Visitor Center Aide

The Position: Visitor Center Aides provide public information in a park visitor center and surrounding parklands. These positions are designed for those considering a career in environmental education, natural history, cultural history, or park professions while supplementing their current coursework in natural science and/or cultural history. GENERAL FUNCTION: Class specifications are intended to present a descriptive list of the range of duties performed by employees in the class. Specifications are not intended to reflect all duties performed within the job. Under direct supervision, performs a wide variety of entry level support and public information duties related to park visitor centers. CLASS CHARACTERISTICS: The Visitor Center Aide classification is distinguished from Interpretative Aide in that the latter has responsibilities related to assisting Naturalist Aides and Naturalists with program development and content creation and may provide direction to Visitor Center Aides and volunteers, while the former may only assist with elements of the program, such as setup/cleanup and conducting pre-designed activities. Example Of DutiesThe following duties are typical for this classification. Incumbents may not perform all of the listed duties and/or may be required to perform additional or different duties from those set forth below to address business needs and changing business practices. Performs park visitor center duties such as opening/closing the center, hosting the public, administrative duties that may include answering the phone, stocking brochures, maintaining the bulletin boards and displays, minor custodial duties, keeping the visitor log, answering visitor questions, selling souvenirs and tickets, handling cash and merchandise, maintaining displays, running errands, feeding and caring for animals and fish, and otherwise assisting the public while they are in the Center Assists Naturalists with programs, by conducting pre-designed activities such as snake talks, puppet shows, spider talks, etc., roving, tabling, trail sweeping, etc. Performs related duties as assigned.

Office procedures, methods, and equipment including computers and applicable software applications such as word processing, spreadsheets, and databases. Ability to: Communicate Park rules and procedures effectively to park visitors and users Conduct pre-designed activities for small to medium sized groups Provide public information and customer service Work outdoors in inclement weather Conduct monetary transactions in a variety of forms (cash, credit, electronic) Handle cash, count correct change, record transactions Perform basic clerical duties Operate office equipment including computers and supporting word processing, spreadsheet, and database applications Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing Establish and maintain positive working relationships with those contacted in the course of work at all levels, including a culturally diverse public, with a focus on quality service to internal staff and external customers.