What are the responsibilities and job description for the Part Time Nature Center Educator- Eastway Regional Recreation Center position at Mecklenburg County?
Follow Your Calling, Find Your Career
Please Apply By: Wednesday, March 5, 2025
Hiring Range: $24.57/hr - $32.25/hr
This is a non-exempt (hourly) position. Pay rates are based on education, skill, experience level and internal equity. Internal equity considerations include an assessment of the applicant’s qualifications in comparison to the market rate and requirements for the job.
At Mecklenburg County, you’ll have the chance to build a career as unique as you are with support, inclusive culture and technology to become the best version of you. We’re counting on YOUR unique voice and perspective to help Mecklenburg County become even better, too. Join us and build an exceptional experience for yourself, and a better working world for all.
Did you know that Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation proudly hosts many community events each year? Hummingbird Festival, The Senior Games and Festival in the Park are just a few that our employees and residents look forward to every year! Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation Department (MCPRD) strives to enrich the lives of our residents. We do this by providing exciting and safe recreational amenities and programs, change to improve our resident’s fitness levels and decrease health care costs. This contributes to a sense of community through events and spaces for the public to socialize, thereby increasing property values and providing tourism venues. We protect open space, natural areas, and our treasured tree canopy through stewardship. We play a critical role in ensuring Mecklenburg County achieves its vision that the county “will be a community of pride and choice for people to LIVE, WORK and RECREATE.” The department serves a population exceeding one million residents and serves the City of Charlotte, six towns, and the unincorporated areas of the county covering 523 square miles. In addition, the department manages over 21,000 acres and 230 parks, nature preserves, greenways and facilities. The Mecklenburg County Park & Recreation Department is continually recognized for its cutting-edge programs, state-of the-art facilities and unique partnerships. Our success is rooted in our staff. If you are interested in joining a dynamic team, dedicated to building a better community, and being recognized as leaders both in our community and across the country, then Mecklenburg County has great opportunities for you.
POSITION SUMMARY
Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation is seeking an innovative and creative Part Time Nature Center Educator to join our team of environmental education professionals! This position will implement a variety of hands-on environmental education initiatives at Eastway Regional Recreation Center in support of our mission to enhance community wellness through recreation, open space and natural resources. This position will assist with exhibit design, develop educational materials, and provide care for program animals. In addition, the selected candidate will assist with planning and implementation of afterschool programs, summer ecology camps and other special events. In order to best serve our community, the preferred candidate would be bilingual in English and Spanish. The schedule for this position will consist of approximately 29 hours per week to include rotating weekends and some evenings based on building usage, and peak visitation.
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
- Bilingual skills highly preferred
- Experience with developing environmental education programs for diverse audiences
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
- Develop, schedule, and conduct environmental education and interpretive programs for all ages and diverse audiences, including facility tours, curricular school programs, summer camp programs, public lectures, special events, outreach programs, live animal programs and field experiences in a variety of outdoor environments both on and off-site
- Design thematic and curricular lesson plans and pre- and post- visit materials for school and public programs
- Maintain program props, interpretive displays, native plant gardens, and demonstration compost areas
- Assist with planning and implementation of teacher workshops and special events
- Assist with care of a variety of native animals including fish, reptiles, amphibians, and insects; maintain feeding and maintenance schedules; and ensure adequate supplies are available
- Assist with development of educational exhibits, interpretive brochures, and other educational materials
- Assume duties in the absence of the supervisor
- Assist with Outdoor Recreation programming as needed
- Maintain general housekeeping in work area
- May supervise part-time and/or temporary staff and coordinate volunteer efforts
- Works as part of an overall team of program staff at all nature centers within Mecklenburg County
- Follows the work plan as prepared by the supervisor
- Responds to emergency situations
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Experience: Minimum of four (4) years of experience in environmental education/interpretive program development
Education: Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Studies, Biological Studies, Education, Communications, or a related field.
Combination of relevant experience and relevant education accepted?: Yes
Computer Skills: General knowledge of applicable computer programs
Licenses/Certifications: Requires a valid North Carolina or South Carolina Driver’s License and County Driving Privileges; One of the following: Certified Interpretive Guide (CIG), North Carolina Environmental Education (NCEE) Certification, Master Naturalist Certification; Ability to obtain Certified Interpretive Guide within first year of employment
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES
- Educational programming and instruction in assigned area
Skills:
- Applying classroom knowledge through hands-on activities
- Lesson planning
- Developing and enforcing classroom rules and safety procedure
- Managing multiple tasks concurrently
- Organizing and presenting demonstrations in area of specialization
Abilities:
- Building Partnerships: Identifying opportunities and taking action to build strategic relationships between one’s area and other areas, teams, departments, units or organizations to help achieve business goals
- Building Trust: Interacting with others in a way that instills confidence in one’s intentions and those of the organization
- Customer Service: Effectively meeting customer needs; building productive customer relationships; taking responsibility for customer satisfaction and loyalty
- Energy: Consistently maintaining high levels of activity or productivity; operating with vigor, effectiveness, and determination over extended periods of time
- 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
- Initiating Action: Taking prompt action to accomplish objectives; take action to achieve goals beyond what is required; being proactive
- Time Management and follow through: Effectively managing one’s time and resources to ensure that work is completed efficiently
REASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONS STATEMENT
To accomplish this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform, with or without reasonable accommodation, each essential function satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to help enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
\DISCLAIMER STATEMENT
This is not intended to be an all-inclusive list of job-related responsibilities, duties, skills, requirements or working conditions. Other duties may be assigned based on business need and the supervisor’s request. Mecklenburg County reserves the right to revise the job description at any time. Designated positions may be required to assist in emergency and/or disaster situations.
Salary : $25 - $32
