Do you have a passion for the outdoors? Enjoy working hard, leading a team, and learning new skills? Join the Ponca State Park Leadership Team to help create a welcoming landscape for visitors to enjoy while playing a key role in the park's operations and educational programming. Nebraska's amazing wildlife, natural beauty, and outdoor recreation is waiting for you.
Job duties include fostering environmental awareness and engaging visitors through educational initiatives, outdoor activities, and outreach programs. Develop, coordinate, and deliver environmental education programs for visitors of all ages. Interact with park visitors to provide information about park amenities, trails, and safety guidelines. Promote the agency and park's environmental education goals and sustainability initiatives. Assist with park upkeep, including trail monitoring, facility maintenance, and safety procedures. Help organize and run special events such as nature programs, educational workshops, outdoor recreation activities, and outreach events. Assist with the creation of educational materials, visitor surveys, program evaluations, displays, and exhibits. Engage with park visitors to provide information on local wildlife, plant species, geology, and the history of Ponca State Park and Nebraska. Care for animal education ambassadors. Maintenance and operation of the Eric Wiebe Shooting Complex. Seasonal management responsibilities, facilitate seasonal staff, perform administrative tasks: data collection, budget monitoring, purchasing. Assist with daily management and operations of Ponca State Park, including monitoring staff, overseeing park facilities, and maintaining visitor services. May work outside normal business hours, including weekends and designated holidays, to respond to complaints or incidents. Related work as assigned.
What we can offer you: Hands-on training; opportunities for professional growth in science/environmental education and outdoor recreation. Gain administrative, planning, management, and partner development experiences. Opportunities to share your love of the outdoors, nature, and science with diverse communities. On site seasonal housing option available. Fun and flexible workplace.
Requirements/Qualifications: Minimum qualifications include a Bachelor's degree in park/recreation management or a related field; (wildlife, fisheries, natural resources sciences, public administration, history, cultural resource preservation or interpretation, travel and tourism, and planning) AND one year related experience. Related coursework/training and/or experience in park/recreation management or related field may substitute for the Bachelor's degree on a year-for-year basis. Other: Valid driver's license.
Knowledge, skills & abilities include knowledge and interest in Nebraska wildlife, natural resources, and outdoor recreation; animal care for snakes, turtles, frogs, and salamanders; clearly present and communicate information to varied audiences; work and make decisions independently and as a team; establish and maintain effective working relationships with co-workers and administrative personnel; drive and transport materials to different areas of the park and the surrounding tri-state area; willingness to learn about the natural history of the Missouri River and Ponca State Park, shooting skills, kayaking, and share with the general public; bend, stoop, climb, reach frequently; work outdoors; remain standing and/or walking for long periods of time.
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We offer a comprehensive package of pay, benefits, paid time off, retirement and professional development opportunities to help you get the most out of your career and life. Your paycheck is just part of your total compensation. Check out all that the State of Nebraska has to offer! Benefit eligibility may vary by position, agency and employment status. For more information on benefits, please visit:
Equal Opportunity Statement
The State of Nebraska values our teammates as well as a supportive environment that strives to promote diversity, inclusion, and belonging. We recruit, hire, train, and promote in all job classifications and at all levels without regard to race, color, religion, sex. age, national origin, disability, marital status or genetics.