Parks/Recreation Specialist - Summer Camp Counselor/Naturalist/Volunteer Coordinator

GENERAL STATEMENT OF DUTIES

Parks seeks reliable and customer-focused individuals to join our team as part-time Parks/Recreation Specialists. This position may report to the Operations or Natural Resources Divisions to assist in nature education programming for the Park Board. The ideal candidate will have strong communication skills, a friendly demeanor, and a passion for promoting a safe and enjoyable environment within our parks.HOURS:  Part-time employees work up to 30 hours per week. Some positions may work weekends, holidays, and evenings.

Summer Camp Counselor-Specific Duties

• Plan, design, and teach campers about the natural world around them.
• Create innovative art activities with children of all ages and backgrounds.
• Must be available to work from June to August 20-40 hours per week.

• Maintain nature center collections, displays, and live animals. 
• Assist in habitat restoration projects within Cincinnati Parks.
• Participate in school field trips, family-oriented events, and youth and adult courses.

• Recruit, communicate, and schedule volunteers to support Explore Nature Programming and Krohn Conservatory
• Maintaining volunteer records and tracking volunteer activities
• Working alongside volunteers at various park locations as needed

• Work as an educator to people of all ages and backgrounds about the ecological relationships, natural resources, and items/sites of historical importance found in Cincinnati Parks.
• Provide general cleaning/organization of park facility and/or special event areas.
• Assist with developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with community groups and other partnership organizations.
• Research and develop new nature education activities as needed and assist in modifying existing programs. 
• Perform various administrative duties as required.
• Follow safety procedures and maintain a safe environment/facility for staff and visitors.
• Recognize potential hazards, both environmental and situational.
• Provide for the care and maintenance of Park vehicles driven.
• Demonstrate good organizational and administrative skills. Contacts staff and volunteers working on special events (email or phone calls), prepares any paperwork needed, and provides event statistics for monthly reports.  
• Secure building and event facilities at the end of the workday and as needed during work hours.
• Communicate effectively with people of all ages, most especially children; well-developed verbal and written skills, including the ability to communicate through multiple media (print, radio, TV, internet, etc.) with prior management approval. 
• Work a flexible schedule that includes some weekends, evenings, and holidays. 
• Maintain an effective working relationship with the Nature Center staff, departmental staff, and the general public. 
• Work independently and as part of a team; work with people of diverse backgrounds. 
• Work with limited supervision and multitask.
• Be creative, self-motivated, and a quick learner.
• Be reliable in attendance.
• Demonstrate effective use of leadership techniques and sound judgment.
• Maintain a positive, motivated work attitude; project energy and enthusiasm.
• Maintain a professional impression in appearance, language, and correspondence.

Required Education and Experience

Must be eighteen (18) years of age and a high school graduate, and have a valid driver’s license

Desired Education and Experience

• Posess knowledge local ecology, local cultural, and natural history.
• Experience in teaching techniques, development, and implementation of outdoor education programs. 
• Experience in hands-on curriculum development. 
• Familiarity with a variety of electronic software such as Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc. and social media platforms
• Basic computer skills for data entry and communication.
• Knowledge of or interest in parks and outdoor activities is preferred.
• Basic math skills
• Previous experience as an educator. 

Working and Physical Conditions

Environmental Conditions: Indoor and outdoor environments; exposure to office computer screens; work on slippery or uneven surfaces; work in or around water; exposure to poison flora, insects, or other animal diseases; exposure to extremes in weather conditions (all types of weather); exposure to human health issues; exposure to various chemicals (ex. water-quality testing chemicals); at times will work alone at parks and nature centers.

Physical Conditions: Responsibilities and duties require maintaining the physical condition for sitting, standing, climbing, and walking for prolonged periods and leading hikes over varied terrain, including steps and hills. Occasional light or moderate lifting and carrying required; occasionally required to use hands to finger, occasionally required to climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl; must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 lbs.; specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, ability to distinguish colors, and the ability to adjust focus; must speak clearly and audibly