Literacy for Environmental Justice (LEJ) is a place-based nonprofit organization which for twenty years
has strengthened at-risk communities and the natural environment in southeast San Francisco, with an
emphasis on engagement with children and youth. Our work has ranged from campaigns to address food
deserts in the Bayview/Hunters Point District, to organizing grassroots momentum to close polluting
energy plants, to the development of southeast San Francisco’s first LEED Platinum-Certified green
building, and spearheading a major infrastructure and habitat improvement project for Candlestick Point
State Recreation Area on the SF Bay Shore. LEJ links extensively with public agency, non-profit,
grassroots community, and corporate partners. We received an Environmental Justice award from the US
EPA in 2011. But our core activities have always revolved around connecting marginalized youth with
nature by getting their ‘hands on the land’ through experiential environmental education,
service-learning, ‘green-collar’ workforce development, and outdoor recreation.
Our busy and growing Native Plant Nursery is a cornerstone of our organization — producing tens of
thousands of locally-adapted natives annually for in-house urban greening activities; serving as an
outdoor classroom; and providing the stock for revenue-generating contracts in green infrastructure,
climate-smart landscaping, and habitat restoration for other commercial, public agency, and non-profit
clients. Our Nursery is located at Candlestick Point State Recreation Area, and will soon undergo a
doubling in square-footage, along with significantly greater production-boosting infrastructure.
We are seeking a Restoration Technician Eco-Apprentice to support this exciting growth phase in LEJ’s
operations.
POSITION OVERVIEW
Restoration, Nursery, and Stewardship— 80%
● Support nursery team in collection, processing and propagation of 30-40 native plant species with
targeted production goal of producing approximately 70,000 native plants per year.
● Support LEJ team in performing contracted restoration and plant production services.
● Support maintenance of LEJ restoration sites with an emphasis in plant establishment, invasive
removal, and site preparation for winter planting.
● Support LEJ team in executing nursery protocols for pathogen control/testing, seed collection,
plant propagation, general plant care, and pest management.
● Support execution of stewardship operations. Includes office and equipment upkeep,
nursery/community garden maintenance, and ongoing nursery improvements.
● Tasks include record keeping and regular check-ins with Nursery Manager and LEJ staff.
Programs—20%
● Support restoration, nursery operations, and educational outdoor experiences in select LEJ youth
programs under the direction of the Executive Director in partnership with LEJ program staff.
● Support and co-lead volunteer stewardship activities at Candlestick Point State Recreation Area
(CPSRA), CPSRA Nursery, Community Garden, and other sites under direction of the Executive
Director in partnership with LEJ staff.
DESIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES
● Education or interest in horticulture, plant biology, and/or natural resource management.
● Experience with or interest in botany, plant morphology, and the use of taxonomic keys to
accurately identify plant species.
● Knowledge of or interest in local native flora and fauna.
● Experience in volunteer engagement, especially working with volunteers of all ages and
backgrounds.
● Proficient in computer programs including Microsoft Office and Google Applications. Familiar with
GIS technologies.
● CPR and First Aid certification preferred.
● Bilingual/Multilingual is beneficial for working with our community.
ATTRIBUTES
● Mission driven: shares enthusiasm in educating and inspiring others about conservation, public
parklands, habitat restoration, and the mission of the Native Plant Nursery.
● Interpersonal skills: considers and responds appropriately to the needs and capabilities of
different people in different situations; is tactful and treats others with respect; relates effectively
to others when encountering difficult situations.
● Leadership: exhibits confidence in self and others; inspires and motivates others to perform well;
positively influences actions and opinions of others.
● Communication: speaks clearly and effectively; writes clearly and informatively; varies writing
style to meet needs of situation; is comfortable speaking in group settings.
● Teamwork: contributes to achieving group goals; supports everyone’s efforts to succeed; balances
team and individual responsibilities.
● Flexibility: is willing to adjust to changing timeframes and expectations; is willing to try new
things and explore new possibilities in programming.
● Dependability: consistently completes tasks up to standards; takes responsibility for own actions;
can be relied upon.
● Judgment: exhibits sound and accurate judgment; can clearly explain reasoning for decisions;
includes appropriate people in decision-making processes.
● Productivity: effective when working independently with little or no supervision; works in a
timely and efficient manner; strives to increase productivity.
● Quality: demonstrates attention to detail, accuracy, and thoroughness with all tasks.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT
● Work is primarily performed in an outdoor setting, even in inclement weather.
● Work is primarily performed standing or walking.
● Work requires squatting and kneeling.
● Occasionally work includes sitting at a computer station and operating electronic equipment for
up to 2 hours at a time.
● Work frequently includes lifting, carrying, and positioning objects weighing up to 35 pounds.
SCHEDULE
● Program runs July 2020 through June 2021. Applicants interested in only a semester or season
long internship may apply although preference will be given to interns that can commit to a
year-long program.
● We are looking for interns that can commit to 4 days a week, Tuesday – Saturday, 9:00 am – 4:30
pm.
Internship educational stipend is $17/hour.
Please email your resume and thoughtful cover letter describing your achievement of the requirements to:
Mandy Huntress, Nursery Manager @ mandy.huntress@lejyouth.org &
Abigail Alfonso, Community Programs Coordinator @ abigail.alfonso@lejyouth.org
Please no phone calls about this position.
Application deadline open
LEJ is committed to inclusion and representation of cultural diversity in our staffing. Applicants that represent the diverse audiences LEJ serves are strongly encouraged to apply