Park Activities Coordinator

Overview

Parks and Recreation/North Bend State Park

Under the general supervision of the Park Superintendent and Assistant Superintendent, this employee functions as the Nature Interpretation, Naturalist, and Recreation Activities Coordinator for North Bend State Park. The employee researches, plans, coordinates, promotes, and conducts a variety of interpretive, educational, recreational, and special event programs for park guests, visitors, schools, community organizations, and the general public of all ages. Programs are designed to interpret the natural, cultural, and historical resources of the park system while increasing visitor understanding, enjoyment, stewardship, and awareness of West Virginia State Parks.

The employee plans weekly programs and activities and provides specific information to the central office for promotion, advertising and marketing of these events. Responsibilities also include providing interpretive presentations, guided hikes, campfire programs, educational games, slideshow presentations, crafts, nature walks, and evening programming for visitors of all ages. The employee works closely with the Statewide Program Activities Coordinator to ensure North Bend's participation and compliance in system wide program goals.

The employee will plan and carry out a variety of special events at the park and statewide by coordinating entertainment, activities, lodging, and food components of such events.

• Train, supervise, and evaluate seasonal naturalists, volunteers, and support staff in the performance of interpretive and recreational activities.
• Maintain a positive and professional attitude while working with large numbers of park guests and handle guest requests and complaints in a courteous manner that reflects positively on the park system.
• Demonstrate exceptional public speaking, communication, and customer service skills to welcome, orient, and engage visitors in indoor and outdoor settings, including high-volume visitation areas, weekends, holidays, and evening events.
• Coordinate special events and statewide programming initiatives by organizing entertainment, lodging, food service, educational speakers, activities, and logistics for park events and public programs.
• Work closely with restaurant management, lodge managers, group services, tourism agencies, local organizations, schools, foundations, and statewide program coordinators to develop and promote events that increase park attendance, community engagement, and revenue.
• Prepare program evaluations, attendance reports, monthly written reports, and profit and loss statements for special events while ensuring compliance with statewide programming goals and deadlines.
• Manage nature center operations and recreational equipment and maintain wildlife exhibits, interpretive displays, signage, and educational materials.
• Order and stock gift shop or program supplies, conduct cash and credit transactions, and manage inventories of brochures, displays, and recreational equipment.
• Schedule educational field trips, youth engagement programs, Junior Naturalist activities, outreach programs, and community presentations for schools, libraries, senior centers, churches, and civic organizations.
• Collaborate with state and federal agencies, conservation organizations, tourism partners, educational institutions, and community groups to support park initiatives, outreach, conservation education, and recreational programming.
• Prepare written materials, respond to emails and public inquiries in a professional and timely manner, conduct field surveys, attend statewide trainings and meetings, follow purchasing procedures, operate state vehicles as required, wear the assigned park uniform, and perform related duties as assigned. Regular attendance is required.

• Training:
  Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with a major or minor in botany, zoology, geology, natural history, recreation, park management, forestry, conservation, or natural science.
• Substitution:
  Experience may substitute for the required training on a year-for-year basis.
• Experience:
  
  One year of full-time or equivalent part-time paid experience in one of the fields listed above.
• Substitution:
  Graduate work in botany, zoology, geology, natural history, recreation, park management, forestry, conservation, or related field may be substituted for the experience.