Garden Program Specialist

The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board (MPRB) is seeking an enthusiastic and organized Garden Program Specialist to coordinate and deliver environmental education and nature-based programs and services at Eloise Butler Wildflower Garden and Bird Sanctuary (Garden) and greater Theodore Wirth Regional Park.  Additionally, this position works to promote programs; track program and visitor related data; and to support docent volunteers and part-time education staff.  This is a .75 full-time equivalent (FTE) position, typically working weekdays, with occasional evenings and weekends April- December and more frequent weekend work assignments from January-March.   

JOIN OUR CREW, WE NEED YOU:

Join the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board and make a difference in your community!

 

We are seeking employees who love nature, people, and fun. Apply today and enjoy learning new skills, meeting new friends, and serving the community, all while working in our beautiful park system. Whether you are interested in recreation, environmental education, maintenance, or customer service, we have a job for you!

 

Don’t miss this opportunity to be part of one of the premier park systems in the United States. Our picturesque lakes, neighborhood parks, recreation centers, and diversified programming make the park system an important component of what makes Minneapolis a great place to live, play, and work!

• Coordinate and schedule diversified, year-round, nature-based environmental education programs and events for preschoolers, children, teens, families, and volunteers. Make program and activity adaptations for accessibility as needed.  
• Train, support, and assist with scheduling front line staff including part-time, seasonal and youth workers.  
• Assist Gardener Curator with volunteer training, support, and scheduling.
• Coordinate with the Loppet Foundation for winter programming December-March in greater Theodore Wirth Regional Park, including at the Trailhead building.
• Maintain up-to-date processes and procedures for the environmental education program at the Garden including overseeing daily operations.
• Oversee the equipment and material requirements for the Garden's environmental education programs and track inventory.
• Perform administrative functions relating to program management software, scheduling, fee collection, and associated activities.
• Assist with marketing efforts, including writing text for and creating hard copy flyers, information brochures and seasonal displays as well as developing materials for social media posts. 
• Assist MPRB in identifying and addressing the park and recreation needs of underserved and under-represented communities.

Need to Have:

• Two (2) years’ coursework from an accredited college or university with a major in Environmental Education, Natural Sciences, Parks and Recreation Administration, or related field.
• Experience developing and delivering environmental education programming to a range of participants. At least two (2) years
• An equivalent combination of related experience and education may be considered. 
• Valid driver’s license and safe driving record.

Nice to Have:

• Experience coordinating and scheduling environmental education programming involving part-time and/or full-time staff time.
• Fluency in a second language. 

Physical requirements:  
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential duties of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential duties.

• The physical ability to climb, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, reach, stand, walk, drive, push, pull, lift, finger, grasp, feel, talk, hear, see and perform repetitive motions.
• Medium Work: Exerting up to 50 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 20 pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 10 pounds of force constantly to move objects.
• The ability to safely operate a motor vehicle as incumbents are subject to local travel both to and from work locations. Operating office equipment requiring continuous or repetitive hand/arm movements.  The ability to remain in a sitting or standing position for extended periods of time.
• The incumbent may be required to traverse on rough, uneven terrain, as well as wet and slippery surfaces to ascend and descend ladders to access work areas.
• Ability to perform basic outdoor recreational skills such as biking, canoeing, cross-country skiing, and/or snowshoe at a beginner’s level.
• Working outdoors in a natural environment with exposure to extreme heat or cold. 
• Work is performed in a normal office environment 30% to 50% of the time and 50% to 70% of the time is leading programs in the field, attending meetings, and gathering supplies. These percentages will vary by season. 
• Will be required to work alternate work schedule including evenings and weekends and occasional holidays.

Skills Crucial to Success in This Role: 

• Current principles and best practices of environmental education and nature-related programming.
• Cultural competence in engaging people from diverse communities.      
• Coordinate, lead, and administer environmental education activities for enhanced service delivery.
• Lead, support, and evaluate work of part-time and seasonal employees and volunteers.
• Assist in evaluating programs, including performance data, to support improved program and service delivery. 
• Provide both oral and written communication that is easily understood and direct in its content.   
• Demonstrate respect and sensitivity for cultural differences.
• Outstanding customer service principles and practices and standards for a diverse customer base. 

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt
Union Status: AFSCME 3279 

Job Information Session:  A 30 minute Job Information Session will be held on Friday, January 24, 2025 at 12:00PM (noon) CST via conference call.  This is your opportunity to ask questions about the position and to gain a better understanding of the civil service application process.  Interested parties are encouraged to attend by calling (612) 230-6594.

 

View a full list of qualifications and job description 

Learn more about Veteran’s Preference

 

Selection Process:

To apply for this full-time civil service position, applicants must complete an online application with supplemental questions at www.minneapolisparks.org/jobs.  Late applications will be rejected.

What steps the selection process involves:

• We review your minimum qualifications.
• We rate your training and experience based on application materials and supplemental questions (30%).
• We conduct a structured panel interview (oral exam) (70%).
• We calculate your civil service score based on the above components and place you on the eligible list if all testing components are passed (passing score for each component and as an overall score is 70.00 or above).  Eligible list will expire in three (3) months.
• We refer the top finalists to the hiring manager for an interview.
• References, including verification of employment and work performance, may be considered. Past performance and discipline may be considered.
• We conduct a background check.  Upon receiving a conditional offer of employment, the applicant will be asked to sign an informed consent allowing the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board to obtain their criminal history in connection with the positions sought. View the MPRB Background Check Policy at https://www.minneapolisparks.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Background-Check-Policy.pdf

Please note that HR reserves the right to limit the number of people invited to successive testing events.

MPR123

Salary : $28 - $32