Baxter State Park Interprative Speacialist Job Opening

MEEA Members-

Thought you might be interested in this new job posting from Baxter State Park.  See their website for more info as well at http://www.baxterstateparkauthority.com/employment

Baxter State Park:

Accepting applications from Feb 26 – April 1, 2013

Permanent Position

This is professional services work in developing educational and interpretive programs for Baxter State Park regarding the natural, scientific, and cultural history of Baxter State Park. Work includes collecting, evaluating, and interpreting materials to be included in the educational programs that will be useful to all age groups of park visitors and will promote awareness of natural and cultural history and outdoor ethics and public safety. The Interpretive Specialist reports directly to the Park Naturalist. Work is performed under limited supervision.


 Detailed Job Description:
 
INTERPRETIVE SPECIALIST

CODE: 0479     PAY GRADE: 18     ($13.91 – $18.57)

OPENING DATE:  February 26, 2013 CLOSING DATE:  April 1, 2013              


DESCRIPTION:   This is professional services work in developing educational and
interpretive programs for Baxter State Park regarding the natural, scientific, and cultural
history of Baxter State Park.  Work includes collecting, evaluating, and interpreting
materials to be included in the educational programs that will be useful to all age groups
of park visitors and will promote awareness of natural and cultural history and outdoor
ethics and public safety. The Interpretive Specialist reports directly to the Park
Naturalist. Work is performed under limited supervision. 
REPRESENTATIVE TASKS:   (A position may not be assigned all the duties listed, nor
do the listed examples include all the duties that may be assigned). 
…

•  Develops and maintains knowledge of Maine flora and fauna and interpretive skill and techniques
• Develops and presents interpretive programs to park staff and visitors (photos, media, props, etc.) 
• Develops, presents and distributes information on important flora and fauna issues in order to protect Park resources, and provide public safety.
• Maintains an archive of program plans and materials
• Recruits, hires, supervises interns in resource monitoring and interpretation to visitors in accordance with the Park mission
• Trains and assists employees and interns in interpretive techniques and consistent and effective messaging aligned with the Park mission.
• Assesses the overall efficiency and effectiveness of BSP interpretive, education and information program 
• Composes and submits written text and interpretive information for Park monitoring programs, memos, reports and publications.

ENTRY LEVEL KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS AND ABILITIES REQUIRED:   (Applicants
will be screened for possession of these through written, oral, performance, and/or
other evaluations). 
…Knowledge of Maine forests, wildlife, and natural resources.
…Knowledge of principles, practices, and techniques of natural and cultural interpretive
    program design.   
…Knowledge of graphic arts.
…Ability to develop, plan, organize, and implement interpretive programs.
…Ability to prepare, maintain, and disseminate informational material and coordinate   
    public relations activities.
…Ability to establish and maintain effective working relations.
…Ability to prepare and deliver presentations to a wide range of audiences.
…Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing.
…Familiarity with widely accepted frameworks for outdoor ethic education.
…Ability to assist in fire control, search and rescue, activities when required.
…Ability to hike for 2-3 days in rugged backcountry terrain.
…Proficiency in MS Word Office Suite.

FULL PERFORMANCE KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS AND ABILITIES REQUIRED: 
(These may be acquired on the job and are needed to perform the work assigned).

…Ability to develop and implement an environmental education program.
…Knowledge of backcountry ethics, gear and best practices.
…Knowledge of Baxter State Park, rules, regulations and relevant federal and state 
    laws.
\
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:  (Entry level knowledges, skills, and/or abilities may be
acquired through, BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO to the following coursework/training
and/or experience).

Three (3) years of education and experience in naturalist and interpretive work.

LICENSING/REGISTRATION/CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS:  (These must be
met by all employees prior to attaining permanent status in this class.)
None.
EXAM PLAN:  (This must be successfully completed by all employees prior to attaining
permanent status in this class.)
Direct Hire.

APPLICATION INFORMATION:

A complete State of Maine application form (revised October 2005) and Supplemental
Questionnaire, full job description may be found at (www.baxterstateparkauthority.com).   Be as
complete as possible in describing education, training, and work experience (paid and unpaid) on
your application.  Additional sheets may be used; however, information must be in the same
format as shown on the application form.  Please do not include videos, portfolios or printed
publications.

The completed application, including the required Supplemental Qualifications Form, proof of
licensing/registration/certification, copies of post-secondary transcripts, etc. may be sent to the
address below, faxed or e-mailed to:

JEAN HOWES
HUMAN RESOURCES
BAXTER STATEPARK
64 BALSAM DRIVE
MILLINOCKET, ME   04462


TELEPHONE:  (207) 723-9616          TTY: (207)-723-9905
                                FAX: (207) 723-6381                              E-MAIL:  jean.howes@maine.gov


PLEASE KEEP A COPY OF YOUR APPLICATION MATERIALS.  WE ARE UNABLE TO
PROVIDE COPIES OF SUBMITTED MATERIALS.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT THIS POSITION:



This position supports and implements the information/education, resource monitoring
and resource protection goals of Baxter State Park under the direct supervision of the
Baxter State Park Naturalist.

The Interpretive Specialist must have the skills and abilities to create and present public
programs which interpret Park natural/cultural history, policies, recreational
opportunities, and outdoor ethics, using a variety of techniques and media.  The
successful candidate will possess strong written and oral communication skills in
addition to extensive experience in resource protection through public information.

The position is responsible for administration of the Alpine Steward Program and
several citizen science and resource monitoring initiatives on Katahdin each summer,
as well as coordinating programming for children and families visiting the Park.  The
Interpretive Specialist also provides training/information resources useful to Park staff.

Responsibilities also include assisting in hiring, training, and supervision of seasonal
Wilderness Educator intern positions, providing occasional coverage at the Togue Pond
Visitor Center, assisting with information delivery at Park Headquarters, including the
automated slide show, bulletin board postings throughout the Park and
community/school outreach programs. Multi-day backpack trips in rugged backcountry
terrain are required to accomplish some aspects of this work.  Additionally, this position
will assist with data entry, administrative assignments, manipulation and archiving of I/E
photo files, and production of the annual Park newspaper, Wildnotes.  This position will
also monitor for and report on invasive species.

Baxter State Park is located in north central Maine with Park Headquarters in
Millinocket.  The Park is a 209,644 acre public land trust administered distinctly and
separately from the Maine State Park system, with management policies established by
the Baxter State Park Authority in accordance with the provisions of the Deeds of Trust
as accepted from Park donator Percival P. Baxter.  The Park has a variety of
management areas and goals, including approximately 75% of the land serving as a
wildlife sanctuary, 15% devoted to Scientific Forest Management and 25% providing
hunting opportunities.