Visitor Center Aide

East Bay Regional Park District; California (MO); On-site; USD 28,000 - 36,000; Part time

Job summary

East Bay Regional Park District seeks a Visitor Center Aide to provide public information at a park visitor center and surrounding parklands. This entry-level role supports interpretive programs and assists with daily operations.

You will greet visitors, answer questions, handle cash for tickets and souvenirs, stock displays, and assist with basic clerical tasks while gaining exposure to environmental education.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of natural science/cultural history
• Public speaking and customer service skills
• Basic office procedures and computer literacy

Responsibilities

• Open/close the visitor center and assist the public
• Assist Naturalists with programs and activities
• Perform related duties as assigned

Job description

Visitor Center Aides provide public information in a park visitor center and surrounding parklands. These positions are designed for those considering a career in environmental education, natural history, cultural history, or park professions while supplementing their current coursework in natural science and/or cultural history.

GENERAL FUNCTION:

Class specifications are intended to present a descriptive list of the range of duties performed by employees in the class. Specifications are not intended to reflect all duties performed within the job.

Under direct supervision, performs a wide variety of entry level support and public information duties related to park visitor centers.

CLASS CHARACTERISTICS:

The Visitor Center Aide classification is distinguished from Interpretative Aide in that the latter has responsibilities related to assisting Naturalist Aides and Naturalists with program development and content creation and may provide direction to Visitor Center Aides and volunteers, while the former may only assist with elements of the program, such as setup/cleanup and conducting pre-designed activities.

The following duties are typical for this classification. Incumbents may not perform all of the listed duties and/or may be required to perform additional or different duties from those set forth below to address business needs and changing business practices.

• Performs park visitor center duties such as opening/closing the center, hosting the public, administrative duties that may include answering the phone, stocking brochures, maintaining the bulletin boards and displays, minor custodial duties, keeping the visitor log, answering visitor questions, selling souvenirs and tickets, handling cash and merchandise, maintaining displays, running errands, feeding and caring for animals and fish, and otherwise assisting the public while they are in the Center
• Assists Naturalists with programs, by conducting pre-designed activities such as snake talks, puppet shows, spider talks, etc., roving, tabling, trail sweeping, etc.
• Performs related duties as assigned.

Any combination of education and experience that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:

• Age: 15 ½ or older at the time of appointment.
• Experience: None.
• Other: Bilingual or multi-lingual skills are highly desirable.

Knowledge of:

• Natural science/cultural history
• basic math skills; principles of effective customer service
• Principles and practices of public speaking
• Local flora and fauna
• Office procedures, methods, and equipment including computers and applicable software applications such as word processing, spreadsheets, and databases.

Ability to:

• Communicate Park rules and procedures effectively to park visitors and users
• Conduct pre-designed activities for small to medium sized groups
• Provide public information and customer service
• Work outdoors in inclement weather
• Conduct monetary transactions in a variety of forms (cash, credit, electronic)
• Handle cash, count correct change, record transactions
• Perform basic clerical duties
• Operate office equipment including computers and supporting word processing, spreadsheet, and database applications
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing
• Establish and maintain positive working relationships with those contacted in the course of work at all levels, including a culturally diverse public, with a focus on quality service to internal staff and external customers.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT:

• Must pass a Level 2 Background check and subject to tuberculosis (TB) clearance.
• Required to wear a Park District uniform.
• May be required to work unusual hours, weekends, and holidays.

This position is designated as a Mandated Reporter under the Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act (CANRA). Mandated reporters are individuals who are obligated by law to report suspected cases of child abuse and neglect. As such, you will be required to sign an acknowledgment of having received the District’s policy and your responsibilities.

• Incumbents in this classification are limited to working up to 28 hours per week, not to exceed 999 hours per fiscal year (July 1 through June 30).
• Visitor Center Aides are required to work 1 year with a minimum of 350 hours before progressing to the next pay step.
• Visitor Center Aides have limited rights under Local 2428, American Federation of State, County & Municipal Employees (AFSCME), AFL-CIO.

Visitor Center Aides work at the following EBRPD Centers:

• Big Break Visitor at the Delta Center in Oakley
• Black Diamond Mines in Antioch
• Coyote Hills or Ardenwood Historic Farm in Fremont
• Crab Cove at Crown Beach in Alameda
• Del Valle in Livermore
• Garin Regional Park in Hayward
• Mobile Education Outreach basedout of Alameda
• Sunol Regional Wilderness in Sunol
• Tilden Botanic Garden in Berkeley
• Tilden Nature Area in Berkeley

Application materials for this position consist of two (2) required parts:

• A current East Bay Regional Park District NeoGov Application
• Completed Supplemental Questions.

Selection Process:

The application materials for all applicants meeting the minimum qualifications will be reviewed by a screening panel to select the best qualified for testing or interview. The Park District reserves the right to set up a written test, performance test, and/or other assessment devices before or after the interview process. Possession of minimum qualifications does not guarantee an interview or invitation to test. Pursuant to the Federal Immigration and Reform Act of 1986, all applicants who are hired will be required to provide proof of identity and appropriate work authorization documents prior to commencement of employment. The individual chosen for hire must be able to pass a background check, including a fingerprint check, prior to employment. Applications meeting the minimum qualifications will be retained for up to one year and can be used to fill any vacancies that occur during that time.

Special Testing Arrangements:

If you require special arrangements due to a verified disability or medical condition, please contact the Human Resources Department at 510-544-2154.

Equal Opportunity Employer:

The East Bay Regional Park District is an Equal Opportunity Employer that values and respects a diverse workforce and community. It is committed to promoting an equitable and inclusive workspace that is welcoming to all. Applicants from all backgrounds and life experiences are encouraged to apply. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Reports to: Supervising Naturalist

Supervises: This is not a supervisory class.