Outdoor Recreation Specialist 1 (Youth Outdoors)

The Youth Outdoors Recreation Specialist 1, plans, implements, and evaluates programs to provide hands-on adventure recreation and outdoor education experiences for youth. Programs and activities facilitate positive youth development and help youth gain an appreciation of nature and natural areas. Most programs take place during out-of-school time including late afternoon/early evening, Saturdays, and daytime during school breaks. The Youth Outdoors Recreation Specialist 1 also performs outreach to urban community-based organizations to develop program collaborations and promote participation. Additionally, the Youth Outdoors Recreation Specialist 1 helps coordinate special events and assists in the training of seasonal staff, interns, and volunteers.

Essential Functions:

1. Regular and predictable attendance is expected and required. All Cleveland Metroparks employees must be prepared to work flexible schedules, including evenings, weekends, and/or holidays as required.
2. Plans, designs, schedules, promotes, outfits, and leads outdoor recreation programs/activities to diverse audiences: Schedules group outings, determines level of ability of group and appropriate activity and location; plans for equipment availability; checks for conflicts in locations and equipment, and gathers necessary equipment based on activity and weather; teaches/leads activities (activities include hiking, canoeing, kayaking, sailing, fishing, bike riding, cross country skiing, snow shoeing, rock climbing/rappelling, kite flying, group building initiatives); prepares food for outing; manages risks of outdoor activity and group dynamics; researches and develops educational and promotional material for programs including brochures, handouts and presentations; plans and implements community education programs; assists in planning and lead Cleveland Metroparks public programs with other Outdoor Experiences staff.
3. Maintains, purchases, repairs and stores equipment, facilities, program outposts, storage areas and vehicle, trailer, bicycle and vessel fleets: Manages, stores, repairs and inventories equipment needed for outings including vehicles, trailers, canoes, kayaks, bicycles, snowshoes, cross country skis and all the associated accessories; clothes and provides safety equipment necessary to outfit youth for any weather condition; purchases supplies and equipment as needed.
4. Researches, develops, promotes, pilots and executes program expansion with new activities and groups: Identifies and contacts potential new community partners for groups and program opportunities: Meets with staff/volunteers of organizations to plan cooperative programming; builds relationships with new and potential groups; evaluates existing programs and potential programs for risk management, fit and feasibility.
5. Engage the community as content experts through staying current through attending conferences, workshops, and trainings while also interfacing with local recreation groups, clubs, and special population groups.
6. Engages other departments in their programs as visiting experts when they need/desire help developing and delivering active outdoor recreation themed programming. Occasionally, conduct trainings to help them enhance their skills (kayaking, SUP, Map and Compass, hiking safety, etc).
7. Keeps direct supervisor promptly informed of key/significant issues or concerns.
8. Carries out duties and responsibilities in a safe and efficient manner to maintain a safe work environment and surrounding area for oneself, co-workers and public. Responds to hazardous situations and/or potentially unsafe conditions by taking corrective action as capable and promptly notifying supervisory personnel.
9. Updates and enhances own knowledge by involvement in continuing education for professional growth (i.e., attends relevant conferences, seminars, in-service trainings, and certification programs)
10. Assists Manager in creating promotional materials for recreation program.
11. Performs related duties as assigned or apparent.

Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in outdoor recreation or related discipline. Minimum of two years’ experience teaching outdoor recreation curriculum classes, or experience leading outdoor recreation activities for youth; or any equivalent combination of education, training, and experience which provides the requisite knowledge, skills, and abilities for this job.
• Must possess and maintain a valid driver’s license under the laws of the State of Ohio. Must possess or successfully obtain the minimum level of certification required to provide instruction for all assigned course (e.g., Ohio Boating Instruction, American Canoe Association Level 1 Instructor Certification in Kayaking, Canoeing or Stand Up Paddleboarding. League of American Bicyclists Certified Instructor, Mountain Bicycling Association Level 1 Instructor). Must possess or successfully obtain CPR and First Aid certifications.
• Ability to plan and implement outdoor recreation programs to a variety of audiences, including youth, teens, adults, and seniors. Preferred skill areas include, but not limited to, bicycling, camping, fishing, canoeing, kayaking, stand up paddleboarding, rock climbing, backpacking, and winter activities.
• Demonstrated experience planning and leading outdoor recreation and education programs for youth and teens. Preferred skills areas include, but are not limited to kayaking, canoeing, stand up paddleboarding, fishing, bicycling, map and compass/land navigation, camping, backpacking, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, rock climbing, initiatives/cooperative games, and nature education. Demonstrated passion and experience working with youth ages 8 – 18 years.
• Demonstrated ability and understanding of how to utilize outdoor adventure programming to impact youth development in individuals and groups.
• Ability to operate trucks and vans with trailers to transport equipment, including ability to drive, back-up, and park trucks and vans with trailers.
• Ability to work flexible hours and weekends, holidays, and evenings as required.
• Ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships with stakeholders, including employees and the general public.
• Ability to speak and write clearly, concisely and persuasively using correct grammar, spelling and punctuation with ability to communicate one-on-one or in group settings.
• Ability to perform work with a high degree of accuracy and organization.
• Management skills and strong business acumen, including problem solving, vision, ability to manage multiple programs and meet deadlines, collaboration, leadership, decision making and ability to analyze diverse facts and develop clear and concise reports and recommendations.
• Ability to work cooperatively with others.
• Proficiency in software programs including all Microsoft Office programs.
• Mature professional attitude and considerable discretion, including ability to manage confidential information.
• Ability to perform with considerable independence and initiative.