Part Time Recreation Program Specialist – Nature Guide

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, scheduled approximately 20 hours per week. The Nature Guide designs experiences that introduce participants to parks and natural systems and intentionally guide progression from initial discovery to deeper engagement, repeat participation, and stewardship involvement. Provides leadership and direction to part-time staff and volunteers during programs, field experiences, and special events across nature centers, farms, and park facilities. Works weekends, evenings, and holidays.

Rate of pay: $21.50 per hour. Will be assigned to one of three Oakland County Nature Center locations: Johnson Nature Center (Bloomfield Hills), Red Oaks Nature Center (Madison Heights), or Wint Nature Center (Clarkston).

Responsibilities

• Researches, designs, develops, and implements outdoor learning experiences that support the mission of Oakland County Parks, incorporating nature-based and farm-based learning grounded in inquiry-driven and place-based approaches.
• Designs experiences that introduce participants to parks and natural systems and intentionally guide progression from initial discovery to deeper engagement, repeat participation, and stewardship involvement.
• Provides leadership and direction to part-time staff and volunteers during programs, field experiences, and special events across nature centers, farms, and park facilities.
• Ensures delivery of high-quality, hands-on, and immersive learning experiences that foster curiosity, connection to place, and ongoing participation in the parks system.
• Advances park activation by developing and supporting outdoor learning opportunities that encourage frequent and year-round use of park sites.
• Integrates formal programs with informal, self-directed, and drop-in experiences to expand access and increase repeat visitation.
• Evaluates the effectiveness of outdoor learning initiatives using participant feedback, engagement metrics, repeat participation, and contribution to systemwide outcomes, including increased activation, deeper connection to nature, and progression into stewardship or volunteer involvement.
• Uses data to inform continuous improvement and align with organizational goals.
• Identifies target audiences, emerging topics, and community needs to expand and enhance outdoor learning opportunities across ecological and agricultural contexts.
• Recommends program and experience adjustments to ensure relevance, accessibility, and alignment with resident expectations and mission priorities.
• Designs and implements pathways that connect participants to stewardship, volunteerism, and conservation actions.
• Supports development of community ownership by linking learning experiences to real-world environmental and health outcomes and opportunities for civic engagement.
• Collaborates with local communities, schools, and partner organizations to co-create and deliver outdoor learning experiences that reflect community needs and strengthen connections between residents and parks.
• Supports the development of a countywide learning and stewardship network.
• Utilizes County vehicles and equipment to support program delivery across multiple locations. Communicates with Supervisor regarding vehicle and equipment status, including maintenance, safety, cleanliness, and operational readiness.
• Utilizes software systems to support planning, coordination, evaluation, and reporting of outdoor learning activities and outcomes.
• May coordinate work schedules for part-time seasonal staff and volunteers.
• May prepare reports on weekly, monthly, and end-of-season activities as needed.
• May assist with tracking inventory, purchasing supplies, and making recommendations to the budget process.
• May be responsible for cleaning or maintenance tasks, performing basic repairs, restocking machines, and providing basic technical support to staff.
• May independently respond to operations problems as they arise to provide customers with a safe and enjoyable park experience.
• May provide support for partnerships and sponsorships that support park operations, park development, community outreach, or recreational programs and events.
• May interact with administrative staff, external partners, and sponsors to coordinate scheduling, planning, and implementation of group activities and special events hosted at park facilities.
• May provide input for grant applications or assist with tracking and reporting on grant-funded programs.

Supervision Exercised

Functions as a leader over part-time seasonal staff and volunteers. Instructs, directs, assigns, schedules, checks, and appraises performance (oversees 1–40 staff per shift, depending on work assignment).

Requirements

• Be at least 18 years old.
• Have at least six (6) months of full-time equivalent experience in a supervisory or administrative capacity, preferably in a park, recreation, and/or program setting; OR have at least six (6) months paid or voluntary experience in leadership for organizations such as civic, philanthropic, school clubs, and/or sports teams.
• Possess a valid motor vehicle operator’s or chauffeur’s license.
• Must maintain a valid United States motor vehicle operator's or chauffeur’s license.
• If assigned to a youth recreational program, prior to employment, candidates will be required to provide documentation from the Michigan Department of Human Services that they have not been named in a central registry case as the perpetrator of child abuse or child neglect. Applicants will also be asked to authorize a criminal history check.
• Applicants will not be considered if they have been convicted of either child abuse or neglect, or a felony involving harm or threatened harm to an individual within the 10 years immediately preceding the date of hire.

Qualifications

• Familiar with Oakland County Parks and Recreation Commission Rules and Regulations for park properties.
• Considerable ability to establish favorable working relationships with others.
• Considerable knowledge of cash management practices, point of sale functions, and customer service.
• Physical condition that permits performing manual duties outdoors in varying weather conditions, standing and walking, and lifting of heavy objects as needed.
• Considerable ability to work under pressure in emergency situations.
• Reasonable ability to maintain personal cleanliness and a presentable public appearance.
• Reasonable knowledge of safety practices.
• Familiar with current word processing, spreadsheet, database, e-mail, and Internet software.

Essential Mental & Physical Requirements

• Ability to communicate and perform duties related to the functionality of the assigned Parks & Recreation facility.
• Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals.
• Ability to provide written and oral instruction to others.

Working Conditions

• Work is performed primarily outside with exposure to weather conditions.
• May participate in duties that require driving or being a passenger in an automobile.
• Must be able to work evenings, weekends, and some holidays.

Benefits

We offer competitive pay, comprehensive benefits, and the opportunity to do meaningful work that matters. For more information about Oakland County benefits and employee perks, please visit Oakland County Benefits.