Temporary - Activity Specialist (Natural Resources Programs/Parks and Recreation Department)

Minimum Qualifications
Education and/or Equivalent Experience:

• Graduation from an accredited high school or equivalent, plus one (1) year of experience in children’s programs or youth activities.

Notes to Applicants

The City of Austin Parks and Recreation Department ( PARD ) 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! Click HERE for more information.

The purpose of this temporary Nature-Based Activity Specialist position is to act as the early childhood educator for the Nature’s Way Preschool at the Austin Nature & Science Center.

Additional information about the position:

• Demonstrate interest in and knowledge of tenets of nature-based education, inquiry-based learning, emergent curriculum, and early childhood education standards.
• Safely facilitate and actively supervise participants ages 3-5 at all times while engaging in a variety of activities throughout the seasons and in all types of weather.
• Spend approximately 70%-80% of each class day outside in nature.
• Develop, modify, and teach early childhood program activities to accommodate various needs, abilities, and interests.
• Be punctual and consistently work assigned shifts.
• Attend all sessions of scheduled staff training and weekly staff meetings.
• Participate in guardian/teacher conferences as needed and scheduled community events.
• Serve as a role-model, exercising appropriate decision-making and boundary setting.
• Utilize effective behavior management skills including enforcing policies fairly, consistently, kindly and firmly.
• Maintain the physical space by performing classroom housekeeping and outdoor play yard management regularly.
• Communicate clearly and professionally with participants, guardians, co-workers, and supervisor.
• Work cooperatively with co-instructors and other staff.
• Provide excellent customer service.
• Complete reports and forms and assist with maintaining records in accordance with City of Austin ( COA ) and Parks & Recreation Department ( PARD ) policies and procedures.
• Be willing to take a minimum of twenty-four (24) hours of state-licensing mandated training per year.
• Carry out other duties as assigned.

Application Instructions/Job Requirements:

• Application: A detailed, complete application is required, and applicants must include on their Employment Record all experience (work and/or volunteer) related to this job posting - up to 10 years or more; this will be used to determine your base compensation. Employment Record dates must include month and year. Verification of employment history dates on resume should match online Employment Application. Statements such as “See Resume” will not be accepted and a resume alone will not be accepted in lieu of a complete online application.
• Driving Requirement: This position requires a valid Texas Class C Texas Drivers License or the ability to acquire one by your hire date. External New Hires must meet the City of Austin’s Driver Record Evaluation ( DRE ) requisite . To be considered for a driving position, applicants cannot have more than three moving violations or a total of six Driver Record Evaluation points within a period of thirty-six (36) months.
• Military/Veteran Preference for Interview Process: An applicant claiming Military/Veteran status must provide a copy of his or her DD-214(s), or valid comparable document, at the time of interview.
• Physical Requirements : Tasks may involve bending, lifting, walking, carrying or using a force equal to lifting up to thirty-five (35) pounds. Must be physically and mentally able to communicate, respond and work with participant’s needs and safety issues. Possess the ability to work outdoors in any and all types of weather and/or inclement conditions.
• Work/Location Schedule Notes: May be required to work during special events, evenings, weekends & holidays. Work schedule and location is subject to change based on department needs and programs. May be required to work at various work locations.

Other Information:

• Application Status Communication: Please note that you will be contacted if you are selected to move forward in the hiring process. Once the department is no longer hiring for this position, you may receive a notification informing you the position is closed and the hiring process is concluded.
• Travel: If you are selected for this position, and meet the Driver Safety Standards in the City of Austin Driver Safety Program , you may drive when necessary to multiple locations as part of your regular job duties. Otherwise, you are responsible for getting to and from these locations.
• Tobacco and Vape-Free Workplace: PARD work site locations are tobacco-free. Use of tobacco products and/or e-cigarettes is not permitted on any PARD work site - including construction sites, parking lots, garages or in any personal vehicles located on the premises.

Pay Range
$20.80 per hour
Hours
Work/Location Schedule Notes:

• Variable schedule, 32-35 hours per week.
• Availability needed September through April.
• Work schedule and location is subject to change based on department needs and programs.
• May be required to work during city emergencies such as extreme weather events.

Job Close Date 08/25/2024 Type of Posting External Department Parks and Recreation Regular/Temporary Temporary Grant Funded or Pooled Position Not Applicable Category Professional Location Austin Nature & Science Center - 301 Nature Center Dr. Preferred Qualifications
Preferred Education/Experience:

• Degree in early childhood education, child development, biology, or other related field.
• Experience with basic animal handling, hiking, and/or gardening.

Preferred Skills/Knowledge:

• Ability to fluently communicate (reading, writing, speaking) in English and Spanish.
• Knowledge of early childhood programs and activities.
• Knowledge of safety practices and procedures.
• Ability to work with children, including youth with special needs.

Other:

• Ability to travel to more than one work location.

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. Utilize effective behavior management skills, including enforcing policies fairly, consistently, kindly and firmly. Communicate clearly and professionally with, participants, parents, co-workers and supervisor. Work cooperatively with counselors and other staff. Provide customer service. Other duties as assigned. Establish a professional rapport with participants which fosters trust, honesty, and a feeling of safety.

Responsibilities - Supervisor and/or Leadership Exercised:
May assist in orienting and/or training personnel in performance of job tasks.
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 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.

Criminal Background Investigation This position has been approved for a Criminal Background Investigation. EEO/ADA
City of Austin is committed to compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. If you require reasonable accommodation during the application process or have a question regarding an essential job function, please call (512) 974-3210 or Texas Relay by dialing 7-1-1.

The City of Austin will not discriminate against any applicant or employee based on race, creed, color, national origin, sex, gender identity, age, religion, veteran status, disability, or sexual orientation. In addition, the City will not discriminate in employment decisions on the basis of an individual’s AIDS , AIDS Related Complex, or HIV status; nor will the City discriminate against individuals who are perceived to be at risk of HIV infection, or who associate with individuals who are believed to be at risk.
Information For City Employees: If you are an employee within the department, are in good standing and meet both the minimum and preferred qualifications, then you will receive an initial interview.

Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).
* This position requires a high school diploma or equivalent. Do you meet this requirement?

• Yes
• No

* Please tell us about your experience working in early childhood education.
(Open Ended Question)
* Please tell us about your experience working in the field of environmental or nature-based education.
(Open Ended Question)
* Are you bilingual in English/Spanish or English/other language?

• Fluent in two or more languages - read, write, speak
• Bilingual and able to speak in a second language
• Bilingual and understand if someone is speaking to me in a second language
• None of the above

* Do you have a valid CPR/AED/First Aid Certification?

• Yes
• No

* The position requires CPR/AED and First Aid certifications. Will you be able to obtain these certifications prior to the first day of programming?

• Yes
• No

* Do you have the ability to travel to multiple sites as part of the regular job duties?

• Yes
• No

* This position requires a criminal background investigation (CBI). By selecting the following, you are acknowledging that you understand if you are selected as a top candidate for this position, you will need a successful CBI to be hired.

• I acknowledge and understand this position requires a Criminal Background Investigation.

* Please note that you will be contacted if you are selected to move forward in the hiring process. Once the department is no longer hiring for this position, you may receive a notification informing you the position is closed and the hiring process is concluded.

• Yes. I acknowledge and understand the statement above.

Optional & Required Documents

Required Documents Resume Optional Documents

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