What are the responsibilities and job description for the Education Program Specialist (BBS) position at BREC, LA?
Salary : $44,137.60 - $70,636.80 Annually
Location : Baton Rouge, LA
Job Type : Full Time Non-Exempt
Job Number : EPSBBS2025
Department : Recreation
Division : Bluebonnet Swamp
Opening Date : 02 / 21 / 2025
Closing Date : 3 / 7 / 2025 5 : 00 PM Central
FLSA : Exempt
General Summary
The Education Program Specialist at Bluebonnet Swamp is responsible for planning, developing, and coordinating the comprehensive educational and recreational programming (programs, holiday and summer camps, events, tours, etc.) at Bluebonnet Swamp Nature Center (BSNC) or other assigned locations in accordance with BREC's Natural Resources Management Plan. This position will work to increase public awareness and appreciation of BSNC, BREC's natural resources and green initiatives through interpretation (both oral and written), programming, working with volunteers and partners, outreach, and collaboration within the BREC system. This position is also responsible for overseeing the care and maintenance of the captive live animal collection used for education and exhibit purposes. This individual will supervise the full time Educators, part time and seasonal staff as well as recruit and oversee volunteers. This position serves as one of two of BSNC's primary supervisory positions under the administrative oversight of the Special Facility Manager.
Requirements and Job Specifications
Education Required : Graduation from an accredited 4-year college or university.
Education Preferred : Master's degree from an accredited college or university.
Area of Study (major) Required : Education, Natural Science or related field
Certification(s) Required : First Aid & CPR certification w / in 30 days of hire. Food Manager certification through StateFoodSafety w / in 30 days of hire.
Certification(s) Preferred : Membership in or CIP / CIT / CIG certification through National Association of Interpretation (NAI).
License(s) Required : Valid LA driver's license.
Years Relevant Work Experience Required : 3 years coordinating educational related events and activities or 3 years teaching at an accredited institution. Equivalent combination of education and experience will be considered.
Years Relevant Work Experience Preferred : 10 or more years related experience.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities :
- Broad-based knowledge of natural sciences including botany, horticulture, geology, hydrology, chemistry, wetland functions, wildlife management and environmental ecology
- Excellent research and educational skills
- Excellent public relations and interpersonal skills
- Excellent written and oral communication skills for public speaking
- Ability to train & direct staff
- Experience in general office practices and computer skills
- Knowledge of basic animal husbandry, particularly of reptiles, including live handling
- Ability to work flexible hours including holidays, evenings, and weekends for programs or events
- Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees, staff, volunteers, patrons, BREC officials, community interest groups, and the general public.
- Ability to quickly learn BREC policies and procedures and Programs
Functions and Duties
Essential Functions and Duties :
This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by this employee. He or she will be required to follow any other instructions and to perform any other duties as requested by his or her supervisor
Supplemental Information
Full-time position; scheduled within framework of 8 hours per day, 5 days per week, may vary according to special events; frequent weekend and evening work; lunch break daily; overtime as required.
2025 FULL-TIME EMPLOYEE BENEFITS
HEALTH INSURANCE : Comprehensive medical benefits including HMO, PPO, and Blue Saver (Qualified High Deductible High Health Plan) and options are provided through Louisiana Blue. Coverage is effective the first of the month, following two months of employment, a (2 month waiting period). Employee cost per month for HMO : $175.43 - employee only; $597.45 - employee & spouse or employee & dependent children; $962.52 - family. Employee cost per month for PPO : $375.23 - employee only; $975.50 - employee & spouse or employee & dependent children; $1,492.70 - family. Employee cost per month for Blue Saver : $39.08 - employee only; $162.68 - employee & spouse or employee & dependent children; $290.49 - family.
LIFE INSURANCE : All full-time employees are insured under a Group Term-Life Insurance policy through Equitable Life Insurance Company a subsidiary of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana. Coverage is subject to decrease at age 65 and 70. There is no cost to the employee except for salaries more than $50,000 which are subject to the imputed income clause under the IRS regulations. Coverage is effective immediately.
RETIREMENT SYSTEM : BREC contributions to the City-Parish Employees' Retirement System for each employee amount to 37.41% of salary. Employees contribute at the rate of 9.5%. Retirement contributions are tax deferred. Personal contributions are kept on account and refunded if employees leave BREC before their retirement. Additional benefit opportunities are available after 25 years through the DROP program. BREC also offers a Supplemental Retirement DEFERRED COMPENSATION PLAN through payroll deduction.
HOLIDAYS : BREC employees receive twelve (12) paid holidays per year.
SICK LEAVE : BREC employees accumulate sick leave at the rate of 100 hours per year the first five years they are employed; accrual of hours will increase based on the number of years of service, thereafter, up to 192 hours for 15 or more years. Employee is eligible to utilize leave after 30 days of continuous employment.
ANNUAL LEAVE : BREC employees earn annual leave at the rate of 100 hours per year the first five years they are employed; accrual of hours will increased based on the number of years of service, thereafter, up to 192 hours for 15 or more years. Employee is eligible to utilize leave after 90 days of continuous employment.
FULL-TIME STATUS : Upon completion of a six-month probationary periods and approval of supervisor, full-time status will be achieved.
EMPLOYEE DISCOUNTS : BREC full-time employees can take advantage of a generous discount. Some restrictions may apply. See the discount policy for more details.
EAP : BREC's Employee Assistance Program (EAP) is administered by Lucet. They EAP helps employees and their family members resolve personal or work-related problems.
CREDIT UNION : BREC employees are eligible to join the City Federal Credit Union and / or Pelican State Credit Union and enlist in payroll deduction plan. Direct deposit to the Credit Union is also available.
FEDERAL STUDENT LOAN FORGIVENESS : BREC is a qualifying employer for public service loan forgiveness. Employees who have Federal Direct Loans and have made 120 payments on the Federal Direct Loans (after October 1, 2007) may be eligible for the remaining loan balance to be forgiven.
LA START : This 529 Qualified Tuition savings plan may be open on behalf of a named Beneficiary by anyone, including legal entities, provided that the Account Owner or the Beneficiary is a resident of Louisiana. Account Owners may save at their own pace, in amounts they can afford.
FSA : BREC offers an FSA that allows employees to contribute a portion of their regular earnings before taxes. Distributions from the account must be used to reimburse the employee for qualified expenses related to medical and dental services.
SUPPLEMENT BENEFITS : BREC offers voluntary benefits through AFLAC or Colonial Life. Those benefits include accident insurance, critical care, life, LTD and STD.
BREC reserves the right to at any time and from time to time to modify or amend, in whole or in part, any or all of the provisions of the benefit package.
Do you have a valid Louisiana driver's license?
Do you have a bachelor's degree, or higher, from an accredited 4 year college or university with a major in education or natural sciences?
This position requires at least three (3) years of experience coordinating educational events or at least three (3) years teaching at an accredited institution. Do you have the required experience, and if so, please summarize that experience in the space below?
Required Question
Salary : $44,138 - $70,637
