Public Education Program Specialist

Full Job Description

About Seattle Parks and Recreation: Seattle Parks and Recreation (SPR) is a national leader and innovator in the services and programs we provide to our residents who enjoy our public spaces such as parks, community centers, specialty gardens and swimming pools.

Our mission is to equip employees and the public for well-being as we support healthy people, a thriving environment and vibrant community.

We provide safe and accessible spaces for residents and visitors to work, recreate, rejuvenate and enhance quality of life and wellness for children, teenagers, adults and seniors.

Delivering excellent customer service to all is a core value.

Equity & Inclusion: Seattle Parks and Recreation commits to advancing equity and social justice in our department and in every neighborhood by growing a dynamic and diverse workforce, developing strong investments, growth opportunities and beneficial partner strategies as we acknowledge and pledge to close disparities created by historical practices which often hindered workforce development, environmental justice, access to quality open spaces, programs and facilities.

#OneSeattle

About The Division: The Recreation Division eliminates barriers through responsive, exceptional recreation services.

We operate over 50 recreation facilities (community centers, teen centers, pools, school-based learning centers, environmental learning centers, and boating and sailing centers) and provide opportunities for people to play, learn, and lead healthy, active lives.

Our programs and events include fitness and athletics, licensed childcare and preschool, swimming and boating, youth development and job preparation, academic enrichment, and more; including programs designed for older adults and people with disabilities, as well as grant and partnership programs designed and implemented with immigrant and refugee communities.

With nearly 300 regular employees and a budget of nearly $40 million annually, Recreation is a major operation with significant impact on the communities we serve.

In addition to our current operations, we also strive to constantly improve the ways we serve Seattle’s residents, specifically through implementation of the SPR Strategic Plan, innovation in our facility staffing and programming approaches, and learning from national best practices and quality standards.

The Environmental Education Team of Seattle Parks and Recreation provides urban environmental education opportunities for people of all ages, abilities, and backgrounds.

The department is dedicated to expanding environmental equity and increasing urban environmental education and community engagement efforts.

Join our team as we move forward on efforts to lead the nation in outdoor learning, environmental education and community engagement.

We are a small team of 6 staff and manage over 70 volunteers who help us teach programming. In 2026, we plan to reach over 10,000 people with Environmental Education programs.

As a Public Education Program Specialist, you will report to the supervisor of environmental education and will oversee and train volunteers and interns who will assist you in offering public nature programs in parks across the city.

These programs include our Summer in the Parks nature stations partnership with Seattle's summer free lunch program, the Salmon Stewards program at Carkeek Park, fee based public nature programs and many special events.

Requirements

• Prepare educational materials such as brochures, handouts, PowerPoint presentations, interpretive exhibits, training materials, and habitat guides.
• Work with volunteers to plan, schedule and facilitate public Nature programs for Seattle residents.
• Develop, implement and evaluate Public Nature programs in Seattle parks.
• Work with a team to recruit, train, schedule and support ~70 volunteers for programming.
• Utilize the computerized volunteer software - Volgistics for volunteer tracking and communication.
• Develop culturally inclusive environmental education materials and publications, including curriculum, booklets, guides and multimedia visual programs.
• Help manage educational equipment and supplies, maintain and procure new equipment, coordinate repairs and train volunteers or new staff about equipment.
• Assist in the development and delivery of special events and custom programs as needed.
• Direct the work of 1-2 temporary staff.
• Connect environmental education curriculum and programming to the City of Seattle’s Equity and Environment Agenda, Climate Change goals and bring Environmental Justice to EE programming.
• Prepare and administer program budgets.
• Generate and retrieve reports from computerized registration system and/or manually complete reports on program plan development, post program highlights, program attendance, and other required reports.
• Enter programing into a computerized registration system – Active Net.
• Create promotional advertising, newsletters, social media posts, and other marketing materials.
• Respond to requests from the public concerning programing, natural and cultural history information, and general park information.
• Perform other related duties of a comparable level/type as assigned.

Qualifications

Desired Qualifications - You will be successful if you have the following experience, skills, and abilities:

• Knowledge of Pacific NW Forest ecology and local flora/fauna and their interrelationships and the impacts from humans on the natural environment.
• Experience teaching environmental justice and climate change issues.
• Ability to work cohesively in a team or partnership setting, as well as independently.
• Creativity, resourcefulness, flexibility, and initiative.
• Experience writing and managing grants.
• Cultural competency and strong commitment to working with BIPOC communities.
• Certification from the National Association of Interpretation or a WA Teaching Certificate.
• Ability to demonstrate good judgment and maintain safety among program participants.
• Ability to take direction and feedback in a constructive manner.
• Bilingual in Spanish, Tagalog, East African languages, Chinese or Vietnamese.
• Fluent in the use of PowerPoint, Excel, ActiveNet Program Registration, Point of Sale, Facility Booking, Volgistics and ARC budgeting tools.
• Excellent writing and oral communication skills.

License, Certification and Other Requirements

• Current Washington State driver's license.
• American Red Cross First Aid Card and CPR certification within 30 days of employment.
• Required to lift objects weighing 50 pounds or less.
• Required to work outdoors in all types of weather.

Additional Information

Special Working Conditions and Work Schedule:

• Typical schedule is Wed, Friday & Saturday with flex for evening programs
• During nature walks and park activities, naturalists spend long periods of time standing or walking in all types of weather conditions.
• Driving a twelve-passenger van is required as an essential function of this position – we can train you.

Please note this job advertisement is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without?notice.

The full salary range for this position is $42.27 to $49.15 per hour.

Application Process

Please submit the following with your online application:

• A cover letter in which you clearly describe how your knowledge, experience, skills, and abilities prepare you for the job responsibilities and qualifications outlined in the job announcement.
• A current resume of your educational and professional work experience.

Who May Apply: This position is open to all candidates that meet the qualifications. Seattle Parks and Recreation values diverse perspectives and life experiences.

Applicants will be considered regardless of race, color, creed, national origin, ancestry, sex, marital status, disability, religious or political affiliation, age, sexual orientation, or gender identity.

Seattle Parks and Recreation encourages people of all backgrounds to apply, including people of color, immigrants, refugees, women, LGBTQIA+, people with disabilities, veterans, and those with diverse life experiences.

Job offers are contingent on the verification of credentials and other information required by the employment process, including the completion of a background check.

The background check will involve a criminal history check, which includes conviction and arrest records in compliance with the Seattle’s Fair Chance Employment Ordinance, SMC 14.17and the City of Seattle Personnel Rule 10.3.

A driving history review may be conducted in compliance with SMC 4.79.020. Applicants will be provided an opportunity to explain or correct background information.

The City of Seattle offers a comprehensive benefits package including vacation time, 12 paid holidays, and sick leave as well as medical, dental, vision, life and long-term disability insurance for employees and their dependents.

More information about employee benefits is available on the City's website at: https://www.seattle.gov/human-resources/benefits/employees-and-covered-family-members/most-employees-plans.

Want to know more about Parks and Recreation? Check out our web page: Seattle Parks and Recreation - Parks | seattle.gov

SPR’s Core Competencies are:

• Accountability & Action: Holding yourself accountable for achieving goals, completing tasks, and delivering quality work. Demonstrating thoughtful initiative in actions and decision-making and promoting high quality standards.
• Equity and Inclusion: Supporting the goals of the Race and Social Justice Initiative and the City's commitment to workforce equity.
• Communication: Sharing and exchanging information and ideas with people in a variety of ways to help them understand and remember the information.
• Service: An ongoing commitment to base decisions and actions on the needs and priorities of the City.
• Teamwork: Participating as an engaged member of a team to achieve group goals. Effectively working with internal and external people to complete tasks and achieve work group goals.