What are the responsibilities and job description for the NIC Docent position at City of Dana Point?
Under the general supervision of the City’s Natural Resource Protection Officer to assist in the education of visitors to the Nature Interpretive Center (NIC) and trail system of the Headlands; greet visitors and answer questions; conduct guided tours of the trail system; assist in the facilitation of the Nature Interpretive Center by providing interpretation of displays and answering general questions concerning the biological, cultural, historical, and geological resources of the area; patrol the Dana Point Marine Conservation Area (DPMCA); help provide education that stresses the importance of the conservation of these resources, including educating visitors concerning the rules and regulations of the City’s parks.
CLASS CHARACTERISTICS:
This is a part-time volunteer position for the City of Dana Point.Essential job functions may include, but are not limited to, the following: (Management reserves the right to add, modify, change, or rescind the work assignments of different positions and to make reasonable accommodations so that qualified employees can perform the essential functions of the job.)
1. Provide support to the general operations of the City’s Nature Interpretive Center.
2. Provide educational programming to visitors to the Dana Point Headlands.
3. Provide exceptional customer service to visitors and callers.
4. Explain and enforce facility regulations, policies and procedures to participants; including the
conservation of the parks’ natural resources.
5. Lead educational interpretive hikes of the trail systems of Hilltop Park and Harbor Point Park.
6. Conduct biological monitoring and weed abatement of Hilltop Park and Harbor Point Park.
7. Assist in the general safety and sanitation of facilities.KNOWLEDGE OF:
Knowledge of philosophy, principles, practices, and techniques of resource interpretation and informal
experiential education.
Basic knowledge of local flora, fauna, geologic, historic, and cultural resources is preferred.
Methods and techniques of effective customer service.
Appropriate safety precautions and procedures.
ABILITY TO:
Work independently while supervising the facility, as well as user groups.
Interpret and follow City and departmental policies, laws, and rules.
Understand and follow oral and written instructions.
Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.
Lead participants in structured activities and motivate participation in programs.
Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with those contacted in the course of work,
specifically with program participants and co-workers.
Follow established safety standards.
EDUCATION and EXPERIENCE:
Graduation from high school or completion of a GED is preferred.
Demonstrated experience in community service activities.
Classroom instruction in biology, natural resources, or history preferred.
LICENSES or CERTIFICATES:
Possession of CPR and First Aid certification is preferred.PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to
successfully perform the essential functions of this job. The position requires the ability to communicate in
person and over the telephone; to perform light to moderate lifting and carrying; frequent standing and
walking; occasional sitting, squatting, reaching, grasping, kneeling, and twisting. Volunteers interested in
leading interpretive hikes would be required to walk and hike in dry, rocky, and uneven environments, as
well as be exposed to varied weather and other environmental conditions.
WORK ENVIRONMENT:
The Nature Interpretive Center is primarily an office environment with controlled temperature conditions and
no direct exposure to hazardous physical substances. Occasional field work (on a volunteer-basis only)
would require the volunteer to work in varied weather and other environmental conditions, as well as
walking and hiking in dry, rocky, and uneven environments.
FLSA: