Park Interpreter - Parks (Idyllwild) - County of Riverside
Idyllwild, CA 92549
About the Job
Click here to learn about the benefits of working for the County of Riverside.
The Riverside County Regional Park and Open-Space District has an opportunity for a Park Interpreter in Idyllwild at the Idyllwild Nature Center. Qualified applicants may be considered for future vacancies throughout the County.
The Idyllwild Nature Center is located one mile northwest of Idyllwild on Highway 243 in Riverside County. The Center offers field trips, environmental education programs and guided tours by appointment. The offered programs focus on mountain ecology, habitats, flora and fauna, Cahuilla Native culture and the history of the San Jacinto. Additionally, nature walks and natural history lectures are offered during the summer.
Under general supervision, the Park Interpreter will develop and conduct a natural science and historical interpretive program at the Idyllwild Nature Center; assist in training other personnel in interpretive techniques; and do other work as required. The Park Interpreter will supervise a Park Aide and volunteers.
The Park Interpreter will also be responsible for running the visitor center. Main duties include designing, planning, coordinating, and conducting interpretive programs and events; scheduling, training, and overseeing employees and volunteers; interacting extensively with visitors; handling and performing caretaker duties for animals including reptiles, snakes, and arachnids; and performing light janitorial work.
Competitive experience includes educating children, event planning, and experience preparing or creating lessons and curriculum. If you love history and enjoy sharing what you know in a fun and inviting way, apply today!
This position requires being outdoors, so applicants who enjoy being outdoors or with a naturalist, park ranger, or similar background are encouraged to apply. Weekend availability may be required for events.
Meet the Team!
The Riverside County Regional Park and Open-Space District is a nationally accredited agency who strives to be the regional leader in improving lives through people, parks, places, and programs. Their mission is to acquire, protect, develop, manage, and interpret for the inspiration, use, and enjoyment of all people, a well-balanced system of areas of outstanding scenic, recreational, and historic importance.
EXAMPLES OF ESSENTIAL DUTIES
• Plans and develops a natural science and historical interpretive and conservation education program in a district park area; administers one or more interpretive centers; assists in construction and/or the maintenance of interpretive buildings, exhibits, and nature trails.
• Organizes and participates in nature walks, campfire programs, and other natural science and historical interpretive activities.
• Assists in training other employees and volunteers in interpretive methods and techniques.
• Organizes volunteer and docent groups to assist in interpretive center operations; performs natural science research of average difficulty.
• Compiles information and writes or edits natural science articles, reports, and other interpretive program materials; Makes reports and recommendations.
• Coordinates with schools and community organizations in regard to conservation, natural science features and historical sites of Riverside County.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Knowledge of: Methods and procedures for developing and maintaining park natural areas; Natural history, archaeology, cultural heritage, flora, and fauna of the coastal plain, mountain, and low desert regions of southern California; Methods and procedures for developing nature and environmental programs at the primary, secondary, and adult education levels; Natural and biological sciences; Principles of ecology, field collection, identification and preparation of laboratory and study specimens; Audio-visual techniques, including photography and basic exhibit concepts.
Ability to: Interpret nature and environmental programs to the general public; Establish and maintain effective working relationships with others; Perform the physical labor required as a part of normal job assignments.
OPTION I
Experience: One year of experience as a Park Aide with Riverside County Parks District or /an equivalent position.
OPTION II
Education: Possession of a Bachelor's Degree from a recognized college with major work in the Natural Sciences, Park Administration, or a closely related field. (Additional qualifying experience may be substituted for the required education on a year for year basis. Substitution of experience for education will be made on the basis of 30 semester or 45 quarter units being equal to one year of experience.)
AND
Experience: One year of experience performing parks, nature, or wildlife interpretive functions for a parks or forestry department, educational institution, museum, or other related institution, or teaching natural sciences at the high school or college level.
Other Requirements
License/Certificate: Possession of a valid California Driver's License.
Physical Exposures:
Heat, smells, animals and rattlesnakes
WORKING SCHEDULE: 5/40
Wednesday-Sunday 8am-4:30pm
(some evenings may be required based on events and department need)
UNIFORM PROVIDED (tops/bottoms ONLY - NO BOOTS)
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION
Reasonable Accommodations
The County of Riverside is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to applicants as required by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA). Qualified individuals with disabilities who need a reasonable accommodation during the application or selection process should contact the recruiter for the position noted above. For additional information and/or to obtain the appropriate form for requesting a reasonable accommodation, please visit the Disability Access Office web page located at: http://dao.rc-hr.com/ .
Veterans' Preference The County has a Veterans Preference Policy. Upload a copy of your (or your spouse's) Member-4 Form DD-214 (or NGB-22) indicating dates of service, and a copy of your spouse's letter of disability (if applicable) with your application. For privacy reasons, it is recommended that you remove your social security information from the document(s). A Human Resources Representative will review the materials and determine if you qualify for veterans' preference. See the policy here ( Download PDF reader ).
What's Next?
This recruitment is open to all candidates.
Applicants who are current employees of the Department of Waste Resources may be considered before other applicants depending on the volume of application received.
Based on the number of applications received, this posting may close without notice.
Applications received prior to the closing date will be considered based on the information submitted. Changes or alterations cannot be accepted. No late applications will be permitted.
Include relevant work experience details on resume and/or application. Applicants who fail to provide information demonstrating they possess the position requirements may not be considered further in the application process. A description of job duties directly copied from the job classification or job posting will not be considered.
Upload a copy of any official/unofficial transcript(s), degrees, and/or related employment documents to your NeoGov account. If your education was completed outside of the United States, you will need to provide a copy of your Foreign Education Equivalency evaluation from a member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) or Association of International Credential Evaluators, Inc. (AICE).
BASED ON THE NUMBER OF APPLICATIONS RECEIVED, THIS POSTING MAY CLOSE WITHOUT NOTICE. For more information, please email Amanda Campos at acampos@rivco.org .
GENERAL APPLICATION INFORMATION:
Please read and follow any special application instructions on this posting. Click the 'Apply' link located on this page to submit your application. For instructions on the application process, examinations, Veteran's preference, pre-employment accommodation or other employment questions, please refer to our web site, www.rc-hr.com . A pre-employment physical examination and background check may be required.
MEDICAL/DENTAL/VISION INSURANCE: A choice of different medical, dental and visions plan are available to elect. The County provides a Flexible Benefit Credit contribution as governed by the applicable SEIU Memorandum of Understanding to contribute towards the cost of these plans.
Note: Employees on assignment through the Temporary Assignment Program (TAP) receive different benefits. See the list here .
MISCELLANEOUS RETIREMENT: County of Riverside has three retirement Tiers through the California Public Employees' Retirement System (CalPERS).
- Tier I (Classic Member - Formula 3% @ 60): Applicable to current and former County of Riverside local miscellaneous employees hired prior to 08/24/2012 and did not withdraw CalPERS contributions. The employee contribution is eight (8%) percent.
- Tier II (Classic Member - Formula 2% @ 60): Applicable to local miscellaneous employees 1) hired after 08/23/2012 through 12/31/2012; 2) Previously employed with another CalPERS contracting public agency or a reciprocal retirement system, with a break in service of less than six months between the separation date with the previous employer and the appointment date with the County of Riverside. The employee contribution is seven (7%) percent.
- Tier III (PEPRA New Member - Formula 2% @ 62): Applicable to CalPERS local miscellaneous new members hired on or after the implementation of the Public Employees' Pension Reform Act of 2013 (PEPRA) which took effect January 1, 2013. As of July 1, 2023, the employee contribution is 8.25% and subject to change annually.
A new member is defined as any of the following:
CalPERS refers to all members that do not fit within the definition of a new member as "classic members".
Contribution rates are subject to change based on the County of Riverside annual actuarial valuation.
Note:
This summary is for general information purposes only. Additional questions regarding retirement formulas can be sent to retirement@rivco.org or by calling the Benefits Information Line at (951) 955-4981,
Option 2.
If you have prior service credit with another CalPERS agency or within agencies, please contact CalPERS at (888) 225-7377 to determine which retirement tier would be applicable to you. CalPERS is governed by the Public Employees' Retirement Law. The Retirement Law is complex and subject to change. If there's any conflict between this summary and the law, the law will prevail over this summary.
DEFERRED COMPENSATION: Voluntary employee contribution with a choice between two 457 deferred compensation plan options.
VACATION ACCRUAL (Bi-Weekly Accrual):
0< 3 year = 80 Hours (10 Days)
4< 9 years = 120 Hours (15 Days)
10 or more years = 160 Hours (20 Days)
Maximum Vacation leave accumulation is 480 hours.
SICK LEAVE: Four (4) hours Sick Leave accrual per pay period with unlimited accrual.
HOLIDAYS: Normally 12 paid holidays per year.
BEREAVEMENT LEAVE: Allowed 5 days (3 days are County paid; 2 additional days can be taken from accrued Sick Leave balance).
BASIC LIFE INSURANCE: Equal to one times annual base salary not to exceed $50,000 of term life coverage. Premiums are paid by the County. Additional Supplemental Life plan is available for employee purchase.
DISABILITY: Short-term Disability benefit pays up to a maximum of $461.54 weekly, payable up to a maximum of 52 weeks.
POST RETIREMENT MEDICAL CONTRIBUTION: A monthly contribution is made by the County towards retiree health insurance offered through the County as governed by the applicable SEIU Memorandum of Understanding.
OTHER: There may be other benefit provisions as specified in the applicable Memorandum of Understanding. Please contact the recruiter listed on the job posting directly for more information.
