Naturalist I

Salary: $15.11 – $17.48 Hourly

Location : Wood Lake Nature Center – 6710 Lake Shore Drive, MN

Job Type: Seasonal

Job Number: 2023-00052

Department: Recreation Services

Division: Wood Lake Nature Center

Opening Date: 07/14/2023

Closing Date: Continuous

Nature of Work

Do you have a passion for the natural world and like to share it with others? Then this opportunity is for you. You will conduct environmental education classes, birthday parties, organize a large public event, and assist Naturalist staff with natural resource work. Gain valuable experience and skills through this seasonal opportunity.

HOURS

40 hours per week from Tuesday through Saturday, from September 12, 2023 – March 30, 2024

NATURE OF WORK

Develops and conducts high quality environmental education activities and interpretive naturalist programs and works with staff in operation of Wood Lake Nature Center. This position is seasonal in nature and thus temporary.

Job Duties

ESSENTIAL DUTIES

• Conducts high quality environmental education activities with groups of all ages and types of people, with a focus on K-5 age group.
• Conducts weekend birthday parties, scout programs and occasional off-site programs.
• Responsible for the Nature Center on Saturdays.
• Assists staff with administrative duties including group scheduling, purchasing, telephones, etc.
• Answers inquiries from the public about wildlife identification, habits, nuisance problems, etc.
• Assists in the training and supervision of volunteers.
• Assists in building and grounds maintenance as needed.
• Assists with daily and weekly animal care.
• Answers inquiries from the public about wildlife identification, habits, nuisance problems, etc.
• Organizes and conducts Candlelight and Ice, a New Year’s Eve special event.
• Coordinates efforts to ensure Richfield is an equitable, inclusive, and respectful organization and supports the City’s mission, vision, and core values.

COMPETENCIES

• Demonstrates knowledge and identification of flora and fauna prevalent in this area and its relevance to Wood Lake.
• Demonstrates knowledge of ecological concepts including succession, predation, population dynamics, etc. and ability to identify their occurrence at Wood Lake.
• Demonstrates ability to work as a team with staff in a dynamic nature center environment.
• Demonstrates ability to communicate with the public in a friendly and professional manner.
• Demonstrates ability to work both independently and cooperatively with staff, interns and volunteers.
• Demonstrates ability to conduct a wide variety of classes in an outdoor setting.
• Demonstrates ability to work scheduled shifts, to arrive on time ready to work.
• Demonstrates ability to understand and respect the diversity of customers and co-workers, effectively communicating with individuals whose first language may be one other than English.

Qualifications

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• A degree in biology, wildlife management, environmental studies, elementary education, environmental education or other field relevant to natural history interpretation.
• One or more years of naturalist/ teaching work in similar setting.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Strong familiarity with Wood Lake, its programs and policies. An ability to conduct programs in a manner consistent with its philosophy.
• Experience caring for animals or animal program experience (reptiles, bees, etc.)
• Experience in planning and teaching school aged children of various ages.
• Familiarity with ActiveNet or other recreation software.
• Fluency in Spanish

Supplemental Information

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

Must have the ability to:

• Essential functions require maintaining physical condition necessary for moderate physical activity such as standing, walking, kneeling, sitting, crouching, twisting, pushing, pulling, bending, stopping, squatting and lifting materials and supplies ranging from 20-60 lbs.

AN AFFIRMATIVE ACTION/EQUAL/EQUITABLE OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER/MFD

The City of Richfield is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate against any employee, job applicant, or contractor on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, ancestry, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, age, marital status, genetics, status with regard to public assistance, veteran status, familial status, or membership on a local human rights commission.

This statement applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.

This position is not eligible for benefits.

01

The information provided in your application must support your selected answers in the supplemental questions. The information you provide will be verified and documentation may be required. Please be as honest and accurate as possible. You may be asked to demonstrate your knowledge and skills in a work sample or during an interview. By completing this supplemental questionnaire you are attesting that the information you have provided is accurate. Any misstatements, omissions, or falsification of information may eliminate you from consideration or result in dismissal.

• Yes, I understand and agree
• No, I do not agree

02

The City of Richfield awards veterans’ preference points to qualified veterans and spouses of deceased or disabled veterans in accordance with Minnesota State Statute 197.447. Are you requesting Veteran’s Preference Points for this position? If so, please select your Veterans status and assure you have attached a copy of your DD-214 and/or documentation verifying your service-connected disability rating if you are deemed a disabled veteran, as defined in state statute, to your application.

• Not Applicable
• Veteran
• Disabled Veteran
• Spouse of Deceased Veteran
• Spouse of Disabled Veteran

03

Select from the list below the Bachelor’s degree you have completed:

• Biology
• Wildlife Management
• Environmental Studies
• Elementary Education
• Other field relevant to to the position
• Bachelor’s degree in an unrelated field
• No Bachelor’s degree completed

04

Do you have one or more years experience of naturalist/teaching work in a similar setting?

• Yes
• No

05

Do you have Customer Service experience?

• Yes
• No

06

Describe your experience teaching environmental education programs

• Less than one year of experience
• One to two years of experience
• Two to three years of experience
• Three years or more of experience

07

Select from the list any experience’s you have:

• Experience working with pre-school and elementary youth
• Event planning/special program planning experience
• Natural Resource Management experience
• Animal care and/or animal program experience (reptiles, bees, etc. )
• Experience with registration software (Active, etc)

08

Are you fluent in both Spanish and English?

• Yes
• No

Required Question