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Coastal Cleanup Day Associate Specialist
Heal the Bay
Santa Monica, CA, USA
Posted on Mar 17, 2026
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 make progress with practical solutions to often 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 www.healthebay.org/our-impact
About the Role
Heal the Bay is the Los Angeles County Coordinator for California Coastal Cleanup Day (CCD). CCD is part of the International Coastal Cleanup effort organized by the Ocean Conservancy. Heal the Bay hosts 50-70 individual cleanup sites across the region. Each site is a unique expression of the surrounding community. Coastal Cleanup Day occurs this year on Saturday, September 19, 2026. The Coastal Cleanup Day Associate Specialist works closely with the Community Programs, Communications, Advancement, and Aquarium teams to orchestrate the event.
Heal the Bay is looking for a well-organized, charismatic, and responsible individual capable of working in a fast-paced environment to recruit volunteer Site Captains, track and facilitate cleanup sites, and coordinate event logistics. The ideal candidate is comfortable working independently but also enjoys working as part of a team. Reporting to the Beach Programs Manager, the Coastal Cleanup Day Associate Specialist will help by creating and developing tools to ensure an inclusive event for all Angelenos.
This role is expected to begin on June 2, 2026, and run through October 31, 2026.
Expectations & Responsibilities
Work with Beach Programs Manager to:
- Coordinate all logistics of Heal the Bay’s Coastal Cleanup Day 70+ cleanup sites, including pulling cleanup permits, and supporting special activations and enhanced experiences.
- Train and support volunteer site captains and staff before Coastal Cleanup Day to ensure that the individual sites have all the tools they need to run safely and smoothly.
- Manage the Coastal Cleanup Day volunteer and contact database in Salesforce.
- Help create brochures, flyers, and other print materials in Canva, including the Coastal Cleanup Day Wrap-Up book.
- Handle logistical concerns by phone, virtual meeting, direct message, and email to internal staff, volunteers, and event partners.
- Attendance at some weekend and evening events is mandatory, including September 19, 2026.
- Support cleanup activities as necessary throughout the summer to learn Heal the Bay’s cleanup flow and expectations.
- Present at captain and volunteer recruitment opportunities such as other Heal the Bay cleanups and events, or community events for corporate groups, civic clubs, schools, etc.
- Make virtual and in-person presentations to community leaders and groups to promote participation in CCD.
- Attend weekly staff meetings on Wednesdays. Virtual options are available for some meetings.
Experience & Skills
- Experience or interest in public speaking and leading training workshops - comfortable communicating effectively with small groups, large groups of volunteers, community groups, members of the press, and government offices, both in person and virtually
- Ability to make and maintain partnerships with CA Coastal Commission, City of Santa Monica, LA County Beaches & Harbors, community members, volunteers, funders, media, etc. is essential for the role
- Bilingual in English and Spanish and/or Korean, but not required
- Experience using Salesforce or similar CRM software to assist with data tracking for volunteers and marine debris
- Experience creating content for website pages, forms, videos, graphics, flyers, gifs, and social media posts across platforms (Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, MyEmma, Salesforce, Google Analytics, etc.)
- Experience creating culturally relevant social media or digital campaign materials for members of the Los Angeles County community
- Proficiency with Canva and graphic design skills
- Must be proficient in Microsoft Office applications, particularly in Excel and Word
- Ability to work well both independently and as part of a team
- Well organized, careful attention to detail, and ability to meet strict deadlines
- High cultural competency and DEI training experience preferred
- Passion for the environment
Compensation
This is a temporary part-time non-exempt position, $23.00 - $25.00 an hour depending on experience with appropriate state and federal taxes withheld. All Heal the Bay recognized holidays will be compensated at 1.5x normal pay rate in accordance with time worked.
Benefits
As per the state of CA Labor Law, the employee will be eligible to receive up to 72 hours of paid sick leave per calendar year. There is no dental, medical, health insurance, or vacation benefits included as part of the employment.
Schedule
This part-time position averages 15-25 hours per week based on operational needs and the expectation of increased hours as the event approaches. It is an excellent opportunity to gain experience and exposure in community outreach and environmental project management.
The anticipated employment period is June 2, 2026, through October 31, 2026. Some evenings and weekends are required, including attending most of the monthly Nothin’ But Sand (third Saturday of every month) and corporate Suits on the Sand cleanups to recruit captains and volunteers.
Location
The employee’s primary work location will be the Heal the Bay Aquarium at the Santa Monica Pier. This position also includes occasional work at the beach directly adjacent to the Aquarium, as well as at other cleanup sites, schools, and community event locations throughout Los Angeles County. Work will take place both indoors and outdoors, depending on program needs and scheduled activities.
Physical Demands
Ability to work in variable weather conditions with potential exposure to heat, wind, and inclement weather both inside the Aquarium Pier Gift Shop and Aquarium Exhibit Gallery, and outdoors on the Santa Monica Pier and beach
Ability to lift and carry up to 40 pounds across sand
Regularly required to talk, hear, and reach with hands and arms
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.