Lead and Assistant Paddlers(Part Time)

The Green Boats Paddlers are valued members of the Living Classrooms of the National Capital Region Kingman Island team, playing a key role in the success of the Kingman and Heritage Islands Conservation Area and the restoration of the Anacostia River by facilitating paddling programs for volunteers who may be first time paddlers and who would also assist in removing litter from the river.

Core Responsibilities

• Be responsible for unlocking equipment and setting up for the paddling session, as well as locking equipment and cleaning up after the session.

• Verify registrationand release forms are completed by each volunteer before allowing them to enter an Anacostia Green Boat Program paddling vessel.

• Provide a verbal informational orientation on the program and the history of the Anacostia River to participants.

• Responsible for the safety of the participants including:

• Fitting PFDs properly on each paddling participant.

• Providing safety information and ensuring all paddlers safely enter and exit boats.

• Performing on-water rescues as trained by Principal or Lead Paddler.

• Performing First Aid/CPR to Consultant’s highest level of certification and no higher.

• Informing volunteers of paddling boundaries.

• Provide feedback on potential safety issues in order to maintain the highest standards of safety for volunteers.

• Lead trash sorting, data collection and proper disposal per Living Classrooms’ trash protocols to support the goal of cleaning the river. 

• Communicating availability and confirming schedule for the season with Green Boats Coordinator and finding appropriate and approved replacements for any schedule changes. Most programs take place on weekends.

• Assist with other duties as assigned.

Required Education, Skills, and Abilities 

• Experience in and desire to work in litter reduction, conducting education or recreation activities with youth and/or adults, and water activities.

• A passion for nature and environmental work.

• A team player, taking initiative and direction well.

• Friendly and engaging personality; excellent public speaking skills; ability to work collaboratively as part of the education and LC-NCR teams; experience and ability to lead outdoor work or events with ranger team or volunteer groups.

• Maintain professional composure when dealing with visitors, volunteers, workforce groups, students/teachers, and other LC staff.

• Be flexible and capable of problem solving.

• Interacts well with customers, clients, visitors, etc.

• Organized and timely.

• Willingness to work outdoors in warm temperatures and some weather conditions (Green Boats programs are canceled for certain weather conditions such as strong winds, storms, steady rain, etc).

• Ability to pass federal and state background checks, drug, and TB tests; fully vaccinated against Covid-19 strongly preferred.

• Ability to lift 50 pounds at a time