Interpretive Aide

East Bay Regional Park District; Dihlabeng Local Municipality; On-site; ZAR 50 000 - 200 000; Part time

Job summary

A regional park district is seeking part-time Interpretive Aides to develop and present interpretive programs for diverse public audiences at visitor centers. Responsibilities include welcoming visitors, conducting programs, and assisting in daily operations. Ideal candidates will have strong communication skills, enjoy public speaking, and must have a High School Diploma along with some college coursework in related fields. This role provides an opportunity to engage with nature and the community in a meaningful way.

Benefits

Health benefits

Pension benefits

Tuition reimbursement

Employee discounts at parks

Qualifications

• Requires the ability to work independently and manage responsibilities.
• Experience in interpretation or environmental education is essential.
• Bilingual skills are preferred.

Responsibilities

• Assist in the development and presentation of interpretive programs.
• Welcome and assist visitors at the visitor center.
• Conduct public programs for small to medium groups.

Skills

Team collaboration

Public speaking

Independence

Multi-tasking

Education

High School Diploma and 30 college units

Job description

The Interpretive & Recreation Services Department is currently recruiting to fill two (2) part-time vacancies for Interpretive Aide. This part‑time on‑site position will be required to report to their designated work location and work no more than 30 hours per week. One (1) Interpretive Aide position will be assigned to the Big Break Visitor Center, and the other will be assigned to the Del Valle Visitor Center.

The Interpretive Aide position specializes in the development and presentation of pre‑designed interpretive programs for the public, and provides high‑quality customer service and information to a diverse public audience. The position may serve as the public’s first point of contact while supporting the daily visitor center operations by welcoming guests, answering questions, handling phones and sales, maintaining displays, and completing basic administrative and custodial tasks. The hiring pools established from this recruitment will be used to fill the current vacancy and any additional vacancies that may occur during the one‑year life of the hiring pools.

IDEAL CANDIDATE

• Can collaborate on a team: Demonstrates a proven ability to establish and maintain positive, professional working relationships with colleagues at all levels. Skilled at collaborating with a culturally diverse public and maintaining a focus on quality service for both internal staff and external customers.
• Takes responsibility and works independently when needed: Capable of working independently to handle sensitive tasks such as the daily feeding and care of animals and fish within the visitor center. Keeps the visitor center running smoothly by balancing administrative tasks like stocking brochures and maintaining displays with active visitor assistance.
• Balance multiple projects and tasks: Efficiently manages a variety of simultaneous duties, including administrative, operational, and programmatic needs.
• Public speaking: Comfortable and effective at public speaking with the ability to lead pre‑designed programs for small to medium-sized groups.

RECRUITMENT TIMELINE

• Recruitment Closed: 5 PM @ February 25th, 2026
• Supplemental Questions Review: Early to Mid March 2026
• Tentative Date of Onsite Examinations: Week of March 22nd, 2026

ABOUT US

The East Bay Regional Park District is a system of beautiful parklands in Alameda and Contra Costa counties to the east of San Francisco. The system comprises 73 parks spanning across 126,809 acres; 1,250 miles of trails; 55 miles of shoreline. We manage and preserve natural and cultural resources for all to enjoy and protect. The regional parks are ideal for healthful recreation and environmental education. Learn about our Mission and Vision, History, and our contributions to the United Nations 17 Sustainable Development Goals.

OUR MISSION

EBRPD preserves a rich heritage of natural and cultural resources and provides open space, parks, trails, safe and healthful recreation and environmental education. An environmental ethic guides the District in all of its activities.

OUR VALUES

• Respect – We honor the land we steward, each other, and the park visitors we serve.
• Resilience – We creatively adapt to change. We address challenges with empathy, perspective, and determination.
• Relationships – Our greatest strength lies in the trust, accountability, and teamwork we cultivate with our colleagues, partners, and the public we serve.
• Responsiveness – We communicate openly, honestly, and reliably.
• Transparency – We hold the public’s trust through meaningful stakeholder engagement and access to timely and reliable information on decisions and performance.

WHY WORK FOR EBRPD

• Work with a purpose for a better world today and for future generations through the preservation of open space, public access to the outdoors, and a commitment to the conservation of the natural world found east of the San Francisco Bay across 33 cities in Alameda and Contra Costa counties
• A community of colleagues who are passionate about public service and the East Bay Regional Park District, the communities it serves, and its mission
• Excellent benefits: Medical, Dental, Vision, Flexible Spending, and pension benefits through California Public Employees Retirement System (CalPERS). Click here (Download PDF reader) for details regarding additional benefits
• Tuition reimbursement and professional development
• Free on‑site parking
• Free parking permit for EBRPD parks (for up to 2 privately owned vehicles)
• Employee discounts for certain EBRPD park amenities (reservations, daily fishing permit, public boat launch)

WHAT YOU'LL BE DOING

Under direct supervision performs a wide variety of entry level interpretive duties, such as assisting with the development of programs for environmental education, natural and cultural history, and resource stewardship.

The Interpretive Aide classification is distinguished from Naturalist Aide in that the latter can create and conduct programming in partnership with a Naturalist or Supervising Naturalist. 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 practice s.

• 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
• Assist with program development and content creation; assist Naturalists with programs, including conducting activities and pre‑designed programs, assist Naturalists with developing activities for park guests
• Assists in the training of Visitor Center Aides
• May provide lead direction to Visitor Center Aides
• Performs related duties as assigned.

EDUCATION

Completion of High School Diploma or equivalency and completion of 30 semester units of college coursework from an accredited college or university with major course work in interpretation/ environmental education, natural science, cultural history, or other suitably related field.

EXPERIENCE

One (1) year of work experience in the field of interpretation/ environmental education, natural science, cultural history, or other suitably related, for example as a Visitor Center Aide or similar work.
OR
800 hours as an East Bay Regional Park District Visitor Center Aide.

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, databases, content creation programs.

ABILITY TO

• Communicate park rules and procedures effectively to park visitors and users
• Conduct pre‑designed programs for small to medium sized groups; assist in conducting research
• 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, database applications, and content creation programs
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing
• Provide lead direction to students and volunteers, 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; and may be required to work in a variety of work environments.
• 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.

UNION AFFILIATION

AFSCME: East Bay Regional Parks Employees, Local 2428, American Federation of State, County & Municipal Employees (AFSCME), AFL-CIO, represents this classification. Wages, hours, and other terms of conditions of employment are covered in a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Park District and Local 2428. The probationary period for this classification is nine (9) months.

INTERNAL PROMOTIONS

Placement shall be made at the first step in the salary range for the new position (Step A) unless the salary rate at Step A of the new position is less than a 5% increase. In such instances, the employee will be placed at a step in the new salary range that ensures at least a 5% increase.

APPLICATION MATERIALS

• A current East Bay Regional Park District application submitted online
• Completed supplemental questions

Apply prior to the closing time of the job announcement and allow at least one (1) hour to submit your application if you are a new user to the system. If you have previously applied to a position on GovernmentJobs.com, please allow time to update your existing profile. Applications are accepted online only. Our online application system is provided by NeoGov. If you encounter problems while applying online, please contact NeoGov Help Desk toll-free at [phone].

NOTIFICATION

All applicants will be notified of the status of their application via email, generally within two to three weeks after the closing date. You may also sign into your GovernmentJobs.com account to view your current application status and notifications.

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 oral examination/interview. The District reserves the right to set up a written test, performance test, and/or other assessment procedures 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.

SPECIAL TESTING ARRANGEMENTS

If you require special arrangements due to a verified disability or medical condition, please contact the Human Resources Department at [phone] at least five business days before the test.

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.