PT Senior Nature Staff-1

Hamilton County•Noblesville, IN

4d•Onsite

About The Position

Incumbent serves as Senior Nature Staff 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 role involves serving as lead staff in the absence of the Superintendent and/or Naturalist, opening and closing facilities, delegating work, greeting visitors, answering questions, and providing education. The position also acts as a front-line interpreter, maintains daily logs, assists with exhibits and displays, and maintains the greenhouse and related exhibits. Key responsibilities include implementing nature and day camp programs, assisting guest speakers, developing and coordinating nature programs (including leading hikes and bird walks), conducting vegetation and wildlife studies, maintaining park grounds, organizing activities, assisting with animal husbandry, maintaining files, preparing reports, performing janitorial duties, and assisting volunteers. The role requires a high school diploma or HSE with relevant experience, working knowledge of department policies, park wildlife, environmental education, and English grammar. The ability to speak in front of groups, communicate effectively orally and in writing, supervise personnel and volunteers, operate standard office equipment, hand tools, and cash registers, prepare presentations, lead nature activities, and work independently or in a team are essential. The position also requires the ability to manage multiple tasks, perform arithmetic calculations, maintain confidentiality, comply with policies, serve the public with diplomacy, and work weekends and after-hours events. A valid Indiana driver's license and safe driving record are necessary. Employees in this position may be exposed to bloodborne pathogens and must comply with vaccination requirements.

Requirements

High school diploma or HSE 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 speak in front of groups at the groups level of understanding of material being presented.
Ability to effectively communicate orally and in writing with co-workers, other County departments, schools, scouts, vendors, volunteers, and the public, including being sensitive to professional ethics, gender, cultural diversities, and disabilities.
Ability to assist in supervising and directing assigned personnel and volunteers, including assisting in scheduling, training, delegating, in nature areas and activities, in the greenhouse and gift shop.
Ability to properly operate standard office equipment, including computer, printer, 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.
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 same time, and complete assignments effectively amidst frequent distractions and interruptions.
Ability to count, compute, and perform arithmetic calculations.
Ability to provide public access to, or maintain confidentiality of department information and records according to State requirements.
Shall 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 or hostile persons.
Ability to work weekends and after hours events.
Possession of a valid Indiana driver's license and demonstrated safe driving record.
Employees working in this position shall begin the three shot Hepatitis B vaccination and subsequent training within 10 days of their initial job assignment per OSHA 29 CFR 1910.1030(f)(2)(i).
If the employee has previously received the three shot Hepatitis B vaccination, official documentation must be provided to the supervisor identifying the dates in which each shot was appropriately administered.
A Temporary Medical Declination may be made for a period of up to six months. A Declination form must be completed, outlining the medical reasons for the temporary declination and forwarded to the Safety & Risk Manager.
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 until they are able to begin/continue the series of vaccinations.
Failure to comply will result in termination of employment.

Responsibilities

Serves as lead staff performing duties such as opening and closing the Nature Center, gift shop, and greenhouse, delegating work assignments, greeting visitors, answering questions, and providing education, information, and assistance, in the absence of Superintendent and/or Naturalist.
Serves as front-line interpreter for patrons visiting and contacting the nature center.
Maintains daily logs.
Assists in assembling exhibits, displays, and collections of materials.
Maintains the greenhouse and related exhibits inside.
Implements nature and day camp programs, classes, and various environmental programs.
Assists scheduled guest speakers and instructors for classes and programs during events.
Develops and coordinates nature programs and activities, including leading nature hikes and bird walks, interpreting information for participants, conducting animal talks, puppet shows, and public speaking presentations.
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.
Organizes activities, games, songs, and provides refreshments for programs.
Assists with animal husbandry related to animals in the Nature Center, such as feeding, cleaning, and care as needed.
Maintains various document files, and prepares periodic reports as required.
Serves as staff member for janitorial duties at Nature Center and greenhouse.
Assists volunteers working for the department.
Performs related duties as assigned.