Discovery Center Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Introduction to the Organization

The Southern California Mountains Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that believes connecting communities to our public lands is the key to their survival. We mobilize individuals to inspire and engage in environmental citizenship. The Southern California Mountains Foundation supports youth development through conservation initiatives integrating environmental education, training and hands-on service projects;  protects our natural resources through adult and family-led programming; and provides interpretive services that focus on outdoor recreation, responsible use, and stewardship of our natural environment.  The Southern California Mountains Foundation consists of 45 full-time staff,  75-100 part-time employees and 450 volunteers.  We achieve our mission through seven programs: (1) Urban Conservation Corps of the Inland Empire, (2) Big Bear Discovery Center, (3) Off-Highway Vehicles, (4) Fire Lookouts, (5) National Children’s Forest/Great Seeds Restoration, (6) Music in the Mountains and (7) Big Bear Trails.  

Introduction to the Discovery Center 

Opened in 1998, the Big Bear Discovery Center is the largest visitor center in the Big Bear Valley. Stop by and be one of the more than 190,000 yearly visitors to experience exhibits, weekly programs, eco-tours. Enjoy special events like outdoor concerts, theater productions, and nighttime interpretive programs in the Big Bear Discovery Center Amphitheater.

Job Description

The Southern California Mountains Foundation is hiring for 4 seasonal summer intern/corpsmember positions at the Big Bear Discovery Center.  This is a training position that gives young individuals ages 18 to 26  the opportunity to engage directly with forest visitors, provide interpretive education programs and lead groups.  Specifically this position is responsible for providing summer interpretive programs and visitor information services at the Big Bear Discovery Center located in Fawnskin, CA. Intern is responsible for leading nature walks, hiking tours, campfire programs and other interpretive programs for the public. Position will also work directly with staff, and volunteers. The Intern will operate the POS system at the visitor center front desk and be responsible for maintaining stock in the gift store. 

Essential functions and duties will include

• Lead environmental education and interpretive programs for the public including evening campfires, hiking tours, nature walks, astronomical events, a variety of wildlife programming, Gold Panning, and school and youth programs with a focus on ecosystems and stewardship in the San Bernardino National Forest. 
• Assist with general needs around the visitor center such as daily set-up, custodial, and general maintenance duties.
• Operate the gift store POS system selling merchandise and maintaining stock, memberships, concert tickets, and eco-tour spots.
• Work at the front desk, answering phones and giving out information to visitors.
• Enter database information into Google Drive and Excel. Create fliers, press releases, signs, and social media posts. 
• Work independently as well as on a team with staff, volunteers, and corpsmembers.
• Adapt to a fast paced and dynamic work environment.
• Promote programs, volunteer opportunities and projects in the community; sometimes at community/recreation events. 
• Assist, help and cooperate with other SCMF staff to meet the goals of the Mountains Foundation.

Competencies 

• Demonstrate ability to work effectively and tactfully with a wide range of individuals, personalities, and public agencies.
• Demonstrate leadership ability and experience building and managing successful team efforts. 
• Organized and Self-Sufficient: Excellent organizational skills and the ability to work independently with minimal supervision. Excellent time management and project management skills.  
• A passion for the personal, social, and economic benefits of outdoor recreation.  Knowledge of the San Bernardino Mountains geography preferred.  
• Positive can-do attitude. Personable and outgoing with excellent communication skills. Ability to professionally represent programs and projects.  
• Public Speaking: Good at speaking to both individuals and large groups of people.
• Manage and Lead: Ability to both lead and manage large groups of people of all ages. 
• Computer Savvy: working knowledge of contemporary technology, digital photography, file sharing, social media (Facebook, twitter, Instagram) and working knowledge of contemporary office technology including word, excel, email, gps applications, and the internet.  
• Problem Solver: Ability to analyze situations, develop strategies, and implement solutions.
• Versatile and Flexible; time will be spent both inside doing desk work and outside physical field work. 

Requirements:

• Possession of a valid Class C California driver’s license with a clean record with the ability to obtain a government drivers license
• Working knowledge of computers 
• Experience working and recreating outdoors. 
• A candidate should show evidence of the following characteristics: hard working, problem solver, flexibility, positive outlook, creativity, concern for community safety, good interpersonal skills, a willing attitude, adaptability, decision making skills, maturity, integrity, and approachability
• CPR/First Aid training certification is preferred
• Position requires prolonged or intermittent sitting, standing, walking/hiking on level, uneven, or slippery surfaces, reaching, twisting, turning, kneeling, bending, squatting, lifting, stooping and crouching.  The position also requires grasping, repetitive hand movement, and fine coordination in preparing reports and using a computer keyboard and hand tools in the performance of daily duties.  The need to lift, carry, push and pull materials up to 50 pounds is required. The employee will be required to travel to different sites and locations; when working outdoors the incumbent may encounter extreme weather conditions; including wet, hot, cold, wind, snow, ice and heavy vehicle traffic.  The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet to moderate when indoors and moderate to loud when outdoors.
• Candidates must be able to see in the normal visual range with or without correction and hear in the normal range with or without correction. Vision requirements include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth and perception. Hearing requirements include the ability to properly use a two way radio and telephone while around groups of people to communicate with other personnel.
• 18-26 years old, due to the training nature of the position.