Park Program Specialist

Summary:  Manages, plans, coordinates and implements MetroParks of Butler County educational and/or recreational programs throughout the park system under the direction of the Senior Manager of Park Connections.  Seeks donations, sponsorships and funding sources for events and projects.

Characteristic Duties and Responsibilities – Essential Functions:

• Organizes, develops budgets for, and implements educational, recreational programs and MetroParks’ sponsored or co-sponsored special events throughout the park system including, but not limited to concerts, festivals, living history events and art shows as assigned.
• Creates new programs and events themed within the mission of MetroParks.
• Maintains responsibility for quality, coordination and organization of park programming.
• Manages costs and pursues financially viable, revenue producing performance by seeking and securing additional funding sources for events, projects, and programming from outside of the MetroParks general fund including pursuit of donations, sponsorships and gifts.
• Collects, accounts for and deposits MetroParks program or other fees in a timely fashion as assigned.
• Collaborates and works cooperatively with other department staff and volunteers to plan and implement events.  Maintains and promotes good working relationships with staff and volunteers.
• Trains, schedules, and coordinates volunteers, seasonal, intermittent and part-time staff as assigned.  Supervises volunteers and occasionally coordinates and/or supervises other employees as assigned. Schedules and mediates planning meetings for programs and events.
• Responsible for obtaining permits, licensing, contract with providers, payments, purchase orders and other paperwork related to special events.  Books and evaluates outside entertainment, contractual personnel and vendors.
• Creates promotional materials and develops a marketing strategy for events, such as press releases, flyers, posters, program guides and social media.
• Creates status reports for supervisor advising of any successes, significant issues or problems encountered.
• Proposes annual budgets covering special events, projects and programming.
• Operates motor vehicles on behalf of the employer and common office, electronic, and other equipment.
• Follows applicable MetroParks policies in Employee Handbook and other policies adopted by the Board of Park Commissioners.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Ability to work unsupervised, to organize, coordinate, prioritize and self-initiate.  Ability to manage multiple administrative details and physical logistics of events.
• Knowledge of event planning, park programs and activities, public relations, and assigned program subject matter, as well as community and guest demographics.

• Ability to use computer and other common office equipment to efficiently and accurately perform or facilitate the performance of assigned tasks.
• The ability to perform the physical labor inherent to conducting the tasks and duties 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 Recreation, Leisure Studies, Event Management, Communications. Public Relations, Education, Natural History, Conservation, Natural Resources, or a closely related field of study resulting in the award of an associate degree or higher; 1-3 years of progressively responsible experience in program planning, organizing and implementation of recreational and/or educational programs is preferred.

• An appropriate combination of education, training, course work and experience to demonstrate required knowledge, skills, and abilities will be considered.
• Above average skill in written and oral communications.
• Skilled in the use of common office software (word processing, spreadsheets, desktop publishing, PowerPoint, etc.), general office equipment and program technological needs.
• Skilled in speaking effectively before groups.
• Demonstrates success in negotiating contracts and coordinating and/or collaborating with performers, vendors and others.
• Current basic first aid and CPR certifications or the ability to obtain these certifications within 6 months of assumption of position.
• 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 appointment 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).
• The position requires a high-level of dependability and a commitment to quality to ensure a positive park visitor/customer experience.

Work Environment & Schedule:

This is a fulltime position in which the employee must remain available to work a flexible schedule that will include evenings, weekends and holidays. Ability to work effectively outdoors in all regular weather and climatic conditions is also required.

Physical Demands:

Good physical condition and general good health allowing performance of light to moderate physical labor.  Ability to perform physical requirements of the position such as carrying items, standing, crouching, climbing, lifting, etc. and to traverse improved indoor and/or outdoor natural surfaces.

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.