Individual Placement - Parks Programs and Impact Participant

Position Summary 

This is a paid six-month program specifically designed for individuals who are either early in their careers or graduating college. The position provides an immersive work-based learning experience and professional development opportunities in the park. A high school degree or equivalent is required and the minimum age qualification for this position is 18 years.

Organization Description:

Since 1981, the Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy (Parks Conservancy) has served as the nonprofit partner of the National Park Service, collaborating with the Presidio Trust, partners, donors, and the community to support the Golden Gate National Recreation Area (GGNRA). The GGNRA stretches across three Bay Area counties north and south of the Golden Gate Bridge and includes iconic places such as Muir Woods National Monument, Fort Point National Historic Site, Alcatraz Island, Crissy Field, Mori Point, Lands End, and the Presidio of San Francisco. The Parks Conservancy engages at the intersection of national park sites, local communities, social justice, and climate resilience. Collaborating with partners, our staff are dedicated to enhancing public awareness and providing volunteer and educational opportunities in the parks. We are park builders, caretakers, ambassadors and educators, all working to connect people to parks in support of our vision Parks for All Forever. Join us.

Branch/Unit Description

The Parks Conservancy's Innovation and Impact Hub is nested in the Executive Branch and is dedicated to driving informed decision-making, fostering a culture of evaluation, measuring our impact, ensuring effective partnerships, and supporting new and innovative initiatives. The Hub establishes organizational processes, systems, and tools to support this collaborative work across the Conservancy and park partners. This is a hands-on opportunity to contribute meaningfully across multiple dimensions of nonprofit program work — from public events and community programming to data management, analysis, and organizational strategy. The position offers a genuine window into how a mission-driven organization operates, learns from its work, and plans for the future. This position engages with colleagues across departments, gaining exposure to program development, evaluation, data systems, partnership work, communications, and community programming. We're looking for someone who is adaptable, eager to learn, and genuinely interested in the intersection of community, conservation, and organizational impact.

Position Overview

Time will be distributed across three primary areas:

• Special events & programs support and strategy development (~50%): Hands-on coordination and delivery of public programs and special events, contributing to strategy development and team coordination.

• Data management, analytics & reporting (~25–50%): Supporting the team's data infrastructure, program evaluation, and reporting.

• Emerging priorities (~remaining time): Assist with new and emerging projects and programs as needed.

Hosting Organization

Golden Gate National Park Conservancy

Location 

San Francisco, CA

• This position is primarily in an urban setting where emergency services, public transportation, and cell phone reception are available within 30 minutes. Interactions with members of the public are regular and frequent.
• This position may conduct work in an urban setting where emergency services, public transportation, and cell phone reception are readily accessible. Interactions with members of the public are regular and frequent.
• This position may conduct work in a front country setting where emergency services are accessible, but may be delayed by 1-2 hours. Access to public transportation at work site is limited or not possible. Cell phone reception is limited, spotty, or not available.
• Primary in-person worksite will be Fort Mason in San Francisco. In-person meetings, trainings, and other opportunities may take place at any of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area park sites in San Francisco, Marin, and San Mateo Counties. Transportation will be made available from Fort Mason to other park sites.

Schedule 

October 12, 2026 - March 26, 2027

Primarily Monday-Friday 9am-5pm with some weekend availability required for special events.

Key Duties and Responsibilities 

Special Events & Programs Support

• Coordinate and support the execution of public programs and special events, including the Crissy Field 25th anniversary poetry workshop series (approximately 5–7 workshops).

• Support event logistics including reservations, registrant communications, program materials, and on-site setup; coordinate with program leads and external partners (e.g., poets, teachers, facilitators).

• Support the creation of communications materials including photography, social media content, emails, and flyers to promote and document events in collaboration with the program management and communications teams.

• Collect and process participant satisfaction surveys following events; assist with meeting preparation, notetaking, and follow-up for planning meetings.

• Provide additional support for 25th anniversary programming and other events as they arise.

Data Management, Analytics & Reporting

• Support ongoing data management in CODA (Salesforce-based program database), including event registration, data entry, and data cleaning.

• Administer program and event participant surveys — finalizing instruments, distributing in-person and online via SurveyMonkey or other platforms, compiling results, and rolling data into branch and organizational metrics.

• Analyze event and audience data to support an end-of-year report on anniversary programming, audience reach, and outcomes; assist with design, layout, and formatting of the report for staff and leadership audiences.

• Support organizational end-of-year reporting by collaborating with departments to gather highlights, metrics, images, and content into visually engaging presentation materials.

Research, Strategy & Additional Opportunities

• Assist with background research and scoping for new organizational projects and strategic ventures.

• Support development and coordination of strategic plans and partnership initiatives; participate in cross-functional workgroups contributing to strategic planning and impact reporting.

General

• Attend required park internship trainings; participate in other trainings and opportunities as schedule allows.

• Communicate professionally in-person, by email, phone, and videoconference; participate in team meetings, one-on-ones, and project-related meetings (mix of virtual and in-person at various park sites).

Marginal Duties 

• Engage with additional emerging priorities and special projects as team needs evolve.

• Follow protocols to maintain a safe work environment. Other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications 

• High school diploma or equivalent experience.

• Background and/or demonstrated interest in public administration, nonprofit management, events management, community engagement and programming, environmental studies, social science and research, data science, communications, or a related field.

• Experience working independently and collaboratively in diverse team environments with colleagues of different backgrounds, ethnicities, genders, sexualities, ages, and viewpoints.

• Collaborative spirit and flexibility to support team needs in a dynamic environment; able to work independently once given direction, problem-solve, and ask for support as needed.

• Strong communication and organizational skills; ability to manage multiple tasks and shifting priorities.

• A demonstrated willingness to learn is more important than existing expertise.

• Commitment to the mission of equitable access to public lands and community-centered programming.

Participants must possess a high school diploma or its equivalent or agree to obtain one or be enrolled in an institution of higher education.

Preferred Qualifications 

• Experience with Microsoft Office suite. Familiarity with databases (we use Salesforce) and Adobe Acrobat a plus.

Hours 

32 per week

Work Sites

Primary in-person worksite will be Fort Mason in San Francisco. Special events will be at specified locations throughout the park. In-person meetings, trainings, and other opportunities may take place at any of the GGNRA park sites in San Francisco, Marin, and San Mateo Counties. Transportation will be made available from Fort Mason to other park sites.

Living Accommodations 

Commuting

Compensation  

Living allowance - $640/week, paid biweekly $50 reimbursed for duty and travel related expense with supervisor approval

All allowances are subject to applicable federal, state, and local taxes. 

Personal Vehicle Information

Not needed

Driving

Driving is not required

Additional Benefits 

• Access to the Conservancy's Employee Assistance Program and Employee discounts.
• Uniform with the Parks Conservancy &NPS logos will be provided.
• Networking with fellow members and park staff.

Professional Development Opportunities

• Program design, delivery, and evaluation
• Non-profit data systems and informed decision making
• Cross-sector partnerships
• Applied research and organizational strategy
• Opportunity to attend workshops of a variety of topics including resume building and interview skills, park history, flora & fauna, conservation and climate change, social & environmental justice, and much more

AmeriCorps: Not Eligible

Equal Opportunity Statement 

SCA is an equal opportunity employer. Employment decisions are based on merit, qualifications, and performance, without unlawful discrimination.