nature center manager - Arlington, United States - Arlington County, VA

Description

Salary: $75, $116,812.80 Annually

Location : Arlington, VA

Job Type: Full-Time Permanent

Job Number: A-DPR-SD

Department: Department of Parks and Recreation

Division: DPR Conservation and Interpretation

Opening Date: 05/17/2024

Closing Date: 6/6/2024 11:59 PM Eastern

Position Information

Are you passionate about the environment, conservation, and public outreach? Are you a motivated leader ready to head up a team? Do you enjoy creating partnerships and working with a diverse community?

The (DPR) is seeking an effective and engaging Nature Center Manager tomanage all aspects of Long Branch Nature Center including providing direction to staff, volunteers, programs and services, exhibits, collections, budgets, indoor facility, native plant gardens, surrounding natural areas and trails. This position coordinates with the other county nature center managers to align strategic plans, goals, processes, and performance measures.

The Nature Center Manager reports to the Conservation and Interpretation Unit Manager in the Parks and Natural Resources (PNR) Division. This position is multifaceted and works throughout the county to develop, collaborate, schedule, run programs and events to reach diverse audiences and promote environmental conservation and stewardship.

Specific duties include:

• Supervises, hires, trains, coaches, and evaluates staff and interns;
• Establishes and implements operating and program procedures;
• Collaborates with other county nature centers and DPR sections to develop and execute programs, events, services, and experiences such as exhibits;
• Determines and develops programs and services in response to community needs and interests and agency priorities;
• Develops relationships with advocates and community partners with diverse backgrounds located within equity focus areas;
• Evaluates, plans, designs, and implements facility and grounds improvements in collaboration with park area staff and facilities management units;
• Manages operating and fee-based budgets including purchase requisitions, purchase cards, and petty cash; and
• Performing other job-related duties as assigned.

The ideal candidate will possess effective leadership, communication, and organization skills, demonstrated ability to problem solve and logically process relevant information, and develop presentations.

Selection Criteria

Minimum:

• Bachelor's degree in natural sciences, biology, environmental sciences, wildlife management, or related field; and
• Considerable experience in park administration, natural resource management, environmental education, wildlife management, museum management, or closely related

Substitution: Additional education may be substituted for experience. Additional experience may be substituted for education.

Desirables: Preference may be given to candidates with experience in one or more of the following:

• Community outreach to promote environmental awareness, appreciation, and stewardship;
• Design and presentation of nature programs for diverse audiences;
• Managing a nature center, environmental education center, or park visitor center; and
• Bilingual - ability to communicate in a different language (including English).

Special Requirements

Applicant must possess or obtain valid CPR, First Aid and AED certifications 3 months of placement in role.

Applicant must possess, or obtain by time of appointment, a valid driver license. The applicant must authorize Arlington County to obtain, or the applicant must provide a copy of the applicant's official driving record. Any offer of employment may be contingent upon a favorable review of the applicant's driving record.

A pre-hire background check including the following will be required: criminal record, driving record, education, professional licensure, references, and credit history. You will be required to sign a release authorizing the County to obtain your background information. Any offer of employment is contingent upon a successful background check.

Physical Requirement: Must have the ability to work both indoor and outside including during inclement weather. Work environment includes working outdoors in all weather conditions. Walking for extended periods of time (leading hikes), and ability to perform intensive manual labor that involves bending, standing, climbing, stooping for extended periods, and lifting up to 20 pounds.
Additional Information

Work Hours: Tuesday through Friday, ranging between 9:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. and one weekend day.

• Weekend and evening hours will be required on a regular basis; and
• Must be available for callback in emergency situations.

The official job title is Natural Resources Specialist. The pay ranges listed above are effective June 30, 2024.

For more information on Arlington County's generous benefits and retirement plan, click here.

Arlington County is committed to advancing diversity, equity, access, and inclusion across all our services, activities, and programs. Learn more about our commitment.

Please complete each section of the application. A resume may be attached; however, it will not substitute for the completed application. Your responses to the supplemental questions are required for this position. Incomplete applications may not be considered.

Applicants who have questions or need assistance with the application may telephone or visit the Human Resources Department. Our staff will be happy to work with you to enter your application into the system. Public access computers are available at all County Libraries, and in the Human Resources Department.

The examination process for this position may include: (1) training and experience evaluation; (2) written and oral examination; (3) personal interview; (4) performance test/work sample; and/or (5) physical examination.

Applicants with disabilities may request reasonable accommodation during the application or selection process. Please call the ADA Coordinator at voice) or email .

Eligibility for Arlington County Government employee benefits depends on your position type (permanent or temporary) and your status (full-time or part-time).

More detailed information on benefits and conditions of employment is available on the Arlington County Human Resources Department website:

Permanent, Full-Time Appointments
All jobs are permanent, full-time appointments unless otherwise stated in the announcement. The following benefits are available:

Paid Leave: Vacation leave is earned at the rate of five hours biweekly. Leave accrual increases gradually until eight hours of leave are earned biweekly for twelve or more years of service. Sick leave is earned at the rate of four hours biweekly. Paid parental and family leave benefits are also offered. Leave is pro-rated for part-time employees.

Holidays: There are eleven paid fixed holidays each year, as well as two floating holidays. Initial allotment of floating holidays may vary based on when you are hired.

Health and Dental Insurance: Four group health insurance plans are offered - a health maintenance organization, two plans with in-network only coverage, and a high-deductible plan with in and out-of-network coveerage, along with a Health Savings Account (HSA). Group dental insurance is also offered, with two options for coverage. The County pays a significant portion of the premium for these plans for employees and their dependents. The County also contributes to the HSA.

Life Insurance: Basic life insurance is provided at no cost to employees. The benefit is one times annual salary. Additional life insurance may be purchased for yourself, spouse, and/or children.

Retirement: The County retirement program is made up of three parts: a defined benefit (pension) plan, a defined contribution plan (401(a)), and a deferred compensation plan The defined benefit plan provides a monthly retirement benefit based on your final average salary and years of service with the County. You contribute a portion of your salary on a pre-tax basis to this plan. General employees contribute 4% of pay; uniformed public safety employees contribute 7.5% of pay. The County also contributes to this plan. Employees become vested in the plan at five years of service.

For general employees, the County also contributes 4.2% of pay to a defined contribution plan (401(a)). The 457 deferred compensation plan allows you to save for retirement on either a pre-tax (457b) or post-tax (457 Roth) basis up to the IRS annual limit. New employees are automatically enrolled with a pre-tax contribution equal to 2% of your pay. A variety of investment options are available for the 401(a) and 457 plans.

Other Benefits: The County also offers health care, dependent care, and parking flexible spending accounts; adoption assistance, tuition reimbursement; transit and walk/bike to work subsidies; a college savings plan; wellness programs; training opportunities; and a variety of other benefits.

Permanent, Part-Time Appointments:
Part-time employees who work ten or more hours per week receive paid leave and benefits in proportion to the number of hours worked per week.

Limited Term Appointments:
Benefits are the same as permanent appointments except that the employees do not achieve permanent status.

Temporary Regular Appointments:
Temporary regular employees who work 30 hours or more per week are eligible for health, dental, and basic life insurance as described above. They are also eligible for vacation, sick leave, and paid holidays.

Temporary Seasonal and Occasional Appointments:
Temporary employees who work on a seasonal basis or variable hours receive sick leave, but do not normally receive other paid leave or benefits. Exceptions are noted in individual announcements.

01

What is your highest level of education?

• High School Diploma/GED
• Associate Degree
• Bachelor's Degree
• Master's Degree (or above)

02

Do you possess a CPR, FirstAid, and/or AED certification(s)

• Yes
• No

03

Please check if you have 3 years of experience in any of the following (be sure the detail of this experience is reflected on your application):

• Working in the interpretive field
• Design, presentation, and evaluation of nature programs
• Working at a nature center, environmental education center, or park visitor center
• With wildlife/animals, preferably native to the mid-Atlantic region
• Running marketing and social media campaigns
• Collaborating with outside departments or partners to provide a service
• Hiring and training staff and volunteers
• Managing an operational or program budget successfully
• Managed a facility or park
• Leading a team
• Plan, design and implement exhibits, signage, facilities or park improvements
• Creating and analyzing performance measures
• I have less than 3 years of exp in some of the areas above
• None of the above

04

How many years of experience do you have in creating budget forecasts, tracking spending, or grant writing?

• None
• Less than 1 year
• 1 but less than 2 years
• 2 but less than 3 years
• 3 years or more

05

How many years of experience do you have program management, creating work plans, scheduling, goal setting, data analysis, leading a team?

• None
• Less than 1 year
• 1 but less than 2 years
• 2 but less than 3 years
• 3 years or more

06

Please describe your experiences in park administration, natural resource management, environmental education, wildlife management, museum management, or closely related work. What was an achievement that you accomplished in that role? Put N/A, if not applicable

Required Question