Hunter Education Coordinator 2024-01906

at  State of Wyoming

GENERAL DESCRIPTION:

The Hunter Education Program Coordinator position is responsible for planning, implementing, coordinating, and continually improving the statewide hunter education program in coordination with the other hunter education coordinator, volunteer instructors, Game and Fish, and the public. Hunter Education is a legal certification required for anyone who wishes to hunt in Wyoming. The Wyoming Hunter Education program has an extensive data collection requirement that needs continuous updating. Duties for the position include supervising and recruiting volunteer instructors and certifying approximately 5,000 new students each year. The coordinator manages these certifications through an event management system and multiple databases. The coordinator conducts Hunter Education Instructor Training Workshops and Instructor Meetings and hosts supplemental Hunter Education classes in locations across the state as needed. The Hunter Education Coordinator also supports the greater Communications and Education division in statewide outreach and education events and programs, as well as Casper regional education needs and requests in conjunction with the Information and Education Specialist.
Human Resource Contact: Alice Saldana / alice.saldana2@wyo.gov

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: The listed functions are illustrative only and are not intended to describe every function which may be performed at the job level.

• Administer the statewide Hunter Education (HE) Program with a co-coordinatorRecruitment, selection, training, and evaluation of the performance of over 250 active volunteer instructors across the state.
• Communicate updates to instructors via a quarterly newsletter.
• Correspond with other HE state programs and align efforts with International Hunter Education Association (IHEA) standards.
• Conduct meetings for established instructors for professional development, curriculum or policy updates, and recognition of volunteer time.
• Maintain accurate HE records and manage multiple databases. This includes assisting with course setup in the online system and finalizing the course results after the course takes place.
• Provide customer service to the public, specifically regarding hunter education course registration and hunter education cards.
• Facilitates the purchase, inventory, and distribution of hunter education materials to instructors statewide.
• Provide up-to-date and easy-to-access resources to instructors, including but not limited to power points, videos, animations, and physical teaching tools.
• Manage the database of student and instructor records and issue certification cards while evaluating database performance and addressing database issues.
• Track HE Course demand across the state and ensure that classes are being hosted commensurate to demand.
• Facilitate the Hunter Education in Schools initiative by certifying school teachers as HE instructors and working with them to implement HE in their schools; maintain a partnership with the Professional Standards Teaching Board regarding the Hunter Education teaching endorsement.
• Provide budget input for the HE program, including the costs of instructor training workshops, class materials/manuals, volunteer reimbursements, teaching supplies (including inert and live firearms and ammunition), and other hunting/shooting clinics and programs.
• Serve the general public, including but not limited to the approx. 5,000 annually certified HE students, with assistance in class information and registration, database updates on card info, answering questions regarding lost cards, HE requirements, updating database records for legal name changes, and other related inquiries.
• Serve the volunteer instructors and any schools or educators that are instructing hunter education.
• Administer the statewide Bowhunter Education program, mirroring the hunter education program on a smaller scale, and facilitate Bowhunter Education classes hosted by certified Bowhunter Education Instructors commensurate with public demand.
• Assist with the National Archery in Schools Program and statewide tournament.
• Assist with hunter recruitment and retention programming, conservation education programming, and other statewide education and outreach efforts and/or events.
• Assist or conduct camps and workshops specifically for hunter education to recruit and retain hunters.
• Assist the greater communications and education division as needed and regional education and outreach needs.

PREFERENCES/AGENCY REQUIREMENTS:**

Preference may be given to those with a bachelor’s degree in education, natural resources, wildlife/fisheries biology, or related field.
Preference may be given to those with experience managing large databases and complex information.
Preference may be given to those with experience with public speaking and teaching wide age ranges / diverse audiences.
Preference may be given to those with experience developing curriculum and educational resources.
*Must have a valid driver’s license and pass a background check.

KNOWLEDGE:

• Knowledge of state and federal laws and regulations governing hunting and firearms or willingness to learn.

• Knowledge of wildlife management, principles, and concepts of state wildlife agencies or willingness to learn.

• Must have strong computer skills in Microsoft Suite, Google Suite, and complex online database management.
• Must be self-motivated and able to work with minimal supervision.
• Good written and oral communication skills,
• Exceptional customer service and organizational skills.
• Must have the ability to build positive working relationships within the agency and externally.
• Proficiency in hunting skills, outdoor skills, or a willingness to learn.
• Ability to problem-solve within the scope of responsibility.
• Ability to work independently and make sound judgment calls based upon established guidelines.

EDUCATION:

Bachelor’s Degree (typically in Education)

EXPERIENCE:

0-3 years of progressive work experience (typically in Education or Instruction) with acquired knowledge at the level of an Education Program Specialist.
OR

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE SUBSTITUTION:

4-6 years of progressive work experience (typically in Education or Instruction) with acquired knowledge at the level of an Education Program Specialist.

• Administer the statewide Hunter Education (HE) Program with a co-coordinatorRecruitment, selection, training, and evaluation of the performance of over 250 active volunteer instructors across the state.
• Communicate updates to instructors via a quarterly newsletter.
• Correspond with other HE state programs and align efforts with International Hunter Education Association (IHEA) standards.
• Conduct meetings for established instructors for professional development, curriculum or policy updates, and recognition of volunteer time.
• Maintain accurate HE records and manage multiple databases. This includes assisting with course setup in the online system and finalizing the course results after the course takes place.
• Provide customer service to the public, specifically regarding hunter education course registration and hunter education cards.
• Facilitates the purchase, inventory, and distribution of hunter education materials to instructors statewide.
• Provide up-to-date and easy-to-access resources to instructors, including but not limited to power points, videos, animations, and physical teaching tools.
• Manage the database of student and instructor records and issue certification cards while evaluating database performance and addressing database issues.
• Track HE Course demand across the state and ensure that classes are being hosted commensurate to demand.
• Facilitate the Hunter Education in Schools initiative by certifying school teachers as HE instructors and working with them to implement HE in their schools; maintain a partnership with the Professional Standards Teaching Board regarding the Hunter Education teaching endorsement.
• Provide budget input for the HE program, including the costs of instructor training workshops, class materials/manuals, volunteer reimbursements, teaching supplies (including inert and live firearms and ammunition), and other hunting/shooting clinics and programs.
• Serve the general public, including but not limited to the approx. 5,000 annually certified HE students, with assistance in class information and registration, database updates on card info, answering questions regarding lost cards, HE requirements, updating database records for legal name changes, and other related inquiries.
• Serve the volunteer instructors and any schools or educators that are instructing hunter education.
• Administer the statewide Bowhunter Education program, mirroring the hunter education program on a smaller scale, and facilitate Bowhunter Education classes hosted by certified Bowhunter Education Instructors commensurate with public demand.
• Assist with the National Archery in Schools Program and statewide tournament.
• Assist with hunter recruitment and retention programming, conservation education programming, and other statewide education and outreach efforts and/or events.
• Assist or conduct camps and workshops specifically for hunter education to recruit and retain hunters.
• Assist the greater communications and education division as needed and regional education and outreach needs