Recreation Assistant

The Position

ABOUT US:

The East Bay Regional Park District is a system of beautiful parklands in Alameda and Contra Costa counties to the east of San Francisco. The system comprises 73 parks spanning across 126,809 acres; 1,250 miles of trails; 55 miles of shoreline. We manage and preserve natural and cultural resources for all to enjoy and protect. The regional parks are ideal for healthful recreation and environmental education. Learn about our

Mission and Vision,History,and our contributions to the

United Nations 17 Sustainable Development Goals.

OUR MISSION:

EBRPD preserves a rich heritage of natural and cultural resources and provides open space, parks, trails, safe and healthful recreation and environmental education. Anenvironmental ethicguides the District in all of its activities.

OUR VALUES:

• Respect

• We honor the land we steward, each other, and the park visitors we serve.

• Resilience

• We creatively adapt to change. We address challenges with empathy, perspective, and determination.

• Relationships

• Our greatest strength lies in the trust, accountability, and teamwork we cultivate with our colleagues, partners, and the public we serve.

• Responsiveness

• We communicate openly, honestly, and reliably.

• Transparency

• We hold the public's trust through meaningful stakeholder engagement and access to timely and reliable information on decisions and performance.

WHY WORK FOR EBRPD?

• Working with a purpose for a better world today and for future generations through the preservation of open space, public access to the outdoors, and a commitment to the conservation of the natural world found east of the San Francisco Bay across 33 cities in Alameda and Contra Costa counties.

• A community of colleagues who are passionate about public service and the East Bay Regional Park District, the communities it serves, and its mission.

• Excellent benefits: Medical, Dental, Vision, Flexible Spending, and pension benefits through California Public Employees Retirement System (CalPERS). Clickherefordetails regarding additional benefits.

• Tuition reimbursement and professional development.

• Free on-site parking.

• Free parking permit for EBRPD parks (for up to 2 privately owned vehicles)

• Employee discounts for certain EBRPD park amenities (reservations, daily fishing permit, public boat launch).

THE OPPORTUNITY:

The Park District currently has two (2) vacancies located in two work groups: 1) Outdoor Recreation and 2) Community Services and Volunteers. The hiring pools established as a result of this recruitment will be used to fill the current vacancy and any additional vacancies that may occur during the one-year life of the hiring pools.

One (1) vacancy is located within the Outdoor Recreation workgroup at the Tidewater Boating Center in Oakland, CA.AND

One (1) vacancy is located within the Community Services and Volunteer workgroup at the Redwood Roadhouse office in Oakland, CA.

WHAT YOU'LL BE DOING:

Under supervision, assists in the coordination and delivery of a comprehensive offering of regional volunteer and recreational opportunities, special events, tours, and skills training for the assigned work unit; and performs related duties as assigned.

As the Recreation Assistant, you will work in one of two distinct work groups, Outdoor Recreation and Community Services and Volunteers.

As the Recreation Assistant in the Outdoor Recreation work group, you will lead the summer day-camp program and facilitate the delivery of a wide variety of recreation programming, including boating, fishing, overnight camping, bicycling, and other outdoor activities. The Recreation Assistant will support Recreation Coordinators in leading seasonal staff trainings as well as the maintenance management of recreation program gear and supplies.

As part of the Community Services and Volunteers workgroup you will: a) act as a liaison for volunteers and park staff b.) lead, or support lead staff for volunteer events and conservation projects c.) assist with the development and staffing of special events. This Recreation Assistant will routinely collaborate and communicate with other departments to create and support volunteer projects, this will include field work and administrative / database responsibilities.

REPORTS TO: Chief, manager, supervisor, or designee.

SUPERVISES: May provide lead direction to seasonal workers and volunteers.

IDEAL CANDIDATE:

• A self-starter who excels in a customer-service-focused capacity

• Knowledgeable in recreation programming

• Knowledge of volunteer leadership and conservation methods

• An excellent communicator

Class specifications are intended to present a descriptive list of the range of duties performed by employees in the class. Specifications are not intended to reflect all duties performed within the job.

CLASS CHARACTERISTICS:

Reporting to the Volunteer Program Supervisor, the Recreation Assistant will be responsible for acting as a liaison for both program volunteers as well as park staff. This is not a clerical or administrative position, rather the Recreation Assistant is responsible for leading volunteers in conservation projects, ensuring proper tool use, and procuring materials and supplies needed.

Essential Functions

The following duties are typical for this classification. Incumbents may not perform all of the listed duties and/or may be required to perform additional or different duties from those set forth below to address business needs and changing business practices.

• This position performs the operational support tasks necessary to organize and deliver regional-scope volunteer and recreational program offering;

• Assists in coordinating and implementing volunteer and recreational programs, and special events;

• Leads volunteers in in-park conservation projects;

• Greets new arrivals to activities, introduces them to participants, and encourages participation;

• Signs-in volunteers and records volunteer hours;

• Responds to public inquiries in a professional manner;

• Acknowledges and notes participant complaints for follow-up by supervisor;

• Procures materials and supplies as needed;

• Assists with marketing and promotional efforts;

• Performs direct service delivery, including but not limited to instructing volunteers on proper and safe use of tools;

• Explains principles, techniques and procedures to participants based on the activity at hand;

• Ensures that best practices are followed around group conduct and safety;

• Meets and collaborates with park district staff and community groups to plan volunteer and recreational programs;

• Assists in researching and organizing agreements with potential instructors and service providers;

• Prepares necessary reports or documents, and makes recommendations on program improvements;

• Provides suggestions for development of new volunteer opportunities based on park district needs and feedback from volunteers;

• May transport program participants, staff and/or equipment;

• Performs related duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

Any combination of education and experience that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:

Education: Equivalent to completion of the twelfth grade;

AND

Experience: One year of experience planning or delivering recreational activities in a lead or supervisory capacity;

OR

Substitution: Completion of 60 semester units or 90 quarter units of college level course work in a related field may be substituted for the required experience.

AND

License or Certificate:Possession of a valid Class C California Driver's License is a condition of initial and continued employment in this classification.

Additional Information

The following generally describes the knowledge and ability required to enter the job and/or be learned within a short period of time in order to successfully perform the assigned duties.

Knowledge of:

• Volunteer and recreational programs, special events and activities suitable for a variety of ages;

• First aid and CPR;

• Best practices in outdoor recreation risk management.

Skills in:

• Leading, demonstrating and overseeing volunteer and recreation programming with adult and youth participants;

• Managing groups effectively and safely;

• Use of computer, computer applications and software.

Ability to:

• Plan, organize, and conduct volunteer and recreational activities;

• Present in front of audience;

• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing;

• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work at all levels, including a culturally diverse general public, with a focus on quality serve to internal staff and external customers.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

• Must pass a Level 1 Background Check which includes: employment history verification, employee reference check, education or certificate verification, Department of Justice fingerprinting, and criminal history review.

• Must wear a Park District uniform.

• May be required to work unusual hours, weekends, holidays, and outdoors in a variety of weather conditions.

• Must obtain Basic First Aid and CPR Certification within three (3) months of initial employment.

UNION AFFILIATION:

AFSCME:East Bay Regional Parks Employees, Local 2428, American Federation of State, County & Municipal Employees (AFSCME), AFL-CIO, represents this classification. Wages, hours, and other terms of conditions of employment are covered in a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Park District and Local 2428. The probationary period for this classification is nine (9) months.

Internal Promotions:Placement shall be made at the first step in the salary range for the new position (Step A) unless the salary rate at Step A of the new position is less than a 5% increase. In such instances, the employee will be placed at a step in the new salary range that ensures at least a 5% increase.

Application materials for these positions consist of two (2) required parts:

• A current East Bay Regional Park District application submitted online, and

• Completed supplemental questions.

Apply prior to the closing time of the job announcement and allow at least one (1) hour to submit your application if you are a new user to the system. If you have previously applied to a position on GovernmentJobs.com, please allow time to update your existing profile. Applications are accepted online only. Our online application system is provided by NeoGov. If you encounter problems while applying online, please contact NeoGov Help Desk toll-free at (855) 524-5627.

Selection Process:The application materials for all applicants meeting the minimum qualifications will be reviewed by a screening panel to select the best qualified for testing or oral examination/interview. The District reserves the right to set up a written test, performance test, and/or other assessment procedures before or after the interview process. Possession of minimum qualifications does not guarantee an interview or invitation to test.Pursuant to the Federal Immigration and Reform Act of 1986, all applicants who are hired will be required to provide proof of identity and appropriate work authorization documents prior to commencement of employment.

The selection process will include the following:

• Application Screening

• Supplemental Questions Screening

• Oral Examination

Special Testing Arrangements: If you require special arrangements due to a verified disability or medical condition, please contact the Human Resources Department at (510) 544-2154 at least five business days before the test.

Tentative Date of Onsite Oral Examinations:

End of May to 1st week of June 2024

The East Bay Regional Park District is an Equal Opportunity Employer that values and respects a diverse workforce and community. It is committed to promoting an equitable and inclusive workspace that is welcoming to all. Applicants from all backgrounds and life experiences are encouraged to apply. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment.