Temporary Bilingual Spanish Outreach Assistant

POSTING TYPE: Open competitive posting opportunity
DEPARTMENT: Parks and Open Spaces
HOURS: Temporary; 40 hours per week
HIRING RANGE: $20.00-$22.00 per hour
FLSA Status: non-exempt
LOCATION: Western Service Center, Apple Valley and Parks throughout Dakota County
UNION: None
CLOSE DATE: 4:30 pm on Friday, March 14, 2025

Dakota County Parks is seeking a temporary Bilingual Spanish Outreach Assistant to work with our community engagement program. The incumbent in this position will assist the Parks Outreach Coordinator and Parks Event Director on a variety of projects to increase engagement, awareness, and visitation of the Dakota County Parks, particularly by communities underrepresented in regional parks visitation. Work may include: Providing in-person outreach at events, coordinating small to medium sized events, supporting large special events, coordinating, or supporting programs, and providing interpretation and translation.

The successful candidate must be bilingual in both English and Spanish (fluent in Spanish) and able to conduct smooth, culturally relevant communication, translation, interpretation, relationship building and high-quality delivery of programs, events, and service to Park visitors, staff, and community stakeholders. This is a full-time, temporary position for six months from May - October 2025.

Dakota County offers rewarding career opportunities that make a real difference in people's lives. From maintaining roads to maintaining property records, protecting the environment to protecting our children's health, finding homes for those in need to finding justice for crime victims - the work we do touches the lives of each of our residents every day. We're proud of what we do. You can be too. Join our team of nearly 1,800 and launch a career where you can truly "Be More."

We offer more than just careers that make a difference; we also offer competitive benefits, work life balance, and convenient work locations. Will you be the next person to join us at Dakota County?

• Bilingual in both English and Spanish (fluent in Spanish) and able to conduct smooth, culturally relevant communication, translation, interpretation, relationship building and high-quality delivery of programs, events, and service to visitors, staff and stakeholders
  AND
• Two years of work or volunteer experience in outreach, program and/or event support, education, or engagement focused on developing and maintaining relationships with diverse and underrepresented individuals, groups, and communities.
  OR
• One year of undergraduate or community college coursework in Cultural Studies, Social Work, Social Science, Interpreting, Human Services, Ethnic Studies, Public Health, Communications, or a related field AND One year of community outreach, engagement or organizing experience focused on developing and maintaining relationships in diverse and underrepresented communities.
  AND
• Valid driver's License

• Spring at Spring Lake Park Reserve - Saturday, April 26, noon-4 p.m. - Spring Lake Park Reserve
• Music in the Parks event May - Tuesday, May 27, 5-7 p.m. - Whitetail Woods Regional Park
• Take a Kid Fishing - Sunday, June 8, noon-3 p.m. - Thompson County Park
• Summer Solstice Party - Friday, June 20, 6-9:03 p.m. - Thompson County Park
• Music in the Parks event June - Tuesday, June 24, 5-7 p.m. - Whitetail Woods Regional Park
• Music in the Parks event July - Tuesday, July 29, 5-7 p.m. - Whitetail Woods Regional Park
• Music in the Parks event August - Tuesday, Aug. 26, 5-7 p.m. - Whitetail Woods Regional Park
• Music in the Parks event September - Tuesday, Sept. 30, 5-7 p.m. - Whitetail Woods Regional Park

These examples do not include all possible tasks in this work and do not limit the assignment of related tasks in any position of this classification. Regular attendance according to the position's management approved work schedule is required for all positions.

1. Build, support and maintain positive relationships with the public, including communities underrepresented in regional park visitation including Black, Indigenous and people of color and low-income households.
2. Support the park's events and programs by assisting with the coordination of planning, logistics, promotion, and implementation. Frequent local travel (within Dakota County primarily and occasionally outside of Dakota County in the Twin Cities metro area) moving, lifting, preparation and transportation of event and program materials is frequent and required for this position. Materials include tables, tents, chairs, equipment and other supplies.
3. Implement tactics to increase awareness of Dakota County Parks including event-based outreach, distribution of informational materials and other strategies.
4. Provide administrative and programmatic support to the park's marketing, awareness, and promotional efforts.
5. Act as a positive and professional representative of the Dakota County Parks in the community.
6. Conduct Spanish language translations of communications materials such as fliers, maps, brochures, and Facebook posts. Review translations for accuracy.
7. Provide Spanish language interpretation for park staff during programs, events, and activities. This can include both simultaneous and consecutive interpreting as well as occasionally interpreting presentations in front of large groups.
8. Lead programs, events, and activities in the Spanish language.
9. Track data and provide feedback to inform future efforts.
10. Provide support to bike programming including lifting, riding and moving bikes, providing basic bike maintenance, repair, customer support, program implementation and troubleshooting.
11. Performs related work as required.

• Cultural awareness, humility, and desire to build intercultural connections.
• Active listener and learner. Effective interpersonal and communication skills.
• Punctuality, ability to manage multiple tasks and meet deadlines.
• Self-driven and able to organize work efficiently and effectively.
• Basic proficiency in office software programs (e.g., Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook).
• Strong racial equity lens and ability to work effectively with people from diverse backgrounds. Passion for diversity, equity, and inclusion work.
• Interest in parks, nature, and community-building.
• Ability to lift and move equipment including bikes, tents, chairs, tables and other items as needed.

Work is performed at parks, community event sites and remotely but will sometimes take place at the Dakota County Western Service Center. Very frequent travel is required, including travel to community events, partner sites and parks. Position requires travel within Dakota County and will require occasional use of a personal vehicle. Must have the physical ability to staff outreach events, which may be held outdoors in different types of weather conditions, and include hiking, canoeing, kayaking, archery, fishing, music events and other outdoor activities. Lifting requirement of up to 50 pounds on an occasional basis. Equipment used may include, but is not limited to, computers, tablets, printers, phones, copier, fax machines, recreation equipment, bikes, pumps, and other tools.