Program Instructor

Summary: Under the direction of the Heller Nature Center Manager, the Program Instructor is responsible for conducting a wide variety of environmental education, interpretive and outdoor recreation programs.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
• Instruct environmental education programs for school groups.
• Conduct environmental education, interpretive and outdoor recreation programs for home school groups, scout groups, custom groups, and the community.
• Facilitate teams course programs.
• Instruct early childhood classes.
• Develop curriculum and lesson plans.
• Conduct and prepare program setup and take down.
• Assist with special events.
• Assist with management of beehives.
• Staff rentals as needed.
• Greet public, answer phones, and disseminate information as needed.
• Attend staff and planning meetings as required.
• Attend training courses as needed.
• Provide site supervision and conduct programs on weekends, holidays and other times as needed.
• Coordinate with Naturalist-Program Supervisor on purchasing supplies for specific programs within an approved budget.
• Follow and implement PDHP behavior management policies.
• Assist in the development of behavior management techniques.
• Implement and document behavior management plans within the Park District guidelines.
• Provide positive and professional communication with customers.
• Report any problems, unsafe conditions, behavior issues and accidents to the Naturalist-Program Supervisor.
• Collect and maintain emergency forms; dispense District approved required medications.
• Take attendance and maintain sign in sheets.
• Follow emergency procedures as outlined in the facility Emergency Action Plan.
• Perform other Park District-related duties as assigned.

Supervisory Responsibilities: This job has no supervisory responsibilities.

Education and/or Experience: Bachelor's degree (B. A.) from four-year college or university; or one to two years related experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience.

Computer Skills: Have knowledge of Database software; Internet software; Spreadsheet software and Word Processing software.

Schedule: Evening and weekend work required. Hours and schedules may vary depending on seasonal workloads and needs.

Wage Range: $20.50-$23.00 per hour

Classification: Part-time, non-exempt

Physical Requirements: While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee is frequently required to sit, stand, walk, and reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to climb or balance or stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl. The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 10 pounds, frequently lift and/or move up to 25 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.

Working Conditions: While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly exposed to outside weather conditions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

Benefits:
• Health & Fitness Membership
• Outdoor Pool Membership and Seasonal Beach Access
• Program and Facility Discounts on a variety of recreational activities including Golf and Raquet Sports.

The Park District of Highland Park is an equal-opportunity employer.