Seasonal Nature Center Educator Assistant
Job description
Follow Your Calling, Find Your Career
At Mecklenburg County, you’ll have the chance to build a career as unique as you are with support, inclusive culture and technology to become the best version of you. We’re counting on YOUR unique voice and perspective to help Mecklenburg County become even better, too. Join us and build an exceptional experience for yourself, and a better working world for all.
Did you know that Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation proudly hosts many community events each year? Hummingbird Festival, The Senior Games and Festival in the Park are just a few that our employees and residents look forward to every year! Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation Department (MCPRD) strives to enrich the lives of our residents. We do this by providing exciting and safe recreational amenities and programs, change to improve our resident’s fitness levels and decrease health care costs. This contributes to a sense of community through events and spaces for the public to socialize, thereby increasing property values and providing tourism venues. We protect open space, natural areas, and our treasured tree canopy through stewardship. We play a critical role in ensuring Mecklenburg County achieves its vision that the county “will be a community of pride and choice for people to LIVE, WORK and RECREATE.” The department serves a population exceeding one million residents and serves the City of Charlotte, six towns, and the unincorporated areas of the county covering 523 square miles. In addition, the department manages over 21,000 acres and 230+ parks, nature preserves, greenways and facilities. The Mecklenburg County Park & Recreation Department is continually recognized for its cutting-edge programs, state-of the-art facilities and unique partnerships. Our success is rooted in our staff. If you are interested in joining a dynamic team, dedicated to building a better community, and being recognized as leaders both in our community and across the country, then Mecklenburg County has great opportunities for you.
POSITION SUMMARY
Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation is excited to announce that we are hiring for seasonal Nature Center Education Assistants! We have multiple openings at five (5) Mecklenburg County facilities- Reedy Creek Nature Center, Eastway Regional Recreation Center, Stevens Creek Nature Center, McDowell Nature Center, and Quest at Latta Nature Preserve. The position duties and schedules will vary at each facility, but all candidates will support our Nature Preserves and Natural Resources staff in providing environmental education & outdoor recreation programming. We currently have 10-Month and 3-Month seasonal positions available. Exact start/end dates will be discussed during the interview process. The selected candidates can expect to work a full-time schedule during the summer (35-40hrs/week) and a part-time schedule in the spring and fall (20-30hr/week). Some weekend and evening work will be required based on business needs.
By applying to this position, you are eligible to be considered for a similar role, in which you meet the minimum qualifications for, at other Park and Recreation locations should they become available. If you are looking to grow in your career, or transition laterally into a new role, don't miss this opportunity to apply!
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
- Conduct and/or assist with developing environmental education and interpretive programs for all ages and diverse audiences, including facility tours, curricular school programs, summer camp programs, public lectures, special events, outreach programs, live animal programs and field experiences in a variety of outdoor environments both on and off-site
- Maintain program props, interpretive displays, native plant gardens, and demonstration compost areas
- Assist with planning and implementation of teacher workshops and special events
- Assist with development of educational exhibits, interpretive brochures, and other educational materials
- Assist with the care and feeding of exhibit animals,
- Assist with operation of the nature center, gift shop, program registration, and facility maintenance
- Assist with Outdoor Recreation programming as needed
- Maintain general housekeeping in work area
- May coordinate volunteer efforts
- Work as part of an overall team of program staff at all nature centers within Mecklenburg County
- Follow the work plan as prepared by the supervisor
- Respond to emergency situations
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Experience: No experience required
Education: Requires enrollment in, or completion of a bachelor's degree in natural/environmental sciences, biology, botany, ecology, environmental education, education, or related field
Combination of relevant experience and relevant education accepted?: Yes
Licenses/Certifications: Ability to obtain Certified Interpretive Guide within the first year of employment.; May require a valid North Carolina or South Carolina Driver’s License and County Driving Privileges.
Computer Skills: General knowledge of applicable computer programs
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES
- Educational programming and instruction in assigned area
- Life, earth, and/or physical sciences
Skills:
- Managing multiple tasks concurrently
- Developing and enforcing classroom rules and safety procedure
- Organizing and presenting demonstrations in area of specialization
Abilities:
- Building Partnerships: Identifying opportunities and taking action to build strategic relationships between one’s area and other areas, teams, departments, units or organizations to help achieve business goals
- Building Trust: Interacting with others in a way that instills confidence in one’s intentions and those of the organization
- Customer Service: Effectively meeting customer needs; building productive customer relationships; taking responsibility for customer satisfaction and loyalty
- Energy: Consistently maintaining high levels of activity or productivity; operating with vigor, effectiveness, and determination over extended periods of time
- Communication: Clearly conveying information and ideas through a variety of media to individuals or groups in a manner that engages the audience and helps them understand and retain the information provided
- Initiating Action: Taking prompt action to accomplish objectives; take action to achieve goals beyond what is required; being proactive
- Time Management and follow through: Effectively managing one’s time and resources to ensure that work is completed efficiently
WORK ENVIRONMENT
Works in outdoor exposed to weather conditions
REASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONS STATEMENT
To accomplish this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform, with or without reasonable accommodation, each essential function satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to help enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
DISCLAIMER STATEMENT
This is not intended to be an all-inclusive list of job-related responsibilities, duties, skills, requirements or working conditions. Other duties may be assigned based on business need and the supervisor’s request. Mecklenburg County reserves the right to revise the job description at any time. Designated positions may be required to assist in emergency and/or disaster situations.
Mecklenburg County requires proof of COVID-19 vaccination as a condition of employment for any new Mecklenburg County employees.
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