Program and Education Instructor

Rockford Park District; Rockford (IL); On-site; USD 18,000 - 26,000; Full time

Job summary

Rockford Park District in Rockford, IL is seeking a Program and Education Instructor to provide environmental education and lead participants visiting Atwood Environmental Center.

The role involves teaching diverse topics, managing sessions, ensuring safety, supporting events, and delivering excellent customer service while maintaining equipment and preparing materials.

Qualifications

• Associate degree or equivalent coursework in Outdoor Recreation, Environmental Education, Elementary Education, or a related field.
• Or 1–3 years of experience in camps, outdoor education, or similar.
• Ability to travel as needed and maintain a valid driver's license.
• Experience with computers and MS Office (Word, Excel, Outlook).

Responsibilities

• Provides environmental education instruction and direct leadership to program participants.
• Instructors teach sessions around 90 minutes with multiple sessions per field trip day.
• Ensure health and safety of visiting participants and report concerns to a supervisor.
• Assist in maintenance and storage of program equipment, supplies, and facilities.
• Provide quality customer service to participants, teachers, and volunteers.

Skills

Teamwork

Networking

Driver's license

Computers

Problem solving

Public representation

Education

Associate degree or related field

Tools

MS Word

MS Excel

PowerPoint

Outlook

Internet

Two-Way Radio

Job description

Title Program and Education Instructor

Department Recreation

Status Seasonal

Work Location Atwood Environmental Center

Reports To Program and Education Coordinator

Wage $16/hour

Position Description Provides environmental education instruction and direct leadership to program participants visiting Atwood Nature Center.

ROCKFORD PARK DISTRICT VISION, MISSION AND LEADERSHIP BY VALUES

Agency Vision To be the best urban parks and recreation system in North America, as measured by national standards and the citizens we serve. Agency Mission The Rockford Park District is in business to “help people enjoy life” by providing a quality park and recreation system. Vision & Planning SystemThe District aligns itself and all its resources to achieve its purpose, vision, mission, and priorities. This successfully drives the strategic plan, operational plans, and performance goals. Policy Management & Operations SystemEvery team member serves as an active contributor in the development of the team’s operational plan; develops job strategies and plans that support the team’s operational goals; identifies timetables for completion; plans daily work activities in an organized manner ensuring effective utilization of time and resources in the completion of job tasks. Leadership by Values SystemLeadership by Values can only be achieved if all team members believe in and live by these shared values: accountability, integrity, passion, agility, relationship oriented, results driven, service oriented, respectful, and innovative. While all team members share these essential values, our culture is enriched by and welcomes the diverse supporting values of its team members. Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging StatementThe Rockford Park District is committed and accountable to being a place where everyone is invited and belongs, as demonstrated by being an inviting, equitable, and inclusive environment, respectful of all people, embracing diversity, creating accessibility and valuing all team members, partners and community members for their unique experiences and backgrounds.

RELATIONSHIPS TO RESULTS CULTURE

DefinitionSustained by long-term, positive, exceptional relationships with stakeholders and team members as our hallmark of success.

ONE TEAM, ONE GOAL COMMITMENT

DefinitionTo work together to achieve the mission, vision, and shared values of the Rockford Park District.ConnectednessDepartments are truly interconnected to support the mission and vision of the Rockford Park District.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS include the following. Other duties may be assigned

• Provides environmental education instruction and direct leadership to program participants in various topics including, but not limited to, nature hikes, archery, river study, plants, teams/challenge course, predator/prey activities, outdoor living skills, regional history, reptile and Birds of Prey presentations, virtual programs, and site interpretation.
• Instructors are typically responsible for teaching x # of participants in a small group for around 90 minutes each session with up to three sessions within a field trip day.
• Implements programs throughout the year including environmental education, camp programs, field trips, scout programs, family programs, off-site programs, recreation equipment rental, and special events.
• Ensure health and safety of visiting participants, teachers, parents, and co-workers; reporting any concerns or incidents to a supervisor.
• Assist in the maintenance and storage of program equipment, supplies and facilities.
• Participate in ongoing training.
• Provides quality customer service to all participants, teachers, parent volunteers, groups, guests and other District employees.
• Assists with special events for a broad range of participants.
• Performs preparation for activities including setup, displays, visual aids, etc. designed to enhance the participants’ experience.
• Assists with the supervision and set‑up of daily meals for participants following food service guidelines.
• Provides instruction for, supervises, and enforces participant safety procedures: tornado, fire drills, ordnance and behavioral policies, and others as required.
• Monitors their work area on a continual basis, identifying and rectifying potential problems or dangerous conditions and, when necessary, notifying appropriate personnel for their correction.
• Provides quality customer service to all patrons, groups, guests and other District employees.
• Attends various District meetings and trainings as appropriate to keep informed of District events and activities.
• Maintains high standards for the implementation of sound safety practices and procedures.
• Supports the Park District’s commitment to the health and safety of its employees and the welfare of the public by maintaining an alcohol‑and‑drug‑free workplace.
• Supports the Park District’s Affidavit Action Plan to provide people with recreational services and employment opportunities regardless of race, religion, sex, age, disability, or national origin.
• Utilizes the Rockford Park District's HRIS system for all HR and payroll‑related requirements and to accurately clock in and out for all shifts.

Compliance

• Maintains a working knowledge of department safety procedures. Attend safety training programs and educational in‑service trainings as required.
• 18 years of age or older
• Availability for up to 3+ hours a week in shifts defined as no earlier than 7:00 am and no later than 10:00 pm

Requirements

Education/Experience

Associate degree or equivalent coursework in Outdoor Recreation, Environmental Education, Elementary Education, or a related field, or 1 - 3 years of experience in camps, outdoor education or similar preferred.

Critical Skills, Knowledge, And Abilities

• Work effectively with other District employees, partners, vendors, donors, and volunteers
• Ability to professionally network and publicly represent the district
• Have a team orientation approach when working with others
• Ability to travel as needed and maintain a valid driver’s license
• Experience with computers, MS Word, MS Excel, PowerPoint, Internet, Outlook, Communication Equipment, Basic Office Equipment, Cell Phone, Two‑Way Radio
• Wide range of intellectual and practical problems; nonverbal symbolism; comprehend most abstruse concepts.

Physical Requirements

Medium Work

• Exerting in excess of 50 pounds of force occasionally
• Exerting in excess of 20 pounds of force frequently
• Exerting in excess of 10 pounds of force constantly to move objects.
• Must be able to perform moderately physically intensive tasks, potentially including any combination of the following: climbing, balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, crawling, reaching, standing, walking, pushing, lifting, grasping, feeling, talking, repetitive motions, substantial movements (motions) of the wrists, hands, and/or fingers.

Work Environment

The Work Environment Characteristics Described Here Are Representative Of Those An Employee Encounters While Performing The Essential Functions Of This Job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions: This position is primarily stationed outdoors; regular exposure to dirt, noise, and temperature and weather extremes. Ability to work under stressful conditions, and problem solve. Potential exposure to hazardous materials.

Summary

Provides environmental education instruction and direct leadership to program participants visiting Atwood Nature Center.