Agriculture Education Program Coordinator

Summary:  Conceptualizes, develops and presents MetroParks of Butler County programs including animals, gardening, agricultural education and history.  Assists/coordinates the daily maintenance and improvement of the grounds, agriculture/farm.  Performs a variety of general-purpose duties and manual labor tasks related to the upkeep and improvement of park grounds, buildings, facilities, equipment and/or program animals on a daily basis.  Assists with special events. Coordinates special assignments.  Utilizes strong computer, social media, interpersonal and collaborative skills on behalf of employer.

Characteristic Duties and Responsibilities – Essential Functions:

• Plans, coordinates, and implements programs including safe public interface with animals through facility rental, public programs, age-appropriate field trips, day camps and special programs. Programs may include topics associated with agriculture, nature, recreation, conservation and education and be held at Chrisholm Historic Farmstead, Middletown Community Gardens and/or other venues as assigned which meet MetroParks financial and/or programming objectives.

• Assists with procurement, daily care and health maintenance of animals, and maintains accurate records of such actions and other related information.  Performs regular maintenance, cleaning and repairs of equipment and facilities related to animal care and demonstration areas.
• Assists with coordination and/or implementation of regular maintenance cleaning and repairs of equipment and facilities related to animal care and demonstration areas. Maintenance duties may include cleaning and maintenance of park facilities and public areas.
• Uses, maintains the safe use of wrenches, drills, pruners, trimmers, blowers, shovels, rakes, hoes, pitchfork, hammers and other common hand or power tools.
• Uses, maintains a wide variety of equipment for the care of livestock at Chrisholm Historic Farmstead.
• Operates licensed and non-licensed motor vehicles, APVs, snow plows, tractors, mowers, brush hogs, trailers, tow behind planting equipment, loaders, sprayers and other equipment.

• Assists and participates in the development and maintenance of historic, herb,

vegetable, field crop and demonstration gardens; fruit crops, apiary, compost areas at

Chrisholm Historic Farmstead and other garden locations, as assigned. Recommends

and or applies fertilizer, herbicides, and or other chemicals according to manufacturer’s

recommendations and MetroParks policy as assigned.

• Reviews and is familiar with program material and lesson plans. Ensures that program

materials are present and in good condition.  Conducts research or supervises/delegates

research needs as necessary for programs.  Learns specific park site information in order

to present factual content during programs.

• Creates promotional materials and develops a marketing strategy for programs (such as press releases, flyers, posters, program guides and social media).
• Accurately collects and deposits MetroParks program or other fees as assigned. Creates and keeps accurate financial records, program budgets, time and work records, and takes inventory of supplies and equipment.  Composes and files written reports as assigned.
• Coordinates and assists with special assignments, projects and special events as determined by supervisor.
• Trains, schedules, and coordinates volunteers seasonal and intermittent staff as assigned. Functionally supervises volunteers and occasionally coordinates other employees.
• Maintains accurate records of tasks performed and the cost of supplies and labor associated with those tasks. Purchases supplies and materials as authorized.
• Attends staff meetings and training as scheduled.
• Follows all applicable MetroParks policies in Personnel Policy Manual, and administrative directives. Requires the same from assigned subordinates to follow Board policies and directives.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Ability to work unsupervised, to organize and coordinate, to prioritize and self-initiate, and to manage tasks.
• Candidates for the position shall be able to demonstrate the ability to safely drive a pick-up truck, haul-back trailer, operate a tractor, roto-tiller, and utilize common hand tools used in all aspects of animal husbandry and garden care.
• Ability to use computer and other common office equipment to efficiently and accurately perform or facilitate the performance of assigned tasks.
• Must be able to communicate and deal tactfully and in a timely and effective manner with superiors, subordinates, co-workers, and the general public in-person or via email, phone, or written document.
• Ability to efficiently operate and teach others to safely and properly operate various types of grounds maintenance, agricultural and/or construction equipment including, but not limited to: Chainsaws, hedge trimmers, weed whips, tractors and bush hogs, lawnmowers, snow plows, blowers, skid loaders, water transfer pumps, chippers, graders, etc.
• Ability to take responsibility for the duty of care of livestock at Chrisholm Historic Farmstead, including but not limited to, the ability to handle animals patiently, gently and confidently for all elements of daily care and the willingness to do dirty or unpleasant aspects of animal husbandry.
• The physical ability to perform labor and the tasks noted above is required of this position as well as possession of the ability to effectively, efficiently, and safely complete assigned tasks in a timely manner.
• Ability to effectively and appropriately deal with confidential information.
• Must be able to communicate and deal tactfully and in a timely and effective manner with superiors, subordinates, co-workers, and the general public.
• Ability to maintain confidentially on sensitive issues and non-public records.
• Ability to maintain a professional, cooperative working relationship with other staff members, volunteers and the staff of other agencies.

Required Education and Experience:

• Completed at least two (2) years of study at an accredited college or university with coursework in agriculture, biology, education, recreation, natural resources, park administration or a closely related field of study resulting in the award of an associate degree or higher; or at least two (2) years of intermittent programming or teaching experience as an employee or volunteer for a governmental or nonprofit park system, school, historical, conservation or similar organization.
• Candidates for the position shall have experience in animal husbandry that includes small farm animals and poultry, as well as experience with best gardening, landscaping and/or field cropping practices.
• Strong communication skills with ability to clearly convey interpretive information and educational program content both orally and in written form to groups of different ages, special populations and backgrounds in an interesting and effective manner.
• Requires basic language, math and computer skills including competency with word processing, e-mail, spreadsheets and Internet web browsers.
• A valid driver’s license with an acceptable motor vehicle record allowing insurability by the MetroParks’ current vehicle insurance carrier under existing coverage provisions at the time of employment and thereafter. A candidate for employment may not have more than 4 total points (or equivalent penalty) issued by a recognized governmental licensing authority as a result of driving-related violations on his/her driving record at the time of employment.
• Good character with no history of serious criminal activity (felony convictions).
• A genuine enthusiasm for outdoor recreation and education programs. Ability to maintain a positive, cooperative and helpful attitude with the public and other staff.  Is familiar and stays current on MetroParks program offerings and basic park facility information.
• Demonstrated ability to supervise others.
• The position requires a high-level dependability and a commitment to quality to ensure a positive park visitor/customer experience.
• Current basic first aid and CPR certification or the ability to obtain this certification within six months of initial employment in this position and maintains said certifications thereafter.

Work Environment & Schedule:

Employment in this position is part-time, and candidate must be available for duty on a flexible and intermittent work schedule that may involve evening, weekend and holiday work for animal care or other assigned farm related tasks.  Reports as assigned during emergencies.  Ability to work in all outside weather conditions; wet and/or humid conditions, extreme cold (below 32 F degrees) and extreme heat (above 90 F degrees).  Ability to work around various outdoor contaminants, such as pesticides, herbicides, and airborne and plant allergens.  Some work assignments and tasks will require exposure to and work in inclement weather conditions.

Physical Demands:

Good physical condition and general good health allowing ability to perform the essential functions of this job.  While performing the duties of this job, the employee may be required to sit, stand, walk, use hands to finger, handle or feel, reach with hands and arms, climb or balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, talk or hear.  The employee may occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.  Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, peripheral vision and ability to adjust focus.  Ability to transverse unimproved trails and across undeveloped areas with sloped, rocky, wet, slippery, natural, rough ground surfaces and enter and exit unimproved historical structures which exist in the park areas and facilities associated with the employee’s assigned duties.

The position functions and responsibilities are illustrative only and do not represent all the duties or tasks to be assigned or performed by an employee with this position title.

Alternates to the above qualifications may be acceptable as approved by the Executive Director.