Job Summary

Are you passionate about connecting people with nature? Are you a person who endlessly tries to figure out what’s happening in the woods? Do you talk about plants and animals so much that it annoys friends? Is pulling English ivy your idea of fun? If so, our team at Bellevue Parks & Community Services is looking for you!

The Lewis Creek Visitor Center Assistant Park Ranger introduces people to the outdoors by developing, delivering, and marketing environmental programs, staffing our visitor centers, patrolling parks, providing administrative support, hosting community volunteers, and engaging with our partners. The natural resources of our Bellevue Parks “speak” a language we humans can’t always understand – help us interpret them to our guests!

Schedule: Up to 30 hours per week, work shift Friday–Sunday, 9am–4:30pm (shift may vary and include evenings, weekends, on-call, and holidays as needed)

About the Lewis Creek Visitor Center 
The Lewis Creek Visitor Center is a gathering place for environmental education and recreation. Over 80% of this 55-acre park is preserved as an undeveloped natural area. Located at the headwaters of Lewis Creek, the park offers three habitats to explore: wetland, old-field meadow, and forest - all accessible by approachable hiking trails. Park rangers host no-cost programming year-round to the Bellevue Community, connecting people with their natural resources.Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Develop and deliver environmental education and interpretive programs including nature walks, educational programs, nature-themed crafts, facility tours, workshops, partner lectures, and other outreach programs.
• Provide support at the Lewis Creek Visitor Center and associated programs. Tasks may include program development, marketing, program delivery, administrative tasks, opening/closing facilities, staffing the front desk, day-to-day facility management, answering phones, greeting visitors, answering questions, utilizing registration software, conducting surveys, and guiding tours.
• Patrol parks as assigned, providing customer service to park guests, educating guests about park rules and regulations, informal interpretation, wildlife-related messaging, accurately maintaining park patrol logs, and inspecting park amenities.
• Assist staff in program areas including, but not limited to, the Natural Resources Division volunteer program, Bellevue Naturalist Training Program, and summer Park Patrol.
• Assist the Park Ranger with administration of the Natural Resource Division’s volunteer program including scheduling, training, hosting, data collection, and overall program coordination.
• Respond quickly and safely to emergency situations.
• Assist with the development of various forms of interpretive media including flyers, brochures, displays, and exhibits.
• Assist with other Natural Resource Division special projects, events, and operations as assigned.

Qualifications

• Education or experience in environmental interpretation, education, natural resource management, wildlife science, forestry, or other closely related fields preferred OR any equivalent combination of education, experience, and training that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities.
• Experience developing and delivering public outreach programs, interpretive media, and/ or education programs on environmental topics preferred.
• Experience working collaboratively with volunteers in the context of environmental restoration and interpretation preferred.
• Ability to communicate effectively with park guests in a courteous, diplomatic, and professional manner is essential.
• Must be able to work with the public, volunteers, contractors, and staff as a member of an interdisciplinary team.
• Strong customer service, written, and oral communication skills are essential.
• Must be able to work with minimal supervision and make decisions independently.
• Knowledge of Microsoft Office applications required. 
• Ability to work non-traditional hours including weekends, evenings, and holidays as needed is essential.
• Candidate must pass criminal background check prior to being hired.
• Must be at least 18 years old
• Valid driver's license required by date of hire; regular driving is an essential function of the job. Must have and maintain a good driving record according to City standards. Current original drivers abstract required at time of interview.

Supplemental Information

Physical Demands
The physical demands and work environment described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Work involves walking, talking, hearing, using hands to handle, feel or operate objects, tools, or controls and reach with hands and arms. Vision abilities required by this job include close vision and the ability to adjust focus.
• The employee may be required to push, pull, lift, and/or carry up to 40 pounds.
• The noise level in the work environment is usually moderately quiet.
• Work may periodically require the employee to climb, balance, bend, stoop, kneel, crouch, and/or crawl.
• Employee must be willing and able to work outside in all weather conditions.

Definition of a Variable Employee: 

• Average weekly hours cannot be determined at date of hire
• Hours may vary from week to week and are anticipated to be 28 hours per week or less
• NOTE: Will be considered full-time and eligible for medical coverage if hours average 30 hours per week or more over a 12-month measurement period (or 130 hours per month) 

HIRING PROCESS
The City evaluates candidates based on the information provided in the online application only. Do not submit resumes and cover letters. To evaluate all candidates fairly and equitably, the City will make all applicants anonymous when we are screening the applications. We will redact information from our application such as your name, address, and other demographics. To help us, please complete the online application form as fully as possible.

• Answer the Supplemental Questions when requested which can be found on the Questions tab of the Job posting.
• We do not accept resumes and cover letters during the anonymous application screening stage, unless otherwise stated in the job description.
• Applicants advancing to the next stage may be required to provide a cover letter, resume, writing sample, and references.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

• All candidates will be required to establish employment authorization and identity at the time of hire. The City is not able to sponsor work visas.
• All positions require the completion of references checks, including at least one prior supervisor.
• Some positions may require completion of a criminal background check prior to start employment
• Some positions may require obtaining a commercial driver's license (CDL), licensures, or additional certifications. 

At the City of Bellevue, you'll be part of a team committed to providing exceptional customer service, upholding the public interest and advancing the community vision. The six essential and enduring principles that guide our individual actions, our interactions, and our decision making in the City of Bellevue organization is: Exceptional Public Service, Stewardship, Commitment to Employees, Integrity, Innovation, and Diversity, Equity & Inclusion. You'll work in an environment that is innovative, collaborative, future focused, and committed to excellence. Bellevue welcomes the world. Our diversity is our strength. We embrace the future while respecting our past. It's what makes the City of Bellevue an exciting place to work, live, and explore.
  
Have we piqued your interest yet? Come join our team! The City of Bellevue supports workplace diversity. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, marital status, national origin, genetic information, disability, age, veteran status, or any other protected status. Persons needing assistance with the application process may call the Human Resources Office, at 425-452-6838 or recruiting@bellevuewa.gov. If you are invited to participate in the selection process and need ADA accommodations, please notify HR before you are scheduled for an interview or testing. 

The City of Bellevue participates in the E-Verify program. Learn more about the E-Verify program.

https://www.e-verify.gov/sites/default/files/IER_RightToWorkPoster.pdf (Download PDF reader)

https://www.e-verify.gov/sites/default/files/everify/posters/IER_RighttoWorkPosterES.pdf (Download PDF reader)

For any technical difficulties with your application, please contact the NEOGOV support line at 855-524-5627.

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