Salary:
$16.00 - $18.00/hr

Schedule:
Monday - Thursday AM or PM shifts available

Start Date:
06/01/2023

Job Type:
Part time, seasonal

Benefits:
Free Fitness Center membership, free Centennial Beach membership, discount on golf rounds at Springbrook & Naperbrook Golf Course. Free or reduced rate on programs.

Overview:
Under the direct supervision of the Nature Center Manager, the Environmental Summer Camp Instructor is a seasonal position responsible for implementing and supervising summer nature-themed camp programs and participants, along with administrative duties, customer service functions and animal care.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities:

1. Work with Nature Center Manager and Naturalist staff to prepare materials and supplies, instruct, and evaluate environmental programming offered by the District, including, but not limited to, day camps, family campouts, and special events.
2. Adapt, communicate and present program materials in a manner that is appropriate for the age level of participants.
3. Communicate effectively with participants, parents and staff regarding positive feedback, questions and concerns.
4. Provide care for the nature center’s live animals (fish, reptiles and amphibians), including feeding and tank cleaning.
5. Work cooperatively with other District staff to assist in attaining the goals and objectives of the District’s environmental education programming.
6. Maintain and organize inventory of program equipment and supplies. Inform Nature Center Manager of supply needs.
7. Demonstrate and support park district customer service standards and foster an environment of customer-focused service to both internal and external customers.
8. Maintain on-going open communication with Nature Center Manager, including responding promptly to calls, emails and texts.
9. Record and communicate difficult situations or behaviors to Nature Center Manager immediately.
10. Record and file incident/accident reports, and notify the Nature Center Manager of all incidents/accidents.
11. Monitor weather conditions before, during and after programs to ensure the safety of program participants and staff. Be familiar and comfortable with emergency weather procedures.
12. Follow and model compliance with all District, State, Federal and departmental safety and risk management, personnel, administrative policies and procedures, ordinances and regulations.
13. Work with WDSRA staff to develop program plans for participants with special needs.
14. Ensure that program areas are left neat and clean after each use and that materials/equipment are returned to its proper place.
15. Evaluate the quality of programs on an ongoing basis, making recommendations for improvement to the Nature Center Manager.

Other Duties and Responsibilities:

• Attend Park District in-service training and staff meetings as required.
• Distribute written communication as necessary or requested by the District.
• Knowledge of the theories, practices, and philosophy of environmental education programming preferred.
• Skill in the operation and maintenance of environmental programs and equipment.
• Comfortable with nature and wildlife including insects and snakes, and actively investigating outdoor environments like creeks, rivers, forests and prairies.
• Demonstrated exceptional customer service and leadership skills.
• Demonstrated excellent communication skills (i.e., professional ability to attend to customer needs).
• Demonstrated good judgment, initiative, flexibility and creativity.
• Capacity to multitask.
• Demonstrated problem-solving skills.
• General knowledge of Windows-based software.
• Ability to work independently in day-to-day operations with general supervision from supervisor.
• B.S. degree in education, interpretation, environmental education, natural sciences or related field required.
• Minimum of 1 year of educational experience.
• Experience in non-formal education setting preferred.
• Possession of, or ability to obtain, CPR & First Aid certification within six (6) weeks of date of hire.
• Valid driver’s license.
• Experience working with reptiles and amphibians preferred.
• Subject to modified/flexible work schedule, including some weekend and evening hours.
• Subject to both inside and outside environmental conditions.
• Subject to prolonged periods of sitting, standing, and walking.
• Ability to lift light to medium weight (up to 30 lbs.) objects.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Knowledge of the theories, practices, and philosophy of environmental education programming preferred.
• Skill in the operation and maintenance of environmental programs and equipment.
• Comfortable with nature and wildlife including insects and snakes, and actively investigating outdoor environments like creeks, rivers, forests and prairies.
• Demonstrated exceptional customer service and leadership skills.
• Demonstrated excellent communication skills (i.e., professional ability to attend to customer needs).
• Demonstrated good judgment, initiative, flexibility and creativity.
• Capacity to multitask.
• Demonstrated problem-solving skills.
• General knowledge of Windows-based software.
• Ability to work independently in day-to-day operations with general supervision from supervisor.

Education and Experience:

• B.S. degree in education, interpretation, environmental education, natural sciences or related field required.
• Minimum of 1 year of educational experience.
• Experience in non-formal education setting preferred.
• Possession of, or ability to obtain, CPR & First Aid certification within six (6) weeks of date of hire.
• Valid driver’s license.
• Experience working with reptiles and amphibians preferred.

Special Considerations:

• Subject to modified/flexible work schedule, including some weekend and evening hours.
• Subject to both inside and outside environmental conditions.
• Subject to prolonged periods of sitting, standing, and walking.
• Ability to lift light to medium weight (up to 30 lbs.) objects.