JOB SUMMARY
JOB SUMMARY Works closely with and provides in the field direction to seasonal Park Ambassadors, monitors city parks and recreation areas, including river parks and water recreation areas. The position is responsible for resource protection, park rules interpretation, and visitor education that enhance a positive visitor experience. This is temporary/ seasonal employment. The position begins the second week of May for staff training and ends the Sunday following Labor Day. The Lead Park Ambassador works under the general supervision of the Discovery Center Manager.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND DECISION MAKING
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS - Assists in ensuring the local community and visitors experience safe use of park and recreation areas, including river parks, and water recreation areas.
- Trains and supervisors assigned staff, prepares equipment and staff for daily shifts, monitors work, and evaluates team performance; communicates Parks and Recreation directives, city ordinances, policies, and procedures.
- Conducts daily staff briefings and ensures assigned staff are accountable for assigned duties and responsibilities; ensures effective communication of Parks and Recreation events/activities.
- Greets the public with a friendly and professional manner and appearance, educates visitors on park related information, answers general questions, checks reserved areas, and provides directions. Model effective customer service for park ambassadors.
- Ensures the public compliance of local regulations and ordinances through education.
- Ensures reservation permit compliance.
- Provides maintenance services such as litter pickup and removal, checks restroom and park structures for maintenance issues, and reports issues to appropriate Parks and Recreation Department staff.
- Assists in ensuring safe travel through park areas by setting up and removing barricades, and assisting with crowd control, as directed.
- Recognizes, avoids, and reports unsafe acts, conditions, accidents, and injuries.
- Reviews, corrects, and ensures completeness of daily activity log, accident/incident reports and graffiti/vandalism reports.
- Updates and maintains a variety of files, records and event logs, charts, and other documents; advises Discovery Center Coordinator of significant developments with inquiries, employee conduct, and citizen complaints.
- Coordinate Park activities as required or appropriate with City Marshals Office and/or SMPD.
- Performs other duties as assigned.
- Completion of specialized training provided by the City.
- Correct and effective use of a 2-way radio (training will be provided).
DECISION MAKING - Must be able to perform duties safely and apply policies and procedures appropriately.
- Must be able to facilitate an atmosphere that encourages a safe and fun park experience for park patrons.
- Must be comfortable providing education to patrons of park rules when non-compliance issues are present, communicating with the public and mediating difficult situations in a professional manner.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS (Salary is dependent upon qualifications)
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS: - Must be at least eighteen (18) years of age.
- High school diploma or GED equivalent.
- Minimum one (1) year of supervisory experience is required.
- Must possess a valid Texas Driver’s License.
- CPR/First Aid Certification is required, and training will be provided by the City of San Marcos.
PREFERRED - Bilingual English/Spanish.
CORE COMPETENCIES AND PHYSICAL DEMANDS
JOB DIMENSIONS - Ability to lead a team and to work as a part of a team and to complete tasks without direct supervision.
- Ability to establish and maintain cooperative and effective working relationships with other city employees, city departments, patrols and the public.
- Ability to assess and prioritize multiple tasks, projects and demands.
- Ability to establish and maintain cooperative and effective working relationships with other city employees, city departments, patrons, and the public.
- Ability to communicate effectively, verbally and in writing.
- Have knowledge of the City organization, operations, policies, and procedures; City codes and ordinances; geography, roads and landmarks of the city, parks, and surrounding areas.
- Knowledge of effective customer service skills.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORKING CONDITIONS Physical requirements include lifting to 35 pounds occasionally. Job is primarily standing and walking throughout the river parks system. Subject to standing, sitting, walking, vision, hearing and talking frequently; lifting, carrying, pushing/pulling, reaching, handling, fine dexterity, kneeling, crouching, crawling, bending, twisting, climbing and balancing occasionally. Park Ambassadors shall be mentally, physically, and emotionally prepared to assume and competently perform all duties.
Working conditions involve indoor and outdoor work, in the heat, sun, high humidity and wind; occasionally exposed to swimming pool chemicals, slippery surfaces; noise around crowds and whistles.
WORK HOURS Varied, Including Weekends.
The City of San Marcos offers its employees a broad range of benefits to enhance their personal and occupational lives. We are committed to a total rewards strategy that provides employees with competitive compensation, comprehensive benefits, and an environment that supports a healthy work/life balance.
View Our Benefits Guide. BENEFITSRetirement
- Public Agency Retirement Services (PARS) - Individual trust replacing Social Security
- Mission Square Retirement Corporation - optional 457-deferred compensation plan & Roth IRA
ADDITIONAL BENEFITS - Employee Assistance Program
- Activity Center Membership
- Direct Deposit
Closing Date/Time: Continuous
