Working cooperatively with the National Park Service’s Joshua Tree National Park (JOTR), the Great Basin Institute is recruiting to hire an Operations Coordinator to assist the interpretation and visitor services staff. During the fall, winter and spring of 2018-2019, JOTR will be piloting a shuttle service, the RoadRunner Shuttle bus. This service will run throughout the day in various parts of the Park. The Operations Coordinator will provide planning support in the way of technical writing, coordination and facilitation of internal and external meetings, project tracking, and oversight of schedule coordination. More specifically, the Operations Coordinator will:

• Assist JOTR staff in coordinating Bus Ambassadors and volunteers to provide services within the shuttles;
• Coordinate schedules for Bus Ambassadors and visitor services volunteers;
• Train and provide guidance to Bus Ambassadors and volunteers;
• Coordinate and review visitor use data to inform planning efforts;
• Gather and analyze information that will inform various planning needs;
• Collaborate with JOTR interpretation and visitor services staff to determine program needs and allocate resources accordingly; and
• Assist with coordination of internal (NPS) and public meetings as needed, including organizing meetings, note taking, meeting write ups, summarizing follow up tasks for park staff, and any other administrative aspects of the meetings;

The Operations Coordinator will also act as a safety ambassador on the shuttle bus system:

• Providing visitors with safety information about the park;
• Address questions and concerns visitors might have about their visit to JOTR;
• Provide general information about Joshua Tree National Park;
• Inform visitors about how to use the shuttle bus system before entering the park;
• Provide additional information on boarding, exiting, and returning to their vehicles; and
• Provide information regarding transit times and bus connection schedules.

Ability to complete a Department of Interior Background Investigation. Those with fully adjudicated Department of Interior (DOI) Background Investigations (BI) are encouraged to apply.

Compensation:  

• Rate of pay: $20-24/hour, salary commensurate with skills, experience and abilities
• Health Insurance

Timeline: 

• One year appointment beginning October/November 2018 or upon availability and completion of DOI Background Investigation
• 40 hours per week; weekend, and holiday work will be required. Also may require some overtime,

Location:

Joshua Tree National Park encompasses nearly 800,000 acres in southern California, 2- to 3-hour drive from Los Angeles, Phoenix and Las Vegas. Joshua Tree National Park is of special management concern, lying in the transition of the Mojave Desert and the Colorado Desert. Aside from the outdoor recreation opportunities and natural wonders within the park, Death Valley and Grand Canyon National Parks, the Mojave Preserve, as well as Lake Mead and Spring Mountains National Recreation Areas are nearby and afford a diversity of outdoor activities ranging from hiking, mountain biking and rock hounding to fishing, boating and skiing/snowboarding.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Education, Outdoor Recreation, Resource Management or related coursework, and/or commensurate field experience;
• Experience providing visitor services, environmental education, outreach and/or interpretation;
• Proven ability to communicate effectively, both written and orally, with a diverse audience including NPS and GBI staff, partner organizations, and the public;
• Ability to speak English and Spanish conversationally, desirable but not required;
• Experience living or working in, and/or knowledge of Mojave Desert (preferable) or desert ecosystems and natural/cultural resources, desirable;
• Knowledge of guiding principles of recreation, cultural or natural resource management, desirable;
• Motivated, self-starter, detail oriented, and possess good organizational skills;
• Excellent troubleshooting skills;
• Ability to work independently or cooperatively as part of a team focused on accomplishing goals and mission of the NPS and GBI;
• Capable of completing activities involving prolonged periods of standing, lifting and moving heavy items weighing 30 pounds or more, and regularly walking/driving between other offices/facilities;
• Ability to work in harsh and rapidly changing environments, in all types of weather conditions, traverse uneven terrain, and be in overall good physical condition; prior experience working in the desert southwest, or similar desert climates, desirable; and
• Possess a clean, valid, state-issued driver’s license.

Successful applicant must complete a Department of Interior (DOI) Background Investigation (BI) or submit paperwork to NPS human resources indicating an active and fully adjudicated BI has already been completed prior to beginning position. If you already have a fully adjudicated BI, please let you know in your application.

We conform to all the laws, statutes, and regulations concerning equal employment opportunities and affirmative action. We strongly encourage women, minorities, individuals with disabilities and veterans to apply to all of our job openings. We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, or national origin, age, disability status, Genetic Information & Testing, Family & Medical Leave, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. We prohibit Retaliation against individuals who bring forth any complaint, orally or in writing, to the employer or the government, or against any individuals who assist or participate in the investigation of any complaint or otherwise oppose discrimination.