Seasonal Recreation Program Specialist (Wargo Nature Center)

Job Posting End Date: December 13, 2026 at 11:59pm CST

Hiring range: $17.00 to $20.00 per hour. The starting rate will depend on experience, education, and qualifications. Advancement opportunities exist for individuals motivated to move up within Anoka County.

Come join our team at Anoka County where you can serve your community while enjoying the benefits of work-life balance!

In order to be considered for this position, information to support your answers must be included in your application. A resume attachment is optional and cannot be used in place of this application.

Position Description

The Anoka County Parks mission is as a department of Anoka County, our mission is to positively impact the quality of life in Anoka County by providing parks, outdoor recreation, and leisure services for the public. Our mission encompasses the protection of the natural environment, improving the health of citizens, and supporting a strong local economy. The department has an immediate opening for Seasonal Recreation Program Specialist who will perform various duties. Some of the critical responsibilities of this position include plan and deliver park program activities that align with the program delivery goals and desired outcomes of the Parks Department.

 

This is a seasonal, non-exempt, on-site position. Interviews will take place as applications are received for those selected to move forward in the hiring process. 

 

Pay & Benefits

• Salary: $17.00 to $20.00 per hour.
• Professional development opportunities.

 

Work Location

• This position will primarily work at Wargo Nature Center, located at 7701 Main St, Lino Lakes, MN. Travel to other Anoka County Parks as needed.

• Expected work hours are varied including days, evenings, weekends, and holidays, around 24 hours per week. This may include extended hours on weekends and holidays as required.

 

Job Duties and Responsibilities
These examples are not all-inclusive and are intended to be illustrative of the primary responsibilities of an Anoka County Seasonal Recreation Program Specialist.

• Teach outdoor recreational activities such as snowshoeing, skiing, hikes, and ice fishing.
• Lead public and private programming throughout the winter months, with the flexibility to support Wildlife Outreach or Environmental Education programs as needed.
• Encourage respect for personal property, recreational equipment, facilities, and the environment.
• Load, transport, and maintain recreational equipment including snowshoes, kick sleds, cross country skis, fat tire bikes, and fishing equipment.

 

Qualifications and Requirements:

 

Minimum Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Needed

• Requires accreditation from a technical school or applicable trades program.
• In lieu of the required education, an equivalent combination of education and experience may be substituted on a year-for-year basis
• Must have valid driver's license and vehicle available for business use
• Successfully pass driver’s license and criminal history background check

 

Preferred Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Needed

• Outdoor recreational experience.
• Degree in recreation and park administration or related field
• Excellent customer service skills 
• Strong verbal and written communication skills

 

Physical Demands and Work Conditions

• Indoor and outdoor county worksites in all weather conditions depending on assignment
• Vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, and the ability to adjust focus, such as to work on computers. Ability to see colors, shades and brightness.
• Hearing abilities required for general and phone communication, signals, and machine sounds
• Assignments require several hours of varied physical activity in addition to viewing a computer screen, sitting at a desk, or walking/standing
• Physical activity may include repeated bending, stooping, reaching, twisting, prolonged walking on sloped or uneven terrain, and handling/carrying equipment
• Ability to detect, discern, and tolerate a wide range of scents required for safety and performance of essential duties
• Cognitive abilities required include problem solving, prioritization of tasks, short- and long-term memory, interpreting and understanding written documents, and general mathematical skills
• Regular lifting of 0-25 lbs., occasional lifting of up to 75 lbs.
• Equipment used includes computers, phones, and standard office equipment in addition to various park maintenance equipment depending on assignment
• Driving is required for this position and staff must have the ability to use a variety of mowers, tractors, pickup trucks, UTV's, and boats
• Exposure to toxic or caustic chemicals, fumes, airborne particles, prolonged vibration from machinery, and other hazards is possible while performing essential duties
• Travel between work sites may require driving a county vehicle and/or a personal vehicle
• Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions

Selection Process

It is important that your application show all the relevant education and experience you possess. This information will determine which candidates will proceed in the selection process. A submitted application is also used to verify the answers to any supplemental questions.

 

Pre-employment Requirements

Anoka County has determined that successfully passing a pre-employment criminal/driving background check, drug screen and DOT physical, and/or other qualifications checks may be necessary for certain positions. Applicants may be required to sign an informed consent form allowing the County to obtain to conduct such screenings and/or verify their qualifications in connection with the position sought. Applicants who do not sign the informed consent form will not be further considered for the position.

 

About Anoka County

As the fourth largest county in Minnesota, Anoka County thrives because of the diversity, dedication, determination, and innovation of our employees. United by our mission- Commitment to Excellence:  through collaborative efforts, we seek to improve lives and serve with care, integrity, and professionalism- we offer a wide range of career opportunities for people with a variety of personalities, abilities, knowledge, and life experiences. Together, we work toward a single purpose of serving Anoka County’s 369,000 citizens in a respectful, innovative, and fiscally responsible manner. If your career aspirations resonate with our mission, we invite you to Find Your Path with Anoka County! Hear from other Anoka County employees here.

 

Commitment to Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity Employment

Anoka County is committed to the principles of our Affirmative Action Plan and Equal Employment Opportunity. It is the policy of Anoka County to recruit, hire, train, and promote persons in all job titles, without regard to race, color, creed, religion, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), national origin, marital status, genetic information, status with regard to public assistance, physical ability, sexual orientation, or age except where such status is a bona fide occupational qualification. It is the policy of Anoka County to make employment decisions in a manner that will further our Affirmative Action Plan and Equal Employment Opportunity.

 

If you require accommodations or have any other questions regarding this job posting, please call the Anoka County Human Resources Department at 763-324-4300 and reference the posting title and number. If you have questions about the hiring process, please visit: https://www.anokacountymn.gov/4411/Application-Process

Anoka County is an Equal Opportunity Employer, please see our EEO policy: https://www.anokacounty.us/401/Diversity-EEO