Nearby Nature is seeking a Resident Host and Park Stewardship Coordinator for 30-40 hours per week to be part of our creative and energetic team of nature educators and park caretakers. Our new employee will live in the Park Host House at our Learnscape in Alton Baker Park, which is Nearby Nature’s home base for education and park caretaking programs.
Nearby Nature is a non-profit nature education group that has worked for more than 30 years to foster connections between people and nature in our community. Our staff and volunteers lead nature walks, daycamps, youth programs, special events, and park caretaking projects. We also teach classes for the Network Charter School, maintain a Learnscape Garden and Outdoor Classroom, and serve as the City of Eugene’s official Host in Alton Baker Park.
Location: Nearby Nature’s Learnscape in Alton Baker Park (Eugene, Oregon)
To print this job description as a PDF click here.
Qualifications:
- Basic home maintenance skills (simple plumbing, electrical, building repair, roof maintenance, painting, etc.)
- Basic landscaping skills (pruning, weeding, fencing, etc.)
- Able to work on your feet for eight hours a day/hike on uneven trails/lift heavy objects
- Willing to work outdoors in all seasons/all weather
- Personal or professional experience managing both groups and individuals doing project work
- Experience with native plant habitat restoration, preferably in the Willamette Valley, plus knowledge of local plant and animal life (or willingness to learn)
- Capable of creative problem solving and working independently with minimal supervision
- Able to be flexible, switch tasks frequently, and work collaboratively
- Committed to creating and supporting an inclusive work environment
- Strong interpersonal communication and writing skills
- Experience using MS Office, Google Workspace, and social media
- First Aid-CPR Certification (or commitment to obtain this) and up-to-date COVID vaccinations
Additional Desired Skills:
While not required, if you have any of these additional skills, it could help Nearby Nature meet other staffing needs (teaching programs, translation projects, maintaining computer equipment, etc.) and may help shape your “other duties as assigned” below.
- Spanish language fluency
- Tech support skills
- Teaching skills
- Let us know what you love to do that might further our mission!
Responsibilities:
- Make the Alton Baker Park Host House your primary residence and office space
- Maintain Nearby Nature’s facilities and work with our Garden Manager on Learnscape maintenance projects (simple building repairs, landscaping, pest control)
- Coordinate staff and/or volunteers doing weekly park patrols on foot or by bike (picking up litter, reporting illegal activities/safety issues to the City, collecting community science data)
- Coordinate monthly volunteer work parties that inspire park engagement (native plant restoration, trail crew, and litter patrol), in all weather, often on weekends
- Help recruit, train, and supervise seasonal interns and teens doing park and Learnscape caretaking work
- Establish a TAG Team of graffiti abatement volunteers to maintain our Frohnmayer Footbridge mural
- Develop and foster relationships with community organizations/individuals through email, phone, text, written reports, and in-person meetings
- Collaborate with City Parks and Open Space staff
- Serve as occasional “site lead” on call for emergencies during educational programs
- Provide janitorial services for Nearby Nature’s office, bathrooms, storage spaces, and yurt
- Manage record keeping for volunteer work parties and interns
- Maintain garden/restoration/maintenance tools and their storage spaces
- Be a friendly resource for park visitors: answer questions, give directions, and provide assistance as needed
- Other duties as assigned
Compensation & Benefits:
- Rent-free living space in two bedroom house with finished attic, free internet/utilities/offsite post box, and an optional large personal gardening space
- Work 30-40 hours per week – hours will vary with season and depend on employee skills (80 hours per month in trade and remaining hours paid at wage of $20/hour)
- Sick time plus health and wellness support
- Leave time earned after six months
- Employer contribution to a SIMPLE IRA
- Washer, dryer, stove, refrigerator, and mini-dishwasher provided
- Parking space in front of house for up to two cars
- Bike storage available for two bikes in garage and space available for storage of one canoe/kayak in back yard
- Well-trained pets will be considered.
- A great location in Eugene’s Alton Baker Park, off the Willamette Riverbank Bike Path, near off-leash dog park, across the river from the University of Oregon
At Nearby Nature, individuals with varied backgrounds, life experiences, and abilities are valued and encouraged to thrive. We are excited to train – as well as learn from – all new staff members. Not all of the qualifications listed here are hard and fast requirements. Your experiences can include both paid and unpaid work, all of which helps build competence, knowledge, and skills. Applying gives you the opportunity to be considered. Couples are encouraged to apply. Job shares with one person taking the lead of at least 30 hours/week will be considered.
To Apply:
Email the following materials to info@nearbynature.org with Nearby Nature Job Application in the subject line:
- 1) cover letter/s,
- 2) resume/s,
- 3) three references (including one residential), and
- 4) a completed Application Form (this is a Word fill-in form). Note: you may also fill out the Application Form as a Google Form. For a preview of Application questions click here.
If a couple is applying, please be clear about who is applying to take the 30+ hour per week lead for this position.
Photos from inside the Park Host Residence are available here.
Applicant(s) should ideally be available for part-time training starting in September (date and total hours flexible) and residency in Alton Baker Park by the beginning of October. Preference will go to applicants willing to make a commitment of at least 2-3 years. Interviews to happen on a rolling basis with the first review of applications starting August 16th. Position is open until filled.
Questions?
Email info@nearbynature.org or see nearbynature.org for information about Nearby Nature. No phone calls please.
Nearby Nature is committed to fair and impartial treatment of employees, job applicants, contractors, and agents of Nearby Nature, and to maintaining a discrimination and harassment-free work environment. Nearby Nature’s policy is not to discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of age (within statutory limits), race, religion, color, gender, national origin or ancestry, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, or any other protected status with respect to hiring, promotion, demotion, transfer, recruitment, termination, salary level, or other forms of compensation, or any other term or condition of employment.