Volunteer In Parks (VIP)
National Park Service – Roosevelt Vanderbilt NHS
Job Description
Job Title Education Program Assistant (EDPA)
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Job Description
Education Program Assistant Volunteers enhance the education program at the Roosevelt-Vanderbilt sites by:
- Assisting Park Staff with education duties including:
- Presentation of curriculum-based programs.
- Present outreach programs to youth and schools in the area.
- Evaluate existing programs.
- Ensure programs are aligned with education standards, including Common Core, Next Generation Science Standards, and State Standards.
- Help maintain a safe environment for groups.
- Maintain, clean, and inventory education materials.
- Assist with various administrative tasks related to education programming.
- Answering visitor questions.
- Providing informal interpretation to visitors when the opportunity presents itself.
- Completing other education program tasks as assigned by division staff.
- All duties to be completed using industry standard protective equipment and safety protocols.
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Skills Needed
ROVA Education Program Assistants need to be friendly and have a warm presence. In addition, EDPAs will need to gain a basic understanding of the park’s natural and cultural resources, and education program offerings. EDPAs also need to have a working understanding of Microsoft Word, Excel, and Access, and have the ability to distill complex ideas into simple, age-appropriate information. Finally, EDPAs need to practice and promote workplace safety and professionalism.
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Benefit to Park
ROVA Education Program Assistants will enhance the Park being a source of information for visitors and staff about education programming. EDPAs will also have opportunities to answer visitor questions professionally, and provide informal interpretation. In so doing, EDPAs will increase public awareness of the park’s natural and cultural resources.
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Benefits to VIP:
- VIP will gain professional work experience and expand their customer service and interpretation/education skills.
- VIP will learn more about ROVA, the National Park Service, and National Park System.
- As a regular ROVA VIP, you will be able to participate in special events and enjoy the “perks” of being a volunteer.
- Volunteer will get to chat with visitors of all ages about history, nature and ROVA.
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Safety Concerns:
- Proper footwear: Education programs often occur both indoors and outside, on paved roads, dirt trails and in wooded areas, closed toe shoes should be worn at all times.
- Stinging insects: ROVA is an urban park with woodland areas and as such stinging insects are present, those with known allergies should take appropriate caution.
- Background check: Since EDPAs will be working closely with children a government background check will be necessary. There is no cost to the EDPA.
Training:
EDPAs are not expected to be experienced educators and will be given opportunities for hands-on and on-line training including:
- History of the National Park Service
- History of ROVA
- Basic Interpretation
- Informal Interpretation
- Creating lesson plans for parks
- Education and curriculum training as available.
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Location of position:
Roosevelt Vanderbilt NHS
4097 Albany Post Road
Hyde Park, NY
Supervisor:
Contact Information: Michael Zwelling (845) 229-9115 x 2019
Commitment: TBD
