Bcp Visitor Center Outreach Coordinator

Salary: $55,877.50 - $66,623.17 Annually
Location : Austin, TX
Job Type: Full Time
Job Number: 23-08771
Department: TNR (Trans & Natrl Resrc)
Opening Date: 11/08/2023
Closing Date: 12/7/2023 11:59 PM Central
Job Summary
Are you looking for career opportunities that provide top-notch benefits including paid vacation and sick leave, parental leave, outstanding health, vision, and dental insurance, a free health clinic for you and your dependents, a generous retirement plan, and much more? Then bring your talents to Travis County!
Coordinates outreach and education programs for the public, community organizations and visitors to the Travis County Balcones Canyonlands Preserve Visitor Center (BCPVC).
Distinguishing Characteristics
This is a job classification within the Professional Support job family. This classification supports the outreach and education activities related to the Travis County Balcones Canyonlands Preserve Visitor Center (BCPVC). This classification may require a flexible work schedule in order to meet the needs of the department.
Duties and Responsibilities

• Develop, plan and present programs for visitors of all ages, families, volunteers, special events, conferences and meetings.
• Organize special events; identify, schedule and coordinate speaker.
• Create and prepare presentations including materials, curriculum, interpretive displays and agendas about the Balcones Canyonlands Preserve (BCP), Balcones Canyonlands Conservation Plan (BCCP), endangered species, conservation, wildlife biology, wildfire risk and mitigation, ecology, sustainability and other natural resources topics.
• Identify and prepare information on current topics of interest to local communities, BCP neighbors and neighborhood groups. Prepare information on current topics and frequently asked questions for staff or volunteer use.
• Coordinate with managers, field staff, BCCP partners, researches and subject matter experts to develop accurate and consistent messages; assist with news release drafts.
• Design, plan, coordinate, install and update content of interpretive displays and signs. Assist with development of special media projects, interpretive exhibit designs and video production.
• Create and update digital guides, brochures, factsheets and site maps.
• Design and provide information and scripts for use by staff or volunteers who lead interpretive walks, BCPVC tours, guided hikes, and self-guided tours.
• Prepare and monitor social media accounts and web inquiries. Provide information on current topics, frequently asked questions and social media themes of interest for supervisor, managers, natural resources staff and BCCP leaders.
• Collect, analyze and report event data, visitation rates and visitor comments. Prepare, conduct and analyze surveys; forward suggestions and information requests to appropriate staff.
• Performs other job-related duties as assigned.

Minimum Requirements
Education and Experience:
Bachelor's degree in Biology, Botany, Natural Resources, Conservation Planning, Ecology, Museum Studies, Business Administration or a directly related field AND one - three (1-3) years progressively responsible experience in outreach, communications, volunteer coordination or similar program experience related to natural resources, ecology or conservation.
OR,
Any combination of education and experience that has been achieved and is equivalent to the stated education and experience and required knowledge, skills, and abilities sufficient to successfully perform the duties and responsibilities of this job.
Licenses, Registrations, Certifications, or Special Requirements:
Valid Texas Driver's License.
Knowledge of:

• Federal, State, Local and County laws related to natural resources; Balcones Canyonlands Conservation Plan; Travis County policies; Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
• Broad knowledge of natural science, endangered species, wildlife biology, native plants, ecology, conservation, environmental education and preserve management.
• Best practices for public relations, resource interpretation, social media management and event planning.
• Understanding of the Balcones Canyonlands Preserve system and the Balcones Canyonlands Conservation Plan
• Local flora and fauna identification.
• Computer equipment to include word processing, spreadsheets, databases, ArcView GIS hardware and software, and related applications.
• Business letter writing, grammar and punctuation, and report preparation.

Skill in:

• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to research, analyze and apply information on target audiences and topics of interest.
• Establishing and maintaining effective relationships with County employees, BCCP partners and the public.
• Ability to interact with visitors of all ages and types in a welcoming and professional manner.
• Exercising independent judgment under minimal supervision.
• Problem-solving and decision-making.
• Public speaking and content delivery.

Ability to:

• Maintain effective, helpful and positive relationships with co-workers, partners, volunteers and public.
• Manage time well, perform and prioritize multiple tasks, organize diverse activities, and implement research and projects.
• Meet deadlines and produce projects in a timely manner while working on several projects at once.
• Work as a team member within a diverse organization.

Communicate clearly and diplomatically.
Work Environment & Other Information
Physical requirements include the ability to lift/carry up to 25 pounds occasionally, visual acuity, speech and hearing, hand and eye coordination and manual dexterity necessary to operate a computer and office equipment. Subject to driving a 4-wheel drive vehicle, standing, walking/hiking (some rough terrain), carrying, sitting, repetitive motion, reaching, climbing stairs, bending, stooping, kneeling, crouching, crawling, pushing, pulling, balancing, client/customer contact, squatting to perform the essential functions. May work in extreme temperature/weather change/conditions and smoke on prescribed or wildfires. May be subject to contact with dangerous machinery, fumes, communicable/infectious disease, and hazardous chemicals.
Travis County employees play an important role in business continuity. As such, employees can be assigned to business continuity efforts outside of normal job functions.
This job description is intended to be generic in nature. It is not necessarily an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities. The essential duties, functions and responsibilities and overtime eligibility may vary based on the specific tasks assigned to the position.
Work Hours: 8 AM - 5 PM; Monday through Friday.
Location: 11920 Wilson Parke
Department: TNR (Trans & Natrl Resrc)
Criminal Background Check, Driving Record Check Required.
Benefits
Employment at Travis County comes with a full array of benefits. We offer comprehensive health insurance, a no-cost, on-site Health and Wellness clinic, longevity pay, paid vacations, sick time and personal holidays, not to mention an industry competitive salary structure and a friendly, stable work environment.
FY2023 Travis County Benefit Guide
In this valuable you will find benefit summaries, eligibility requirements, costs, contact numbers and addresses as well as other general information on the benefits available to Travis County Employees and Retirees.
Credit Union
Employees may join the Travis County Credit Union which offers low-interest loans, savings plans through payroll deduction, safe deposit boxes and other benefits.
Deferred Compensation
Employees may enroll in a tax- free sheltered investment plan through payroll deduction.
Direct Deposit
Employees may sign up for direct bank deposit.
Employee Assistance Program
Travis County provides a confidential counseling and referral service free of charge to county employees and their family.
Employee Organizations
Membership in the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees Union is available through payroll deduction.
Employee Health & Wellness Clinic
Employees may access the clinic for a variety of wellness program and health care services with no co-pay, no deductible and no co-insurance costs.
Holidays
An average of eleven paid holidays are designated by the Travis County Commissioners Court at the beginning of each fiscal year.
Longevity
Longevity pay is paid for each year completed after three years of continuous service. Peace Officers in a law enforcement activity, whose job requires state peace officer certification, receive pay after one year of certification.
Parking
A limited number of assigned parking spaces are available to employees in the Courthouse Complex.
Personal Holidays
Regular, full-time employees are eligible for up to three paid personal holidays each calendar year. Part-time employees shall be granted personal holidays on a prorated basis. New employees earn personal holidays for the calendar year in which he/she begins employment, based on the month in which employment begins:
January - March
3 personal holidays
April - June
2 personal holidays
July - September
1 personal holiday
October - December
None
New employees are eligible to take personal holidays after 90 days of employment.
Retirement
Travis County is a member of the Texas County & District Retirement System with mandatory participation by certain classes of employees. Matching of two hundred twenty-five (225%) and a seven percent (7%) of the gross salary is deducted each pay period. An employee is fully vested after eight years of service. Benefits are prorated for part-time employees.
Sick Leave
Regular employees earn sick leave at a rate of eight hours per month with unlimited accrual during employment. Part-time employees earn sick leave on a pro-rated basis.
Parental Leave
Each Full-time Paid Parental Leave Eligible (PPL) Employee is entitled to a total of 320 hours of Paid Parental Leave in a 12 month period. Paid Parental Leave for Part-time PPL Eligible Employees is prorated based on the number of hours that they are regularly scheduled to work.
Tuition Refund
Certain classes of full-time employees may receive reimbursement for fees associated with pre-approved, job related course work completed satisfactorily.
Vacation
Based on years of county service, regular, full-time employees earn vacation time at the following rates:
0 to 5 years
4.0 hours per pay period
6 to 10 years
4.5 hours per pay period
11 to 15 years
5.0 hours per pay period
16 to 20 years
5.5 hours per pay period
21 plus years
6.0 hours per pay period
Part-time employees earn vacation leave on a pro-rated basis.
Workers' Compensation
The county provides all employees workers' compensation coverage with benefits in accordance with state statute, if the employee sustains an injury out of, or in the course of work.