Program Specialist / Naturalist

Reports to: Facility or Program Supervisor. FLSA status: Exempt – Executive. Requires satisfactory completion of a six-month probationary period. Pay grade: 117. Not safety-sensitive.

About the role

Plan, develop, supervise, and evaluate various Leisure Services Department programs. Duties include program planning, organizing, implementation, and evaluation; supervising and training assigned employees; preparing long- and short-term goals; instructing classes; ensuring safety in programs and facilities; creating and coordinating program publicity and promotion; and performing additional tasks as assigned.

Schedule

Tuesday through Saturday, 8:30 am – 5:30 pm. Regular evening and weekend work expected to meet programs, meetings, and event needs. May be required to work on religious holidays. Regular and predictable attendance is required.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree in outdoor recreation, education, environmental education, forestry, wildlife, anthropology, geology, natural sciences, or related field; with one year of related work experience; or any equivalent combination of education, training, and experience which provides the requisite knowledge, skills, and abilities for the job.
• Valid driver’s license.
• Must obtain within 12 months of hire: Project WET, WILD, and Learning Tree Facilitator Certification; Adopt-A-Stream Chemical and Macroinvertebrate Certification.
• Certified in First Aid/CPR/AED or ability to attain within 6 months of employment.
• Must obtain within twelve months of hire and maintain FEMA’s NIMS 100, 200, 700, and 800 level training.
• One year of supervisory experience preferred.

Responsibilities

• Plans, develops, conducts, and evaluates programs, events, activities, camps, and/or tournaments.
• Supervises, trains, makes hiring recommendations, and evaluates assigned employees, volunteers, and interns; handles all related concerns, directs work assignments, disciplines, and counsels workers when necessary.
• Oversees program instructors and handles contract agreements with contract labor.
• Prepares specific objectives for programs and special events, develops written plans of action, evaluates and adjusts programs as necessary, and maintains records for division/department reporting and assessment.
• Addresses needs of program participants with disabilities and seeks higher-level assistance as needed.
• Prepares annual budget proposal for programs, events, and/or projects; may assist with the development of the budget proposal.
• Coordinates volunteer needs and assists with recruitment and training for programs and special events.
• Creates and coordinates publicity and/or promotional materials for programs and special events, including website maintenance; assists with distribution of materials.
• Prepares, coordinates, and schedules appropriate facilities for programs and special events by coordinating related maintenance, safety/inspections, and security needs and concerns.
• Designs, constructs, maintains, and collects materials for programs, displays, and exhibits.
• Assists with the management of daily operations of the facility; may perform the duties of the facility supervisor when needed.
• Schedules, reserves, and inputs data for programs, events, activities, camps, and/or tournaments into scheduling and reservation software.
• Serves as department liaison for various community groups and organizations.
• Responds to citizen inquiries and complaints; addresses, solves, or forwards complaints to appropriate personnel.
• May be assigned as facility liaison for department social media and/or volunteer task force.
• When assigned to Sandy Creek Nature Center:
  • Plans, schedules, implements, and evaluates educational, recreational, and summer camp programs, including supervision of volunteers, year-round staff, and seasonal staff.
  • Teaches environmental education/natural science topics to groups of all ages using various educational techniques.
  • Facilitates parent-with-toddler programs for ages 18 months through 2 years.
  • Trains volunteers, teachers, and other community members in environmental techniques, methods, and philosophies.
  • Coordinates volunteers for public programs and events, Trail Guides, and teen volunteers.
  • Designs, constructs, and maintains environmental education displays and exhibits.
  • Assists Program Leader with maintenance and care of native animal collection used in programs and exhibits.
  • Supports facility/equipment inspections and upkeep.

Skills

• Knowledge of the principles, practices, and procedures of assigned division in the Leisure Services Department.
• Knowledge of management, human resources management/personnel, financial practices, policies, and procedures as necessary in the completion of daily responsibilities.
• Knowledge of all applicable laws, ordinances, policies, standards, and regulations pertaining to the specific duties and responsibilities of the job.
• Knowledge of established organizational, managerial, human relations methods and techniques.
• Knowledge of principles and practices of recreation administration, relevant laws, ordinances, policies and procedures, budgetary processes, and the theory and principles of program development and implementation in recreation.
• Knowledge of functions, principles, methods, and techniques of public sector planning, including those related to community planning, outdoor recreation planning, and natural and cultural resource planning.
• Knowledge of first aid and CPR, departmental programs, community resources, supervisory practices, rules of a variety of sports, and the techniques, equipment, and supplies used in athletics and park maintenance.
• Proficiency in the use of computers and software related to the position.
• Ability to develop and administer policies, procedures, plans, and activities and to monitor performance of subordinates against established goals.
• Ability to develop and administer operations and staff plans and objectives for the expedience and effectiveness of specific duties of the position.
• Ability to develop and implement long-term goals for the department to promote effectiveness and efficiency.
• Ability to keep abreast of changes in policy, methods, operations, budgetary and equipment needs as they pertain to departmental operations and activities.
• Ability to effectively communicate and interact with subordinates, management, employees, members of the general public, and all other groups involved in the activities of the Athens-Clarke County Government as they relate to the Leisure Services Department.
• Ability to assemble information and make written reports and documents in a concise, clear, and effective manner.
• Ability to use independent judgment and discretion in managing subordinates, including handling emergency situations, determining and deciding upon procedures to be implemented, setting priorities, maintaining standards, and resolving problems.
• Ability to comprehend, interpret, and apply regulations, procedures, and related information.
• Ability to handle required mathematical calculations.
• Ability to plan and coordinate programs involving large groups of people.

Physical requirements

• Must be able to use body members to work, move, or carry objects or materials.
• Must be physically able to operate a variety of machinery and equipment including computers, copying machines, calculators, scanners, and equipment associated with performances.
• Requires walking, standing, bending, stooping, pushing, pulling, lifting, fingering, grasping, feeling, seeing, talking, hearing, and repetitive motions.
• Must be able to exert up to 50 pounds of force occasionally and/or up to 20 pounds of force frequently. Physical demand requirements are at levels of those of medium work.
• Requires the ability to compare and/or judge readily observable functional, structural, or compositional characteristics of data, people, or things.
• Requires the ability to hear, speak, and/or signal people to convey or exchange information, including giving/receiving assignments and/or directions.
• Requires the ability to read a variety of reports, forms, informational documentation, directions, instructions, and methods and procedures; to prepare forms, reports, letters, memoranda, and miscellaneous documents using prescribed formats; and to speak to people with poise, voice control, and confidence.
• Requires the ability to learn and understand basic principles and techniques, to acquire and expound on knowledge of topics related to the primary occupation, and to make independent judgments in the absence of management.
• Requires the ability to record and deliver information, explain procedures, and follow oral and written instructions.
• Requires the ability to utilize mathematical formulas, add and subtract totals, multiply and divide, and determine percentages.
• Requires the ability to inspect items for proper length, width, and shape visually with automated office machines.
• May require the ability to coordinate hands, fingers, and eyes accurately in using automated office equipment and to use the keyboard, lift, bend, push, and pull objects or materials.
• Requires the ability to handle a variety of items such as computers, typewriters, and calculators; ability to use one hand for twisting or turning motion while coordinating the other hand with different activities; minimal levels of eye/hand/foot coordination.
• May require the ability to differentiate between colors and shades of color.
• Requires the ability to deal with people beyond giving and receiving instructions; must be adaptable to performing under moderate stress when confronted with an emergency.
• Requires the ability to talk and/or hear (express or exchange ideas by means of spoken words and perceive the nature of sounds by ear); must be able to communicate via telephone and two-way radio.