Environmental Outreach Technicians (USBR, Lake Berryessa)

The Research Associates (RA) Program at Great Basin Institute, in cooperation with US Bureau of Reclamation’s Lake Berryessa Field Office is recruiting 2 Environmental Outreach AmeriCorps Members to support in Lake Berryessa’s Boater Outreach Program (LBBO) this summer. Environmental Outreach Technicians work on the Boater Outreach Program which promotes environmentally sound boating practices to protect local waterways from pollutants. Members  conduct one-on-one outreach by administering the Dockwalker survey, in partnership with the CA Coastal Commission, on weekends between Memorial Day to Labor Day. The program also includes reducing oil pollution by ensuring hundreds of boaters install oil absorbents that physically capture potential pollutants such as boat oil and fuel. Finally, the team will serve as ambassadors for Berryessa’s nascent Leave No Trace program.

On Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays,  individuals selected for this position will report to the Solano RCD office located in Dixon, CA, and will conduct public outreach at marinas and boat launches at Lake Berryessa. On Mondays, Thursdays, and Fridays, AmeriCorp members report directly to Lake Solano County Park in Winters, CA, and drive  to the Lake Berryessa Field Office in Napa, CA promoting and demonstrating Leave No Trace principles at the Markley Turnouts during their morning drive and while staffing the Dufer Point Visitor Center in the afternoons.

While supporting the LBBO program, members  will be exposed to both internal and external stakeholders. Internally, these include members of the Lake Berryessa Field and Central California Area Offices as well as colleagues with the Solano County Resource Conservation District, Napa Resource Conservation District, and Solano County Water Agency. Members will come into daily contact with external stakeholders including boaters and day users from Napa and Solano Counties and a large contingent of bi-lingual guests from East Bay communities.

Primary Responsibilities:

Using teaching methods and devices geared to the characteristics of the intended audience, including  language, cultural background, and interest areas, the Interpretation and Public Outreach Technician  will assist with environmental stewardship projects on public lands (e.g.  litter clean-ups, water quality education, etc.) and with the production of public education materials. Projects will enhance the creation, promotion, facilitation, and improvement of the public’s  understanding of natural resource concerns, as well as recreational opportunities within the service area. Service duties include, but are not limited to: 

• Researching, compiling and writing scientific and historic information to be used for outreach via mobile application(s) and social media, as well as more traditional means of information  exchange;
• Providing interpretation at public events and through other visitor outreach venues;
• Developing and presenting interpretive demonstrations, lectures, structured talks, impromptu talks, guided tours and other presentations about the physical and cultural resources of the service area to a variety of individuals and groups;
• Reduce oil pollution in Lake Berryessa by ensuring hundreds of boaters install oil absorbents to physically remove or capture potential pollutants such as boat oil and fuel;
• Conduct one-on-one outreach and education to boaters by administering the Dockwalker survey in partnership with the CA Coastal Commission, plus stakeholder-driven custom surveys conducted with recreational users at day use areas;
• Distribute free educational resources focusing on water quality and water pollution prevention; 
• Maintain a free bilge pad exchange program that enables boaters to properly dispose of contaminated oil absorbents and install a clean absorbent in their boat bilge compartment; and
• Improve public awareness of Leave No Trace principles and model positive stewardship practices with the public.