EDUCATION AND TRAINING SPECIALIST - 77073268 1

Requisition No: 838136 

Agency: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission

Working Title: EDUCATION AND TRAINING SPECIALIST - 77073268 1

 Pay Plan: Career Service

Position Number: 77073268 

Salary:  $39,500.00 annually 

Posting Closing Date: 10/15/2024 

Total Compensation Estimator Tool

OED/Florida Youth Conservation Center Network

Education and Training specialist

Salary: $39,500.00 Annually

12100 Seminole Pratt Whitney Rd.

West Palm Beach, Fl.

Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission

OED/Florida Youth Conservation Center Network

Education & Training Specialist – 77073268

Palm Beach County

Our Organization:

The FWC envisions a Florida where fish and wildlife are abundant and thriving in healthy and connected natural landscapes with vital working lands and waterways; where natural resources are valued and safely enjoyed by all; and wherein natural systems support vibrant human communities and a strong economy.

Our Mission: Managing fish and wildlife resources for their long-term well-being and the benefit of people.

Every organization has an identity that is forged not only by what it does, but by how it conducts itself. The values embedded in our mission and expressed in the vision of the FWC are to make quality decisions by being dynamic, science-informed, efficient, ethical, collaborative, and committed to the vitality of the state and its environment. Visit our website for more information: MyFWC.com

Requirements:

Employment in this position is contingent upon a satisfactory criminal history check (fingerprint-based) in accordance with Chapter 435, Florida Statutes.

Possess and maintain a valid Florida Driver’s License.

Occasional travel for meetings and events required (1-25%).

May require work time outside of regularly scheduled hours, including evenings and weekends

Generally, 40 hours per week 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM (ET) (8:30 AM - 6:30 PM during summer camp) Monday-Friday. Weekend work is required when there are rental use groups, special events, and during summer camp.

Responses to qualifying questions should reflect the experience indicated in the work history of the State of Florida Job Application (Profile) and be verifiable by skills and/or experience stated on the profile application. Information should be provided regarding any gaps in employment.

Successful completion of the following FWC-provided trainings within the first 8 months of employment: Adult and Pediatric First Aid/CPR/AED Instructor certification, Lifeguard, American Canoe Association Level 1 Kayak Instructor, American Canoe Association Level 1 Canoe instructor, , Boater Safety Certification, USA Archery Level 2, FWC Hunters Safety Instructor Certification, FWC Bowhunting Instructor Certification, Food Handler Certification or Food Service Manager

Additional Requirements:

• The Commission expects its employees to be courteous and respectful while assisting Commission customers and stakeholders, ensuring each encounter is as positive as possible. Employees should promptly resolve questions or problems relating to the Commission, its programs and/or fish and wildlife resources. Employees should seek to gain public support for agency objectives and programs by serving Florida’s citizens in a positive and proactive manner and by listening to what the customer wants and striving to meet their needs. When appropriate, employees will explain the reasons for agency actions or decisions while communicating a consistent FWC point-of-view.
• Responsible for following the provisions and requirements in Section 215.422, Florida Statutes, related to the Comptroller’s rules and FWC’s invoice processing and warrant distribution procedures.
• Work at FWC is cross-functional meaning duties may cross division/office lines. The Commission expects employees to function across FWC’s organizational structure by providing their skills and expertise wherever needed through work on teams or as directed.

Experience:

• Six years of professional experience in natural science or education, two of which must have been in outdoor recreation fish and wildlife conservation field work or conservation, natural science or hunters’ education program implementation, OR
• Substitution of a bachelor’s degree from and accredited college or university and two years of experience in outdoor recreation fish and wildlife conservation field work or conservation, natural science or hunters’ education program implementation, OR
• Substitution of a masters degree from and accredited college or university and one year of experience in outdoor recreation fish and wildlife conservation field work or conservation, natural science or hunters education program implementation, OR
• A doctorate from an accredited college or university can substitute for the required experience. Prior experience in outdoor recreation fish and wildlife conservation field work or conservation, natural science or hunters’ education program implementation, is a plus.

Overview:

This full-time Career Service position is based out of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission's (FWC) Florida Youth Conservation Centers Network (FYCCN). The FWC is seeking a self-motivated, energetic, outcome-oriented individual to work as part of the education team at the Everglades Youth Conservation Center (EYCC) in West Palm Beach. The incumbent works with the EYCC Director, Assistant Director, and other Education Specialists to deliver experiential programs designed to engage youth with Florida’s ecosystems through outdoor recreation; Specialize in specific programming such as fishing or shooting sports.

As a part of FYCCN, the incumbent communicates with stakeholders, constituents, and partners and performs functions of this position with a strong understanding of FYCCN’s mission, future goals, and practices. Conveys FYCCN’s vision through effective programming, training, and outreach at the EYCC.

Interested individuals must be passionate about getting youth outside to create the next generation that cares about fish and wildlife resources. In addition to coordinating EYCC’s shooting sports programs, the incumbent will provide hands-on fishing, boating, wildlife discovery and conservation education activities to a diverse audience of youth and families.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Assist with design and implementation of ESYCC site-specific conservation education programs, displays, and resources relevant to FYCCN’s four pillars: Safe boating, Wildlife Exploration, Shooting Sports, and Ethical Angling.

• Assist with the planning, administration and implementation of summer camp programs and of all youth and family programs during the fall and spring as assigned.  
• Trains, supervises, and support program instructors and group leaders as assigned. This could include instructors specializing in any of the following program areas: fishing, shooting sports, paddle sports, and wildlife viewing
• Ensures that camp programs are in compliance with all instructional guidelines such as the USA Archery Association’s manual for Archery Instructors.
• Lead or participate in hands-on educational programming, including field trips, summer camps, fishing clinics, partner events, outreach, and rental use public visitor engagement. Provide input and assist with programming updates as assigned.
• Help maintain camp and educational supplies and equipment to keep them stocked, clean, organized, and in working order; perform inventory as assigned .
• Assist with integration of FYCCN educational curricula, family activities, and conservation programs into EYCC offerings.
• Provide appropriate husbandry care of ambassador animals and immediately report any issues . Provide guidance/training in assigned husbandry duties for new staff, staff assigned as coverage, etc.

Ensure education programs are in compliance with and operate according to American Camp Association (ACA) standards.

• Assist Camp Director and Assistant Camp Director with preparations for summer camp, including updating programming, brainstorming ideas, providing feedback from previous year’s camps, inventory, creating materials, etc.
• Supervise daily summer camp activities as assigned (set up, clean up, leading programming, supporting fellow staff, etc.)
• Address minor program changes, behavioral issues, etc. and level-up to Assistant Camp Director or Director where appropriate. Enforce camp code of conduct.
• Communicates regularly with subordinates on progress toward defined goals and/or required results, providing specific feedback, and initiating corrective action when defined goals and/or required results are not met;
• Evaluates volunteers on scheduled intervals; obtains and considers all relevant information in evaluations and supports volunteers by giving praise and constructive criticism.
• Complete required training related to ACA standards and be familiar with/follow all policies in regard to camper safety, risk management, reporting, etc.

Communicate effectively with stakeholders, constituents, and partners through in-person, telephone, and program/event interactions.

• Promote EYCC programs and facility to the general public, specialty groups, partners, etc.
• Respond to email/phone communications for both assigned work email and EYCC inbox in a timely manner.
• Provide a welcoming experience, and positive guest service to visitors to EYCC through program interactions.
• Participate in meetings, email communications, etc. as needed with FYCCN and FWC staff, FYCCN Partners, etc. to foster collaborative working relationships.
• Maintain effective working relationships with others; work independently, take initiative and work creatively to solve problems.

Perform administrative duties as required.

• Assist with program tracking and data entry/management using Salesforce and Microsoft Excel.
• Assure that files/documentation are complete, accurate, and confidentially maintained.
• Attend and occasionally lead staff meetings, complete and submit required reports, and attend professional development as assigned.
• Participate in program reporting, including recording visitor counts, demographic info for groups, field trip numbers, etc.
• Occasionally assists with data entry/analysis via Microsoft Excel (program evaluations, husbandry data tracking, etc.)
• Complete and submit timesheets and required reports in a timely and thorough manner.

Assist with facility operations outside of education programs as required.

• Assist with all aspects of food service (dishwashing, stocking, cooking, serving, etc.)
• Assist with janitorial cleaning of the facility as needed (cabins, bathrooms, pavilions, etc.)
• Act as campground host for rental groups as needed (checking in groups, monitoring group compliance, addressing group needs, etc,)
• Assist with ground keeping as needed (brush pickup, clearing, etc.)

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Must be able to deliver presentations to large groups of people and lead training workshops.
• Must have the ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.
• Must be computer literate in MS Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint and other related software.
• Must have the ability to evaluate training and instructional materials; present fishing, shooting sports, paddle sports, or wildlife viewing related training in structured learning situations; write reports; and develop procedures.
• Must have good knowledge of hunter education program; firearms, firearm safety, and hunting methods; training theory and instructional design and program management.
• Knowledge of bowhunting preferred.
• Knowledge of hunting, shooting laws and regulations; range safety operations and supervision preferred.
• Knowledge of FYCCN’s Four Pillars: shooting sports, ethical angling, safe boating (paddle sports), and wildlife exploration; training theory and instructional design and program management.
• Knowledge of regional ecosystems and sustainable wildlife management practices preferred.
• Ability to be a team-player and work collaboratively with various stakeholders, partners, and government agencies.
• Ability to work independently, take initiative, and problem-solve.
• Ability to plan, organize, and coordinate work assignments for self and when working with others.
• Ability to deal professionally and sensitively with a diverse audience and a wide range of contacts at different levels.
• Ability to lift up to 55 lbs.
• Ability to travel, enter and exit a vehicle, and/or vessel, and withstand exposure to adverse weather conditions.

The State of Florida is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Affirmative Action Employer, and does not tolerate discrimination or violence in the workplace.

Candidates requiring a reasonable accommodation, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act, must notify the agency hiring authority and/or People First Service Center (1-866-663-4735). Notification to the hiring authority must be made in advance to allow sufficient time to provide the accommodation.

The State of Florida supports a Drug-Free workplace. All employees are subject to reasonable suspicion drug testing in accordance with Section 112.0455, F.S., Drug-Free Workplace Act.

VETERANS’ PREFERENCE.  Pursuant to Chapter 295, Florida Statutes, candidates eligible for Veterans’ Preference will receive preference in employment for Career Service vacancies and are encouraged to apply.  Certain service members may be eligible to receive waivers for postsecondary educational requirements.  Candidates claiming Veterans’ Preference must attach supporting documentation with each submission that includes character of service (for example, DD Form 214 Member Copy #4) along with any other documentation as required by Rule 55A-7, Florida Administrative Code.  Veterans’ Preference documentation requirements are available by clicking here.  All documentation is due by the close of the vacancy announcement.