ensure inclusive and relevant programming.
• Ensure learning experiences are community-based, culturally relevant, scientifically sound, age-appropriate, and responsive to families’ needs, socioeconomic realities, and interests.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with families from marginalized communities in Southeast SF, the Mission, and the Tenderloin.
• Conduct community listening sessions in the priority communities to gather and analyze qualitative and quantitative data to inform the design and implementation of all programmatic elements.  
• Coordinate program logistics, maintain program records, and lead recruitment efforts
• Identify, evaluate, and source equipment, tools and other resources required for programs; anticipate and troubleshoot issues. 
• Foster productive relationships with residents and community-based organizations in the targeted areas.
• Plan for and assist with pre/post evaluation assessments and track statistics, and use data to inform program revisions and to demonstrate impact.
• Analyze and report on program outcomes and effectiveness, including attendance, engagement, and impacts based on selected metrics.
• Use feedback to iteratively improve program design and delivery in alignment with grant objectives.
• Collaborate with other Education Division and Academy efforts, as appropriate.
• Follow all Academy safety regulations.
• Perform other job-related duties to support the Education Division as assigned. 

Qualifications: A successful candidate will have the following:

Experience and/or Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in Education, Environmental Studies, Community Engagement, or a related field (Master’s preferred).
• 2 years of demonstrated experience in environmental learning, climate education or community programming including experience working directly or communities from marginalized neighborhoods.
• Demonstrated knowledge of environmental justice, sustainability, and urban ecology, as related to water, energy, and sewer systems specifically.
• Demonstrated experience working with diverse and traditionally marginalized communities and multigenerational learning programs using culturally responsive and anti-racist practices.
• Demonstrated ability for designing and implementing climate and biodiversity action resources for after school and in school settings, especially as related to water, power, and sewer systems.
• Experience working closely with or in the SFUSD school system.
• Bilingual or multilingual preferred.

Skills and Abilities: 

• Positive collaboration skills and enthusiasm for working with diverse audiences.
• Awareness of social, racial, and environmental justice issues; sensitivity to the lived experiences of others and commitment to modifying the working environment to promote diversity, equity, inclusion, and access.
• Comfort with public speaking and group facilitation.
• Demonstrated ability in planning science-focused  instructional activities.
•  Ability to work independently and cooperatively with staff, youth, families, volunteers, and guests.
• Ability to exercise professionalism, good judgment, and problem solving skills.
• Strong organizational skills, time management, and attention to detail.
• Adept in using computer and cloud-based software, including Google Suite and Zoom.
• A valid California driver’s license required.
• Ability to commit to late afternoon, evening, and weekend work onsite.

Physical Environment:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential job duty satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions.

• Ability to transport 40 lbs of scientific equipment and program materials 
• Ability to participate in outdoor, park-based activities, and community-based activities

This is a mandated reporter designated position. Academy employees whose duties include direct contact and supervision of children are deemed mandated reporters under California Law. Mandated reporters have certain specific reporting obligations in the event that they know of, observe or reasonably suspect that a child has been the victim of child abuse or neglect. The Academy provides mandated reporters with training on their rights and obligations under the Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act.

Compensation and Benefits:The salary range for this position is $68,973.00- $71,760.00. Actual compensation will be commensurate with the final candidate's qualifications and experience, including skills, knowledge, relevant education, certifications and aligned with the internal peer group. We believe in fair and equitable compensation practices and are committed to providing competitive salaries within the industry and market standards. The Academy offers a total compensation package that emphasizes both base salary and comprehensive benefits based on the hours per week worked. Further details regarding compensation and benefits will be discussed during the interview process.

Schedule: Full-Time/Temporary, 40 hours per week

How to Apply:

Interested candidates should submit a resume and application through our Careers Page portal.

The California Academy of Sciences will give full consideration for employment to all qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the requirements of the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance (SF Police Code, Article 49).