Lead and Assistant Paddlers (Contractor)

About Kingman Island

Kingman and Heritage Islands is a 50-acre State Conservation Area in the Anacostia River near RFK Stadium. Living Classrooms has managed the area on behalf of the DC government since 2007. Kingman Island south of Benning Road and the smaller adjacent Heritage Island together constitutes the District of Columbia’s Kingman and Heritage Islands Conservation Area.

About Living Classrooms of the National Capital Region

Living Classrooms of the National Capital Region is the DC-based affiliate of the Living Classrooms Foundation, established in 2001. Living Classrooms works to strengthen communities and inspire people to achieve their highest potential through hands-on learning opportunities in education, workforce development, and health and wellness, often leveraging environmental assets and maritime resources to serve as “living classrooms.” For more information, visit livingclassrooms.org.

The Green Boats Paddlers are valued members of the Living Classrooms of the National Capital Region Kingman Island team, playing a key role in the success of the Kingman and Heritage Islands Conservation Area and the restoration of the Anacostia River by facilitating paddling programs for volunteers who may be first time paddlers and who would also assist in removing litter from the River.

Core Responsibilities

• Be responsible for unlocking and locking equipment at the beginning and end of each paddling session.

• Verify registration and release forms are completed by each volunteer before allowing them to enter an Anacostia Green Boat Program paddling vessel.

• Responsible for the safety of the participants including:

o Fitting PFDs properly on each paddling participant.

o Providing safety information and ensuring all paddlers safely enter and exit boats.

o Performing on-water rescues as trained by Principal or Lead Paddler.

o Performing First Aid/CPR to Consultant’s highest level of certification and no higher.

o Informing volunteers of paddling boundaries.

o Provide feedback on potential safety issues in order to maintain the highest standards of safety for volunteers.

• Lead trash sorting, data collection and proper disposal per Living Classrooms’ trash protocols to support the goal of cleaning the River.

• Communicating availability and confirming schedule for the summer with Green Boats Coordinator and finding appropriate and approved replacements for any schedule changes. Most programs take place on weekends.

• Assist with other duties as assigned.

Required Education, Skills, and Abilities

• Experience in and desire to work in litter reduction, conducting education or recreation activities with youth and/or adults, and water activities.

• A passion for nature and environmental work.

• A team player, taking initiative and direction well.

• Friendly and engaging personality; excellent public speaking skills; ability to work collaboratively as part of the education and LC-NCR teams; experience and ability to lead outdoor work or events with ranger team or volunteer groups.

• Maintain professional composure when dealing with visitors, volunteers, workforce groups, students/teachers, and other LC staff.

• Be flexible and capable of problem solving.

• Interacts well with customers, clients, visitors, etc.

• Organized and timely.

• Willingness to work outdoors in warm temperatures and some weather conditions (Green Boats programs are canceled for certain weather conditions such as strong winds, storms, steady rain, etc).

• Ability to pass federal and state background checks, drug, and TB tests; fully vaccinated against Covid-19 strongly preferred.

• Ability to lift 50 pounds at a time

• Ability to pass Paddling Certifications.

• Able to work weekends.

• Familiarity with the Anacostia River, Kingman Island, DC history, culture, and current events/climate.

Additional Information

This is an independent contractor role paid through a W-9. The Green Boats contractors will report to the Green Boats Coordiantor (Alex Wisbiski). Completed invoices will be due monthly for time worked on this program.

LCF-NCR’s principal office is located at The Dent House, 156 Q Street SW. The Kingman and Heritage Islands Conservation Area can be accessed from RFK Stadium Lot 6, off Oklahoma Avenue in northeast DC. The employee must be able to get to/from both of these locations in a reliable manner.

The Living Classrooms Foundation provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.