Outreach and Volunteer Coordinator (Naturalist I)

Salary : $53,265.06 - $88,775.02 Annually

Location : ALEXANDRIA (LM06), VA

Job Type: FT Hourly W BN

Job Number: 25-00097

Department: Park Authority

Opening Date: 01/04/2025

Closing Date: 1/17/2025 11:59 PM Eastern

Pay Grade: S19

Posting Type: Open to General Public

Job Announcement

Join the Park Authority and our nationally recognized team of professionals! The Fairfax County Park Authority (FCPA) is seeking an Outreach and Volunteer Coordinator at Huntley Meadows Park (HMP) to be a part of one of the most highly regarded park systems in the country. With more than 25,000 acres of parkland, nine RECenters, eight golf courses, three lakefront parks, and more, FCPA is an exciting organization to be a part of and there are many opportunities for staff to make a difference at every level. HMP in Alexandria is a park where every day is different. HMP is a 1560-acre park, which includes Historic Huntley, vast natural and cultural resources, and visitor center. HMP welcomes more than 200,000 annual visitors to the park.

This position manages a 90+ person volunteer program, including recruitment, training, scheduling, interviewing, hiring, evaluating and recognition. Manages volunteer hours and recruitment through volunteer database. Responsible for site volunteer budget, purchasing and reporting. This position routinely engages in community outreach activities, and manages the park's gift ship. Responsible for gift shop budget, purchasing and reporting. Regularly serves as the manager on duty, opening, closing, and operating the visitor center. Occasionally creates and leads natural science and cultural history programs. All responsibilities and other duties assigned are performed under limited supervision by the visitor services manager. Requires regular weekend, evening, nighttime, and holiday work based on the operational season.
Illustrative Duties

(The illustrative duties listed in this specification are representative of the class but are not an all-inclusive list. A complete list of position duties and unique physical requirements can be found in the position description.)

• Researches, designs, promotes, schedules, conducts and evaluates interpretive programs in natural and cultural history in a variety of indoor and outdoor settings;
  
• Tailors new and existing interpretive programs to specific audiences;
  
• Designs and fabricates interpretive exhibits for display, and designs interpretive brochures, flyers, newsletters and other nature center publications;
  
• Provides oversight, direction and support to exempt paid or volunteer interpretive staff;
  
• Greets visitors to the nature center and park and provides information and impromptu interpretation of the site as appropriate;
  
• Promotes and maintains community relations;
  
• Conducts associated public programs, as required;

Required Knowledge Skills and Abilities

(The knowledge, skills and abilities listed in this specification are representative of the class but are not an all-inclusive list).

• Knowledge of park management practices;
  
• Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing;
  
• Ability to deal effectively with citizen inquiries and questions;
  
• Ability to develop and maintain effective relationships with a variety of individuals including the general public.

For Interpretive Program Positions:

• Ability to develop and present creative interpretive programs for both children and adults.

Employment Standards

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

(Click on the aforementioned link to learn how Fairfax County interprets equivalencies for "Any combination, experience, and training equivalent to")

Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with a bachelor's degree in natural or life sciences, natural history, park management, education, or a closely related field.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• At least one year experience working in a natural area park.
• At least one year experience working at a historic site.
• Proficiency in excel and word.
• Comfortable using databases and online forms.
• At least one year experience supervising volunteers.
• Knowledge of local natural history, flora, and fauna.
• Knowledge of local cultural history.

CERTIFICATES AND LICENSES REQUIRED:
Driver's license (required)

NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:
The appointee to the position will be required to complete a criminal background check and driving record check to the satisfaction of the employer.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

Ability to walk and stand on uneven terrain; ability to work outdoors. Sedentary with walking and lifting less than 25 pounds. All duties performed with or without reasonable accommodations.

SELECTION PROCEDURE:Panel interview and may include exercise.

The population of Fairfax County is very diverse where 38.7% of residents speak a language other than English at home () and we encourage candidates bilingual in English and a foreign language to apply to this opportunity.

Fairfax County Government prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, age, marital status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetics, political affiliation, or military status in the recruitment, selection, and hiring of its workforce.

Reasonable accommodations are available to persons with disabilities during application and/or interview processes per the Americans with Disabilities Act. Contact 703-324-4900 for assistance. TTY 703-222-7314.EEO/AA/TTY.

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Merit Positions

Fairfax County is proud to offer employees an attractive and comprehensive benefits program, including the following:

• Medical/Vision/Dental Insurance Coverage
• Group Term Life Insurance
• Long Term Disability
• LiveWell Program
• Flexible Spending Programs
• Paid Leave (annual, sick, parental, volunteer activity, and more!)
• Paid Holidays
• Contributory Retirement Plan
• Deferred Compensation
• Employee Assistance Program
• Employees' Child Care Center
• Commuter Benefit Program
• Continuous Learning Opportunities

NOTE: Fairfax County Government is a qualifying employer under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program. For more information about the PSLF program: https://studentaid.gov/manage-loans/forgiveness-cancellation/public-service

For additional details please visit the

Non-Merit Positions

1. Non-Merit Benefit Eligible: scheduled to work a minimum 1,040 hours and no more than a maximum of 1,560 hours in a calendar year.
   • Medical/Vision/Dental Insurance Coverage
   • Flexible Spending Program
   • Deferred Compensation
2. Temporary: scheduled to work a maximum of 900 hours in a calendar year.
   • No benefits

01

What is the highest level of education that you have completed?

• Less than 12th grade
• High school diploma or GED
• Some college
• Associate's degree
• Bachelor's degree
• Master's degree
• Doctorate degree

02

If you answered "Some college" for the highest level of education completed, please indicate the number of quarter or semester hours you have completed towards a degree.

• Less than 45 quarter hours
• 45 to less than 90 quarter hours
• 90 to less than 135 quarter hours
• 135 to less than 180 quarter hours
• 180 or more quarter hours
• Less than 30 semester hours
• 30 to less than 60 semester hours
• 60 to less than 90 semester hours
• 90 to less than 120 semester hours
• 120 or more semester hours
• Not applicable

03

Please indicate the major(s) or minor(s) for your completed degree(s). Check all that apply.

• Natural or life sciences
• Natural history
• Park management
• Education
• Other (related field)
• Other (non-related field)
• Not applicable

04

If you answered "Other (related field)" or "Other (non-related field)" for the previous question, please list all of your majors and minors. If this question does not pertain to you, or you do not have a degree, enter "Not applicable".

05

Do you currently possess a valid driver's license?

• Yes
• No

06

How many years of full-time equivalent experience do you have in natural or life sciences, natural history, park management, education, or a closely related field?

• None
• Less than one year
• One to less than two years
• Two to less than three years
• Three to less than four years
• Four to less than five years
• Five or more years

07

How many years of full-time equivalent experience do you have working in a natural area or historic site?

• None
• Less than one year
• One to less than two years
• Two to less than three years
• Three to less than four years
• Four to less than five years
• Five or more years

08

How many years of full-time equivalent experience do you have managing budgets and inventory?

• None
• Less than one year
• One to less than two years
• Two to less than three years
• Three to less than four years
• Four to less than five years
• Five or more years

09

How many years of full-time equivalent experience do you have managing or supervising volunteers or volunteer groups?

• None
• Less than one year
• One to less than two years
• Two to less than three years
• Three to less than four years
• Four to less than five years
• Five or more years

10

Please indicate your level of proficiency with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, etc.)

• Beginner (Basic knowledge of creating, editing, formatting, and saving simple documents; inserting simple tables; and proofreading documents for accuracy)
• Intermediate (Knowledge of common commands such as creating a title; using, modifying, and creating styles; setting up the ruler; indenting paragraphs; using tabs and tables; inserting a caption, footnote, endnote, special character, or hard page break; using page numbering; creating headers and footers; inserting graphics; inserting an equation; adding comments and tracking changes)
• Advanced (Extensive knowledge of almost all functions of program including mail merge, macros, creating a table of contents, creating bookmarks and cross-referencing)
• None of the above

Required Question