Job Summary

Under the direction and supervision of the Manager of Permits and Revenue or designee, performs on-site customer service at permitted outdoor events, including but not limited to, confirming permit items listed, communicating with external and internal customers and assisting with basic needs of the event. Performs basic administrative duties to support the operations of the Permits, Rentals, and Concessions Department. Performs other duties as assigned. This position is an intern position working 29 hours per week for up to five (5) months, and primarily working Friday through Monday and holidays at various locations. 

Typical Duties

Visit picnics, special events, membership sites and concessionaires to ensure accuracy of permit(s) issued.

Monitor picnic and event activities and site setups to identify potential permit violations; document findings, analyze issues, and coordinate with appropriate staff to resolve infractions.

Coordinates with internal departments for day-of-event requests.

Drafts weekly report summaries of events.

Assists with onsite auditing of various concession permits.

Facilitates on-site event management during events.

Advises supervisor on various concerns with events.

Communicates with Law Enforcement Department and assigned security personnel to ensure compliance with permit rules and regulations including traffic control

Assists with overseeing implementation of District procedures and guidelines.

Prepares a report after each event.

Serves as the on-call weekend point-of-contact and liaison for the Permits, Rentals and Concession Department

Maintains, manages, and enforces guest service policies and procedures, and contacts the appropriate department(s) while onsite.

Processes permit requests and modifications of the permit.

Regularly uses recreation management software such as ACTIVE Network to ensure the appropriate permits have been acquired.

Performs other duties as required or assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

Must be at least 18 years of age at the time of application.

Must possess a valid driver’s license.

Must possess a high school diploma or GED or higher.

Must have completed at least 60 credit hours at an accredited college or university and currently pursuing a degree at an accredited college or university

OR

Must possess a bachelor’s degree or higher from an accredited college or university.

Preferred Qualifications

Possess one year of full-time work experience as an administrative assistant, conducting event planning/production, or in other positions related to customer service.

Ability to communicate in Spanish, Polish, or sign language OR at least 1 season of work experience with the Forest Preserves of Cook County, OR at least 1  season of work experience as a Conservation Corp Crew member, OR at least 1 season of work experience on property of the Forest Preserves District of Cook County with partners such as the Chicago Zoological Society, Chicago Botanic Garden, Greencorps Chicago, OR at least 1 season of work experience with other partners such as, Friends of the Forest Preserves or the Student Conservation Association.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and Other Characteristics

Ability to work independently or with little supervision.

Excellent customer service skills

Ability to communicate to diverse groups of people.

Ability to maintain effective interpersonal relations with event patrons and clients.

Ability to communicate effectively with others both verbally and in writing.

Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance

instructions and procedure manuals.

Ability to write routine reports and correspondence.

Ability to address challenges with customer permitting concerns.

Ability to work with individuals both within the District and in the community from various backgrounds, areas of discipline, areas of interest, etc.

Ability to communicate effectively with others both verbally and in writing.

Ability to manage numerous projects, prioritize tasks and meet deadlines.

Ability to assist in a wide variety of District activities and assist other District staff with related programs and services.

Ability to work a flexible schedule, including weekends, holidays and evenings at multiple locations.

Knowledge of Microsoft Office applications such as Word, Excel,  Outlook, and Sharepoint.

.The duties listed are not set forth for purposes of limiting the assignment of work.  They are not to be construed as a complete list of the many duties normally to be performed under a job title or those to be performed temporarily outside an employee's normal line of work.

Veteran’s Preference

When applying for employment with the Forest Preserve District of Cook County, preference is given in the application process to honorably discharged Veterans who have served in the Armed Forces of the United States for more than 180 consecutive days or during War Time.  To take advantage of this preference, a Veteran must:

Meet the minimum qualifications for the position.

Identify him/herself as a Veteran on his/her employment application by answering “Yes” to the question “Are you a military veteran?”

Attach a copy of his/her DD 214, DD 215, or NGB 22 (Notice of Separation) at the time of application by uploading it as part of your application.  If there are multiple DD 214s, DD 215s, or NGB 22s, the one with the most recent date should be submitted.  Coast Guard members must submit a certified copy of the military separation from either the Department of Transportation (before 911) or the Department of Homeland Security (after 911).

Veteran must provide original applicable discharge papers at time of interview.

General District Employment Requirements

PROOF OF EDUCATION, CERTIFICATIONS, AND LICENSES WILL BE REQUIRED.

The Forest Preserve District of Cook County is an equal opportunity employer and ensures against discrimination in employment based on a person’s race, color, sex, age, religion, disability, national origin, ancestry, sexual orientation, marital status, parental status, military discharge status, source of income, housing status, or gender identity. We value our employees and the different talents, expertise, and viewpoints that each brings to the table. We believe a robust exchange of ideas results in better decision-making, and we commit to providing a constructive, safe, and positive work atmosphere that promotes mutual respect and empowers individuals to thrive in their jobs.