General Summary: The purpose of the Operations Ranger (Ops Ranger) position is to ensure, under the guidance and supervision of the Operations Manager and/or Director of Operations, the successful daily operations (gatekeeping); horticulture and grounds care; housekeeping; facility repair and maintenance; light construction; integration of conservation initiatives; and programmatic support of Audubon Louisiana Nature Center. As custodians of the nature center, the Operations Team must maintain effective relationships with our guests, visitors, and all levels of staff of Audubon Nature Institute. This position closely collaborates with the Education Team to ensure the operational, conservation, guest and community engagement priorities of Audubon Louisiana Nature Center are met. The Ops Ranger coordinates with the Volunteer Department and oversees episodic and regular volunteers. The Ops Ranger is tasked with maintaining indoor and outdoor areas including, but not limited to restrooms/staff areas, trails and boardwalks, natural spaces, landscaped areas, and greenhouse being mindful of budgetary restraints; and following the vision of the Audubon Louisiana Nature Center.

________________________________________

To deliver on the Audubon mission, the Operations Ranger will:

Provide a guest experience of outstanding quality (required)

________________________________________

• 
  Maintains the Nature Center buildings, facilities, exhibits, trails, machinery, tools and other resources, as directed.
• Opens and closes the facility, per schedule and procedures, recognizing that punctuality and attendance are essential to daily operational success.
• Ensures the restrooms, Planetarium, Interpretive Center and classrooms are ready for use (housekeeping).
• Has occasion to ensure proper husbandry and enrichment standards are met for the exhibit and ambassador animals.
• With the support of management, ensure Nature Center rooms and spaces are appropriately reserved, prepared, and maintained.
• Be willing to work overtime, weekends and holidays, as well as over-nights, and odd schedules. Schedule disruption, post-pandemic, is expected to be a common occurrence. FLEXIBILITY and WEEKENDS REQUIRED.
• Assist the ALNC Safety Officer with executing the safety, emergency, and hurricane preparedness plans; and as essential personnel, carry out post storm procedures.

Weave quality entertainment through the guest experience (required)

• 
  Cheerfully greet and direct guests to ALNC resources including restrooms, exhibits, programs, facilities, and other active and passive guest experiences.
• Support the ALNC, Education, and Volunteer departments as needed.
• Assist in crowd control and closing procedures
• Conduct interpretive chats for all age groups, featuring live animal handling, on occasion.

Exhibit the diversity of wildlife.

• 
  Per the Land Stewardship Plan for the Nature Center, assist in the removal of invasive vegetative species and lead volunteers in such efforts; and restore natural habitats through clearing, planting, and grounds maintenance.
• Assist in the pursuit of an ever-improving nature center and seek ways to improve efficiency and minimize costs.
• In coordination with management, maintain animal enclosures, and life support systems for interpretive wildlife, including invertebrates, small mammals, reptiles and amphibians, fish, and birds.
• Be willing to work in a natural environment (all seasons), providing appropriate habitats for all wildlife.
• Willing to learn and enthusiastically preserve and interpret the native ecology of our region and its place in the global setting.
• Provide interesting perspectives to relate to the community on different levels.
• Make observations and record wildlife sightings and behavior. Follow routine checklists and gather scientific data.

________________________________________

To deliver on the Audubon service promise, the Operations Ranger will:

Welcome

________________________________________

• Make eye contact with every customer encounter, smile at every person, offer friendly phrases and greetings.
• Wear identification badge.
• Walk guests to destination instead of pointing; assist people who look confused or lost.
• Assume ownership of potential safety hazards (wipe-up spill, pick up trash). Always be “camera-ready.”
• Be mindful of minimum staffing thresholds when it comes to planning time off

Share

________________________________________

• Maintain a positive attitude, pleasant tone of voice (remember it is not what you say, but how you say it).
• Utilize the power of teamwork to give excellent service.
• Know when to involve management.
• Know the answers to questions or seek out the answers
• Ability to maintain near-perfect attendance and punctuality and communicate impediments to attendance in a timely manner.

Inspire

________________________________________

• Utilize proper phone etiquette (answer phone within three rings, smile before answering call, ask for permission and wait for response before placing caller on hold).
• Ensure work area is free of food, drink, socialization, and personal business.
• Follow Dress Code Policy on clothing and grooming.
• Keep unpleasant concerns behind closed doors (vent backstage).
• Show initiative: if something needs done, do it or follow through until the right person is aware.

________________________________________

Supervision: volunteers

Experience:

• Previous experience in a park or nature Center setting preferred
• In lieu of experience in a park or nature center, alternative routes to this position might include experience in any of the following areas: custodial/ janitorial; security; forestry/natural resources/environmental science/wildlife management, and/or building trades, such as carpentry, landscaping/arborist, plumbing, HVAC; facilities management or operations, animal husbandry and/or life support.

Education:

1. High school diploma or equivalent

2. Bachelors preferred in Natural Resource Management, (Urban)Forestry, or equivalent; or experience in building trades/ facilities/ operations.

Licensure/Certification: LA Driver’s License; may require additional licensure and training, as needed. Possess or willingness to earn First Aid/CPR certification required. Preferred: chemical applicator’s certification

Software Requirements: Windows and IOS familiarity; proficiency in Microsoft Office preferred. Some experience or Familiarity with GIS or handheld GPS may be useful.

Machinery/Tools/Equipment Requirements: Must have the ability to use mobile devices, computer, fax, scanner, phone and copy machine. Familiarity and/or ability to learn to operate skid steer. Comfortable around chainsaw activity, and able to learn to operate. Common hand and power tool proficiency required. Ability to operate gasoline powered equipment like pressure washer; leaf blowers; lawn mowers; hedge and line trimmers etc... Willingness to operate common janitorial equipment daily, including toilet wand/brush, mops, brooms, vacuums, squeegee etc…

Physical Requirements:

• Exerting up to 50 pounds of force occasionally, or a negligible amount of force frequently to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects, including the human body.
• Sitting or standing, bending, stooping, and the ability to carry items weighing up to 50 pounds.
• Constant adequate range of motion and mobility required.
• Regular near acuity with clarity of vision at 20 inches or less required.
• Typical ability to collect and analyze numerical and written data and verbal information to reach logical conclusions and ability to determine the time, place and sequence of operations or actions required.
• Regular talking and the ability to express and exchange ideas by means of language expected.
• Regular hearing and the ability to perceive the nature of sounds.
• Constant ability to read, record, or type data quickly and accurately required.
• Ability to utilize common PPE for various duties

Environmental/Working Conditions:

• 
  Regular and constant exposure to extreme temperatures and all outdoor weather conditions (for example, extreme heat and humidity, cold and/or rain) required.
• Working long hours between breaks or meals may be required.
• Ability to work under and handle stress in an appropriate manner required.
• May be exposed to high, medium, or low noise intensity.
• Constant contact with co-workers and/or long periods of independent work required.
• Affinity for animals and nature required.