Lead or Assistant Paddler

Core Responsibilities 

• Be responsible for unlocking equipment and setting up for the paddling session, as well as locking equipment and cleaning up after the session. 
• Verify registration and release forms are completed by each volunteer before allowing them to enter an Anacostia Green Boat Program paddling vessel.  
• Provide a verbal informational orientation on the program and the history of the Anacostia River to participants. 
• Responsible for the safety of the participants including: 
• Fitting PFDs properly on each paddling participant. 
• Providing safety information and ensuring all paddlers safely enter and exit boats. 
• Performing on-water rescues as trained by Principal or Lead Paddler. 
• Performing First Aid/CPR to Consultant’s highest level of certification and no higher. 
• Informing volunteers of paddling boundaries. 
• Provide feedback on potential safety issues in order to maintain the highest standards of safety for volunteers. 
• Lead trash sorting, data collection and proper disposal per Living Classrooms’ trash protocols to support the goal of cleaning the river.  
• Communicating availability and confirming schedule for the season with Green Boats Coordinator and finding appropriate and approved replacements for any schedule changes. Most programs take place on weekends.  

• Assist with other duties as assigned. 

  Required Education, Skills, and Abilities  

• Experience in and desire to work in litter reduction, conducting education or recreation activities with youth and/or adults, and water activities. 
• A passion for nature and environmental work. 
• A team player, taking initiative and direction well. 
• Friendly and engaging personality; excellent public speaking skills; ability to work collaboratively as part of the education and LC-NCR teams; experience and ability to lead outdoor work or events with ranger team or volunteer groups. 
• Maintain professional composure when dealing with visitors, volunteers, workforce groups, students/teachers, and other LC staff. 
• Be flexible and capable of problem solving. 
• Interacts well with customers, clients, visitors, etc. 
• Organized and timely. 
• Willingness to work outdoors in warm temperatures and some weather conditions (Green Boats programs are canceled for certain weather conditions such as strong winds, storms, steady rain, etc). 
• Ability to pass federal and state background checks, drug, and TB tests; fully vaccinated against Covid-19 strongly preferred. 
• Ability to lift 50 pounds at a time 
• Interest in obtaining and passing American Canoe Association trainings, such as Paddlesports Safety Facilitator, Level 1 Canoe or Kayak Instructor, and/or a kayak or canoe skills assessment. 
• Ability to work weekends (1 weekend day about twice a month) or during the week
• Ability to perform the essential eligibility criteria (such as being able to breathe independently). These criteria can be found on the Green Boats page of the Kingman Island website and are available on request. 
• Familiarity with the Anacostia River, Kingman Island, DC history, culture, and current events/climate. 

Additional Information 

Part-time paddling staff reports to the Green Boats Coordinator and will fill out timesheets biweekly for biweekly pay. LCF-NCR manages multiple sites in the National Capital Region and our principal office is located at 156 Q St SW. The Kingman and Heritage Islands Conservation Area can be accessed from RFK Stadium Lot 6, off Oklahoma Avenue in NE DC. The James C. Dent House is in SW DC.  

Work will take place primarily in person on Kingman Island, though occasional traveling to Dent House or other training locations may be required. Paddling staff must be able to get to and from work at Kingman Island or training locations in a reliable manner. 

About Kingman Island  

Kingman and Heritage Islands is a 50-acre State Conservation Area in the Anacostia River near RFK Stadium. Living Classrooms has managed the area on behalf of the DC government since 2007. Kingman Island south of Benning Road and the smaller adjacent Heritage Island together constitutes the District of Columbia’s Kingman and Heritage Islands Conservation Area.   

About Living Classrooms Foundation 

Living Classrooms of the National Capital Region is the DC-based affiliate of the Living Classrooms Foundation, established in 2001. Living Classrooms works to strengthen communities and inspire people to achieve their highest potential through hands-on learning opportunities in education, workforce development, and health and wellness, often leveraging environmental assets and maritime resources to serve as “living classrooms.” For more information, visit livingclassrooms.org. 

The Living Classrooms Foundation provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.