Park Interpretive Technician - SR-13

County of Hawai; Hilo (HI); On-site; USD 42,000 - 62,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible Working Arrangements

Vacation time

Sick Leave

Holidays

Training and Development

County Tuition Reimbursement Program

Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF)

Retirement Plan

Deferred Compensation

Health Benefit Plans

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

Group Life Insurance

Credit Union Membership

Other Leaves

Job summary

County of Hawai‘i seeks an interpretive information specialist to enrich visitors’ experience by presenting talks and activities about the area’s natural, cultural, and historical features.

You will develop brochures, coordinate events with community groups, and educate visitors on park rules and safety. The role may involve supervising staff and handling event logistics.

Qualifications

• Education and experience combination as described, with emphasis on interpretive programming.
• Must include duties of coordinating cultural activities and/or events with government/community groups.
• Applicants should list all relevant duties, dates, and hours worked per week.

Responsibilities

• Provide interpretive information to park users about natural, cultural, historical and archaeological features.
• Develop informational brochures and present interactive activities like talks, storytelling, and arts & crafts.
• Coordinate cultural activities, programs, and special events with community groups.
• Educate users and residents by answering questions and distributing brochures.
• Provide park rules information and safety guidance to visitors.
• Conduct user surveys to evaluate programs and identify improvements.
• Establish relationships with agencies and community organizations; participate in meetings.
• Inspect permits and handle cash for events; maintain records and deposits.
• May supervise helpers and volunteers; operate vehicles to deliver materials for events.

Skills

Interpretive techniques

Public talks

Group leadership

Public relations

Cultural awareness

History and archaeology knowledge

English grammar

Research and report writing

Education

High school diploma

Job description

Provides park users accurate, interpretive information of the area’s natural, cultural, historical, archaeological, and other unique or distinctive features to enrich the user’s experience; coordinates cultural activities, programs, and special events on behalf of the County; provides information relating to park facilities, recreational programs, and points of interest; performs other related duties as assigned.

There is one (1) immediate permanent full-time vacancy with the Department of Parks and Recreation - Culture & Education Division in Hilo.

Special Working Conditions

Shift, weekend, and holiday work as required.

The eligible list may be used for other permanent and temporary vacancies as they arise during the life of the list. Temporary appointment may lead to conversion to permanent appointment.

• Provides interpretive information to park users of the area’s natural, cultural, historical, and archaeological features to promote an understanding, awareness, and respect of the park and surrounding areas and to enrich users’ experience.
• Gathers natural and cultural resources information, develops informational brochures, and performs interactive cultural activities through the presentation of interpretive talks and activities, such as storytelling and arts and crafts demonstrations.
• Coordinates cultural activities, programs, and special events with community groups and organizations, as directed by the department.
• Educates users and residents by answering questions concerning the park’s natural, cultural resources, and history and by distributing informational brochures.
• Provides users with information on park/area rules and regulations and on proper behavior and protocol to be used while visiting the park/area and other relevant surrounding areas.
• Conducts brief user surveys, both verbal and written, to assist in evaluation of park’s program and user’s interest and determine areas requiring improvement.
• Provides safety information to users and residents concerning conditions and hazards of road, trail, and ocean.
• Establishes and maintains effective working relationships with other government agencies and community, business, and professional organizations; participates in community meetings and conferences as requested; reports hazardous conditions.
• Receives and responds to routine complaints or refers individuals to appropriate personnel for further assistance; directs vehicular and pedestrian traffic, maintains crowd control, and issues verbal warnings if park rules and regulations are violated.
• May inspect user permits for camping, facility use, and other park uses; issues permits for pavilion use and accepts cash payments for event fees, provides receipts, reconciles balances, prepares treasury and deposit receipts for processing, and maintains program account records.
• Gathers information and prepares operational reports on park users and types of activities performed; prepares data tracking reports as required.
• May supervise helpers and volunteers; evaluates job performance; maintains time sheets.
• Operates vehicle to deliver and pick up materials and supplies to and from events and activities.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Training and Experience

A combination of education and experience substantially equivalent to:

• graduation from high school, and
• three (3) years of work experience developing, coordinating, and conducting recreational or educational group activities, of which,
• one (1) year shall have included the coordination of cultural activities and/or events that involved working with government and/or community organizations.

License Requirement

• possession of a valid State of Hawai‘i driver license (Class 3) or any other valid comparable driver license at time of filing. (You will be required to submit your valid driver's license at time of hire.)

Examination

All applicants who meet the minimum qualification requirements will be assigned a score of 70 points. An education and experience evaluation will be conducted based on the applicant's training, education and experience as presented in the application.

Please read the minimum qualification requirements carefully. Be certain to list all pertinent training and experience, as this may be important in determining your examination score. It is essential that the applicant describe fully the duties and responsibilities of each position held, specify the date of each position held (from and to, month and year), and indicate the number of hours worked per week.

Attach all required documentation (e.g. official transcript, professional license(s)/certification(s), DD-214, etc.) at the time of submitting your application.

Note

In-person interviews and/or further testing in Hawai'i County may be required at the discretion of the hiring department/agency. If in-person interviews and/or further testing are required, applicants who are referred to the hiring department/agency must be available to participate in person and at their own expense at that phase of the selection process.

Knowledge of

Interpretive techniques and methods, such as formal talks, conducted activities, demonstrations, special events, and information interactions, principles and practices of group leadership and instruction, basic principles and practices of public relations, various ethnic cultures and history, basic principles of research and report writing, park rules and regulations, various community resources and organizations, and English grammar and report writing.

Ability to

Gather natural and cultural resources information for interpretive presentations, plan, promote, organize, coordinate, and conduct activities, instruct and perform demonstrational teaching, speak effectively to individuals and public groups, work independently, handle cash and make basic arithmetic computations, establish and maintain effective working relationships with the public, and representatives from other government agencies and community organizations, and follow oral and written instructions.

Physical Requirements

Persons seeking appointment to positions in this class must meet the health and physical condition standards deemed necessary and proper to perform the essential functions of the position with or without reasonable accommodations.

Physical Effort Grouping

Light

Benefits of County employment

Benefits of County employment: The County of Hawai‘i offers a competitive compensation package. Your total compensation is comprised of your salary and a generous range of valuable benefits, subject to eligibility requirements.

• Flexible Working Arrangements: Options may include alternate work schedules (4-10) and flexible working hours.
• Vacation: Start accruing paid vacation time immediately upon hire – up to 21 days per year.
• Sick Leave: Start accruing paid sick leave time immediately upon hire – up to 21 days per year.
• Holidays: The County provides 13 paid holidays per year (plus General Election Day when applicable).
• Training and Development: The County has a variety of training and development opportunities for employees.
• County Tuition Reimbursement Program: This scholarship program rewards employees who take the initiative to advance their education and learning.
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program: You may be eligible for this federal program which forgives portions of federal student loans for individuals working in public service.
• Retirement Plan: The Employees’ Retirement System is a qualified defined benefit public pension plan that provides retirement, disability, survivor and other benefits to all eligible full-time and part-time county employees in the State of Hawaii as well as their beneficiaries.
• Deferred Compensation: Save additional money for retirement - this voluntary supplemental retirement savings plan allows for the investment of tax-deferred contributions.
• Flexible Spending Plan: Use pre-tax dollars to pay for qualified dependent care and/or medical expenses, as well as insurance premiums.
• Health Benefit Plans: The County of Hawai‘i offers a variety of health benefit plans for eligible employees.
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP): This voluntary assistance program provides employees and their family members with free professional and confidential assistance in overcoming personal and work-related problems.

• Group Life Insurance: Free life insurance policy for active employees.
• Credit Union Membership
• Other Leaves: You may be eligible for other leaves, including Family Leave, Funeral Leave, Leave Sharing, Military Leave, Donor Leave, Victims Protection Leave, as well as leave for Parent-Teacher Conferences, Disaster Relief, Blood Bank Donations, and Jury Duty.

All benefits are subject to eligibility requirements and change due to legislative actions and/or changes negotiated through collective bargaining. Please check out the benefits tab for additional information.