Interpreter

Hamilton County, Indiana • Noblesville, IN

2d • Onsite

About The Position

Incumbent serves as Interpreter for Hamilton County Parks and Recreation Department, responsible for assisting in developing, coordinating and supervising nature related programs and maintaining Cool Creek Nature Center. This is a part-time position, working up to 29 hours per week, with a pay rate of $16.50 per hour. The role requires the ability to perform essential functions satisfactorily and involves assisting with personnel and volunteer supervision, opening and closing facilities, greeting visitors, developing and maintaining exhibits, implementing programs, managing the gift shop, leading nature programs, maintaining the greenhouse and park grounds, conducting studies, preparing reports, organizing activities, assisting with rentals, animal husbandry, preparing informational materials, and performing janitorial duties.

Requirements

• Baccalaureate Degree, with experience in outdoor recreation, education, natural resources, or related area, with relevant field experience, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Working knowledge of and ability to make practical application of Department policies, procedures, and park rules.
• Working knowledge of park wildlife, vegetation, and environmental education, and ability to assist in preparing and presenting appropriate educational programs, materials, activities, and exhibits.
• Working knowledge of standard English grammar, spelling, and punctuation, to prepare correspondence, documents, and detailed reports as required.
• Knowledge of and ability to perform outdoor education, naturalist interpretations, policies, procedures, guidelines, programs, and using and monitoring safety precautions on park grounds.
• Ability to effectively communicate orally and in writing with co-workers, other County departments, schools, vendors, volunteers, and the public, including being sensitive to professional ethics, gender, cultural diversities, and disabilities.
• Ability to assist in supervising and directing personnel and volunteers, including assisting in coordinating, training, delegating, in nature areas and activities, in the greenhouse and gift shop.
• Ability to properly operate standard office equipment, including computer, printer, scanner, fax machine, and telephone.
• Ability to properly operate hand tools, cash registers, and various artist supplies.
• Ability to prepare and make presentations and to lead nature hikes, walks, campfire activities, and programs and ability to design and prepare hand-outs and informational materials.
• Ability to understand, memorize, retain, and carry out written or oral instructions and present findings in oral or written form.
• Ability to work alone and with others in a team environment, and maintain appropriate, respectful interrelationships with co-workers.
• Ability to work on several tasks at the at the same time, and complete assignments effectively amidst frequent distractions and interruptions.
• Ability to provide public access to, or maintain confidentiality of, department information and records according to State requirements.
• Ability to comply with all employer and department policies and work rules, including, but not limited to, attendance, safety, drug-free workplace, and personal conduct.
• Ability to competently serve the public with diplomacy and respect, including occasional encounters with irate/hostile persons.
• Ability to work weekends, extended hours, and evening hours.
• Possession of a valid Indiana driver's license and demonstrated safe driving record.
• Must begin the three shot Hepatitis B vaccination and subsequent training within 10 days of initial job assignment or provide documentation of prior vaccination. Employees temporarily declining the vaccine are prohibited from performing any duties in which they may be exposed to a blood borne pathogen or other potentially infectious disease.

Responsibilities

• Assists with supervising and directing personnel and volunteers, including, assisting in coordinating, training, delegating in nature areas and activities, in the greenhouse and gift shop.
• Serves as lead staff performing duties such as opening and closing the Nature Center and greenhouse, delegating work assignments, greeting visitors, answering questions, and providing information and assistance.
• Assists in developing and maintaining nature center exhibits, including assembling exhibits, and collections, providing information, designing interpretive displays using various software applications, and constructing exhibits.
• Implements day camp programs, and classes, for the Nature Center.
• Assists scheduled guest speakers and instructors for classes and programs during events.
• Manages gift shop, including stocking and selling items, assisting patrons, and assisting personnel and volunteers.
• Maintains daily log.
• Develops and coordinates nature programs and activities, including leading nature hikes and bird walks, interpreting information for participants, conducting animal talks, and puppet shows, and public speaking presentations.
• Maintains the greenhouse and related inside exhibits.
• Conducts vegetation and wildlife studies at the park to be used in nature programs.
• Maintains prairie and garden, periodically removing weeds around signage and removing litter.
• Maintains various document files, and prepares periodic reports as required.
• Organizes activities, games, songs, and provides refreshments for programs.
• Assists in renting of the Nature Center and shelters for events and parties.
• Assists with animal husbandry related to animals in the Nature Center, such as feeding, cleaning, and care as needed.
• Assists with designing and preparing hand-outs, informational materials, displays, letters, memos, and reports.
• Serves as staff member for janitorial duties at Nature Center and greenhouse.
• Performs related duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Medical
• Dental
• Vision
• Life (employee, spouse, children)
• Long and short-term Disability
• Hamilton County Employee Health Center & Pharmacy (Noblesville/Westfield)
• Advocacy Program
• Nutrition Education and Wellness Center
• Pharmacy
• Sick leave
• Bereavement
• Holidays (10-13 per year)
• Compensatory time
• Paid time off (1 week at 6 months, 2 weeks at 1 year then an additional day each year until max of 22 days on year 15)
• Indiana Public Employee Retirement Fund Pension (annuity & pension)
• AUL Deferred Compensation Plan
• McCready Retirement (Merit staff)

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Part-time
• Career Level: Entry Level