The Blowing Rocks Preserve Assistant is a staff member of the Florida Chapter of The Nature Conservancy’s Stewardship and Field Programs Department (SAF) and serves on SAF’s South Florida Conservation Program team. SAF is the lead department on managing the Chapter’s Center for Conservation Initiatives (CCI). The Blowing Rocks Preserve Assistant provides support in all aspects of visitor relations at CCI’s Blowing Rocks Preserve (CCI | BRP) campus spanning 73-acres on Jupiter Island, FL.
CCI | BRP is one of four flagship preserves that The Nature Conservancy’s Florida Chapter owns and operates. Originally protected for its unique rock formations and sea turtle nesting habitat, today the Preserve also serves as a model for successful coastal habitat restoration.
The Preserve Assistant will assist with visitor orientation, direction, and management; environmental interpretation and engagement with visitors; visitor-use area maintenance and light janitorial duties; admission fee collection, and supporting stewardship and maintenance efforts as needed. This temporary position works 3 weekdays each week, including occasional holidays, and runs for a 16-week period from mid December 2019 through early April 2020.
RESPONSIBILITIES AND SCOPE
- Must be available to work weekdays, including occasional holidays, for a minimum of 21 hours per week.
- Staff the beach entrance kiosk and serve as the welcoming host for visitors to CCI | BRP.
- Open and close CCI | BRP on scheduled work days, as needed.
- Share general information about CCI | BRP programs and operations, as well as information about the mission and objectives of The Nature Conservancy.
- Manage the admission fee collection at CCI | BRP. May be required to operate a cash register or digital transaction system and calculate and deliver monetary change.
- Provide occasional staff presence in Hawley Education Center Exhibit Hall for visitor welcoming, site security, and light custodial and facility maintenance.
- Provide assistance with interpretation and educational programming in passive or guided settings, as needed.
- Ensures that visitors follow recommended safety guidelines, procedures and precautions.
- May be required to coordinate with law enforcement or first responders to address emergencies at CCI | BRP.
- Provide quality customer service in a courteous and professional manner.
- Ability to work and communicate effectively with a wide range of people, including staff, public, and volunteers.
- Must have a positive attitude and enthusiasm for conservation.
- Ability to work both independently or as part of a team.
- Must be punctual and reliable.
- Must be able to work in variable weather conditions (e.g. high heat and humidity).
- Work involves several disagreeable elements and/or exposure to job hazard’s where there is some possibility of injury.
- Make day to day decisions as delegated by supervisor; may work under limited supervision and supervisor.
- Other preserve and stewardship duties as assigned
- Experience organizing files.
- Experience operating power and construction tools in a safe manner.
- Experience in Customer Service
DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Excellent communication, presentation and interpersonal skills.
- Strong organizational skills with attention to detail.
- Experience or knowledge of natural systems, coastal ecology, and surrounding natural areas.
- Experience or knowledge of surrounding geography, tourist destinations, and local cultural activities.
- Ability to complete tasks within assigned timeframes, often in the absence of supervision.
- Record keeping experience.
This is a part-time 21-hour position that is temporary. Rate of pay is $14.00 per hour.