Big Bear Discovery Center Manager

Job Title: Big Bear Discovery Center Manager
Reports to: Assistant Executive Director
Direct Reports: Gift Store Store Coordinator, Volunteers and Seasonal Interns
Status: Full-time Exempt Status with Benefits (minimum 40 hours per week) at-will employment.
Hours: Primary work hours 8:00am - 4:30pm, Thursday through Monday, some evenings required for special programs
Location: Big Bear Discovery Center, 40971 Hwy 38/North Shore Drive, Fawnskin, CA 

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 550 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, (6) Music in the Mountains and (7) Big Bear Trails. 

Introduction to The Big Bear Discovery Center

The Big Bear Discovery Center program is a Southern California Mountains Foundation program that supports one of the main visitor centers for the San Bernardino National Forest. Opened in 1998, the Big Bear Discovery Center is the largest visitor center in the Big Bear Valley that welcomes more than 100,000 yearly visitors to experience weekly interpretive programs and educational information about the Forest. The Discovery Center hosts special events like outdoor concerts, theater productions, and nighttime interpretive programs in the Big Bear Discovery Center Amphitheater. The goal of the Discovery Center Program is to ensure that every visitor is able to enjoy and heighten their awareness to become more knowledgeable and responsible caretakers of the San Bernardino National Forest. The Mountains Foundation accomplishes this through providing interpretive programs and assisting the Forest Service in providing information services.  

Job Description:

The Discovery Center Manager is responsible for managing all operations at the center in partnership with the Forest Service. The manager provides direction, coordination, and consultation for all volunteer, staff and intern functions within the Big Bear Discovery Center to 1) Strengthen public or private programs and 2) Involve a community of supporters as described in the duties outlined below.  The Discovery Center Manager is responsible for and staffing all educational and interpretive programs for the Big Bear Discovery Center as well as managing gift store operations. The manager will recruit, train, supervise and mentor volunteers and interns in order to provide quality information services and educational programs at the Discovery Center. The manager will be responsible for providing all the listed program services in the absence of volunteers or interns.

Job Duties:

• Operate visitor service desk in partnership with Forest staff. Respond to phone call inquiries regarding general information, public relations, scheduling, events, and complaints. 


• Develop, update and present educational programs to the public. Provide training to staff, interns and volunteers on education programs to be presented at the Discovery Center. 


• Recruit, train and manage volunteer participants at the Discovery Center. Provide ongoing support and guidance for volunteers. Ensure volunteers are trained to support the various areas of operations, to include visitor service areas, exhibits and education, special events, development and administration.


• Recruit, train, and manage seasonal internship positions. 


• Develop and maintain relationships with community organizations and professional associations.


• Develop an annual calendar of events and execute all activities at  the Discovery Center, including eco tours, school programs and interpretive programs. Handle telephone, voicemail, written, and email inquiries for information regarding tours and group visits.

• Author written communications such as newsletters, blogs, social media, press releases, instructions, or other media as appropriate.


• Perform as sponsor for the volunteer advisory council. Provide guidance, advice and direction to the volunteer advisory council. Ensure advisory council activities are aligned with the mission and vision of SCMF & USFS.


• Collaborate with other SCMF volunteer programs, including Fire Lookouts, OHV, Trails, UCC, and Restoration. 


• Identify community outreach opportunities for the organization such as fairs, festivals, local markets and organizations. Maintain a schedule of opportunities and other SCMF events. 


• Remain current in general office technology. Train volunteers to use office and specialized equipment when appropriate.


• Coordinate facility management efforts for SCMF staff & volunteers to maintain the physical environment so it’s viable for the intended purpose to include; Nature Discovery Zone, SCMF offices, gift store and interpretive areas of BBDC. Communicate facility management efforts to Forest staff. 


• Manage gift store coordinator staff and train volunteers on store operations. Maintain gift store POS system, inventory, stock shelves and ensure cleanliness of work and storage areas. Compile merchandise order requests and work with the Assistant Executive Director to fill orders. 


• Maintain accurate records on accomplishments and interpretive program participation. 


• Maintain inventory of office and program supplies, place supply orders as needed.


• Develop, update and maintain Discovery Center Operations Manual in cooperation with Forest staff. 


• Assist with Music in the Mountains fundraising event by managing volunteer operations and other duties as assigned. 


• Custodial duties as needed to keep up with visitor center operations. 


• Perform other related and peripheral duties as required and necessary for the successful performance of this job.
  

Competencies:

• Demonstrate ability to work effectively and tactfully with a wide range of individuals, personalities, and public agencies, establishing collaborative partnerships and developing teams.


• Demonstrated leadership ability and experience building and managing successful team efforts.


• A passion for the personal, social, and economic benefits of outdoor recreation. Knowledge of the Big Bear Valley, San Bernardino Mountains and surrounding  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. 


• Organized and Self-Sufficient: Excellent organizational skills and the ability to work independently with minimal supervision. Excellent time management and project management skills.


• 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, Google 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.

Qualifications:

• Undergraduate degree from an accredited university or college. A variety of educational backgrounds may be considered, including environmental science, natural resource management, environmental education or a related field.


• Experience in customer service, good knowledge of general sales operations and POS system operations.


• Experience in developing and delivering interpretive programs in environmental education. 


• Possession of a valid California driver’s license.


• Working cell phone with which to maintain internet and email communication and conduct business.


• Experience working and recreating outdoors.


• A candidate should show evidence of the following characteristics: flexibility, positive outlook, creativity, concern for community safety, good interpersonal skills, a willing attitude, adaptability, decision making skills, maturity, integrity, and approachability.


• Position requires prolonged or intermittent sitting, standing, walking/hiking on level, uneven, or slippery surfaces, reaching, twisting, turning, kneeling, bending, squatting, 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. 


• 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.

Compensation: 

This is a full-time exempt position with a work schedule of Thursday through Monday from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. Flexibility in work hours is required and will include evenings as needed for nighttime programs and concerts.

• Salary Range: $66,000 - $70,000


• Benefits include health, dental and vision insurance, and 403(b) options


• Vacation and sick time earned on accrual basis


• Paid Holidays

The Southern California Mountains Foundation is an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran or disability status.