Park Aide - Parks (Idyllwild)

County of Riverside; Idyllwild (CA); On-site; USD 32,000 - 46,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Uniforms provided

Job summary

County of Riverside is seeking candidates for a Park Aide - Parks at Idyllwild Nature Center in Idyllwild. The role supports park interpreters, helps deliver natural science and environmental education, and staffs the front desk with visitor inquiries and cash handling.

Responsibilities include coordinating volunteers/docents, assisting with interpretive program setups, maintaining facilities and trails, and caring for animals used in programs. Uniforms are provided.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED equivalent.
• Option I: 30 semester units or 45 quarter units of upper division coursework in Park Administration, Public or Business Administration, Resource or Land Management, Forestry or related field.
• Option II: One year of experience with a park or allied facility performing maintenance, operations, or routine administrative functions.
• Option III: More than 3 years part-time or 2 years full-time of any type of work experience demonstrating interpretive/educational presentation and communication to children; working independently; establishing relationships with staff, docents, volunteers, and the public.
• A valid California Class C Driver License is required at time of application.

Responsibilities

• Assist Park Interpreters with planning and delivering natural science, historical, conservation, and environmental education programs at parks, nature centers, and wildlife reserves.
• Provide front-desk support by greeting visitors, operating a cash register, and answering questions about the site.
• Assist with presenting and setting up interpretive programs; coordinate volunteer and docent activities; maintain buildings, exhibits, and trails.
• Respond to assigned correspondence and assist with care and feeding of animals used in interpretive programs.

Skills

Customer service

Communication skills

Parks/recreation experience

Cash handling

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Park Admin/Resource/Land Management coursework (30 sem units or 45 quarter units)

Park operations experience (1 year)

Interpretive/educational communication experience (3+ years part-time or 2 years full-time)

Job description

The County of Riverside seeks candidates to fill positions throughout Riverside County. A list of eligible candidates will be established to fill current and future vacancies.

The Riverside County Regional Park and Open-Space District is seeking for a Park Aide - Parks at Idyllwild Nature Center located in Idyllwild.

The incumbent will assist Park Interpreters with planning and delivering natural science, historical, conservation, and environmental education programs at parks, nature centers, and wildlife reserves. Responsibilities include providing front‑desk support by greeting visitors, operating a cash register, and responding to questions about the site. Additionally, the incumbent will assist with the presentation and setup of interpretive programs, coordinate volunteer and docent activities as assigned, and help maintain buildings, interpretive exhibits, and trails. Additional duties include responding to assigned correspondence and assisting with the care and feeding of animals used in interpretive programs.

Competitive candidates will possess strong customer service experience, experience communicating effectively with guests, contractors, and staff, and experience working in a parks or similar recreational setting. Cash handling experience is desirable.

Work schedule:

Wednesday-Sunday, 5/40 schedule from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (Monday and Tuesday off. (Schedules may vary depending on department needs. Overtime, holiday, and evening shifts will be required per department need.)

Meet the Team:

The Riverside County Regional Park and Open-Space District is a nationally accredited agency who strives to be the regional leader in improving lives through people, parks, places, and programs. Their mission is to acquire, protect, develop, manage, and interpret for the inspiration, use, and enjoyment of all people, a well-balanced system of areas of outstanding scenic, recreational, and historic importance.

• Assist Park Interpreters with the development and planning of natural science, historical, conservation, and environmental education interpretive programs for parks, nature centers, and wildlife reserves operated by the Park District.
• Compile information and prepare a variety of reports, studies, and interpretive program materials.
• Present or assist with the presentation of interpretive programs offered to the public; do program prop setup and removal; organize volunteer and docents groups as assigned by Park Interpreters; establish, monitor, and administer volunteer work schedules as assigned.
• Assist in maintaining buildings, interpretive exhibits, and trails.
• Answer assigned correspondence independently as assigned.
• Assist in the care and feeding of animals used in interpretive programs.

Education:

High School Diploma or G.E.D. equivalent.

AND

OPTION I

30 semester units or 45 quarter units of upper division coursework from a recognized college in Park Administration, Public or Business Administration, Resource or Land Management, Forestry or a related field.

Note: upper division coursework is typically taken by juniors and seniors and are primarily for majors.

OR

OPTION II

Experience: One year of experience with a park or allied facility performing maintenance, operations, or routine administrative functions.

OR

OPTION III

Experience: More than 3 years part-time or 2 years full-time of any type of work experience which demonstrates the following abilities: the presentation/communication of interpretive and educational information in simple/understandable terms and in a logical format to children; working independently with minimal supervision; establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with staff, docents, volunteers, children, parents, school teachers/administrators and other members of the public.

License:

A valid California Class C Driver License is required at the time of application. The incumbent will be driving to different sites and locations within the park and nature center.

Physical/Environmental:

The Park Aide - Parks' job duties are performed throughout the park and will involve exposure to inclement weather and weather extremes, including high temperatures, rain, and cold winter conditions with snow. The position also requires lifting and carrying equipment weighing up to 50 to 60 pounds, standing, walking, bending, sitting, and moving and manipulating equipment and other objects, as well as exposure to animal odors and animal food items.

• Uniforms are provided

Ability to

Learn basic research and reporting methods; read effectively; communicate effectively, both orally and in writing; perform work with only general instructions; work with minimal supervision; prepare reports; establish and maintain effective working relationships with children, teachers, parents, Park District employees, volunteers, and members of the public; work with animals used in interpretive programs. Some positions may require ability to perform physical tasks, such as cleaning & maintenance.

For questions regarding this recruitment:

Please contact Genesis Ochoategui at [e-mail], or call [phone]. Please allow 1-3 business days for response to general inquiries.