Lead and Assistant Paddlers (Part Time)
Living Classrooms of the National Capital Regions (LCF-NCR)
Position Description-Lead and Assistant Paddlers (Part Time)
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. This position will start on April 1, 2025.
Core Responsibilities
• Be responsible for unlocking equipment and setting up for the paddling session, as well
as locking equipment and cleaning up after the session.
• Verify registration and release forms are completed by each volunteer before allowing
them to enter an Anacostia Green Boat Program paddling vessel.
• Provide a verbal informational orientation on the program and the history of the
Anacostia River to participants.
• 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.
• Communicate availability and confirm schedule for the season with Green Boats
Coordinator and find 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
• Interest in obtaining and passing American Canoe Association trainings, such as
Paddlesports Safety Facilitator, Level 1 Canoe or Kayak Instructor, and/or a kayak or
canoe skills assessment.
• Ability to work weekends.
• Ability to perform the essential eligibility criteria (such as being able to breathe
independently). These criteria can be found on the Green Boats page of the Kingman
Island website and are available on request.
• Familiarity with the Anacostia River, Kingman Island, DC history, culture, and current
events/climate.
Additional Information
Part-time paddling staff reports to the Green Boats Coordinator and will fill out timesheets
biweekly for biweekly pay. LCF-NCR manages multiple sites in the National Capital Region and
our principal office is located at 156 Q St SW. The Kingman and Heritage Islands Conservation
Area can be accessed from RFK Stadium Lot 6, off Oklahoma Avenue in NE DC. The James C.
Dent House is in SW DC.
Work will take place primarily in person on Kingman Island, though occasional traveling to Dent
House or other training locations may be required. Paddling staff must be able to get to and
from work at Kingman Island or training locations in a reliable manner.
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 Foundation
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 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.
OR