Intermittent Naturalist Programmer

~ The mission of Three Rivers Park District is to promote environmental stewardship through recreation and education in a natural resources-based park system. ~

The Park District was created in 1957. Since then, it has grown to encompass over 27,000 acres of parks and trails and serves over 10 million visitors annually.  

Three Rivers Park District is governed by an independent, seven-member Board of Commissioners. Five members of the board are elected from districts in suburban Hennepin County, and two members are appointed by the Hennepin County Board of Commissioners. Board meetings are generally held on the third Thursday of each month at 5:00 PM. Meetings take place in the Board Room of the Administrative Center.

Position Overview

Conducts and enhances interpretive programming, under direction, to educate the public and facilitate an appreciation, enjoyment, and utilization of the environment and facilities of Three Rivers Park District. This is an Intermittent on-call position.

Responsibilities

• Under direction from the Outdoor Education Supervisor and Interpretive Naturalists, conducts interpretive programs to educate and stimulate the awareness, enjoyment, and appropriate utilization of the outdoors to a wide variety of park visitors diverse in age, ability, race / ethnicity, and socio-economic status.
• Applies creativity and innovation in the co-development of a wide variety of school and public interpretive programs which meet the needs and interests of a variety of park visitors and also attract new park visitors.
• ·Assists in providing on-site program development, program direction, and implementation of programs, site events, and special events.
• ·With direction, develops, organizes, and presents outreach programs. Applies creativity and innovation in the development of a wide variety of outreach methods which meet the needs and interests of the Park District and outreach audience and promotes the recruitment of new park users.
• ·Contributes to and implements evaluative tools that measure the effectiveness and appropriateness of school and public interpretive programs and makes adjustments as necessary to improve program quality.
• Provides limited work direction to seasonal staff, interns, and volunteers, as apparent or assigned, to improve the overall effectiveness and impact of interpretive programs.
• ·Provides program specific volunteer training as directed.
• ·Assists in seasonal employee training as directed.
• Develops and maintains presentations in a variety of media including displays, program support materials, audio visual materials, and other forms of non-personal interpretation to increase the effectiveness and impact of interpretive programs.
• Develops and maintains effective and collaborative working relationships with Park District staff, businesses, schools, and other agencies.
• Maintains an active knowledge of the latest concepts and practices in interpretation. Also keeps abreast of current developments in cultural history, natural sciences, education, and outdoor recreation fields as applicable to interpretive services. Demonstrates a working knowledge of the aspects of the Park District's natural and cultural resources and makes an effort to increase their personal fund of knowledge for such use.
• May perform specific assignments such as display/exhibit coordination and construction, information coordination (non-personal items such as brochures, etc.), animal care, or marketing and program promotion as assigned
• Performs other related duties as apparent or assigned.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.

Qualifications

Education / Experience:

• High School Diploma or GED AND one year of experience equivalent or related training.
• Training in an outdoor education/environmental education setting preferred.

Language Skills:

• Ability to read and interpret documents and studies, such as scientific research and publications.
• Ability to write and prepare educational curriculum, exhibit text, reports, and correspondence.
• Ability to effectively and accurately present both scientific and interpretive programs on a wide range of topics to school groups and the general public, reflective of the Park District mission.
• Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from the Board of Commissioners, Superintendent, department heads, managers and supervisors, employees, and media agencies.

Mathematical Skills:

• Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals.
• Ability to compute rate, ratio, and percent.
• Ability to collect data and evaluate. Ability to create, organize, maintain, and assimilate accurate records.

Reasoning Ability:

• Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions.
• Ability to organize work and the ability to direct the work of others.
• Ability to interpret an extensive variety of technical instructions in mathematical, written, or diagram form and deal with several abstract and concrete variables.
• Ability to follow instructions and keep detailed records of activities.

Other Skills and Abilities:

• Must be interested in the environment and able to effectively view the environment through the perspective of a wide variety of individuals.
• \Must be a creative and innovative thinker. Working knowledge of personal computers including word processors, spread sheets, desktop publishing, and databases.
• Must be able to develop and maintain effective working relationships with other Park District personnel, school groups, and the general public.
• As required, must be able to travel to Park District facilities, properties, and meeting locations to conduct on-site work in a timely manner.

Physical Demands:

• The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit and to manipulate and control office equipment and outdoor education material.
• The employee will occasionally be required to traverse rough and uneven terrain as well as paved and unpaved trails.
• The employee is occasionally required to stand, walk, climb, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, and crawl.
• The employee needs the ability to perform physical requirements of various outdoor education activities such as walking and hiking.
• The employee is regularly required to talk and hear.
• The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.

Work Environment:

• The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.
• While performing the duties of the job the employee is frequently required to work in outdoor weather conditions being exposed to hot and cold temperatures, precipitation, direct sunlight, dust, and pollen.
• The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

Compensation: Starting pay for this position will be between $12.81 - 13.50/hr depending upon qualifications.

To Apply

Please click "Apply on Company Website" below.

Selection Procedure:

• A fully completed Three Rivers Park District Online Application must be received by Human Resources. This position is open until filled.
• Applications will be evaluated on the basis of relevant experience and training. A top group of applicants will be invited to participate in further job screening.
• Final appointment is contingent upon the applicant passing a background investigation including a criminal history search. Costs of the background will be paid for by Three Rivers Park District.

Agency:

Three Rivers Park District

3000 Xenium Lane North

Plymouth, Minnesota, 55441.

763.559.9000