Temporary Nature Center Educator Assistant (Outreach)

Mecklenburg County; North Carolina; On-site; USD 17,000 - 25,000; Part time

Job summary

Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation is hiring temporary, part-time Nature Center Education Assistants for the MeckWILD outreach program. Positions work at Quest Nature Center, emphasizing outdoor education and community engagement across Mecklenburg County.

Responsibilities include leading environmental programs for diverse audiences, supporting events, and developing educational materials. Weekend availability and part-time schedules are required through June 2027.

Qualifications

• No experience required.
• Requires enrollment in or completion of a Bachelor's degree in natural/environmental sciences, biology, ecology, or related field.
• Driver’s license and county driving privileges may be required.

Responsibilities

• Develop and deliver environmental/interpretive programs for diverse audiences.
• Maintain props, displays, gardens, and demonstration areas.
• Assist with teacher workshops, events, and materials development.
• Support operation of the nature center or historic site and related offices.
• Coordinate volunteers and work as part of a program team.

Skills

Task management

Classroom safety

Public demonstrations

Education

Bachelor's degree in natural/environmental sciences or related field

Job description

Follow Your Calling, Find Your Career

• Open Until Filled**

At Mecklenburg County, you’ll have the chance to build a career as unique as you are with support, inclusive culture and technology to become the best version of you. We’re counting on YOUR unique voice and perspective to help Mecklenburg County become even better, too. Join us and build an exceptional experience for yourself, and a better working world for all.

Did you know that Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation proudly hosts many community events each year? Hummingbird Festival, The Senior Games and Festival in the Park are just a few that our employees and residents look forward to every year! Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation Department (MCPRD) strives to enrich the lives of our residents. We do this by providing exciting and safe recreational amenities and programs, change to improve our resident’s fitness levels and decrease health care costs. This contributes to a sense of community through events and spaces for the public to socialize, thereby increasing property values and providing tourism venues. We protect open space, natural areas, and our treasured tree canopy through stewardship. We play a critical role in ensuring Mecklenburg County achieves its vision that the county “will be a community of pride and choice for people to LIVE, WORK and RECREATE.” The department serves a population exceeding one million residents and serves the City of Charlotte, six towns, and the unincorporated areas of the county covering 523 square miles. In addition, the department manages over 21,000 acres and 230+ parks, nature preserves, greenways and facilities. The Mecklenburg County Park & Recreation Department is continually recognized for its cutting-edge programs, state-of-the-art facilities and unique partnerships. Our success is rooted in our staff. If you are interested in joining a dynamic team, dedicated to building a better community, and being recognized as leaders both in our community and across the country, then Mecklenburg County has great opportunities for you.

Position Summary

Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation is excited to announce we are hiring temporary, part-time Nature Center Education Assistants for the MeckWILD nature outreach program. MeckWILD is a nature center initiative to increase outdoor education within target communities and connect the community with nature at their fingertips. MeckWILD staff will develop and execute programming that centers discovery and builds connections.

The selected candidates will conduct environmental/interpretive programs that center around discovery and building connections with diverse audiences. Additionally, the incumbents will lead the MeckWILD initiative through outreach programming at special events, community recreation centers, and in parks throughout Mecklenburg County. These positions will be based at Quest Nature Center and will work part-time seasonally through June 2027. The schedule will include weekends and will be based on business needs.

By applying to this position, you are eligible to be considered for a similar role, in which you meet the minimum qualifications for, at other Park and Recreation locations should they become available. If you are looking to grow in your career, or transition laterally into a new role, don't miss this opportunity to apply!

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in public outreach, environmental interpretation, and/or outdoor recreation programming
• Knowledge of flora and fauna of the Piedmont region of North Carolina

Essential Functions

• Conduct and/or assist with developing environmental and historic education and interpretive programs for all ages and diverse audiences, including facility tours, curricular school programs, summer camp programs, public lectures, special events, outreach programs, live animal programs and field experiences in a variety of outdoor environments both on and off-site.
• Maintain program props, interpretive displays, native plant gardens, and demonstration compost areas
• Assist with planning and implementation of teacher workshops and special events
• Assist with development of educational exhibits, interpretive brochures, and other educational materials
• May assist with the care and feeding of exhibit animals,
• Assist with operation of the nature center, or historic site, gift shop, program registration, and facility maintenance
• May assist with Outdoor Recreation programming as needed
• Maintain general housekeeping in work area
• May coordinate volunteer efforts
• Work as part of an overall team of program staff at all nature centers and historic sites within Mecklenburg County
• Follow the work plan as prepared by the supervisor
• Respond to emergency situations

Minimum Qualifications

Experience: None required

Education:

Requires enrollment in, or completion of a Bachelor's degree in natural/environmental sciences, biology, botany, ecology, environmental education, education, social studies/civics or related field

Combination of relevant experience and relevant education accepted?: Yes

Licenses/Certifications:

May require a valid North Carolina or South Carolina Driver’s License and County Driving Privileges

Computer Skills:

General knowledge of applicable computer programs

Knowledge

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Educational programming and instruction in assigned area

Skills

• Managing multiple tasks concurrently
• Developing and enforcing classroom rules and safety procedure
• Organizing and presenting demonstrations in area of specialization

Abilities

• Building Partnerships: Identifying opportunities and taking action to build strategic relationships between one’s area and other areas, teams, departments, units or organizations to help achieve business goals
• Building Trust: Interacting with others in a way that instills confidence in one’s intentions and those of the organization
• Customer Service: Effectively meeting customer needs; building productive customer relationships; taking responsibility for customer satisfaction and loyalty
• Energy: Consistently maintaining high levels of activity or productivity; operating with vigor, effectiveness, and determination over extended periods of time
• Communication: Clearly conveying information and ideas through a variety of media to individuals or groups in a manner that engages the audience and helps them understand and retain the information provided
• Initiating Action: Taking prompt action to accomplish objectives; take action to achieve goals beyond what is required; being proactive
• Time Management and follow through: Effectively managing one’s time and resources to ensure that work is completed efficiently

WORK ENVIRONMENT

Works outdoors exposed to weather conditions

REASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONS STATEMENT

To accomplish this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform, with or without reasonable accommodation, each essential function satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to help enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

DISCLAIMER STATEMENT

This is not intended to be an all-inclusive list of job-related responsibilities, duties, skills, requirements or working conditions. Other duties may be assigned based on business need and the supervisor’s request. Mecklenburg County reserves the right to revise the job description at any time. Designated positions may be required to assist in emergency and/or disaster situations.