Urban Ecology Intern

Description

BACKGROUND

Since 2006, Sutro Stewards has worked with thousands of volunteers to build trails and enhance

habitat on Mount Sutro, over 70 acres of open space in the center of San Francisco. Now there are

over 4.5 miles of multi-use trails for hiking, biking, and exploration, and over 5 acres of native plant

habitat.

The mission of Sutro Stewards is to build community, connect people with nature, and protect and

enhance Mount Sutro, one of the city’s wildest and most beautiful green spaces. We do this by

working with volunteers to develop and maintain multi-use trails while conserving and expanding

habitat for locally native plants and wildlife. While we work to conserve and enhance Mount Sutro for

people and wildlife, we embrace diversity as the foundation of healthy, thriving ecosystems and

human societies and we are dedicated to growing an organizational culture where it can thrive.

Sutro Stewards is a fiscally sponsored project of the San Francisco Parks Alliance, a 501(c)3 California

nonprofit public benefit corporation.

POSITION OVERVIEW

Sutro Stewards Urban Ecology Internship Program instills an urban ecological ethic in participants,

through hands-on education towards the fulfillment of Sutro Stewards mission. Intern positions have

their own programmatic focus which can include native plant propagation and nursery maintenance;

conservation, habitat restoration and monitoring; as well as support for our Health in Nature

Program. As a volunteer focused, community building organization, Interns perform in-person and

social media outreach, lead volunteers, support environmental education programming and nature

immersion experiences, and work with people from diverse backgrounds and all ages. Internships are

temporary and timeframes vary depending on the program they are supporting.

 Sutro Stewards' Urban Ecology Internship seeks to fill two positions for a 15-month internship—one focused on habitat stewardship and the other on native plant horticulture. While each intern will have a primary focus area, both positions will contribute across programs and support a variety of tasks as needed. The Conservation Intern will assist with monitoring rare plant populations and tracking survivorship on Mount Sutro, while the Nursery Intern will support the propagation and seed collection of native plants, as well as nursery facilities maintenance. 

Compensation and Terms

• 20 hours per week, temporary position for approximately 15 months, May 2025 to August 30th, 2026.
• Work schedule is Tuesday through Saturday. Wednesday, Thursday, and Saturday morning availability required.
• This position is part-time 20 hours/week, $23/hour.

Primary work location is the Sutro Native Plant Nursery, 476 Johnstone Dr. San Francisco, CA 94131.

To Apply

Please complete an online application by May 9th, 2025 at 5pm. A resume is required and a cover letter is optional, though recommended.

Requirements

Conservation Internship with Habitat Stewardship focus (May 2025 - August 2026)

Essential functions and responsibilities

• Monitoring - Support the Conservation Program Manager and other staff in the implementation, data collection and analysis of the following monitoring projects:
• Special Status Monitoring Program
• Species Composition Monitoring Program
• South Ridge Pilot Program
• Volunteer Management - Support staff and lead in the set up, facilitation, management, and clean up of weekly habitat and nursery volunteer events. Supports special volunteer events and corporate groups on weekdays and Saturdays as needed.
• Tool Maintenance - Supports tool maintenance tasks such as retaining tools, cleaning of tools, organizing of tool storage, and maintaining accurate inventory counts.
• Habitat Restoration of Mount Sutro - Supports invasive species removal and native plant installation outside of volunteer programs. As well as other special restoration projects and tasks as needed. Tasks may include mulching, pruning, seed broadcasting, and others as directed by the Conservation Program Manager.
• Walks and Workshops - Facilitate and co-facilitate educational hikes and workshops as needed.
• Other - Miscellaneous tasks and support as needed and fitting within the general goals of the Conservation Program, Nursery Program, and Health in Nature Program.
• Reports to: Conservation Program Manager 

Nursery Internship with Native Plant Horticulture focus (May 2025 - August 2026)

Essential functions and responsibilities

• Propagation and Plant Care - Assist the Nursery Manager in the propagation and care of healthy nursery plants which includes seed sowing, transplanting, watering, pruning, organic integrated pest management etc.
• Volunteer Management - Support staff and lead in the set up, facilitation, management, and clean up of weekly habitat and nursery volunteer events. Supports special volunteer events and corporate groups on weekdays and Saturdays as needed.
• Nursery Facilities Maintenance - Maintain healthy plant production by following best management practices for nursery sanitation. Tasks include, but not limited to cleaning, weeding, irrigation repair, light construction, power washing etc.
• Seed collection and processing - Participate in regular seed collection projects, clean and weigh seeds, and update seed collection inventory.
• Data Entry - Assist in entering detailed records of nursery activities, participant surveys, and plant and seed inventory into online databases.
• Walks and Workshops - Facilitate and co-facilitate educational hikes and workshops as needed.
• Other - Miscellaneous tasks and support as needed and fitting within the general goals of the Conservation Program, Nursery Program, and Health in Nature Program.
• Reports to: Nursery Program Manager

Education, Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• No previous experience in land conservation or nursery work needed
• This position is performed primarily outdoors and involves regular rigorous physical activity, including, digging, lifting up to 50 lbs, hiking up steep terrain, bending, squatting for long periods of time and carrying tools and equipment to restoration sites. Exposure to poison oak, weather extremes, and other conditions can be expected.