***THIS RECRUITMENT MAY CLOSE WITHOUT FURTHER NOTICE DEPENDING ON THE NUMBER OF APPLICATIONS RECEIVED. APPLICANTS ARE ENCOURAGED TO APPLY AS SOON AS POSSIBLE***
Job Summary Nevada Department of Wildlife is recruiting for a Conservation Educator within the Conservation Education Division. Incumbent, coordinates and manages Wildlife Education and Volunteer Programs for northwestern Nevada. Coordinate, recruit, supervise, train, and schedule all Wildlife Education and volunteers in the Western Region along with coordinate, schedule and manage volunteer projects in the Western Region. Incumbent will maintain and track technical reports on student visitation data and instructor volunteer hours for federal aid grants. Incumbent will manage and maintain the Oxbow Nature Study Area and Verdi Nature trail; develop and present wildlife education and interpretive programs for children and adults at the Oxbow Nature Study Area and the Verdi Nature Center. Position is responsible to recruit, train, coordinate, supervise and schedule volunteer instructors and interpreters for the wildlife education program, and train volunteer leaders for scheduled projects. Incumbent will plan and implement continuing maintenance of Oxbow and Verdi facilities. Lead Project WILD and Aquatic WILD classes. Participate in Trout in the Classroom training classes for teachers and participate in other Wildlife Education programs such as the Maison T. Ortiz camp. Incumbent will take part in agency participation in regional events such as the Wild Sheep Foundation Expo. As assigned, writes for publications, helps with videotaping efforts or radio presentations, and prepares visual aids and equipment. Position will also assist with research or other writing projects. Position will support coordination efforts of Statewide Wildlife Education Coordinator with planning and implementation of statewide Wildlife Education programming; Develop regional Wildlife Education and Volunteer budgets. Incumbent will assist in maintaining the Trout in the Classroom Program (TIC). Conservation Educators plan, organize, implement and evaluate educational programs designed to teach hunter and boating safety, environmental concepts and other wildlife related areas to the public, and participate in public relations activities.Essential Qualifications Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in education, journalism, communications, outdoor recreation/leadership/education, wildlife management, biology or related field and two years of professional experience in conservation education which included presenting educational programs, writing news releases, developing written materials for publication, providing interviews for print and broadcast media and/or preparing and presenting radio and television broadcasts; OR an equivalent combination of education and experience; OR one year of experience as a Conservation Educator II in Nevada State service. Job Duties Plan, organize, coordinate and present educational programs in hunter and boating safety, aquatic and environmental education, or other assigned area in accordance with program goals and objectives; recruit and supervise volunteer and contract instructors; schedule and coordinate workshops and other training opportunities for instructors.
Evaluate and critique instructor effectiveness; identify developmental needs, provide technical guidance and assist instructors in securing educational materials and guest speakers; survey and review local demand for instructional programs; write contracts for training, inspect training facilities, and maintain records related to course frequency and attendance.
Develop and participate in the annual and biennial budget preparation process; compile and assess data; identify priorities and program needs; submit requests for funding; recommend fund transfers as appropriate; monitor program expenditures to ensure sound fiscal management.
Train, supervise and evaluate the performance of assigned personnel; assign and review work; develop and modify work performance standards and annual work programs; counsel and discipline staff as appropriate.
Direct, coordinate or participate in public affairs activities; prepare and present radio and television broadcasts; conduct live and prerecorded interviews to provide information concerning assigned program areas, Division activities and current wildlife issues; respond to written and telephone inquiries and speak before community groups.
Write and edit publicity materials and public service announcements; take photographs and write feature articles; write news releases and stories for newspaper publication; prepare bulletins, newsletters, pamphlets, lesson plans and visual aid materials.
Maintain professional working relationships with various community organizations by attending meetings, explaining policies and programs, and soliciting information concerning the needs of service organizations, schools and the public; incorporate information into program curriculum and reassess results.
Perform related duties as assigned.
Under general supervision, incumbents perform the more difficult and complex assignments and function at the journey level. Responsibilities include development and execution of division programs and projects, monitoring and evaluating program success, overseeing specific division projects and recommending new programs and services. Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities This job specification lists the major knowledge, skills and abilities of the job and is not all inclusive. Incumbent(s) will be expected to have knowledge, skills and abilities from a previous level.
Working knowledge of: desktop publishing used in designing effective publications and displays; journalistic writing and editing techniques; wildlife management practices and principles; basic ecological principles and animal identification and classification; wildlife laws and regulations; basic photographic principles and videographic techniques including the operation of related equipment; audiovisual equipment and techniques; hunting or fishing equipment used in the assigned educational programs.
Ability to: apply graphic art techniques in developing visual materials for printed or broadcast media; conduct outdoor and environmental education training programs.
Recruiter Contact Information: Kristin Bowling - klbowling@ndow.org
Benefits
Benefits include:
- Health Insurance: Medical, dental, life, and disability insurance programs for employees and their dependents/family are offered through the Public Employees’ Benefits Program (PEBP).
- Vacation: Accrual of three weeks of annual leave each year.
- Sick Leave: Accrual of three weeks of sick leave each year.
- Holidays: 12 paid holidays per year.
- Retirement: Participation in the Nevada Public Employees Retirement System (PERS). Employees do not contribute to Social Security but will contribute to PERS if their position is at 50% or more full-time equivalency. For more information on how PERS service may impact Social Security benefits, visit the SSA publication.
- Deferred Compensation: The State offers a voluntary Deferred Compensation Program.
- No Nevada state income tax.
- Public Service Loan Forgiveness: Eligible due to public sector employment.
- Longevity Payments Eligibility: Employees who have received a performance rating of “standard” or better and have completed eight (8) or more years of continuous service are eligible for longevity pay.
Additional benefits may apply to employees covered under a Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), depending on their designated bargaining unit. For more information, visit the Labor Relations Unit (LRU). For more details about your rights and responsibilities as a State of Nevada employee, please review the State of Nevada Employee Handbook (PDF). ***State Holidays The holiday schedule for State employees is established by the Legislature.
The following are legal holidays:
January 1.............................................. New Year's Day Third Monday in January.................. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s Birthday Third Monday in February................ Washington’s Birthday Last Monday in May........................... Memorial Day June 19................................................ Juneteenth Day July 4.................................................... Independence Day First Monday in September.............. Labor Day Last Friday in October....................... Nevada Day November 11........................................ Veterans' Day Fourth Thursday in November........ Thanksgiving Day Friday following the Fourth Thursday in November...................... Family Day December 25........................................ Christmas Day When January 1, June 19, July 4, November 11, or December 25 falls on a Saturday, the preceding Friday is the observed legal holiday. If these days fall on Sunday, the following Monday is the observed holiday. Eligibility for holiday pay is covered by the provisions of NAC 284.255
The State of Nevada is an equal opportunity employer dedicated to building diverse, inclusive, and innovative work environments with employees who reflect our communities and enthusiastically serve them. All applicants are considered without regard to race, color, national origin, religion or belief, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, domestic partnership, genetic information (GINA), or compensation and/or wages.
Please send direct Inquiries or correspondence to the recruiter listed on this announcement.