Youth Programs Teaching Assistant

POSITION YOUTH PROGRAMS TEACHING ASSISTANT

SALARY GRADE 106

CLASSIFICATION Limited Term Part-Time Employment, up to 16 hours per week, up to 960
hours per fiscal year (July 1 – June 30), Non-exempt under the Fair Labor
Standards Act (FSLA).

DATE October 9, 2023

ABOUT THE DISTRICT
Chino Basin Water Conservation District (District) is recognized throughout the state as an
innovative, energetic, and effective water conservation organization. The District is dedicated
to the protection of the Chino Groundwater Basin to ensure that the current and future water
needs of the region will be met. Its core business is two-pronged: (1) increase water supply
through groundwater percolation; and (2) decrease water demand through conservation
education, workforce training, and services. The District provides programs, services, and
resources to audiences of all ages and backgrounds to cultivate a community-wide
conservation ethic and build regional capacity for water resilience.

ABOUT THE DEPARTMENT
The Community Programs Department seeks to:

• Demonstrate best practices in conservation education in collaboration with strategic

partners across the region;

• Educate to activate a community-wide conservation ethic for all ages by providing

programs and resources that support awareness and knowledge of our water
resources to promote watershed stewardship and adoption of achievable conservation
behaviors; and

• Provide interpretation and education of percolation strategies in the Chino

Groundwater Basin to sustain a long-term water supply.

The Community Programs team develops, implements, and evaluates culturally relevant
youth education programming, and is responsible for the District and Center’s public events
and communications.

ABOUT THE POSITION
The Youth Programs Teaching Assistant supports the District’s goals by assisting with
educating students on water conservation and efficiency.

SUMMARY/OBJECTIVE
The Youth Programs Teaching Assistant answers directly to the Community Programs
Manager and will assist Community Programs Educators with teaching K-12 students about
water conservation and watershed science in a classroom, field, and garden-based setting
during field trip programs from October through May.

YOUTH PROGRAMS TEACHING ASSISTANT pg. 1

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
• Communication - Communicate effectively (Bilingual in Spanish and English

preferred but not required) with diverse audiences to promote District’s mission of
protecting the Chino Groundwater Basin in order to guarantee that current and
future water needs will be met by promoting water education.

• Classroom Management - Ability to lead a group, create supportive and safe

learning environments and effectively engage communities.

• Instruction - Receive training, feedback, and support to lead inquiry-based water

education programs primarily for K-6 grade students.

• Staff Support - Dedicate 8-20 hours/week from October - May assisting with

instruction in field trip programming.

• Classroom Assistance - Assist with program set up and clean up.
• Curriculum Development and Evaluation - Create and evaluate teaching tools and

classroom management strategies to ensure that youth programs are culturally
relevant and inclusive to all learner types and backgrounds, including class
chaperones and English language learners.

• Program Development - Identify opportunities to extend student field trip

experiences by developing take home tools for students to spark conversation with
their families about water conservation.

COMPETENCIES
Knowledge and Experience

• Knowledge of Microsoft Office tools.
• Classroom and behavior management curriculum and instruction with youths TK-

8th grade.

Skills

• Customer service
• Public speaking
• Collaborative teamwork
• Verbal and written communication skills
  

Abilities

• Demonstrates curiosity and desire to learn about topics relevant to the District’s

mission such as water, conservation, landscaping, watershed science, science
education pedagogy, and trends, etc.

• Uses flexibility and problem-solving skills.
• Demonstrates positive attitude and initiative to attain information and skills

necessary to complete tasks and projects well.

SUPERVISION

• Reports to: Community Programs Manager
• Supervises: Does not provide any supervision
  

POSITION TYPE AND EXPECTED HOURS OF WORK

• Limited Term Part-Time Employment, up to 20 hours per week, up to 960 hours per

fiscal year (July 1 – June 30); evening and/or weekend work may be required to
complete required duties and projects and participate in events; respond to
emergencies as necessary.

• The Waterwise Community Center field trip programming occurs Tuesday -

Thursday, 8am-12pm. The ideal candidate will be available during these hours, but at
the minimum available to attend two field trips per week. Additional hours to

YOUTH PROGRAMS TEACHING ASSISTANT pg. 2

develop materials, review content, and receive training can be more flexible. The
programming takes place primarily in an outdoor garden and park setting.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• Interest in education, natural resources management, environmental science, and

similar fields is necessary for success in the position.

• This is a great opportunity for a college student to gain environmental education

teaching experience in a non-formal environment.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

• Indoor and outdoor work, year-round, in all weather conditions. Must be able to work

outdoors in heat, direct sun, wind, rain, and cold. Must be able to work in fast-paced
environment.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS
• Communicates orally in English with District Board members, co-workers, and the

public in face-to-face, one-to-one, group, and classroom settings. Must be able to
exchange information in these settings and promote a positive and collaborative
image.

• Frequently positions self to address a classroom setting, assist students at tables and

on the floor, inspect materials (plants, compost, etc.) on the ground, on
tables/counters, and on shelves.

• Regularly operates a telephone for communication.
• Operates office equipment such as computers, printers, copiers, projectors, and FAX

and other teaching elements on a regular basis in garden, riparian, and classroom
settings

• Travels frequently by vehicle to conduct District business.
• Sometimes works in an outdoor environment in the sun, wind, rain, etc.
• Occasionally addresses a classroom setting, assists students at tables and on the

floor, inspects materials (plants, compost, etc.) on the ground, on tables/counters,
and on shelves.

• May be required to move/position supplies and materials of up to 50 Lb.
• Intermittently moves materials, shifts items up to 25 lbs. for brief to moderate

of light janitorial and office type work to support programs.

ADDITIONAL ELIGIBILITY QUALIFICATIONS
• Applicants who are selected for hire are fingerprinted during the pre-placement

processing period. All fingerprints will be processed with the Department of Justice
to verify criminal records or absence thereof.

• Complete 2-hour Mandated Reporter training within first week of employment.
• Complete 1-hour Sexual Harassment training within first month of employment.
• Must demonstrate ability to legally work in the United States and possess

appropriate documentation.

YOUTH PROGRAMS TEACHING ASSISTANT pg. 3