Outdoor Recreation Coordinator

Dakota County
$56,217.00 - $87,839.00 Annually
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Jan 23, 2025
General Description POSITION TYPE: External DEPARTMENT: Parks HOURS: Full-time PREFERRED HIRING RANGE: $56,217 - $70,217 FULL SALARY RANGE: $56,217 - $87,839 (106) LOCATION: Lebanon Hills Visitor Center, Eagan UNION: Non-Union CLOSE DATE: 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday, February 5, 2025 WHAT YOU'LL DO The Parks Outdoor Recreation Coordinator carries out the mission of the Parks Department through leadership and coordination in the planning, administration, facilitation, and instruction of outdoor recreation programming. Working directly with specific unit Parks Supervisors, the Coordinator is responsible for providing a high-quality visitor experience through outdoor recreation in a safe, efficient, and responsive manner. Working with considerable independence, the position will employ critical thinking, adaptive problem solving, keen customer service skills and responsive decision-making. The Coordinator has regular direct contact with the public, visitors, and customers, ensuring positive experiences, and troubleshoots and addresses challenges in a pro-active, service-oriented manner. The position will require strong leadership, communication, project and program management skills, and the ability to work well in a team setting. WHO WE ARE Dakota County is Minnesota's third largest county and home to more than 400,000 residents. Our motto is "Be More" and we strive every day to achieve excellence in public service, with a focus on four values: Service, Integrity, People, and Innovation. Dakota County aims to create an environment that is welcoming and inclusive of diverse people, backgrounds, and experiences. Our goal is to have a workforce that is reflective of the communities and individuals we serve. We promote an equitable and culturally aware work environment where everyone can be their authentic selves. Minimum Qualifications Minimum Qualifications: Bachelor's Degree in Parks and Recreation, Outdoor Education, Tourism, Public/Business/Non-Profit Administration, Cultural Studies, or a closely related field. OR Associates degree and two years of full-time progressively responsible experience in implementing and/or coordinating recreation education programs. OR An equivalent combination of relevant education and work experience to equal or exceed four years. Experience must be directly related to implementing and/or coordinating recreation education programs. AND Valid driver's license Preferred Qualifications: Direct work experience in implementing and coordinating recreation education programming. Previous lead work or supervisory experience working with seasonal staff. Experience working with diverse populations and customers with limited English proficiency Bilingual skills, especially Spanish CPR and First Aid Certified America Canoe Association Certified Instructor, National Archery in the Schools Certified Instructor, Professional Mountain Bike Instructor Association or Bike Instructor Certification Program Certified Instructor Duties & Responsibilities Essential Functions: All the duties listed below are essential functions. These examples do not include all possible tasks in this work and do not limit the assignment of related tasks in any position of this classification. Regular attendance according to the position's management approved work schedule is required. Provide leadership in the planning, implementation, facilitation, and evaluation of year-round, recreation education programs and activities for all audiences. Teach, instruct, and facilitate environmental, recreation, and cultural education programs and activities. Supervise temporary Outdoor Education positions, volunteers, and interns including recruitment, hiring, training, scheduling, staff development and performance evaluation. Lead the development including research, content development, and evaluation of inclusive, relevant, and creative curriculum for varied outdoor recreation programming. Develop and maintain effective and collaborative working relationships with partners to support the coordination of the curriculum and logistics for outdoor recreation programming. Build partnerships with internal and external partners, including schools, organizations, agencies, and businesses. Recommend, purchase, and maintain recreational equipment, materials, and supplies. Assist the Outdoor Education Supervisor in preparation of annual budget related to Outdoor Education Program. Manage program level budgets. Collaborate with the Guest Services team on program registration setup, structure and policy, as well as administrative and logistical tasks associated with program registration and data entry for program offerings. Develop partnerships and design program offerings and curricula to ensure park visitors feel welcome, are provided with accurate and appropriate information, as well as positive park experiences. Maintain recreational certifications and train seasonal and permanent staff in recreational programming including but not limited to canoeing, kayaking, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, archery and fishing. Develop and manage a volunteer program for the Outdoor Education program. Manage contracts with instructors and vendors, including recruitment, contract process, scheduling, and invoicing. Monitor all programs and activities to ensure a safe and positive experience, including following risk management and weather guidelines, appropriate certifications and permits, and other related policies. Recommend changes and updates to policies in timely manner. Essential Duties: XX- XX Knowledge, Skills & Abilities and Work Environment Ability to plan, coordinate and execute the programs within their responsibilities. Demonstrated skills and experience in project management. Ability to create and support effective working relationships with the department, county and with external partners and the community. Knowledge of best practices, policies, procedures and requirements for a wide variety of community and special events. Ability to work independently and in a team-oriented, collaborative environment. Skilled interpersonal communicator able to tune messages to multiple, diverse audiences. Ability to work with people from various backgrounds. Strong cultural awareness skills. Ability to develop and execute work plans with measurable outcomes that meet programmatic outcomes within deadlines. Ability to employ strong organizational and time management skills. Ability to write clear, concise reports and other communication pieces. Ability to effectively present ideas and plans through spoken and written communication. Skilled at managing multiple tasks concurrently, handling critical deadlines and maintaining a high degree of accuracy. Demonstrated knowledge and ability in the use of Outlook, Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint and Adobe Creative Suite. WORK ENVIRONMENT: Work is performed in County Office buildings 60% time and outdoors 40% of time. Driving is required. Employee will be frequently required to work in outside weather conditions, being exposed to cold and hot temperatures, precipitation, direct sunlight, wind, dust, and pollen that occasionally necessitate the use of rain gear, gloves, etc. The work requires some physical exertion such as long periods of walking, standing, crouching, or riding over rough, uneven, swampy, or rocky terrain. Employee will need to perform the physical requirements of various outdoor recreational activities such as canoeing, biking, cross-country skiing, water sports, fishing, stand up paddleboarding, kayaking, archery, orienteering, geocaching and camping. It also requires the Staff must also have the physical ability to bend, twist, crouch, lift, forward & overhead reach, and push/pull and carry equipment necessary for the job which may weigh up to 50 lbs. Types of office equipment used include: telephone, computer, printer, copier, fax, conventional and digital cameras. This position reports to the Parks Supervisor - Outdoor Education. Benefits Comprehensive and affordable medical, dental, vision, and other benefits Excellent work-life balance Generous paid time off (accrual rate starts at four weeks per year) Eleven paid holidays and one floating holiday each year Pension with a generous employer contribution Ability to work from home some of the time Monthly cell phone stipend Selection Process You submit an online application that includes supplemental questions We assign you a score based on your qualifications Top scoring candidates are referred to the hiring manager for interview consideration We conduct interviews and reference checks before extending an offer We extend an offer and conduct background checks