Apply in a variety of ways (see below for details) by February 20, 2024.  

BACKGROUND: 

Great Rivers Greenway is the public agency making the St. Louis region a more vibrant place to live, work and play by developing a regional network of greenways. 

Great Rivers Greenway’s Outreach program is hugely important to getting the word out about the greenways and connecting to community members. This is a crucial function for us, both because many people do not know about the greenways, their benefits and our future plans in the region, and also because it’s an important chance for people to ask questions and give us feedback to inform our work. The position of Outreach Specialist has been created to increase our ability to be in touch with the two million residents of St. Louis City, St. Louis County and St. Charles County. 

The Outreach Specialist position is a permanent, part-time, on-call position with an hourly wage of $22/hour. We are seeking to hire up to 3 individuals for this role right now. The two benefits that come with this position are paid training (including 2 hours of paid ongoing education monthly) and mileage reimbursement from the Great Rivers Greenway office (at City Foundry) to and from events, programs and duties. This position is expected to work at least 10 assignments per year. Assignments range anywhere from 3-10 hours (including transportation and setup) and are signed up for by the outreach specialist, in a first come first served fashion. This position demands a dedicated, flexible professional with excellent customer service skills including active listening and attention to detail. This position does not hold regular hours or attend any regular meetings. 

Outreach Specialists are an extension of staff, report to the Outreach Coordinator and serve the mission in many ways. Tasks available to our team of Outreach Specialists vary, but are predominantly tabling at weekend and evening events, along with occasional supportive communications roles such as public speaking, placing signs in the field, delivering maps to local businesses, supporting programs, or helping with digital research or other administrative tasks. 

Outreach Specialists are welcome to fulfill their minimum 10 annual assignments in any of the following ways.

• Staffing our booth or table at events:
  • Outreach Coordinator makes all arrangements. An Outreach Specialist, if they accept an assignment, would pick up equipment and materials, go set up and staff event – engaging with people and giving out maps and goodies – and then tear down and return gear, later evaluating the event overall. Sometimes Outreach Specialists may just work one shift and not do setup. 
  • 100+ opportunities per year, varying from large-scale events like Festival of Nations to smaller opportunities such as a corporate volunteer fair for employees to Great Rivers Greenway’s own events and programs. 
  • Events can be indoor, outdoor, general information or for a specific project.  

• Serve as a welcoming Great Rivers Greenway representative at programs and events, including volunteer workdays or local groups meeting on the greenways.  
• Support (or occasionally lead) greenway programs by serving as a greeter and checking in participants, guiding people through an activity or giving a guided tour.  
• Speaking or presenting to groups of 10-100 people about the greenways (anything from a 2-minute announcement at a neighborhood meeting to an hour-long PowerPoint presentation). 
• Host pop-up booths/tables on the greenways to greet people, answer questions, give out goodies. 
• Staff the agency’s front desk (answer the phones and front door).
• Put up or take down promotional yard signs at greenway trailheads or access points.
• Deliver maps or other materials to local businesses or community centers.

ORGANIZATIONAL RELATIONSHIPS: 

Reports to:              Outreach Coordinator 

Collaborates with: All staff, volunteer ambassadors 

POSITION QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS 

Education/Training: No specific education requirements 

Experience: At least two (2) years of customer service experience 

Skills and Abilities:
(These may be representative but not all inclusive of those commonly associated with this position.) 

• Be self-directed and possess sound judgment. 
• Ability to complete tasks and duties in a timely and accurate manner with minimal supervision. 
• Excellent customer service skills including active listening. 
• Able to learn a lot of new, complex and sometimes technical information continually and share with passion and accuracy. 
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to establish rapport quickly and maintain solid relationships with a wide range of audiences. 
• Ability to represent and reflect organizational values. 
• Approachable demeanor and ability to adapt to a variety of situations. 
• Mental and physical stamina to set up and staff outreach opportunities. 
• Team-oriented with a commitment to sustaining strong, productive working partnerships with all staff, board members, volunteers and the community. 

Computer Skills: 

• PC or mobile phone operation at a beginner level preferred for submitting reports (through a website) and reviewing updates that are emailed. 

Machines, Tools, Equipment and Work Aids:
(These may be representative but not all inclusive of those commonly associated with this position.) 

• Occasional use of a tablet 
• EZ Up Pop Up Tent, folding tables, rolling carts 

License(s)/Certification(s) Required: 

• Driver’s license and access to a vehicle required for most opportunities, mileage is reimbursed. 

On-The-Job Training Time: 

• Up to three (3) months of training time where an experienced staff member will attend events alongside the new Outreach Specialist. 

Physical/Visual Activities or Demands:
(These may be representative but not all inclusive of those commonly associated with this position.) 

• While performing the duties of this position the employee is regularly required to sit, stand, walk, talk and hear. The employee is frequently required to use hands to feel and reach with hands and arms. The employee is required to lift up to 50 pounds and navigate loading and unloading of materials and equipment. Vision requirements include close vision, ability to adjust and focus, distance vision (vision at 20 feet or more), ability to judge distances and spatial relationships. 

Work Environment:
(These may be representative but not all inclusive of environmental and atmospheric conditions commonly associated with this position.) 

• Exposure to weather conditions when necessary. Possible exposure to loud music or noises and dangers associated with outdoor events. 

Great Rivers Greenway is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, gender, age, veteran status, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status or disability (in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act) with respect to employment opportunities. 

Great Rivers Greenway is an E-Verify employer. E-Verify is an internet based system operated by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in partnership with the Social Security Administration (SSA) that allows participating employers to electronically verify the employment eligibility of their newly hired employees in the United States. More information on our jobs page at www.GreatRiversGreenway.org/jobs. 

Great Rivers Greenway values diversity, equity and inclusion – you can read about their mission and business cases at www.GreatRiversGreenway.org. 

Interviews will take place in February and March, position will begin with paid training.