Part-time Program Assistant / Sandy Creek Nature Center

REPORTS TO: Program Leader/ Program Specialist/Facility Supervisor
FLSA STATUS: Non-­Exempt
CLASSIFICATION: Part-time/No Benefits Serves at the discretion of the Department Director.
PAY GRADE: 103
SAFETY SENSITIVE: No   

Purpose of Job The purpose of this position is to serve as an assistant to the full-time nature center staff.  This position implements environmental educational programs for schools, groups, camps, and public programming. Also assists center staff with special events, programs, center operations, and trail/center maintenance as needed.  Leads educational birthday party programs on weekends at Sandy Creek Nature Center. Interacts with visitors and program participants, assists with customer requests, and presents educational programs utilizing the nature center’s live animal collection and other educational materials.  Animal handling and husbandry duties are required. Can serve as a course credit internship if desired.

Job Related Requirements

WORK SCHEDULE:  20 hours per week.  Two weekdays: Wednesdays 8:30am-2:30pm and Fridays 8:30am-2:30pm; Saturdays, 8:30 am to 5:30 pm, occasional Monday, Sundays or evenings with notice.

May be required to work on religious holidays. 

Regular and predictable attendance is required. 

Must work cooperatively with others. 

Responsible for a clean and safe work environment. 

When requirements include vehicle operation, responsible for the safety, readiness and operation of the vehicle and must abide by ACC's safe driving policy.

Previous experience in any of the following areas:  working with animals, leading programs or activities with children, docent or other similar type of experience.  

Must possess a valid driver's license.

Must possess current first aid and be able to obtain CPR certifications within 60 days of employment. 

The following duties are normal for this job. These are not to be construed as exclusive or all-inclusive. Other duties may be required and assigned.

Plans and instructs programs and parties at assigned facilities.  

Completes in-house training with center staff on animal care and handling, public & school programs and center operations.  

Resolves problems that may arise in a proactive and professional manner.  

Regularly monitors and inspects program areas, indoors and outdoors, to ensure safety of the patrons, activities and the facility.  

Inventories and maintains program equipment and supplies.  

Assists with problems the public may encounter while attending a program.  

Assists with set-up and breakdown of various areas for parties, events and programs.  

Enforces rules and regulations and ensures safety of all patrons and personal property.  

Follows all animal care standards and practices as established by Sandy Creek Nature Center.  

Performs other duties as assigned.  

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities  

Knowledge of the principles, practices and procedures of assigned division in the Leisure Services Department.  

Knowledge of management and recreational practices, policies, and procedures as necessary in the completion of daily responsibilities.  

Knowledge of all applicable laws, ordinances, policies, standards and regulations pertaining to the duties and responsibilities of the job.  

Ability to effectively communicate and interact with management, employees, children, members of the general public and all other groups involved in the activities of the Athens -Clarke County Government as they relate to the Leisure Services department.  

Ability to assemble information and make written reports and documents in a concise, clear and effective manner.  

Ability to stay informed of any changes in policy, methods, operations, budgetary and equipment needs, etc. as they pertain to departmental operations and activities.  

Ability to effectively handle human relations and technical subjects. 

Ability to handle the required mathematical calculations.  

Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing.

(ADA) MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS OR STANDARDS REQUIRED TO PERFORM ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS 

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: Must be physically able to operate a variety of machinery and equipment including a computer, scanner, copier, calculator, fax, etc. Must be able to use body members to work, move, or carry objects or materials. This position requires: walking, standing, bending, stooping, fingering, grasping, feeling, seeing, talking, crawling, leaning, and hearing. Must be able to exert up to 50 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 20 pounds of force frequently. Physical demand requirements are at levels of those of medium work.  

DATA CONCEPTION: Requires the ability to compare and/or judge the readily observable functional, structural, or compositional characteristics (whether similar to or divergent from obvious standards) of data, people, or things. 

INTERPERSONAL COMMUNICATION: Requires the ability to hear, speak and/or signal people to convey or exchange information. Includes giving / receiving assignments and/or directions to co­workers and from supervisors.  

LANGUAGE ABILITY: Requires ability to read a variety of memos and informational documentation, directions, instructions, and methods and procedures. Requires the ability to prepare reports, logs and maintenance forms using prescribed formats and conforming to all rules of punctuation, grammar, diction, and style. Requires the ability to speak to groups of people with poise, voice control, and confidence. Ability to process questions from audience in real time with accuracy and honesty. 

INTELLIGENCE: Requires the ability to learn and understand basic principles and techniques, to acquire and be able to expound on knowledge of topics related to primary occupation, and to make independent judgment in the absence of management.  

VERBAL APTITUDE: Requires the ability to record and deliver information, to explain procedures, and to follow oral and written instructions. Must be able to communicate effectively and efficiently in a variety of administrative, technical, or professional languages including mechanical and electrical terminology.  

NUMERICAL APTITUDE: Requires the ability to utilize mathematical formulas, to add and subtract totals, to multiply and divide, and to utilize and determine percentages. 

FORM/SPATIAL APTITUDE: Requires the ability to inspect items for proper length, width, and shape, visually with construction, mechanical, and electrical tools.  

MOTOR COORDINATION: Requires the ability to coordinate hands, fingers, and eyes accurately in using construction, mechanics, carpentry, landscaping, plumbing, and electrical equipment. Requires the ability to lift, push, bend and pull objects or materials using body parts as the position necessitates.  

MANUAL DEXTERITY: Requires the ability to handle a variety of items such as a computer, copying machine, calculator and typewriter. Must have the ability to use one hand for twisting or turning motion while coordinating other hand with different activities. Must have minimal levels of eye/hand/foot coordination.  

COLOR DISCRIMINATION: May require the ability to differentiate between colors and shades of color.  

INTERPERSONAL TEMPERAMENT: Requires the ability to deal with people beyond giving and receiving instructions. Must be adaptable to performing under considerable stress when confronted with an emergency.  

PHYSICAL COMMUNICATION: Requires the ability to talk and/or hear: (Talking ­ expressing or exchanging ideas by means of spoken words). (Hearing ­ perceiving nature of sounds by ear). Must be able to communicate via telephone, two ­way radio.