Park Naturalist

~ Pearland City Council approved a $2.5 million contract for construction of the Delores Fenwick Nature Center, including an appropriation of $480,000 from the Park Development Fund. ~

The project will provide a hands-on setting for environmental education and training programs and an event venue for related community activities. The project provides an opportunity to showcase the concept of utilizing one site as a multi-purpose venue for, recreation, as well as achieving environmental objectives including recycling, storm and wastewater treatment, drainage management and community education.

The new facility will be located at 5750 Magnolia Street in the John Hargrove Environmental Center (JHEC) complex, which currently houses the Stella Roberts Recycling Center, a water treatment plant and a recently completed trail system. The facility will be located next door to the Stella Roberts Recycling managed by Keep Pearland Beautiful. Current designs include a nature center building including an open-air pavilion, environmental educational displays, demonstration gardens, a tree farm, interpretive exhibits, restrooms, a classroom laboratory, a teaching platform and staff offices.

Position Overview

Nature enthusiast, grab your binoculars! The City of Pearland, Texas is searching for an experienced Naturalist to join its team at the brand new Delores Fenwick Nature Center. This is an excellent opportunity to help grow and establish a one of a kind nature center while educating the public on all that nature has to offer nestled within the Pearland community and beyond. From live animal demonstrations to leading field trips on nature walks, every day is sure to be an adventure!

The purpose of this class within the organization is to engage visitors, lead nature based field trips/tours, manage and create interpretive displays, educate the general public, schedule and facilitate educational programs/field trips, and assist in other natural resource activities at the Deloris Fenwick Nature Center.

This class works under general supervision according to some procedures but will decide how or when to complete tasks.

If this opportunity fits your bill, we invite you to apply today!

Responsibilities

• Provides customer service to the general public through engaging and educating nature center visitors in conservation, natural resources, and other environmental topics.
• Develops and conducts interpretive programs, presentations, guided tours, field trips, and outreach.
• Corresponds with citizens and staff through in-person interactions, phone calls, and email.
• Handles and maintains live educational animals.
• Assists staff with Parks and Natural Resources projects as assigned.
• Ensures safety of participants during events by inspecting site before/during and maintaining active CPR/First Aid/AED certifications.
• Ensures that staff and contract instructors and participants know and follow safety and educational procedures during programs, classes and general facility use.
• Develops and maintains interpretive displays and signage.
• Monitors facilities, parks and all equipment periodically to ensure all parts are accounted for and in working order; manages inventory of natural resources through spreadsheets and Pearland's GIS collection software.

Additional Duties:

• Creates marketing tools to ensures members are aware of activities.
• Recruits, hires and evaluates contract instructors and determines class schedules and fees.
• Maintains administrative and interpretive files, reports, and records.
• Performs related work as assigned.

Qualifications

Minimum Education and Experience Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree required, preferably in biology, natural sciences, wildlife/fish sciences or similar area.
• Requires a minimum of six (6) months or more of related experience.
• Knowledge and understanding of the environment and natural resources is essential to adequately fulfill the job duties.
• This position will regularly speak and educate the public on environmental and natural resource topics, as well as work to improve the city's natural resources.  

Special Certifications and Licenses:

• Valid Texas Class "C" Driver's License (or the ability to obtain within 90 days of hire).
• CPR/First Aid/AED certification.

Compensation

•  $18.32 / Hourly
•  Full Time
•  Non-Exempt

• The City of Pearland offers an excellent benefits package including a voluntary ICMA 457 deferred compensation program, as well as membership in the Texas Municipal Retirement System (TMRS) with a 2:1 employer match.
• The City of Pearland pays all premiums for the employee’s dental, long-term disability protection, and life insurance and the City pays the majority portion of the medical premium for employees and dependents.