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Nature Center Volunteer, Front Desk & Rental Operations Mgr.-(Natural Resources Program Manager II)

Howard County Government
Full-time
On-site
Columbia, Maryland, United States
$68,542 - $131,949 USD yearly

 

POSITION SUMMARY/CLASS DESCRIPTION

Howard County:
Conveniently located in the heart of central Maryland between Baltimore and Washington, Howard County offers the charm of a historic past mixed with the excitement of a cosmopolitan community.
 
Howard County Government:
Howard County Government is a leader in innovation, best practices and sustainability. It is consistently ranked as one of the best places to live and work in the country. In 2024, Howard County Government received a record-breaking 63 Achievement Awards from the National Association of Counties (NACo) – the most awards in the state of Maryland, and the fifth highest in the nation, as compared to more than 3000 counties. NACo Achievement Awards are the premier national honor to recognize innovative and transformative programs that provide new services for county residents, improve existing programs, upgrade working conditions, and enhance citizen participation and public policy making.
 
What are we looking for?
We are looking for outstanding individuals to join our team and contribute to excellence in Howard County operations.
 
What you'll like most about working at Howard County Government:

  • We are committed to workplace excellence in every area of County government.  
  • We have a highly talented, diverse, and inclusive workplace. Your input will not only be heard, but it will be encouraged!  
  • We offer competitive compensation and great benefits including medical, retirement, and wellness programs. 
  • As a member of the Howard County Government team, you'll be helping drive our culture and directly impact what makes us an amazing place to work.
POSITION SUMMARY:
This position directs and coordinates all facility program support related to guest services, registration, marketing, gift shop operations, accounting, field trips coordination and special events. This position also oversees volunteer management at the center, which includes training, tracking and recruitment, working in tandem with the Departments Volunteer Supervisor. 

STARTING SALARY HIRING RANGE:
$32.95 - $36.03
$68,542 - $74,934
 
CLASS DESCRIPTION:
Performs mid management and advanced level natural resources work, which may include supervisory responsibility, under general supervision from an administrative or technical superior.  Work may include developing natural resource management plans, managing natural resource field operations and regulation implementation and compliance. Work may also include providing technical direction related to natural resource/ecosystem management, developing natural resource policies and procedures, and overseeing county-wide deer, other wildlife management, or educational programs. 

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Include the following. Other duties may be assigned.


Facility Program Operations:

  • Directs and coordinates fulltime and contingent staff in the operations related to the front desk, gift shop, program registration, program support and public and private field trip oversight.
  • Directs and coordinate facility rental reservations for all facility rental requests and spaces using ActiveNet.
  • Oversees and certifies the reconciliation of daily and weekly deposits and their transport.
  • Coordinates and acts as liaison with the Office of Finance in matters related to accounting procedures.
  • Directs the recruitment, tracking and processing of Center memberships Serves as a primary point of contact for Robinson Nature Center Volunteers.  
  • Responsible for the recruitment and training of volunteers at the Center. 
  • Maintains volunteer database and communicates information to the department Volunteer Supervisor. 
  • Oversees customer requests, inquiries, concerns and complaints in regard to rental spaces, field trips and the Facility. Point of contact for user groups and public inquiries for event rentals and field trip request
  • Supervision of rentals and use of the building by individual renters, community and nonprofit organizations and other external/internal user groups
  • Oversees onsite registrations support via telephone, walk-in, fax and mail.
  • Oversees the input of accurate program information in the registration database. 
  • Insures and trains staff in providing outstanding customer service to both the internal and external clients.
  • Oversee client service needs with regards to catering, audio visual, security, and rental needs. 
  • Directs the use and training of audio-visual equipment for programs and rentals. Ensures equipment remain in good working order and oversees repair and maintenance as required.
  • Coordinate all field trip private planetarium programs, event rentals, and other requests as needed via an online submission program or telephone
  • Coordinate communication with teachers and customers regarding program information to ensure a positive field trip experience for all parties involved.
  • Develop and implement strategies that grow and cultivate the RNC Membership program. 
  • Monitor and report on key metrics including membership growth, registration, engagement, and retention. 
Marketing:
  • Develop membership, facility, and rental information for County web site. Coordinates with Marketing on design and updates for field trips, rentals and membership materials.
  • Monitor the Nature Center’s online presence and plans engagement strategies to help promote Center field trips, rentals and memberships.  This includes constant contact communications and online advertising through tourism outlets. 
  • Determine best marketing approaches and coordinate with Departmental Marketing team on marketing of facility, trail system, membership opportunities, volunteer opportunities and room rentals.
  • Coordinates with Program Manager in determining best marketing approaches for field trips
  • Drafts marketing materials and attends outreach events that help promote the Center and its rental options.
  • Update and reorder Facility, Rental, field trip and other brochures or marketing items. 
Training and Support:
  • Develop and implement trainings and professional development for Nature Center staff, volunteers, and master naturalists in areas such as customer service, team building, and other needs as determined by Nature Center Manager. 
  • Assists with special events,  outreach events, and programming as needed. 
General Responsibilities:
  • Works and cooperates with co-workers and supervisors at all levels.
  • Learns and performs all essential job functions accurately.
  • Responsible for identifying and applying good sustainability practices into all aspects of Department operations.
  • Supervision of full time and assigned contingent staff to include recruitment, selection, training, and evaluation.
  • Participate on committees as assigned.
  • Performs other duties as assigned.
  • Works regular evening and weekend hours. Provides on-call assistance for evening, weekend and holiday events, programs and general facility operations.
  • Completes, reviews and submits Incident, Injury, Accident, or other related reports to the Center Manager and Recreation, Adventure and Nature Division Superintendent.
  • This position may be deemed as essential in an emergency at the discretion of the director.
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:
Directly supervises full time and contingent employees in the Department of Recreation and Parks.  May assist in supervising volunteers. Carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the organization’s policies and applicable laws. Responsibilities include interviewing and training employees and volunteers. 

MINIMUM REQUIRED EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE

Bachelor’s Degree and two (2) years related experience or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

PREFERRED EDUCATION, KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

  • First Aid, CPR and AED.
  • Facility and Event Management.
  • Proficient in recent Windows, Excel, Word and PowerPoint.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT:
The physical demands 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.
 
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; and reach with hands and arms.  The employee is occasionally required to sit; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; and taste or smell.   The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.   Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.
 
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
 
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently exposed to outside weather conditions.   The employee is occasionally exposed to moving mechanical parts and high, precarious places.  The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.
 
LANGUAGE SKILLS, MATHEMATICAL SKILLS AND REASONING ABILITY:
Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals.   Ability to write routine reports and correspondence. Ability to speak effectively before groups of customers or employees of organization.
 
Ability to calculate figures and amounts such as discounts, interest, commissions, proportions, percentages, area, circumference, and volume.  Ability to apply concepts of basic algebra and geometry.
 
Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, or diagram form.  Ability to deal with problems involving several concrete variables in standardized situations.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES AND REGISTRATIONS

Possession of a valid driver’s license.  License must remain valid, as long as individual is employed in this class.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

TO APPLY:  You must complete an employment application online to be considered for this recruitment. Resumes cannot be substituted for completion of the job application work history. No paper applications will be accepted. 

Selected candidates may be subject to drug screening, background screening, and reference checks.       

At time of application, please submit a copy of any college degree, coursework, licenses, or certifications that you have referenced on your application. Applicants who have education obtained outside of the U.S. may need to provide proof of the equivalent U.S. education as determined by a foreign credential evaluation service, such as the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (http://www.naces.org) or World Education Services: International Credential Evaluation (https://www.wes.org/).

Howard County Government is not sponsoring employees in application of the H-1B Visa or providing an extension of an existing H-1B Visa. All applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States under the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986.

Howard County is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer, and we are committed to a workplace that values diversity, equity, and inclusion. The County prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, age, sex, ancestry, creed, national origin, disability status, genetics, marital status, military service, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. Applicants requiring accommodations during the hiring process should contact the Office of Human Resources directly at  HiringPreference@howardcountymd.gov. Requests for accommodations should not be attached to the application. 

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