Full-Time Environmental Public Program Coordinator (JobID: 124)
For more information and to apply
Location: Anita Purves Nature Center
Date Available: 09/29/2025
Closing Date: 08/18/2025
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: The Environmental Public Program Coordinator reports to the Environmental Program Manager and is responsible for the coordination of environmental public programs, services, and special events. This position is based at the Urbana Park District’s Anita Purves Nature Center and may require work at any of the District’s parks or facilities, as well as remote program locations. The Environmental Public Program Coordinator directly supervises environmental public programs and services, and its intermittent and seasonal employees, interns and volunteers as well as full time staff planning and presenting public programs.
DUTIES:
Planning and Programming
- Develops, coordinates, implements, and evaluates all environmental public programs and services for all ages. Keeps up to date on program trends, reviews program histories and develops programs that inform and are of interest to the community.
- Plans programs according to the goals and objectives of the Urbana Park District’s Strategic Plan and other initiatives.
- Develops, coordinates, implements, and evaluates community programs by request, including Traveling Naturalist, Special Request Programs, and Birthday Party programs for audiences ranging from preschoolers through senior citizens and including individuals of all abilities.
- Develops, coordinates, and evaluates all Nature Day Camp programs. Develops and coordinates youth specialty environmental camps within the District and with community collaborations.
- Participates in the Urbana Park District’s Green Team meetings and initiatives, which promote sustainable practices for the District.
- Develops, coordinates, and evaluates the Friendship Grove Nature Playscape programs, intermittent staff, monitoring, and safety checks. Makes
recommendations for improvements and enhancements that keep the playscape current and of public interest. Assists with site supervision and maintenance planning. - Develops, coordinates and assists with the planning and implementation of environmental and District wide special and fundraising events.
- Develops and maintains a working relationship with other District departments and area environmental and community groups and organizations. Develops and maintains program collaborations with these entities. Serves as the District’s Champaign County Museums Network representative and promotes collaborative programs, social media and newsletter opportunities.
- Plans, coordinates, presents and evaluates public and educator workshops.
- Assists with the care, handling, and transportation of live exhibits.
- Assists with the development and design of interpretive information for public education and distribution including exhibits, handouts, social media and
newsletters. - Assists Environmental Services and Outreach Coordinator with the development, design, and fabrication of exhibits.
- Assists Environmental Education Coordinator with presentations and evaluations of environmental education school programs.
- Assists with the implementation and evaluation of teen programs and camps, including the Counselor-in-Training and Junior Counselor programs.
- Provides introductory tours of Nature Center and natural areas for groups and the general public, displaying enthusiasm and respect for the outdoors.
- Manages multiple tasks simultaneously with a high degree of motivation and initiative.
- Organizes, compiles, and maintains reports and evaluates data for environmental programs.
- Manages, updates, inputs, and accesses ActiveNet registration for environmental programs.
- Keeps informed of program participants’ experiences and takes initiative to meet the needs of program participants by collaborating with Champaign-Urbana Special Recreation.
- Researches, investigates, and develops new programs to meet community needs.
- Demonstrates knowledge of applicable safety practices and procedures, with ability to take proper precautions and assure safety of self, co-workers,
volunteers and general public. - Performs other duties as assigned.
Personnel
- Recruits, hires, trains, supervises, schedules, and evaluates environmental intermittent and seasonal employees, interns, and volunteers as needed.
- Assists with the regular operations of the Nature Center, including during holidays, weekends, and evenings when needed or as assigned.
- Responsible for making sure that programs, particularly ones during weekends and evenings, are staffed accordingly.
- Promotes a team atmosphere.
- Completes incident/accident reports and follows up with processes.
- Updates environmental program staff manuals/training agendas on a yearly basis or as needed.
- Performs other duties as assigned.
Finance
- Assists with cash register operations at the Nature Store.
- Collects payment from special request tours and registered programs.
- Works in the District’s accounting software, BS&A. Prepares budget requests and forecasts as required for the Environmental Program Manager.
- Develops and operates within a program budget.
- Maintains accurate inventory of public program materials and supplies.
- Prepares accurate biweekly payroll and purchase orders.
- Exercises a good and ethical judgment in the use of a purchase card to support efficiency and effectiveness of job-related activities and fills out reports of its use as necessary.
- Performs other duties as assigned.
Communication
- Presents a positive and professional image and provides excellent customer service.
- Communicates effectively, both orally and in writing.
- Able to speak and deliver presentations publicly, in front of live or virtual audiences.
- Participates in all staff meetings and serves on committees as directed.
- Develops marketing strategies with appropriate park District staff to publicize programs and creates social media postings as necessary.
- Writes intriguing and trend-forward program descriptions for environmental program areas.
- Assists with the development of informational materials including exhibits, brochures, trail guides, newsletters, and multimedia materials.
- Answers natural history questions as requested.
- Interprets Park District rules and policies regarding natural areas use as needed to the public.
- Maintains accurate records and writes reports as required.
- Notifies proper authorities for damaged property.
- Performs other duties as assigned.
QUALIFICATIONS:
- A Bachelor's degree with a major in Environmental Studies, Outdoor Recreation,
- Natural Resources, Education or similar field or similar experience and one year of experience in recreation programming or supervision.
- Progressive experience in developing, promoting, and implementing environmental education programs.
- Knowledge of Illinois natural history.
- Demonstrated organizational, problem solving, leadership and supervisory skills.
- Experience with staff and volunteer supervision.
- Foreign language knowledge is a plus (ASL, Spanish, French, Chinese dialects, Guatemalan language groups).
- Valid State of Illinois driver’s license required.
- Certification in First Aid/CPR/AED or have ability to complete within six (6) months of hiring is required.
DIFFICULTY OF WORK:
The nature of this work requires the ability to perform a variety of unrelated tasks simultaneously within varying deadlines. The incumbent must exercise independent judgment in performing responsibilities through organizational skills and re-prioritization of tasks on a daily basis. The incumbent’s knowledge of general office practices, ability to use a personal computer and various software applications, and skills in oral and written communication are essential to working effectively with the public and staff. The incumbent identifies and solves problems as they arise, maintains in good working order office equipment, and demonstrates attention to detail in all routine and additionally assigned responsibilities.
RESPONSIBILITY:
The incumbent operates according to generally accepted principles and procedures of the recreation profession, exercising independent judgment within those parameters, and supervising and directing personnel. The incumbent performs administrative functions within general office policies, referring highly unusual or unprecedented situations to supervisor as needed.
The incumbent will be responsible to operate within the guidelines of the park District’s safety program to minimize the hazards that adversely affect the safety of personnel, the security of property, and the well-being of patrons exposed to park District operations and personnel.
PHYSICAL EFFORT AND WORK ENVIRONMENT:
The incumbent performs a majority of duties in a standard residential or non-residential office environment involving sitting and walking at will, close vision and hearing sounds/communication.
The incumbent performs duties that require the ability to navigate and traverse natural areas including land and water and also to work outdoors under various adverse weather and environmental conditions.
For more information and to apply