Park Specialist

We respect and embrace the experiences, knowledge and contributions of our team members. We strive for a culture of belonging and balance by upholding our values : Stewardship, Integrity, Collaboration, Respect and Innovation. We are passionate about Missouri, our role to preserve, protect and enhance our environment and we are committed to serving its’ citizens. We believe our mission and vision serves a greater purpose and will be felt for generations to come.

Please note : The salary range listed in this job description is a base salary. Applicants eligible for years-of-service adjustments or shift differentials may exceed salary range listed above.

This position will be located at Big Oak Tree State Park at 13640 South Hwy 102, East Prairie MO 63845. Work shifts will vary according to facility demands and will include working weekends and holidays. Housing is available.

• Assist in directing the overall operation and maintenance of Big Oak Tree State Park, including day use areas, trail network, small maintenance and repair projects and visitor service functions.
• Oversee the accounts payable functions for the park, submitting invoices, and reconciling expenditures.
• Complete administrative functions including annual budget requests, tracking and managing budget allocations, project recommendations, bidding and purchasing materials and services.
• Supervise, mentor, coach, train and evaluate facility personnel including full-time staff and temporary seasonal employees and volunteers.
• Plan and direct natural and cultural history interpretation through educational programs and interpretive panels, and maintain the Big Oak Tree State Park Facebook page promoting the significance of the natural and cultural history.
• Plan and coordinate special events, group outings, and special program requests with a variety of stakeholders.
• Actively plan, direct, and research resource management projects to preserve native landscapes and identify and manage invasive and exotic species; assist with other stewardship actives.
• Assist Trail of Tear State Park operations two days per week.

To be successful in this position, a candidate will need the following skills/competencies:

• Self-Management : Sets well-defined and realistic personal goals; displays a high level of initiative, effort, and commitment towards completing assignments in a timely manner; works with minimal supervision; is motivated to achieve; demonstrates responsible behavior.
• Accountability : Holds self and others accountable for measurable high-quality, timely, and cost-effective results. Determines objectives, sets priorities, and delegates work. Accepts responsibility for own actions and decisions. Complies with established control systems and rules.
• Leadership : Influences, motivates, and challenges others; adapts leadership styles to a variety of situations.
• Teamwork : Encourages and facilitates cooperation, pride, trust, and group identity; fosters commitment and team spirit; works with others to achieve goals.
• Written Communication : Writes in a clear, concise, organized, and convincing manner for the intended audience.
• Interpersonal Skills : Shows understanding, friendliness, courtesy, tact, empathy, concern, and politeness to others; develops and maintains effective relationships with others; may include effectively dealing with individuals who are difficult, hostile, or distressed; relates well to people from varied backgrounds and different situations; is sensitive to cultural diversity, race, gender, disabilities, and other individual differences.

Equivalent to those typically gained by:

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university that can include Park Management, Parks and Recreation, Wildlife Management, Forestry, Biology, Fisheries, Natural Sciences, Business or Public Administration, or related field (Experience involving management, supervision, and active participation in various activities involving interpretation, preservation, protection, maintenance, and enhancement of state parks and historic sites may substitute for the required education.)

Lack of post-secondary education will not be used as the sole basis for denying consideration to any applicant

Preferred Qualifications and Experience/Special Job Requirements:

• Ability to operate a vehicle and maintain a valid vehicle operator’s license.
• Available to work nights, weekends, holidays, evenings, and split shifts. Must work a minimum of two weekends per month during on season April through October.
• Available to participate in meetings, workshops and seminars requiring overnight stays.
• Must be able to walk long distances on uneven terrain in all kinds of weather and environmental conditions and have the ability to lift and carry 25 pounds.
• MDC Level I Prescribed Fire Training or equivalent within first 6 months of employment.

Benefits & Work-life Balance:

Our benefits package and flexible 40-hour work week promotes the mental and physical health of you and your family as you work towards achieving your professional goals. Benefits include paid vacation and sick leave, paid life insurance, medical, dental, vision and prescription insurance. Learn more here .

How we invest in you:

• Exceptional professional development: mentoring from experienced professionals, cross-media training, career advancement opportunities, paid trainings and continuing education tuition assistance.
• Support for professional registrations when required, through paid study materials, fees, study time, test time, exam fees and licensure renewal fees.

Denise Dowling, Superintendent, Trail of Tears State Park at (573) 290-5284

or

Sally Namassy, Recruiter at dnr.recruiter@dnr.mo.gov

• 

• State of Missouri

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