Community Volunteer Specialist

The Community Volunteer Specialist offers the opportunity to make a visible impact on Boise’s parks, the Boise River, Greenbelt and surrounding natural areas through habitat restoration, environmental education and community engagement. You’ll lead volunteer and education programs that bring youth, families and community members together to enhance riparian and pollinator habitats and care for Boise’s natural spaces. It’s a great opportunity for someone who enjoys connecting people with nature while turning environmental stewardship goals into meaningful community experiences.

Required Knowledge, Experience, or Training:

• Bachelor's Degree in environmental education, environmental studies, education, natural resources management or related field and 
• 2 years of professional education experience leading youth and adults 
• or an equivalent combination of experience and/or education.

Licensing And Other Requirements

• Valid state-issued driver's license.

Special Requirements
Applicants must be able to pass:

• City of Boise background check processes which includes a criminal history check and reference checks in accordance with the City of Boise Hiring Process Regulation
• Driving Record Check

Why the City of Boise?

The benefits are real and among the best in the Treasure Valley:

• Zero-cost premium medical coverage for you and your family
• PERSI retirement plus employer-matched 401(k)/457b
• 10 hours vacation/month (grows with tenure), 12 paid holidays, and 8 hours sick leave/month
• 10 weeks paid parental leave
• $500 annual wellbeing incentive
• Tuition reimbursement and free local bus pass
• Basic life and long-term disability insurance at no cost

Handles moderately complex issues and problems and refers more complex issues to higher-level staff. Provides team support and training, as needed. 

Leads the management program for the Boise River, Greenbelt and surrounding riparian areas. Provides technical support to implement program goals, coordinates habitat enhancement projects, and engages community volunteers. Partners with internal teams to integrate restoration education and volunteer opportunities. Oversees invasive species removal and identifies budget and resource needs. 

Plans and delivers volunteer and education programs for youth, adults and families. Collaborates with the Community Volunteer Coordinator and partners to align goals with departmental and city initiatives. Designs and promotes mission-based activities, including community science opportunities, and evaluates programs for quality and relevance. 

Develops and updates curriculum, event-based lessons, community programs, volunteer offerings and presentations to meet the changing needs of a variety of audiences. Develops lesson and event schedules and coordinates with partner organizations to ensure excellent delivery and service. Trains and supervises volunteers to ensure the successful and safe completion of service opportunities. 

Performs other duties as assigned. Nothing in this job description restricts management's right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this position at any time.Additional Required Knowledge, Experience, And Training
Knowledge of: 

• environmental studies, including physical, chemical and biological sciences; 
• landscape design and maintenance related to pollinator habitats; 
• riparian habitat restoration and enhancement techniques; and 
• budget, contract and grant management.

Ability to: 

• develop and implement large scale education programs targeted to diverse audiences; 
• conduct a gap analysis and provide solutions to identified problems; 
• respectfully interact with coworkers, internal and external partners, the general public and members of the media; 
• safely and effectively lead groups of all ages in volunteer projects in a varied weather conditions and terrain; 
• communicate effectively in the English language at a level necessary for efficient job performance; and 
• perform all essential functions as assigned by an authorized employee, supervisor and/or manager with or without reasonable accommodation.

Individuals must be capable of operating vehicles safely and have an acceptable driving record.

Preferred Knowledge, Experience, And Training

• Master's Degree in education, communications, science or related field and four years of professional education experience leading youth and adults.
• Experience in teaching, group facilitation, public speaking, formal training in an environmental degree program and the ability and willingness to interact and engage a variety of stakeholders and children of all ages.
• Experience managing volunteers.
• Experience in project management and development in a related position.

The physical effort characteristics and working environment described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Physical Efforts
While performing the duties of this job the employee is frequently lifting/carrying up to 20 pounds and occasionally lifting/carrying up to 50 pounds. Also, the employee is occasionally pushing/pulling up to 20 pounds and rarely pushing/pulling up to 50 pounds. The noise level is occasionally moderate. Work includes sensory ability to talk, hear and touch. Work in this position also includes close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision and depth perception. Employees will sit, stand, walk, stoop, kneel, crouch, crawl, reach, grasp, climb and balance. Position requires hand/finger dexterity.

Working Environment
The work environment will include inside conditions, outdoor weather conditions, extreme temperatures and in wet and humid conditions. Employees will also drive a vehicle as part of this position. Will use cordless tools, weed eaters, push mowers, weed burners and chain saws in removing invasive species on the Greenbelt.
This position works: evenings and weekends to accommodate volunteer schedules.