Nature Engagement Assistant - NW Trek Wildlife Park

Work where you play!
Join our team at Metro Parks Tacoma to put your skills to use serving your community and making Tacoma a vibrant, healthy, and welcoming place to live.
 
Who We Are
Metro Parks Tacoma (MPT) is a CAPRA-accredited and AZA-accredited, independent park district that leads efforts to build a healthy, sustainable community. Located in Tacoma, Washington, Metro Parks’ mission is to create healthy opportunities to play, learn, and grow. The independent park district spans the city providing a wide range of life-enriching destinations and services, including 70 parks, 80 miles of trails, 1,000 acres of urban forest, 66 playgrounds, four community centers, Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium, Northwest Trek Wildlife Park, Point Defiance Park, and much more. Our work is guided by eight core values that are the foundation of our actions and goals: innovation, excellence, equity, inclusiveness, sustainability, accountability, safety, and fun.
 
Why You’ll Love it Here
 Come work with us and work where you play! You will contribute to the overall vitality and well-being of your community when you work for Metro Parks Tacoma, and you’ll do so as part of a supportive team of committed, passionate, and mission-driven professionals. The people of Metro Parks are the key to its success, and you just might be the next great addition to our team.  On top of that, you’ll wake each day knowing that you’re helping make Tacoma a great place to call home.
 
Position Information
Under the direction of an assigned supervisor, this position is responsible for assisting in preparing for and delivering environmental educational programming for diverse audiences, including school children, preschool and home school groups, adults and assisting with Wild Drive tours, playground monitoring, and special events.

The anticipated start date for the first round of hires into this position is 5/16/2024.

In the performance of their respective tasks and duties all employees are expected to:

• Perform quality work within deadlines with or without direct supervision.
• Interact professionally with other employees, customers and suppliers.
• Work effectively as a team contributor on all assignments.
• Work independently while understanding the necessity for communicating and coordinating work efforts with other employees and organizations.
• Observe applicable safety requirements, use safety equipment provided, implement appropriate safety practices at all times and report immediately any unsafe working conditions or hazards.

• Deliver engaging nature-based programs and experiences at a variety of sites.
• Engage with visitors of all ages at Cheney Discovery Center, Baker Research Cabin, and with roving interpretive carts.
• Operate a motor vehicle while assisting with Wild Drive tours.
• Monitor Kids Trek Nature Playground to ensure visitor safety
• Assist with preparation and visitor engagement during special events such as Hoot ‘N Howl and Slug Fest.
• Other duties as assigned.

ENVIRONMENT:
Indoor and outdoor environment in a variety of weather conditions.
Extensive contact with the public.

PHYSICAL ABILITIES:
Standing for extended periods of time.
Lifting and carrying boxes as needed.
Walking throughout the park.

HAZARDS:
Contact with dissatisfied or abusive individuals.

METRO PARKS TACOMA IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER.
All qualified persons will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, sexual orientation, political affiliation, disability or any other merit factor. Members of ethnic minorities, women, special disabled veterans, veterans of the Vietnam-era, recently separated veterans, and other protected veterans, persons of disability and/or persons age 40 and over are encouraged to apply.
 
MPT employs only U.S. citizens and lawfully authorized non-U.S. citizens. All new employees must show employment eligibility verification as required by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.
 
MPT is committed to providing access and reasonable accommodation in its services, programs, activities, education and employment for individuals with disabilities. To request disability accommodation in the application process, contact Human Resource at hr@tacomaparks.com.
 
Employment is subject to a national background check.
 
This position is an at-will position with no written or implied contractual agreement.

Salary : $16