Public Programs Specialist

Description

Classification: Full-time

Department: Museum and Education 

Work Location: Programs may occur at all Forest Preserves sites. Office located at Museum of the Grand Prairie (Mahomet, IL)

FSLA Status: Hourly, non-exempt

IMRF Pension Plan: Eligible

Insurance Benefits: Eligible for group insurance plans (medical, dental, vision, etc.)

Paid Time Off: Sick leave, vacation leave, comp time, paid holidays, paid family leave

Hours: 40 hours per week, generally from 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM. Will include weekends and evenings, with flexible hours based on programming needs.

Pay: Grade 6: $22.43 to $27.46/hour

The Public Programs Specialist is responsible for developing and implementing cultural history programs, for people of all ages, abilities and backgrounds served by the Champaign County Forest Preserves within the Museum and Education Department. 

This position reports to the Public Programs Manager and does not supervise any Forest Preserves employees.

Essential Functions

• Coordinate within the Museum and Education Department and all departments throughout the Champaign County Forest Preserve District to maintain sound knowledge of our mission, activities and strategic objectives for the development of public programs. 
• Develop, plan, execute, and evaluate public programs that further the Forest Preserves’ mission and the Museum and Education Department’s mission according to its interpretive plan, exhibits, and collections, and connect with audiences of all backgrounds and abilities. Programs include but are not limited to public programs and events for all ages, preschool programs, programs for Scouts, library programs, assisted living homes and special request programs. 
• Assess community needs and coordinate resources to enhance programs. 
• Establish and manage strategic partnerships with local and national organizations to develop programming/content and to facilitate public engagement with the Department’s mission and programs. 
• Collaborate with the staff to develop, plan, execute, and evaluate interdisciplinary programs. 
• Develop, maintain, and monitor the spending of budgets for public programs. Make annual budget recommendations to the Public Program Manager as requested. 
• Recruit, train, coordinate, and evaluate volunteers, working closely with the Forest Preserves’ Volunteer Coordinator. This includes the volunteer docents.
• Collaborate with Department and Forest Preserve staff (e.g. Marketing Coordinator, Site 
• Superintendents, etc.) on the development of public programs, and marketing and outreach materials. 
• Support positive guest experience at Museum of the Grand Prairie (MGP) including customer service, visitor safety, care of the Center and its exhibits, and building security. 
• Enforce Forest Preserves’ rules of conduct and inform appropriate authority if patrons or employees are in danger. Respond promptly and accurately to safety issues, accidents, or concerns of the public. 
• Perform all tasks in compliance with the Forest Preserves’ Safety Manual and the department training manual. 

Secondary Duties 

• Greet and record visitors of the MGP, answer the phone and perform other office duties. Assist with maintenance and cleaning of the Center. 
• Manage the Forest Preserves’ volunteer-docent program for the museum; recruit, coordinate, and train volunteer-docents as needed
• Assist with the growth and maintenance of MGP social media platforms. 
• Collaborate with Public Program Manager and the curatorial staff to ensure proper care, use, and management of the Education Collection. 
• Assist with establishing short- and long-term action plans in accordance with the interpretive and strategic plans approved by the Forest Preserves. 
• Regularly participate in professional development, including attending and/or leading workshops, seminars, conferences, and other educational programs. 
• Assist the Environmental Education Program Specialist in the presentation of school programs and day camps as requested by supervisor. 
• Assist with interpretive materials and exhibits as requested. 
• Perform other duties as assigned. 

Minimum Education and Experience 

• Bachelor’s degree in history, museum studies, natural history, environmental studies, biology, education, or related field preferred is required. This requirement may also be met by an equivalent amount of work experience that imparted the knowledge and skills one would gain from such an education.
• Minimum of 2 years of relevant experience in the planning, development, and implementation of interpretive/educational programming. 
• Experience in developing programs accessible to a wide audience is preferred. 
• Knowledge of Grand Prairie region flora and fauna preferred. 

Skills and Abilities 

• Strong project management skills, especially as it relates to designing multi-part, complex programs. 
• Excellent time management and prioritization skills; ability to work proactively and independently. 
• Creative problem-solving skills; flexibility and excellent judgment; professional attitude. 
• Strong customer service skills. 
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships throughout the Forest Preserves and with external constituents. 
• Excellent written and oral communication skills; communicates clearly and concisely, especially in a team environment. 
• Ability to successfully communicate the Forest Preserves’ mission and vision to a variety of media outlets, and to successfully interact with audiences of all backgrounds and abilities. 
• Actively involve others in planning and problem solving. 
• Microsoft Office experience required. 
• Valid driver’s license is required. 
• Must be fluent and able to communicate in English; bilingual skills are a plus 
• CPR/AED and First Aid certification or the ability to become certified within six months of employment. 

WORK ENVIRONMENT AND PHYSICAL DEMANDS 

Work is primarily performed in a shared office suite with occasional interruptions. While performing this job, the employee regularly utilizes standard office equipment, including a computer. Some work will be performed outdoors in various weather conditions, including heat, cold, rain, snow, or ice. Employee may be exposed to hazardous flora and fauna (e.g. poison ivy, wild parsnip, biting/stinging insects, ticks) and chemicals (e.g., cleaning supplies or herbicides/pesticides). 

The employee will have frequent interaction with co-workers as well as program participants and patrons. Ability to talk and hear or otherwise effectively communicate is required. Prolonged standing, walking, or hiking on unpaved/uneven terrain may be required during programs. Duties may also include climbing, stooping, twisting, balancing, kneeling, crouching, and crawling. The employee may regularly handle, grasp, or feel objects; reach, push, or pull to reposition items; and will occasionally lift up to 25 pounds to shoulder height or above and up to 50 pounds to carrying height. 

Use of personal protective equipment will be required based on job specific tasks. This may include, but is not limited to, the following items: 

• Closed toe shoes
• Protective gloves
• Safety goggles or glasses
• Earplugs or ear covers
• Reflective vest or hi-vis shirt
• Respirators or masks

The work environment characteristics and physical demands described above are representative of those an employee must meet to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made, in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 

EEO Statement

The Champaign County Forest Preserve District is an Equal Opportunity Employer and as such does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, parental status, military service, or any other non-merit factor.

Values

At the Champaign County Forest Preserve District, our values guide everything we do. We are committed to:

• Stewardship: acting thoughtfully and responsibly to care for one another and the financial, natural, and cultural resources entrusted to us.
• Community: building trust through respect, inclusion, and collaboration with colleagues, visitors, and partners.
• Discovery: encouraging curiosity, learning, and growth while inspiring wonder through exploration of the world around us.

These values shape our culture, our work, and our shared responsibility to preserve and enhance the Forest Preserves for future generations.

Please note: Studies have shown that people from various racial and ethnic backgrounds, women and other excluded or historically excluded people are less likely to apply for jobs unless they believe that they meet every one of the qualifications as stated in the job description. The Champaign County Forest Preserve District is interested in finding the best candidate for the job, and that candidate may be one who comes from a less traditional background. If you are interested in applying, we encourage you to think broadly about your background and qualifications for the role.

This job description is intended to describe the general content of and requirement for the performance of this position. It is not to be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities or requirements. Changes, including additional duties, may be assigned at any time.