Temporary - Nature Based Activity Specialist (Austin Nature & Science Center​/Austin Parks and Recreation

Job Description

Duties, Functions and Responsibilities:
Essential duties and functions, pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act, may include the following. Other related duties may be assigned.

• Safely facilitate and actively supervise participants at all times while engaging in a variety of activities.
• Assist with teaching program activities to accommodate various ages, abilities, and interests.
• Regular attendance is essential for this position.
• Attend all sessions of scheduled staff training.
• Serve as a role model, exercising appropriate decision-making, boundary setting, and best practices in education.
• Utilize effective behavior management skills, including enforcing policies fairly, consistently, kindly, and firmly.
• Communicate clearly and professionally with participants, parents, teachers, co-workers, and supervisors.
• Work cooperatively with counselors and other staff.
• Provide excellent customer service.
• Establish a professional rapport with participants which fosters trust, honesty, and a feeling of safety.

Responsibilities – Supervision and/or Leadership Exercised:

• None.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

Must possess required knowledge, skills, abilities, and experience and be able to explain and demonstrate, with or without reasonable accommodations, that the essential functions of the job can be performed.

• Knowledge of educational youth programs and activities.
• Knowledge of safety practices and procedures.
• Skill in oral and written communication.
• Skill in problem solving.
• Skill in handling multiple tasks and prioritizing.
• Ability to work with children including youth with special needs.
• Ability to establish and maintain good working relationships with the City and the public.

Minimum Qualifications:

• High School diploma/GED, and six (6) months of related experience.

Licenses and Certifications

Required:

• Appropriate certifications as specified for the assignment.
• May require certification in CPR, First Aid, Water Safety Instruction, or other areas as specified for the assigned class.
• Texas Class "C" Driver or Commercial Driver license if required for the assignment.

Preferred Education/

Experience:

• Degree in education, early childhood education, environmental studies, ecology, or other related field.

Preferred Skills/Knowledge:

• Experience with environmental education, animal handling, hiking, and other outdoor adventure activities.
• Experience in team building, redirecting challenging behaviors, and setting healthy boundaries with youth ages 4-16 years.
• Experience and skill in interpreting environmental education themes to large groups of participants.
• Ability to fluently communicate (reading, writing, speaking) in English and Spanish.
• Knowledge of the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS).
• Knowledge of age-appropriate hands-on activities and crafts.
• Knowledge of common safety practices and procedures.
• Ability to work with children, including youth with special needs.

Other:

• Ability to travel to more than one work location.

The City of Austin Parks and Recreation Department (APR) provides, protects and preserves a park system that promotes quality recreational, cultural and outdoor experiences for the Austin community. Working with the City of Austin provides a number of health and welfare benefits, such as medical, paid leave time, a great retirement plan, training opportunities and more!

The purpose of the Temporary - Nature Based Activity Specialist position is to act as a School Programs Instructor, outreach specialist, and break camp counselor at the Austin Nature and Science Center.

Additional information about the position:

• Demonstrate interest in and knowledge of nature-based education.
• Familiarity with and knowledge of Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS).
• Safely facilitate and actively supervise PreK - 7th grade students and homeschoolers while engaging in a variety of educational activities.
• Ability to actively instruct educational programs indoors and outdoors in varying weather conditions.
• Modify and teach experiential program activities to accommodate various needs, abilities, and interests.
• Be punctual and consistently work assigned shifts.
• Attend all sessions of scheduled staff…