Who We Are

MAR is a Tampa Bay-based nonprofit dedicated to regenerating the natural spaces that make this area amazing. Through our TREE Program (urban forestry), BLUE Program (marine conservation), and SOL Program (health and wellness), we show up in community parks, beaches, trails, and waterways with volunteers, partners, and action!

We are a small, tight-knit team that gets a lot done with limited resources. Everyone here wears multiple hats, cares deeply about the work, and looks out for one another. If you have ever wanted a role where you can spend your Saturday morning planting trees or pulling debris from the bottom of the ocean, this is the team for you.

The Role

The Field Assistant is the person who makes MAR events actually happen. Not behind the scenes, but right in the middle of it: setting up before anyone arrives, welcoming volunteers at check-in, driving to pick up supplies, keeping the event station running cleanly, and capturing the kind of data that let us report real community impact.

This role supports both our TREE and BLUE Program Coordinators, which means no two weeks look exactly the same. One Saturday you might be planting trees in a neighborhood park. The next you are suiting up for an underwater cleanup at a local site. You need to be equally comfortable in muddy boots and watershoes, and equally reliable in both settings.

We are looking for someone who is naturally dependable, reads a room quickly, thrives in outdoor and physical environments, and takes genuine pride in doing the unglamorous parts of a mission-driven event really well. This is not a role for someone who needs to be told what to do next. We need a self-starter who sees what needs to happen, makes it happen, and brings that same drive every single Event day, monitoring day, office day, and field reporting day.

What You Will Do

Event Logistics and On-Site Support

• Set up and break down event sites: canopies, tables, displays, tools, signage, and program materials
• Manage volunteer registration, check-in, and on-site customer service from start to finish
• Coordinate food and beverage ordering, pickup, and distribution for events
• Keep event stations clean, organized, and welcoming throughout the day
• Transport materials and supplies to and from event sites using personal vehicle (mileage reimbursement may apply)
• Operate a golf cart at event sites for equipment and supply transport and water where applicable
• Assist with physical tasks including planting trees, handling heavy equipment, and supporting underwater cleanup logistics
• Lift and carry equipment and supplies up to 50 pounds

Program Support

• Work directly with TREE and BLUE Program Coordinators to plan and execute program events
• Assist with sourcing and ordering event supplies; maintain organized inventory between events
• Prepare event materials including registration packets, signage, educational handouts, stickers, and tool kits
• Serve as a point of contact for volunteers, community partners, and vendors on event days
• Write short post-event blog recaps when assigned, capturing key moments and outcomes
• Support permit logistics, equipment maintenance checklists, and pre-event preparation as needed
• Watering trees as needed (some weeks 3x a week, others as needed)

Data, Reporting, and Documentation

• Track and record event metrics: attendance counts, volunteer hours, trees planted, marine debris collected, and other program-specific data points
• Conduct data analysis and contribute to impact reports following each event
• Input data accurately into MAR’s tracking systems and databases
• Frequent tree monitoring and data reporting post events 
• GIS skills are a plus

Community Presence and Team Contribution

• Represent MAR professionally and warmly at every event, remembering that for many attendees, you are MAR
• Collaborate actively with staff, volunteers, board members, and community partners
• Show up to Monday morning team meetings (10:00 to 11:30 AM) as a standing commitment regardless of the prior weekend’s schedule
• Uphold MAR’s values in every interaction, in the field, online, and in the office

What We Are Looking For

You Must Have:

• Availability most Saturdays. MAR’s community events happen primarily on weekends and this role is built around that reality.
• A reliable personal vehicle and valid driver’s license for local travel to event sites
• Physical ability to lift and carry up to 50 pounds and work outdoors in Florida heat, rain, and varied terrain
• Ability to operate or willingness to quickly learn to operate a golf cart on event grounds
• Strong organizational instincts and attention to detail, especially when managing multiple moving pieces
• Comfort working outdoors in parks, beaches, and waterways regardless of conditions
• A warm, dependable, and professional presence with community members and volunteers
• Ability to stay focused and flexible in fast-paced, unpredictable event environments
• A self-starter mentality: you notice what needs to happen and you make it happen without waiting to be asked
• Basic comfort with data entry and digital tools including Google Suite and Excel

You Will Stand Out If You Have:

• Experience in event coordination, volunteer management, community programs, or environmental field work
• A genuine interest in environmental sustainability, urban forestry, or marine conservation
• Familiarity with the Tampa Bay area communities, ecosystems, or waterways
• GIS knowledge or experience with environmental data tracking and reporting
• Any dive certification, marine field experience, or prior involvement with water-based conservation events

Work Environment and Schedule

This is a physically active, outdoors-forward role. A typical MAR week includes remote administrative work and in-person event days, monitoring days, and watering days. The following is an example schedule for this position:

Standard Work Days: Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday

Monday Commitment: Required attendance at weekly team meeting, 10:00 to 11:30 AM

Regular Time Off: Sunday and Tuesday

Event Days: Primarily Saturdays; weekday events may occur as well. Monitoring and watering days are almost always weekdays

Remote Work: Administrative tasks, data entry, reporting, and planning completed remotely

In-Person Work: Event set-up, execution, and break-down at parks, beaches, trails, and waterways across Tampa Bay, watering, monitoring, impact measurements

Dress and Gear: Appropriate outdoor attire required on event days; MAR branded gear provided

Note: Florida weather does not always cooperate. This role requires genuine comfort working in heat, humidity, rain, and occasionally muddy or wet conditions. Events run rain or shine unless there is a safety reason to postpone.

Compensation and Benefits

Compensation: Full-time salaried position starting at $45,000 annually

Paid Time Off: PTO and sick leave

Spot Bonuses: Performance-based spot bonuses available

Professional Development: Opportunities to grow skills in environmental field work, nonprofit operations, event management, and community engagement

Mission Impact: Direct, visible contribution to ecological restoration and community health in Tampa Bay

Equal Opportunity Employer

MAR is an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. We believe diverse teams build stronger communities and we actively seek candidates from a range of backgrounds and lived experiences.

How to Apply

To apply, submit the following to kira@wearemar.org:

• A current resume
• A brief cover letter that tells us why this role and why MAR specifically
• Optional: a link to any relevant work samples, event photos, blog posts, or field documentation you are proud of

Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis. We will reach out to candidates whose background aligns with what we are looking for. We appreciate every person who takes the time to apply and we commit to treating every applicant with respect throughout the process.

Please do not send resumes via LinkedIn or Indeed platforms, we will NOT be looking via the platforms, every application needs to be emailed to the email above.

Questions? Reach out to Kira, Operations Manager, at the contact information listed in the job posting.