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Job Descriptions:

Lead Park Interpreter - School Programs

(Full Time, Non-Exempt)

Application Closing Deadline: For best consideration, please submit your application materials by 4:00 p.m. June 6, 2025

Hiring Range is $51,237 to $59,208 annually based on qualifications, education and experience as it relates to the position.

Position Summary:

Under the supervision of the South Platte Park Manager, this position is responsible for researching and creating educational programs and materials, and providing interpretive programs for adults and children, both at and away from the park. Planning and development of temporary displays, nature center exhibits, and program marketing also required, as well as handling and caring for display animals. This position works closely with volunteers, serves as a liaison to local schools and teachers, and at times may supervise volunteers. Perform duties in a manner consistent with the stated values of the organization.

Essential Duties:

+ Plans, researches, prepares materials, and delivers interpretive programs for visitors, both at the park and off-site.

+ Responsible for the care and safety of participants including children by working to maintain safe environments during programs. Must adhere to ethics required of positions of trust.

+ Develops and implements lesson plans and activities and uses positive behavior reinforcement and developmentally appropriate guidance techniques to encourage appropriate behavior.

+ Serves as primary point of contact for requested programming including school field trips, custom Rent a Naturalist programs, scout programs, and Nature Van and outreach programming.

+ Leads development and correlation of school programs to Colorado Department of Education curricula and other best practices, development of pre and post trip resources, and training materials including school-visit and site-visit options.

+ Serves as liaison with teachers and schools, and builds networks for curriculum development and marketing with these groups.

+ Prepares and conducts programs to interpret a variety of cultural and natural history themes in South Platte Park, other District Parks, and other areas along the Front Range to individuals and groups with a wide range of interests and abilities.

+ Hires, trains, schedules, supervises and evaluates assigned staff and volunteers. Provides or coordinates staff and volunteer training and recognition activities. Provides constructive and timely performance evaluations. Works with employees and volunteers to correct deficiencies.

+ Assists with scheduling of staff and volunteers for all assigned facility activities. Provides backup support as needed. Reviews and approves employee biweekly timesheets. Works with Payroll Department to resolve any pay issues.

+ Creates an atmosphere of hospitality and superior customer service to all Park visitors through courteous, helpful services with a strong focus on participant safety.

+ Recognizes emergency and dangerous situations by reacting quickly and calmly; administers first aid as needed.

+ Conducts purchasing for programs, assists with invoice requests, collection and recording of payments for programs. Provides input on long-range estimate for budget development. Develops and recommends program related costs, fees, and locations.

+ Assists with the development, implementation, and tracking of marketing strategies to promote programs. Works with Communications staff to promote community awareness. Evaluates customer satisfaction. Maintains records and makes periodic reports including attendance reports, program reports, staff evaluations, incident/accident reports, and inventory logs according to District procedures in a timely manner.

+ Develops and maintains strong working relationships with District employees, vendors, various outside user groups and associations, and local schools and teachers to share information and coordinate their programs.

+ Provides a variety of general information to the public regarding parks and recreation operations and programs.

+ Responds tactfully, respectfully and in a timely manner to inquiries and problems in person, through email, phone and mail by providing helpful information and explanations in-line with District policies and procedures. Thoughtfully handles confrontational or stressful interactions.

+ May seek and apply for grant and sponsorship opportunities to fund special projects.

+ May occasionally co-lead multi-day trips. Assists with planning and leading family, summer camp, and adult programming through the South Suburban catalog. Audiences are diverse and vary in age and group size.

+ Assists with feeding, cleaning, and animal care in Carson Nature Center.

+ Attends and participates in staff meetings, trainings, and orientations.

+ Attends work on a regular, reliable and punctual basis.

+ May be required to work weekends, evenings including unlit night-time activities, and holidays.

+ Observes necessary precautions to assure general public safety; inspect facilities/grounds for safety and maintenance needs.

This job description should not be construed to imply that these requirements are the exclusive duties of the position. Incumbents may be required to follow any other instructions, and to perform any other related duties, as may be required.

Education and/or Experience:

+ Associate’s degree in Natural Resources, Biology, Education or related field. Bachelor’s degree preferred.

+ One (1) year of experience in leading and conducting interpretive public programs or teaching. Two (2) years preferred.

+ Experience in formal school education is preferred.

+ Any combination of experience, training and education that demonstrates the required knowledge, skills and abilities to perform the essential functions of the position may be considered.

Licenses, Certifications, and Other Requirements:

+ CPR/First Aid with AED Certification or the ability to obtain upon hire is required.

+ Certified Interpretive Guide (CIG) or related interpretation or education certifications.

+ Native Plant Master or similar natural resource knowledge certifications is strongly preferred.

+ Must possess a valid Colorado Driver License or the ability to obtain upon hire and maintain an acceptable driving record.

Necessary Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

+ General knowledge of ecological and wildlife principles, Colorado’s ecosystems, particularly riparian systems, and operations and activities of a park or Nature Center.

+ Ability to adhere to safe work practices and procedures and to follow safety procedures and perform first-aid, CPR and AED implementation.

+ Skill in interpretive communication, and program development and delivery, and delivering engaging, inspirational programs to audiences of multiple ages and interests in programs designed to create cognitive and emotional connections to the resource.

+ The ability to successfully learn and teach about local land and water ecosystems.

+ Strong swimming and boating skills.

+ Skill in the safe and lawful operation of a motor vehicle including a van with passengers.

+ Skill in planning appropriate logistics for trips involving transportation and lodging.

+ Skill in recruiting, training, supervising and retaining volunteers, community service workers, and staff.

+ Ability to read, follow and develop a budget for programs and trips.

+ Ability to find and capture insects and aquatic invertebrates and the ability to identify bird tracks and mammal tracks, astronomic and weather phenomena, or other naturalist skills.

+ Ability to lead groups on hiking trails, canoeing, and other adventure travel and to teach nature skills and identification to a variety of audiences.

+ Ability to read and interpret field guides and marketing information and the ability to write and organize program outlines and logistics documents.

+ Must have the ability to work in the conditions and environment listed.

+ Ability to adapt to changing priorities, weather events, and special work requests.

+ Must have excellent communication skills, both written and oral.

+ Must be highly motivated and take direction well.

+ Ability to work independently and with a team in a fast-paced and high-volume environment with emphasis on accuracy and timeliness.

+ Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to provide outstanding customer service, establish and maintain effective working relationships, and interact with others in a professional manner.

+ Ability to prioritize and organize workload of self and supervised staff.

+ Ability to research, gather, organize and analyze information.

+ Working knowledge of Microsoft Office software including Excel, Word, and Outlook.

+ Ability to work a varied schedule which may include some evenings, weekends, and holidays.

+ Ability to successfully and productively work without supervision within established policies and procedures and regularly exercise independent judgement for daily operations.

Material and Equipment Used:

+ Regularly uses a phone, computer, printer, fax, TV projector, and other common office equipment.

+ Occasionally requires the use of a telescope, binoculars, hand tools, power tools, an ATV, park vehicles and trailers, 15-passenger van, bicycles, and canoes.

+ Small animal handling and care required.

+ This position may need to drive a District and/or personal motor vehicle for business purposes.

Working Environment:

+ Extensive public contact required including with large groups.

+ This position requires work in a variety of settings including working indoors and outdoors, daytime and night-time including in dark areas, subject to variable weather conditions, ecosystems, landscape, and wildlife.

+ Outdoor working environments can be wet, humid, extreme in temperature variations, and loud background noises.

+ Outdoor work may be strenuous including walking, biking, canoeing, wading, or swimming in moving water, carrying, kneeling, and handling small animals.

+ Indoor work takes place in a historic two-story building with stairs in a busy nature center/office environment subject to continuous interruptions.

Physical Requirements:

+ Extended periods spent standing, sitting, and walking/hiking long distances.

+ Occasional physical work lifting up to 20 pounds.

+ Required to use hands and fingers to handle or feel objects, equipment, tools or controls; and reach with hands and arms.

+ Hand/eye and foot/eye coordination required for operating motorized equipment.

+ Vision for reading, recording and interpreting information. Vision acuity to see close-up and at a distance with the ability to adjust focus allowing a broad field of vision.

+ Park programs are presented in English. Speech communication and hearing to maintain clear and effective communication. Must understand and be understood. Hearing and listening for receiving and interpreting information and warning signals.

+ May need to pick up small plants and animals.

This list is not all-inclusive and represents examples of the work environment and physical demands.

We’ve Got You Covered!

South Suburban Offers:

+ Competitive medical, dental and vision plans

+ Disability and life insurance

+ Flexible spending accounts (FSA’s)

Happy Employees Are the Best Employees

+ South Suburban provides an employee assistance program at no cost that includes: counseling, financial planning, legal assistance, and much more!

+ Our Employee Wellness Program gives covered staff the ability to reduce their medical premium by $360 annually

Take Time Away to Do What You Enjoy

+ 10 paid holidays per year

+ 4 personal days per year

+ Earn 11.5 paid vacation days per year

+ Paid sick leave to rest, recover, and take care of yourself

We’ve Got Your Back

+ Up to 9% 401(a) Employer contribution/match that vest after 3 years of service

+ Trainings to grow your professional and personal skill set

+ Tuition Reimbursement Program that covers up to $2,500 per year

Play Where You Work

+ Employee engagement is a priority at South Suburban. Staff gatherings have included: pictures with the Stanley Cup, Chili Cook-Off, Ice Cream Social, Shuffleboard Tournament, Employee Appreciation Luncheon, just to name a few

+ Monthly wellness challenge opportunities and staff recognition honors

We LOVE Our Facilities and So Will You:

+ Free daily admission to recreation centers, tennis courts, ice rinks and swimming pools

+ 50% off food at South Suburban restaurants

+ $5 to $10 for nine holes of golf at four different courses

SSPRD offers an excellent comprehensive benefit package including but not limited to: Medical/Dental/Vision. For a more detailed overview please view the Benefits Guide for Full-Time Employees (https://careers.ssprd.org/portals/2/Full-Time-Employee-Benefits.pdf?undefined&frame=1)

About Us

Our mission is to foster healthy living through stewardship of the environment, parks, trails, and open space by providing recreational services and programs.

We serve residents in Bow Mar, Columbine Valley, Centennial west of I-25, Littleton, Lone Tree and Sheridan and unincorporated portions of Douglas, Jefferson and Arapahoe counties. We operate four full-service recreation centers, golf courses, outdoor pools and restaurants, two ice centers and miniature golf courses, a botanical garden event center, a BMX track, a sports dome, batting cages, an entertainment center, a hotel and a nature center. In addition, we maintain nearly 3,800 acres of developed and open space land, including 119 multi-purpose athletic fields, more than 100 parks, nearly 80 miles of trails, 60 playgrounds, 56 tennis courts, and the 880-acre South Platte Park.

Required Experience:

Keyword: Lead Park Interpreter – School Programs

From: South Suburban Parks and Recreation