Program Assistant, (SAGE Center)

About the California Academy of Sciences

Founded in 1853, the California Academy of Sciences is a globally renowned, AZA-accredited non-profit scientific and cultural institution located in the heart of San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park. Home to a world-class planetarium, aquarium, rainforest, research institute, and natural history museum—all under one living roof—our mission is to regenerate the natural world through science, learning, and collaboration.

Our living collection reflects Earth’s vast biodiversity, consisting of nearly 60,000 animals representing over 800 species. Our research collections are the largest west of the Mississippi,  spanning nearly 46 million plants, animals, fossils, and cultural artifacts from across the globe and throughout history. Our diverse team includes leading biodiversity scientists, educators, storytellers, designers, and communicators who are passionate about advancing knowledge and catalyzing action through science and storytelling.

Whether you're conducting research behind the scenes 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

The California Academy of Sciences seeks a Program Coordinator to join the SAGE Center for Science, Ancestral knowledge, and Global Ecologies, a three-year pilot program operationalizing a braided science framework to regenerate the natural world. By uniting Indigenous Science (including Traditional Ecological Knowledge, or TEK) with Institutional Science methods, the CBS establishes an innovative research hub for ecocultural restoration and resilience. It centers on equal partnership and Indigenous sovereignty to empower scholars and co-create culturally grounded, adaptive conservation strategies—such as cultural burns and aquaculture—that inform policy and cultivate lasting stewardship. The SAGE Center is housed within the Institute for Biodiversity Science and Sustainability (IBSS). Reporting to Dr. Shannon Tushingham, Associate Curator of Anthropology and Director of CBS, the Coordinator will be a critical member of a team dedicated to this program. The team's work involves integrating Indigenous and Western methods, drawing on diverse data to investigate climate-driven ecological changes and other scientific problems. This includes collaborating with culture-bearers and Indigenous communities to co-develop research objectives and outreach that honor local protocols. We hope you are inspired by what we do and are excited to contribute to the SAGE Center’s aims and values. The Academy values candidates from diverse backgrounds and experiences and encourages applicants to apply even if they do not meet every single qualification listed.

The SAGE Center Coordinator will work closely with the Director and liaise with internal and external partners. This is a full-time, temporary 3-year position, with the possibility of extension, based as a hybrid role (on-site/remote) in San Francisco, California. The Coordinator will be required to be onsite at the Academy in Golden Gate Park at least 2–3 days per week. Candidates must be up-to-date on COVID-19 vaccination, including receiving a booster shot, as a condition of employment (absent qualifying exemptions). The full text of the vaccination policy will be provided upon conditional offer of employment.

Organizational Culture

When you join the California Academy of Sciences, you become part of a mission-driven community that values curiosity, collaboration, and innovation, and celebrates its accomplishments together. Staff share a commitment to executing a new strategic plan that will strengthen the organization's financial foundations, cultivate a vibrant internal culture, and foster smart growth to secure the Academy’s future.

We hope you are inspired by what we do and are motivated to contribute to our mission. 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. The specific onsite/hybrid schedule for this position is listed below.

This position is part of a bargaining unit represented by Cal Academy Workers United, and will be subject to the terms and conditions of that contract.

POSITION SUMMARY:  

The Braided Science Coordinator is the key logistical and administrative support person for the SAGE Center. They are responsible for planning, organizing, and managing research and community programs, serving as the central liaison for all program staff and external and internal partners. The SAGE Center advances community science by uniting Indigenous Knowledge and Institutional Science methods to document biodiversity, foster human-nature connections, collect data critical for ecocultural restoration and resilience, and cultivate partnerships for lasting stewardship.

Key Responsibilities

1. Program Management & Assistance

• Provide project coordination and work closely with the Director and Braided Science team to keep the program on track, organize events, and coordinate with the Native American Advisory Board, community partners, and external and internal and team members.
• Support administration of research, collections, and community programs: message organizers and participants, develop resources, organize files and photos, coordinate and provide assistance during meetings.
• Support program administration by tracking grant milestones, assisting with collaborative initiatives, tracking invoices and payments, and helping with day to day tasks.
• Support program success by collaborating and coordinating with internal departments and divisions. 
• Support the preparation of technical reports and assist in the dissemination of results through written materials and oral presentations to both scientific and public audiences.

1. Partnerships and Community Engagement

• Serve as a key liaison to communicate with Indigenous partners, external and internal collaborators, and the broader community.
• Liaise and meet with existing partners and help build new partnerships that support Braided Science efforts.
• Support the establishment and sustainment of ethical, community-centered partnerships with Indigenous communities, including logistical coordination for adherence to ethical research protocols and metadata practices.

III. Events, Outreach, and Communications

• Help to develop, plan, and execute community science events and programs.
• Organize, attend, and manage day-of logistics for, travel to, and hold off-site events.
• Collaborate with staff to ensure cultural and scientific accuracy as well as accessibility in public programming.
• Develop media and social media outreach for the Braided Science program; assist with the newsletter, public science content development, and dissemination.
• Keep the program web pages updated and manage the program newsletter.

1. Administrative and Financial Support

• Manage financial logistics including helping with budgets, receipt tracking, purchasing, honoraria and stipend payments, and travel arrangements.
• Assist with the Indigenous Science Internship program.
• Support fieldwork, community interviews, and program events in diverse environments, adhering strictly to safety regulations, lab protocols, and collection guidelines.

1. General & Operational Requirements

• Follow all Academy safety regulations.
• Work early mornings, evenings, and weekends, as needed.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

We welcome all qualified applicants and especially encourage Indigenous community members or people from diverse backgrounds to apply.

Experience and/or Education:

A qualified candidate will possess a combination of the following experience and/or equivalent education:

• Experience in project planning and program administration
• Experience working in research and/or formal or informal science education 
• A Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field (social or natural sciences, education) is preferred, but equivalent professional experience in a highly organized administrative and planning role will be considered.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: 

• Organizational and Operational Skills: Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail, plus flexibility and creativity. Must be able to work independently and keep track of program timelines, benchmarks, and communications. Willingness to travel for fieldwork and community engagement. Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals.
• Cultural Competence and Partnership: Demonstrated commitment to community-driven research and experience or willingness to learn how to collaborate with Indigenous communities and underrepresented groups. This includes knowledge of and willingness to learn more about Indigenous communities and human-nature connections, and a strong interest in the human and natural world.
• Ethical and Equitable Practice: Understanding of and commitment to collaborative research and developing ethical metadata project practices. Committed to working on a team that is striving to be anti-racist in work, interactions, systems, and tools.
• Communication and Collaboration: Confident and flexible communicator, both written and verbal, to diverse audiences. Works well as part of multi-disciplinary teams, diverse stakeholder groups, and independently, and has the demonstrated ability to successfully collaborate with non-scientists.

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. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to stand, sit, walk, use a computer, and communicate on the phone, in person, and online meetings/calls. The employee will spend time out-of-doors at events and programs, occasionally in hot or inclement weather. Must be able to transport 30 lbs. Must be able to perform repetitive motions 50% of the time.

Compensation and Benefits:
The salary range for this position is $35.78- $37.23. 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. Hybrid schedule with three days onsite and two days remote.

APPLICATION DEADLINE: 

The deadline to apply is October 30, 2026, 11:59 pm. 

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).