Summary

We are seeking a dynamic and motivated individual for a six-month, short-term temporary position to support the Parks Volunteer Program both in the field and behind the scenes.

About the Role: This versatile role offers the opportunity to engage in a variety of tasks, from supporting volunteer events directly in the parks to assisting with key administrative and logistical elements that contribute to the success of the program. As a vital member of a collaborative and dedicated team, you will work closely with various workgroups across the agency, ensuring that all functions of the Volunteer Program are effectively supported.

This position provides an excellent opportunity for those looking to gain hands-on experience and developing skills in strengthening critical outdoor leadership, program support and logistical organization skills, while making a meaningful impact in the community and the parks we serve. If you are passionate about volunteerism, enjoy working in a fast-paced environment, and want to support a program that connects people to nature, we encourage you to apply!

This position performs work remotely and onsite.

About the Team: King County Parks is dedicated to stewarding, enhancing, and acquiring parks to inspire healthy communities. With over 205 parks, 175+ miles of regional trails, and 250+ miles of backcountry trails, we strive to provide park amenities that can be enjoyed by King County residents today and for generations to come. We value collaborative partnerships with community organizations and work towards the common goal of creating a vibrant and inclusive park system.

The Volunteer Program is deeply committed to racial and social justice, as well as intersectional environmentalism. We embrace an inclusive, expansive approach to community-based restoration, recognizing the importance of diverse perspectives in creating positive, lasting change. Join us in making a difference while engaging in impactful environmental and community-focused initiatives.

Commitment to Equity, Racial and Social Justice: King County, named after Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., is a diverse and vibrant community that represents cultures from around the world. Our True North is to create a welcoming community where everyone can thrive. We prioritize equity, racial and social justice, making it a foundational and daily expectation for all employees. As a Volunteer Program Assistant you will actively apply these principles in all aspects of your work. Learn more about our commitment at http://www.kingcounty.gov/equity.

Apply now for a rewarding career at the Parks Divisionof King County Department of Natural Resources & Parks (DNRP). Join our talented workforce in protecting and restoring the natural environment and promoting more resilient, sustainable, and equitable communities. Enjoy training, comprehensive benefits, and growth opportunities.

Job Duties

What You Will Be Doing:

Assist with environmental service-learning projects by working with volunteers of all ages, alongside the Volunteer Coordinator or other Parks staff. Help with tasks such as organizing plants and tools in preparation for events, as needed. This role can expect to support an average of two service-learning projects per week outdoors in a park.
Provide general support for programmatic administrative tasks, including responding to new inquiries and developing processes for efficient and effective communications with volunteers.
Assist with administrative and logistical tasks related to implementation of the Volunteer Management Software, including keeping event information up to date and gathering metrics from site.
Assist with logistical tasks, including tool sharpening, organizing materials, and managing inventory.

Experience, Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills

Qualifications You Bring:

Experience supporting environmental restoration volunteer events.
Knowledge of environmental restoration practices and plant identification.
Foundational awareness of equity and social justice concepts and beginning understanding on centering equity in actions and decisions. Desire to deepen knowledge and skills in equitable actions.
Written and oral communications skills to respond to programmatic inquiries and contribute to outreach and publicity materials.
Proficient in collecting, analyzing, and using data with computers and other tools to support post-event data collection and assess program metrics.
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills to support the logistical needs of the program.

Competencies You Bring:

Manages Ambiguity – Operates effectively, even when things are not certain.
Action-Oriented – Takes on new opportunities and tough challenges with a sense of urgency, high energy and enthusiasm.
Nimble Learner – Actively learns through experimentation when tackling new problems, using both successes and failures as learning fodder.
Demonstrates self-awareness – Uses feedback and self-reflection to gain productive insight into personal strengths and weaknesses.
Customer Focus – Builds strong customer relationships (with internal staff and external community members/volunteers) and delivers customer-centric solutions.

Required Licenses:

A valid driver's license at the time of appointment is required and comfort driving throughout King County. Must have reliable transportation to be able to get to worksites that lack transit.
Current CPR and First Aid training, or ability to obtain with 60 days of hire.

Physical Requirement:

This position requires working outdoors in all seasons. May be exposed to drafts, pollens, inclement weather, and uneven surfaces.
Requires occasional lifting and carrying supplies and equipment up to 50 lbs.
Requires stooping, standing, sitting or walking depending on nature of program or event.

It Would Be Great if You Also Bring:

Experience planning and leading environmental service-learning activities and volunteer events independently.
Basic knowledge in non-motorized tool maintenance – sharpening shovels, hand-tillers, loppers and pruners.
Basic knowledge of online event registration systems or databases.

Supplemental Information

Working Conditions:

Remote and Onsite Work Details: Employees in this role work remotely from a home location, with onsite reporting requirements typically 1-3 days per week. The frequency of onsite work is determined by business needs and may be adjusted accordingly. Onsite reporting locations may be at various King County worksites including the collaboration space at King Street Center (201 S. Jackson St, Seattle, WA 98104). This work arrangement promotes work-life-balance and reduces carbon footprint under the department’s vision of Green Where We Work.
Remote Work Location Requirement: Employees must reside in Washington State and be within a reasonable distance to King County worksites to meet onsite reporting requirements.
Work Location: Duthie Hill Park, located at 27101 SE Duthie Hill Rd, Issaquah WA 98029 office or other King County Park locations.
Work Schedule: This full-time position works a 40-hour work week, Tuesday - Saturday, 6:30 am - 3:00 pm. This position is covered under the provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) and is overtime eligible.
Union Representation: This position is represented by PROTEC 17
Duration: This is a short-term temporary position (STT) with an anticipated duration of 6 months.

Application and Selection Process:

We welcome applications from all qualified applicants. We value diversity, diverse perspectives and life experience and encourage people of all backgrounds to apply.

Application materials will be screened for clarity, completeness and alignment with the experience, qualifications, knowledge, and skills essential for this role to determine which candidates may be invited to participate in one or more panel interviews.

To apply, submit a complete application. However, please be aware that cover letters, resumes and other documents won't be considered during minimum qualification screening.

**Please Note: interviews for this role will take place on January 10, 2025.

Who to Contact: For more information regarding this recruitment, please contact Patty Jurgens at patty.jurgens@kingcounty.gov

Discover More About the Parks and Recreation Division: Visit our website and check us out atFacebook, Twitter, Instagram and Flickr.

Discover More About DNRP: Visit our website, explore aninteractive mapof our recent accomplishments and check us out atFacebook, X (formerly Twitter), LinkedIn, TikTok, Instagram, YouTubeand Keeping King County Green News.

Sign up for Job Alerts to be notified of additional career opportunities with King County. Select the Natural Resources category for DNRP opportunities and explore other categories of interest.

Forbes named King County as one of Washington State's best employers.

Together, with leadership and our employees, we're changing the way government delivers service and winning national recognition as a model of excellence. Are you ready to make a difference? Come join the team dedicated to serving one of the nation's best places to live, work and play. Guided by our "True North", we are making King County a welcoming community where every person can thrive. We value diversity, inclusion and belonging in our workplace and workforce. To reach this goal we are committed to workforce equity. Equitable recruiting, support, and retention is how we will obtain the highest quality workforce in our region; a workforce that shares and will help advance our guiding principles - we are one team; we solve problems; we focus on the customer; we drive for results; we are racially just; we respect all people; we lead the way; and we are responsible stewards. We encourage people of all backgrounds and identities to apply, including Native American and people of color, immigrants, refugees, women, LGBTQ+, people living with disabilities, and veterans.

King County is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Employer

No person is unlawfully excluded from employment opportunities based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex (including gender identity, sexual orientation and pregnancy), age, genetic information, disability, veteran status, or other protected class. Our EEO policy applies to all employment actions, including but not limited to recruitment, hiring, selection for training, promotion, transfer, demotion, layoff, termination, rates of pay or other forms of compensation.

To Apply

If you are interested in pursuing this position, please follow the application instructions carefully. If you need this announcement in an alternate language or format, would like to request accommodation or assistance in the application or assessment process or if you have questions please contact the recruiter listed on this job announcement.

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Volunteer Program Assistant