Natural Resources Recreation Specialist (Temporary)

Job Description:

POSITION SUMMARY
Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation is excited to add an innovative and passionate Natural Resources professional to our team! This temporary position will be based at Latta Nature Preserve and will assist with overall Nature Preserve operations and support habitat restoration, natural resource management and inventory/monitoring activities. This includes, but is not limited to invasive species removal, assistance with controlled burns, boundary marking, and assistance with management hunts. This position may be required to work nights and weekends based on business needs.

By applying to this position, you are eligible to be considered for a similar role, in which you meet the minimum qualifications for, at other Park and Recreation locations should they become available. If you are looking to grow in your career, or transition laterally into a new role, don't miss this opportunity to apply!

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
•Natural Resource management experience highly preferred

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
•Develop, lead and evaluate programs and activities in a park facility or nature preserve
•Provide customer service and handling of funds in a park facility through telephone, emails, web site, social media and walk in patrons and customers for information, program registration, center daily use and rentals
•Ensure safety of participants/spectators and administer first aid when necessary
•Enforce rules and regulations of the nature preserve
•Assist in light maintenance of park & recreation facilities
•May supervise patrons in recreation programs
•Handle inquiries and complaints from public
•Some programs may require driving a county vehicle or commute to a different location
•Assist with department events
•May serve as the manager on duty if needed

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Experience: No experience required

Education: Bachelor's degree in Park and Recreation Administration, Health and Physical Education, or a related field

Combination of relevant experience and relevant education accepted?: Yes

Licenses/Certifications: Requires a valid North Carolina or South Carolina Driver’s License and County Driving Privileges.; Requires the ability to obtain (within one year of hire) and maintain CPR, Wilderness First Aid or First Responder, and American Canoe Association, Kayak and SUP level I or II

Computer Skills: Proficient in various computer applications including Microsoft Office Suite

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

Knowledge:
•Instruction in area of specialist
•Recreational programming and instruction
•Principles, practices, and techniques of public recreation for all ages

Skills:
•Applying recreation knowledge through hands-on activities while meeting the needs of diverse populations
•Developing and enforcing general rules and safety procedure
•Managing multiple tasks concurrently
•Ability to work independently
•Organizing and presenting demonstrations in a recreation setting

Abilities:
•Adaptability: Maintaining effectiveness when experiencing major changes in work responsibilities or environment; adjusting effectively to work within new work structures, processes, requirements, or cultures
•Applied Learning: Assimilating and applying new job-related information in a timely manner
•Building Trust: Interacting with others in a way that instills confidence in one’s intentions and those of the organization
•Communication: Clearly conveying information and ideas through a variety of media to individuals or groups in a manner that engages the audience and helps them understand and retain the information provided
•Customer Focus: Ensuring that the customer perspective is a driving forces behind business decisions and activities; crafting and implementing service practices that meet customers’ and own organization’s needs
•Initiating Action: Taking prompt action to accomplish objectives; taking action to achieve goals beyond what is required; being proactive
•Safety Awareness: Identifying and correcting conditions that affect employee safety; upholding safety standards

WORK ENVIRONMENT 
Moderate noise is typical for the work environment for this job.