Part Time Nature Center Worker - Independence Oaks

Oakland County is more than just a workplace. It is a place where you can make a real difference. As one of Michigan’s leading public service organizations, we are committed to strengthening communities, delivering essential services, and improving the quality of life for nearly 1.3 million residents. When you join our team, you become part of a mission-driven workforce guided by integrity, innovation, and a passion for public service.

About the role

This position is limited to 1,000 hours per year and is located at the Wint Nature Center at Independence Oaks Park. The Part Time Nature Center Worker serves in a receptionist role and assists the Nature Education team with programming and events. This role supports a clean, safe, and efficient experience for guests by performing office duties, greeting guests, answering phones, and helping with program setup, cleanup, and custodial duties as needed. Work includes weekends, evenings, and some holidays.

Pay rate: $16.04 per hour.

Responsibilities

• Answers guest inquiries such as providing directions within the park, emergency procedures, lost and found procedures, and handles complaints and other situations.
• Ensures the assigned work area is clean and organized by frequently stocking merchandise, removing debris or trash, and maintaining a presentable environment.
• Performs customer service duties and office assignments, including typing park correspondence, answering phone inquiries, and filing.
• Assists with groundskeeping and maintenance duties as directed by higher-level staff, which may include operating hand tools such as trimmers, shovels, trowels, or performing other maintenance support tasks and custodial duties.
• Supports the safety of park guests through observation, reporting of risks, and participating in emergency response protocols as directed by higher-level staff and emergency response teams.
• Utilizes current Countywide and/or department-specific software to complete assignments.
• Answers public inquiries regarding other County parks.
• Performs the duties of part-time seasonal employees in various classes when necessary.

Requirements

• Must have passed their 18th birthday OR be at least 16 years old and a high school graduate or meet State requirements for a G.E.D. certificate; OR be an emancipated minor. Note: If assigned to Golf Course Pro Shop, Grill rooms, or Beverage Cart, must have passed their 18th birthday due to the sale of alcoholic beverages.
• Possess a valid United States motor vehicle operator’s or chauffeur’s license. Out-of-country driver’s license holders will be required to obtain the appropriate valid State of Michigan driver’s license before the hire date.
• Pass the complete examination, including the employment medical, established for this classification.
• Must maintain a valid United States motor vehicle operator's or chauffeur’s license.

Qualifications

• Reasonable knowledge of customer service interactions and ability to communicate with others.
• Some knowledge of the use of elementary hand and power tools.
• Reasonable knowledge of and ability to practice standard safety techniques.
• Reasonable ability to perform routine, repetitive, and/or manual tasks.
• Reasonable ability to maintain personal cleanliness and a presentable public appearance.
• Reasonable ability to follow standardized oral and written instructions.
• Reasonable ability to work and cooperate in a team effort to successfully complete an assignment.

Essential Mental & Physical Requirements

• Ability to communicate to accurately convey information.
• Ability to operate equipment as assigned to complete work duties, including but not limited to computers, phones, hand tools, power tools such as weed whips, blowers, snow throwers, motorized grounds-keeping tractors and ride-on mowers, golf carts, or other maintenance vehicles.

Working Conditions

Work is performed in an outdoor environment with exposure to heat, cold, and other weather elements.

Benefits

Oakland County offers competitive pay and comprehensive benefits. For more information about Oakland County benefits and employee perks, visit Oakland County Benefits.