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People First Service Center

OPS EDUCATION SPECIALIST - 77901034

People First Service Center, West Palm Beach, Florida, United States, 33412

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OPS Education Specialist – Other Personal Services Position

Requisition No: 867054 Agency: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission Location: West Palm Beach, FL 33412 Position Overview and Responsibilities

This full‑time OPS position is based in the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s Office of Conservation Engagement and Education’s Florida Youth Conservation Centers Network. The Education Specialist will coordinate the training, development, supervision, and support for EYCC’s youth educational programs and facility operations. Description of Duties

Assist with training and support for seasonal staff and volunteers as assigned. Ensure that programs are taught in accordance with the prescribed outlines in the applicable course manuals and operating under the guidelines established in the applicable policy and procedures manuals. Lead or participate in hands‑on educational programming, including field trips, summer camps, fishing clinics, partner events, outreach, and rental use. Help maintain camp and educational supplies and equipment to keep them stocked, clean, organized, and in working order; performs inventory as assigned by Director or Assistant Director. Assist with integration of FYCCN educational curricula, family activities, and conservation programs into EYCC offerings. Assist with the planning, administration, and implementation of all summer camp programs, youth, and family programs as assigned. Provide species appropriate husbandry to assigned ambassador animals and cover for other animal care staff when they are out of the office. Ensure education programs are in compliance with American Camp Association standards. Assist Camp Director and Assistant Camp Director with preparations for summer camp, including updating programming, brainstorming ideas, providing feedback from previous year’s camps, inventory, and creating materials. Supervise activities during summer camp as assigned and enforce camp code of conduct. Evaluate volunteers on scheduled intervals and provide constructive feedback. Communicate effectively with parents/guardians, stakeholders, constituents, and partners throughout in‑person, by telephone, and at program/event interactions. Promote EYCC programs and facility to the general public, specialty groups, partners, etc. Respond to email/phone communications for both assigned work email and EYCC inbox in a timely manner. Provide a welcoming experience and positive guest service to visitors to EYCC through program interactions. Participate in meetings, email communications, etc. as needed with FYCCN and FWC staff to foster collaborative working relationships. Maintain effective working relationships with others; work independently, take initiative and work creatively to solve problems. Administrative duties: attend staff meetings, perform professional development courses, and perform other duties as required. Assist with program tracking, data entry/management, and analysis using Customer Service Management Systems (e.g., Salesforce, Microsoft Dynamics 365) and Microsoft Excel. Ensure that files/documentation are complete, accurate, and confidentially maintained. Attend and occasionally lead staff meetings, complete and submit required reports, and attend professional development as assigned. Participate in program reporting, including recording visitor counts, demographic information for groups, field trip numbers, etc. Assist with facility operations outside of education programs as required; assist with food service, janitorial cleaning, ground keeping, and acting as campground host for rental groups as needed. Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Strong program facilitation and presentation skills, presenting complex concepts to large groups of varied age ranges. Ability to work independently, take initiative, and problem‑solve. Ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing. Skilled in Microsoft Office Suite. Plan, organize, and coordinate work assignments for self and others. Team‑player and work collaboratively with stakeholders, partners, and government agencies. Professional and sensitive interaction with diverse audiences. Evaluate training and instructional materials, present training materials in structured learning situations, write reports, develop procedures and monitor a program budget. Strong swimming skills with endurance and abilities required for aquatic rescues and swim in natural bodies of water. Intermediate to advanced canoeing and kayaking skills for on‑water rescues and maneuvering. Ability to draw a 35 lb. bow, operate a bow safely and effectively, and supervise an archery range. Ability to lift up to 55 lbs of camp equipment. Ability to travel, enter and exit a vehicle, and withstand exposure to adverse weather conditions. Firearms safety and hunter safety curriculum implementation. Intermediate to advanced fresh water and/or saltwater fishing knowledge and skills. Knowledge of regional ecosystems, wildlife, and sustainable wildlife management practices. Minimum Qualifications

Six years of professional experience in natural science or education, including two years in outdoor recreation, wildlife conservation field work, or conservation, and/or natural science. Or substitution of a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university and two years of experience in outdoor recreation, and/or natural science. Or substitution of a master’s degree from an accredited college or university and one year of experience in outdoor recreation, and/or natural science. Or substitution of a doctorate from an accredited college or university to substitute for the required experience. Prior experience in outdoor recreation, and/or natural science is a plus. Requirements

Employment is contingent upon a satisfactory criminal history check (fingerprint‑based) in accordance with Chapter 435, Florida Statutes. Possess and maintain a valid Florida Driver License and a good driving record. Occasional travel for meetings and events required (1‑25%). Working hours: Monday‑Friday 8:00 AM‑5:00 PM (ET); weekend and after‑hours work are required when there are rental use groups, special events, and summer camp. Successfully complete a swimming skills evaluation based on the American Red Cross five water competency skills within one month of employment. Successfully complete the prerequisite swimming skills evaluation required for the American Red Cross Lifeguarding (including Deep Water) course within two months of employment. Successfully complete a kayaking skills assessment and canoeing skills assessment within two months of employment. Successfully complete the following trainings within the first 8 months of employment: Adult and Pediatric First Aid/CPR/AED Certification, Lifeguard Certification, American Canoe Association Level 2 Kayak Skills Course, American Canoe Association Level 1 Canoe Skills Course, Boater Safety Certification, USA Archery Level 2 Instructor Certification, Hunter Safety Certification, Fishing and Boating Camp Training, Project WILD Facilitator Certification. Benefits of Working for the State of Florida

Health coverage with low deductibles and low monthly out‑of‑pocket contributions. Retirement plan options: FRS Pension Plan or FRS Investment Plan. Tuition waiver program within the state university and community college systems. Paid administrative leave for mentoring, volunteering, voting, and other reasons. Supports family planning, including paid maternity leave, adoption benefits, Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), Family Supportive Work Program (FSWP), and paid leave for family and medical responsibilities for eligible employees. The State of Florida is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Affirmative Action Employer and does not tolerate discrimination or violence in the workplace. Candidates requiring a reasonable accommodation, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act, must notify the agency hiring authority and/or People First Service Center (1‑866‑663‑4735) in advance. Location

NORTH PALM BEACH, FL, US 33402; NORTH PALM BEACH, FL, US 33408; PALM BEACH GARDENS, FL, US 33412; PALM BEACH GARDENS, FL, US 33418; WEST PALM BEACH, FL, US 33401; WEST PALM BEACH, FL, US 33405; WEST PALM BEACH, FL, US 33406; WEST PALM BEACH, FL, US 33407; WEST PALM BEACH, FL, US 33409; WEST PALM BEACH, FL, US 33410; WEST PALM BEACH, FL, US 33411; WEST PALM BEACH, FL, US 33412; WEST PALM BEACH, FL, US 33413; WEST PALM BEACH, FL, US 33415; WEST PALM BEACH, FL, US 33417; WEST PALM BEACH, FL, US 33418; WEST PALM BEACH, FL, US 33426; WEST PALM BEACH, FL, US 33460 Nearest Major Market

Palm Beach Nearest Secondary Market

Miami For assistance, call the People First Service Center at (877) 562-7287 Monday – Friday, 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM (ET).

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