The San Diego Natural History Museum seeks a passionate, mission-driven individual to be our Building Engineer & Maintenance Manager. This role is responsible for the maintenance of all building systems, including mechanical, electrical, plumbing, HVAC, lighting and life safety equipment.  This role reports to the Deputy COO and manages two Maintenance Technicians. The Building Engineer and Maintenance Manager also ensures compliance with hazardous materials, accessibility regulations, and OSHA and other government regulations. While the job duties are largely contained to regular working hours, the position is on-call to respond during off hours.

• Maintain and apply functional knowledge of systems which include HVAC/Controls, Plumbing and Water Heaters/Pumps, Fire Protection/Fire Alarm, Elevators, Back-up Generators, Building Management Systems, Lighting Systems, Roof Systems, and Electrical Systems.

• Diagnose, repair, and perform preventative maintenance of various types of equipment.
• Perform proactive inspections of building structure, equipment, and furnishings to maintain functionality and detect malfunctions, scheduling routine maintenance as needed.
• Directly supervises General Maintenance Technicians and collaborates with Facilities Associates to ensure facility functionality and appearance. Responsible for recruitment, training, scheduling, and performance evaluations of Technicians.
• Monitor and adjust temperature and humidity control throughout the building, adjusting for seasonal changes and special needs for Museum collections and exhibitions.

• Manage internal maintenance ticket system by completing and assigning tasks to team members.  Responds to requests in a timely manner.

• Communicates equipment lifespan and recommendations for repairs and/or replacements.
• Communicate with staff regarding equipment outages, construction, and repairs that may affect departmental and Museum operations.

• Manages waste and recycling program, including organizing e-waste and HAZMAT pick-ups.
• Assists in managing and selecting contracted vendors, conducts site walks, collects bids for projects and ensures adherence to Museum policies.
• Maintains files, records, and logs as needed and required by City, County, and State codes.
• Interacts with all Museum personnel to help facilitate the coordination of projects and storage within the facility, as well as being responsible for working with all departments to establish and monitor capital improvements that enhance the mission of the Museum and visitor experience.

• Serves as the primary contact and responder for the building’s fire alarm and security alarm and is a member of the Museum’s disaster team.
• Maintains functional knowledge of the condition of the Museum including emergency equipment (Fire Panel, Burglar alarm, Fire extinguishers, Fire Code Compliance).
• Oversees the implementation of the Museum’s hazardous materials and disposal plan.
• Ensures that permits/records pertaining to hazardous chemicals, generating periodic reports to the County and other agencies as required by law are maintained.
• Coordinates with the Fire Department as needed, for regular site inspections or responses to emergencies on site.
• Collaborates with the Facilities Manager to develop and update disaster preparedness and emergency response plans.
• Assists in conducting drills and training for staff on emergency response and evacuations.
• Ensures a clean, safe, hazard-free work environment is maintained.

• A minimum of two years' demonstrated management experience in a large facility maintenance capacity.

• Direct “hands-on” experience in general maintenance and repairs of a commercial building which includes plumbing, electrical, carpentry, painting, drywall patching, and furniture assembly.
• Experience operating and maintaining HVAC mechanical equipment and controls.
• Proven leader in hiring, training and supervising employees.
• Proven team player with strong communication and customer service skills who is approachable, responsive, and resourceful.
• Able to respond appropriately to emergency situations including fire, chemical spills, and evacuations, and to recognize, secure, and report unsafe conditions.

• Dependable transportation with a valid California driver’s license and good vehicle operation record.

• Occasional work with or possible exposure to various chemicals.
• Able to work regular schedule of Sunday-Thursday, as well as occasional weekends, holidays and after-hours as needed.
• Must be on-call for after-hours response for items related to the building and alarm.

• Certifications in HVAC, electrical, plumbing, and other facility maintenance categories.
• Certification (or willingness to obtain certification) and ability to operate a hand truck, a forklift, and scissor lift (used frequently) along with other equipment used to maintain the facilities.
• Experience with project management and project management systems.
• Proficient or bilingual in Spanish a plus.
• CPR & First Aid.

To apply please submit a resume and cover letter to hr@sdnhm.org.  NO PHONE CALLS, NO DROP INS, and NO RECRUITERS please.

Pay: $68,500-$78,000 annually

This is a full-time, regular position with benefits such as health insurance, vacation, 15 paid holidays, free admission into all of Balboa Park’s museums as well as free admission to the San Diego Zoo and Safari Park.

Translocating California Red-legged Frogs – For the past five years, our team has translocated R. draytonii eggs from Baja California to southern California for in situ head-starting of tadpoles to reestablish populations within the species’ historical range. For the next three years, we plan to add new ponds at our current release sites to create functioning metapopulations. The incoming Postdoctoral Researcher will manage and analyze the data from this multi-year effort to create more uniform protocols and metrics to inform future actions.

Evaluating the Landscape for Establishing Populations – As our current release sites become established, we will evaluate the Southern California and Baja California landscape to expand our conservation actions. We plan to use genomic techniques to analyze the boundaries between the southern and northern genetic groups to determine the geographical extent for reintroductions. In addition, we will evaluate an array of potential sites for future reintroductions. Using the results from our first five years, the incoming Postdoctoral Researcher will help produce a conservation plan that includes restoration actions needed to create sites suitable to receive frogs.

The Postdoctoral Researcher will work closely with the Curator of Herpetology and our external partners to coordinate translocations, participate in field work, analyze data, and plan for the future growth of the project. The incoming candidate will also work collaboratively with our external partners, The Nat’s marketing department, and media outlets to promote team cohesion and publicly disseminate project results.

Annual compensation is $68,763.

The appointment will be made for three years contingent on satisfactory progress in year one.

This is a grant-funded full-time, exempt position with benefits such as health insurance, vacation, 15
paid holidays, reciprocal free admission to all of Balboa Park’s museums, as well as to the San Diego Zoo and Safari Park.

To apply:
Applicants should submit a cover letter (1–2 pages), a research statement detailing current work and
research interests (1–2 pages), a curriculum vitae, a writing sample, and the names and contact information for three professional references.

Applications due by July 15, 2024.

Please submit materials to hr@sdnhm.org.

The San Diego Natural History Museum (The Nat) seeks an experienced Senior Director of Learning and Engagement to spearhead its nature education and volunteer programs that enhance connections to the natural world and help people fall in love with nature in our region.

Reporting to the VP of Philanthropy and Engagement, this role provides strategic leadership and creative direction for student, family, and adult program development, volunteer programs, community partnerships, and on-the-floor engagement activities that are led by staff and volunteers.

• Shapes a vision and strategy for impactful school and public programs, volunteer activities, and community partnerships.
• Oversees the development, alignment, and integration of learning, engagement, and partnerships to engage the local community.
• Collaborates across departments to create programs that invite accessible, engaging, and relevant guest experiences.
• Oversees a systematic and focused community engagement program that creates relevant, engaging, and inclusive public programs (onsite and offsite) that align with the needs of the diverse communities of Southern California.
• Works closely with schools and out of school learning organizations to design programs that enhance and complement school-based learning.
• Stays current with educational, museum interpretation, accessibility practices, and scholarship through a network of colleagues in the field, other disciplines, and literature reviews.

• Works with museum colleagues to develop and implement key messages, strategies for outreach and promotion, and internal communications.  
• Serves as an ambassador for learning and engagement programs for donors, funders, and external stakeholders.
• Collaborates with the Philanthropy Department to prioritize and develop funding strategies and writes proposals for federal agencies and private foundations.
• Works closely with scientific research staff to share the Museum’s current research and collections with the public in meaningful ways.
• Works with outside partner organizations, including local school districts, universities and community groups to plan and support programming.

• Cultivates a positive organizational culture based on cross-departmental collaboration, iterative learning, and valuing individuals’ unique knowledge and experiences
• Builds staff and volunteer skills by sharing new research and models, and through continuing education.
• Builds excitement and shared sense of program ownership with staff and volunteers through communication and participation in program development.
• Direct reports include the Senior Manager of Volunteers, Senior Manager of Education, Community Engagement Manager, Nature Education Manager, and the Public Programs Manager.

• Identifies measurable outcomes, success criteria, and planning and assessment tools.
• Works with direct reports to develop, plan, and track annual budgets and revenue.
• Oversees and directs the preparation of reports, conveying metrics, narratives, and/or budget.
• Ensures fee-based programs are financially sound, and programs meet safety guidelines and museum policies. 
• Serve as project leader for key departmental and institutional strategic initiatives.

• 5+ years of experience in a nonprofit and/or informal learning environment.
• Demonstrated experience in planning and implementing educational and volunteer programs in museums.
• Experience developing and writing federal and private foundation grants.
• Proven effectiveness building and leading teams and empowering staff to make decisions.
• Demonstrated experience in effective oral and written communication, and successful grant writing. 
• Experience developing operating budgets and forecasts for projects and programs.
• Knowledge of current trends, issues, and best practices in Museum education and engagement, including experience with visitor services and community building.
• Demonstrated experience in conducting and interpreting evaluation studies, and identifying trends and new approaches.
• Passion for (or preferably background in) natural history and environmental conservation.
• Experience with diversity, equity, accessibility, and inclusion initiatives to make the Museum and its on-site and off-site programs more inclusive and accessible to a wide range of audiences
• Demonstrated experience building organizational partnerships and engaging new audiences through community outreach
• Minimum BA, and advanced degree in a relevant field preferable.
• Bilingual in Spanish preferred.

Annual compensation is $95,000.

This is a full-time, exempt position with benefits such as health insurance, vacation, 15 paid holidays, reciprocal free admission to all of Balboa Park’s museums, as well as to the San Diego Zoo and Safari Park.

This position is based at The Nat in San Diego’s historic Balboa Park. There is flexibility for up to two days of remote work.

Applicants should submit a cover letter, resume, and two writing samples. Please submit materials to hr@sdnhm.org by August 15, 2024.