About the Organization

Heal the Bay is the most recognized environmental nonprofit group in LA for a reason: we have been keeping Southern California’s coastal waters and watersheds safe, healthy, and clean for people and marine life since 1985. Using education, science, advocacy, and community action, we raise awareness and advance practical solutions to complex problems. We conduct hundreds of beach and community cleanups each year, informing people about the root causes of pollution along the shorelines and in their neighborhoods. We advocate for strict water quality regulations that protect the health of both humans and the animals that call local creeks, rivers, and the Santa Monica Bay home. We operate the award-winning Heal the Bay Aquarium at the Santa Monica Pier, inspiring visitors to become stewards for the region’s most important natural resource: clean water. We also educate and inspire the next generation of environmental stewards, with more than 10,000 students joining us each year for school field trips, science-based classroom presentations, and events. Learn more about us at healthebay.org/our-impact.

About the Role

The Coastal Resilience Wildfire Fellow will lead Heal the Bay’s Ash to Action program, advancing research, policy development, and strategic advocacy related to impacts of the 2025 Los Angeles wildfires and the region’s long-term wildfire resilience. This role will guide the organization’s scientific analysis of wildfire impacts on coastal and marine environments and translate findings into policy recommendations and advocacy strategies at local and state levels.

The Fellow will serve as a subject matter expert on wildfire-related coastal impacts and will collaborate across Heal the Bay’s Science and Policy team to advance organizational priorities related to water quality and coastal resilience. This position requires a high degree of professional judgment, independent project leadership, and cross-sector collaboration with scientific, government, and community partners.

This is a one-year position from the date of hire, with the possibility of extension contingent upon additional funding.

Expectations & Responsibilities

• Lead the design, implementation, and oversight of scientific research initiatives evaluating the impacts of the 2025 Los Angeles wildfires on coastal and marine ecosystems.
• Analyze and synthesize complex environmental data to inform organizational strategy, policy positions, and public-facing scientific communications.
• Collaborate with academic, government, and community partners to guide research efforts, interpret findings, and advance policy objectives.
• Provide subject matter expertise in the development of coastal emergency response and resilience planning initiatives.
• Develop and advance Heal the Bay’s advocacy and policy strategy related to wildfire recovery and coastal resilience, building upon recommendations from the Blue Ribbon Commission on Climate Action and Fire-Safe Recovery.
• Represent Heal the Bay in coalitions, working groups, and external meetings, serving as a professional ambassador for the Ash to Action program.
• Contribute expertise to the development of reports, policy briefs, and public education materials that communicate complex environmental issues to diverse audiences.

Experience & Skills

• Masters or PhD in environmental science or a related discipline is required.
• Demonstrated expertise in environmental data analysis, including statistical analysis, coding, and interpretation of complex datasets.
• Experience developing data visualizations and translating technical information into accessible formats.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills for both technical and non-technical audiences.
• Demonstrated success leading or contributing to interdisciplinary and collaborative initiatives.
• Experience engaging with policymakers, regulatory agencies, or decision-makers on environmental issues.
• Working knowledge of environmental regulations, water quality standards, or related policy frameworks.
• Passion for environmental protection and environmental justice
• Strong interpersonal skills
• Strong organizational and project management skills, with the ability to independently prioritize and manage multiple initiatives.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and related tools.
• Valid California driver’s license and ability to travel to meetings and events.

Compensation

• Salary: This is a temporary, full-time position, $70,304 annually.

Schedule

Participation in some weekend and evening events, as well as county wide travel. Heal the Bay operates in a hybrid manner; typical schedule might be (2) days in the office or field per week. Heal the Bay offers a dynamic work environment with highly motivated colleagues.

Location

The employees’ primary work location will be at Heal the Bay Headquarters, with some work at the Heal the Bay Aquarium at the Santa Monica Pier. This position also includes occasional regional or state travel for fieldwork or meetings at off-site locations. Work will take place both indoors and outdoors, depending on needs and scheduled events.

Physical Demands

The employee is occasionally required to work in outdoor conditions, reach with hands and arms, and talk or hear.

Heal the Bay is committed to creating a diverse environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status, and we strongly encourage applications from individuals who reflect the diversity of Los Angeles County.

Heal the Bay complies with AB 1008, the Fair Chance Act, during the hiring process. Once a conditional job offer has been made, the candidate will be asked to complete a Live Scan criminal background check. A thorough assessment of conviction history will be considered, including: the nature and gravity of the criminal history, the time that has passed since the conviction, and the nature of the job the candidate is seeking.

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About the Organization

Heal the Bay is the most recognized environmental nonprofit group in LA for a reason: we have been keeping Southern California’s coastal waters and watersheds safe, healthy, and clean for people and marine life since 1985. Using education, science, advocacy, and community action, we raise awareness and advance practical solutions to complex problems. We conduct hundreds of beach and community cleanups each year, informing people about the root causes of pollution along the shorelines and in their neighborhoods. We advocate for strict water quality regulations that protect the health of both humans and the animals that call local creeks, rivers, and the Santa Monica Bay home. We operate the award-winning Heal the Bay Aquarium at the Santa Monica Pier, inspiring visitors to become stewards for the region’s most important natural resource: clean water. We also educate and inspire the next generation of environmental stewards, with more than 10,000 students joining us each year for school field trips, science-based classroom presentations, and events. Learn more about us at healthebay.org/our-impact.

About the Role

The Associate Development Specialist is an entry-level member of the Development Team, reporting to the Chief Philanthropy Officer. This role provides essential day-to-day administrative and operational support that keeps the department running smoothly. The ideal candidate is highly organized, reliable, and takes genuine pride in the accuracy and timeliness of their work. This is an excellent opportunity for someone early in their nonprofit career who wants to learn fundraising operations from the inside.

Expectations & Responsibilities

Gift Processing & Donor Acknowledgment

• Process all incoming donations from online, mail, and other channels into Salesforce accurately and on schedule.
• Print, prepare, and mail donor acknowledgment letters and tax receipts, ensuring donors are thanked within established timeframes.
• Reconcile gift records across giving platforms and flag discrepancies for resolution by the team.
• Support monthly gift reconciliation with the Finance department.
• Maintain accurate donor contact and giving records in Salesforce under the direction of senior team members.

Corporate Partner Program Support

• Support the Suits on the Sand (SOS) corporate cleanup program by assisting with scheduling, partner communications, and logistics coordination with the Beach Programs Team.
• Assist with preparing sponsorship agreements and stewardship materials for corporate partners.
• Process invoices and ensure partner activity is accurately recorded in Salesforce.
• Assist with post-cleanup follow-up communications and impact summaries for partners.

Event Support

• Assist with logistics for signature fundraising events, including the Bring Back the Beach Gala and Golf Tournament, including guest registration, ticketing, and fulfillment.
• Support the procurement and processing of in-kind donations for the annual gala silent auction, including data entry and acknowledgment preparation.
• Assist with event setup, on-site staffing, and post-event data cleanup as needed.

Departmental Administrative Support

• Serve as a first point of contact for the Development department for donor and partner inquiries via phone, email, or online contact.
• Provide general administrative support to the Development Team including scheduling, correspondence, copying, filing, and supply management.
• Assist with list preparation and vendor coordination in support of direct mail and email fundraising campaigns.
• Support the preparation of materials for board reports, donor meetings, and team presentations.
• Demonstrate a strong commitment to upholding and advancing Heal the Bay’s justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion (JEDI) values.
• Perform other duties as assigned or requested.

Experience & Skills

• Bachelor’s degree preferred or equivalent work experience.
• Some experience with Salesforce or a similar CRM is a plus; willingness to learn required.
• Strong attention to detail and a commitment to accuracy, particularly in data entry and written correspondence.
• Highly organized with the ability to manage multiple tasks, meet deadlines, and follow through consistently.
• Clear and professional written and verbal communication skills.
• Familiarity with Microsoft Office and Google Workspace; comfortable learning new software and platforms.
• Bilingual (English/Spanish) strongly preferred.
• Passion for Heal the Bay’s mission and environmental conservation.

Compensation

• This position is full-time, non-exempt, with an hourly rate of $23.00 to $25.00, commensurate with experience, and appropriate state and federal taxes withheld.

Schedule

Full-time, 40 hours per week. Heal the Bay operates in a hybrid manner; the typical schedule includes three (3) days in the office per week. Participation in some evening and weekend events is required.

Location

The employee’s primary work location will be at Heal the Bay Headquarters, with some work at the Heal the Bay Aquarium at the Santa Monica Pier. This position may include occasional travel to off-site locations throughout Los Angeles County.

Physical Demands

• Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
• Frequent use of hands and fingers to type, handle, or feel.
• Occasional standing, walking, bending, and reaching.
• Ability to lift up to 10-15 pounds occasionally.

Heal the Bay is committed to creating a diverse environment and is proud to be an equal-opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status, and we strongly encourage applications from individuals that reflect the diversity of Los Angeles County.

Heal the Bay complies with AB 1008, the Fair Chance Act, during the hiring process. Once a conditional job offer has been made the candidate will be asked to complete a Live Scan criminal background check. A thorough assessment of conviction history will be considered including the nature and gravity of the criminal history, the time that has passed since the conviction, and the nature of the job the candidate is seeking.

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Heal the Bay’s Science, Policy, and Outreach Department is recruiting for a self-motivated MPA Watch intern with an interest in marine protected areas (MPAs), coastal conservation, social science, and fieldwork for the Summer Session (June to August). The intern will report to our Science and Policy Associate Specialist and work both in the field at MPA sites and virtually for approximately 10-20 hours each week with flexible scheduling. The intern is expected to start the week of June 1^st and continue for 10 weeks, concluding the week of August 7. The intern is expected to provide their own transportation to and from MPA field sites in Malibu and Palos Verdes, though a travel stipend to cover gas and automobile expenses will be provided. Interns are trained to observe and collect unbiased data on coastal and marine resource use.

This is an excellent opportunity to gain scientific fieldwork experience and to work with an established non-profit. Heal the Bay is a non-profit environmental organization with 40 years of experience making the coastal waters and watersheds of Greater Los Angeles safe, healthy, and clean. We use science, education, community action, and advocacy to fulfill our mission. Heal the Bay’s community science program, MPA Watch, is part of a statewide network and collects valuable scientific data to inform various government and other organizations about human use at MPA sites and inform MPA management.

There are required physical expectations that an individual must possess in order to successfully perform essential internship responsibilities, including:

• Ability to spend 4-5 hours outside and willingness to do so under harsh weather conditions, if necessary.
• Ability to conduct interview surveys with public beachgoers.
• Ability to complete moderate hiking and willingness to do so under harsh weather conditions, if necessary.
• Ability to provide transportation to and from survey sites in Malibu and Palos Verdes.
• Ability to lift and carry up to 50lbs.
• Ability to push and pull up to 50lbs.
• This is an unpaid internship with a travel stipend to cover transportation costs. Please contact your college or university about qualifying for college credit or scholarship opportunities.
• Please note that this is a hybrid internship. Interns must have reliable access to a computer and internet to complete remote work in addition to field work and in-person attendance at our headquarters located in Santa Monica.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Complete MPA Watch beach surveys of human activities inside and outside protected areas for MPA Watch program.
• Complete MPA Watch Intercept Surveys with public beachgoers regarding their understanding of MPAs and barriers they may face in accessing them. Assist in compiling results and feedback into a final report.
• Assist in organization and management of the MPA Watch database.
• Conduct quality assurance and quality control on MPA Watch surveys in the database.
• Assist in the development and implementation of MPA Watch volunteer trainings.
• Assist in MPA Watch volunteer events and coordination.
• Attend virtual weekly MPA Watch team meetings
• Maintain a professional and enthusiastic attitude when representing Heal the Bay in public settings, meeting, events, and trainings.

Qualifications:

• Must be currently enrolled at or recently graduated from a college or university as an undergraduate or graduate student.
• Must be currently enrolled or recently graduated in a degree program of Environmental Studies, Marine Science, Geography, Biology, Ecology, Environmental Policy, or related field.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Detail-oriented; ability to complete projects promptly and completely.
• Ability to work independently as well as with a team.
• Preferred: experience in conducting data collection and/or research and proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint.
• Compensation: Unpaid. School credit available at participating schools/colleges.

How to Apply: Applicants must send a resume and cover letter to Zoë Collins, Science and Policy Associate Specialist, at zcollins@healthebay.org by May 8^th, 2026, for application to be considered.

Heal the Bay is committed to creating a diverse environment and is proud to be an equal-opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status and we strongly encourage applications from individuals that reflect the diversity of Los Angeles County. If you don’t meet all of the preferred skills above, you are still encouraged to apply and will be considered based on diverse and equivalent skills and experience. 

Heal the Bay complies with AB 1008, the Fair Chance Act, during the hiring process. Once a conditional job offer has been made the candidate will be asked to complete a Live Scan criminal background check. A thorough assessment of conviction history will be considered including the nature and gravity of the criminal history, the time that has passed since the conviction, and the nature of the job the candidate is seeking.

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