Environmental Education Support Specialist

~ The mission of the South Cross Bayou education program is to educate citizens about Pinellas County’s water resources, with an emphasis on resource recovery, environmental stewardship, and career opportunities. ~

We accomplish this through facility tours, classroom presentations, and public events. If you enjoy working with the public, talking about science, planning educational activities, educating K-12 students, and providing administrative support to a growing program, this may be the ideal opportunity for you!

Position Overview

The Education Support Specialist assists the Education Coordinator with the promotion, scheduling, logistics, and delivery of the Utilities Department's South Cross Bayou education program.

The primary functions of the position will be to promote, schedule, and give tours at the South Cross Bayou Water Reclamation Facility for school students (grades 6+) and the general public; assist with maintaining the education program facilities including a state of the art training room and 42 passenger tram; participate in off-site (i.e. school-based) educational events; assist with coordinating program logistics such as transportation to/from schools to/from South Cross Bayou; and assist with maintaining a wildflower garden at South Cross Bayou. The Education Support Specialist will support the Education Coordinator to develop programming and keep it dynamic, modern, and engaging.

The Specialist will have demonstrated strong oral and written communication skills, with an ability to communicate to groups of varying ages, abilities, backgrounds, and experiences. The Specialist must be willing to work outside, potentially in hot or inclement weather.

Responsibilities

Illustrative Tasks:

• • Assist with daily operations of site facilities including opening, closing, and maintaining the general tidiness of building, booking appropriate rooms for tours and preparing the room for instruction.
  • Answer emails and phone calls.
  • Schedules tours, speaker presentations, and event participation with schools, civic groups, and community organizations.
  • Work with outside agencies in order to promote the county education program.
  • Assist with program registration, evaluations, and data entry.
  • Conduct tours as requested.
  • Attend occasional outreach events on behalf of South Cross Bayou.
  • Assist with outreach events such as festivals and education activities as directed by supervisors.
  • Coordinate the activities of volunteer personnel as needed within the section or department.
  • May act as lead worker.
  • Participates as a team member in long range planning for the educational program.
  • Conducts public speaking duties, including group orientation, as required.
  • Work may occasionally be conducted in difficult environmental conditions, such as hot, rainy, and/or wet conditions.
  • Participate in Emergency Response Plan as designated during emergency storm events.
  • Additional duties may be assigned and not included in the above listing.

Position Specific Qualifications

Experience – strong public speaking skills and proficiency in Microsoft Office with experience working in an informal educational setting such as a museum or education/visitor center or formal setting, such as a school.

• • 3 years of experience as described above; or
  • Associate degree in general or specialized study and 1 year of experience as described above; or
  • Bachelor’s degree in general or specialized study and some experience as described above.

Additional Requirements:

• • Possession and maintenance of a valid Florida Driver’s License.
  • The position will be required to complete training to drive the Facility's 42 passenger tram and may be required to obtain a CDL Class B with P (passenger) endorsement within one year of hire.
  • Ability to work occasional weekend or evening shifts for special events.
  • Assignment to work a variety of work schedules including compulsory work periods in special, emergency, and/or disaster situations.

Knowledge, Skills And Abilities:

• • Skill in speaking before groups and conducting tours and off-site speaker presentations (i.e. classroom visits).
  • Solid communication skills including the ability to compose written documents and interact effectively with peers and supervisors.
  • Good interpersonal skills combined with the ability to work as a team player.
  • Ability to work in a safe manner, understanding the hazards of working in an industrial setting with a track record of promoting safety for staff and students.
  • Possession of organized record keeping skills, attention to detail, and scheduling capabilities.
  • Customer service skills, team skills, and ability to establish effective working relationships.
  • Ability to present instructional programs and speeches to teachers, children, students, civic groups, and the general public.
  • Ability to form and foster relationships with other community entities.
  • Ability to work independently in an education center with minimal supervision.
  • Ability to work with a variety of personality types with tact and diplomacy.
  • Strong oral and written communication skills.

Highly Desirable:

• • Degree in Chemistry, Environmental Science, Biology, Physics or related field.
  • Experience creating flyers using software such as Adobe Photoshop and/or Canva.
  • Experience developing lesson plans or activities for K-12 students.

EOE/AA/ADA/DFW/VP Certain service members and veterans, and the spouses and family members of the service members and veterans, receive preference and priority in employment by the state and are encouraged to apply for the positions being filled. Ciertos miembros del servicio y veteranos, sus esposas/os, y sus familiares reciben preferencia y prioridad en el empleo con el gobierno y se les recomienda que apliquen para los puestos