Nature Center Docent

~ Lost River Cave exists to educate, enrich, and empower lives through connections with nature, offering activities and events in a natural and man-made environment on its urban 72-acre park. ~

• The vision of the Friends of Lost River, Inc. is that citizens of all ages in south central Kentucky learn to appreciate the region’s natural environments and cultural heritage of Kentucky’s Cave Country and become a network of stewards who advocate for the preservation of the environment and the cultural history.
• The mission of Lost River Cave is to educate and enrich lives through connections with nature.

Position Overview

Do you love being in nature? Are you interested in sharing your passion of the outdoors with others? Would you like to learn more about local plants and animals, geology, and the natural world? As a Docent for the Nature Education Center at Lost River Cave, you would be able to fulfill those goals!

Your Role:

We are seeking creative, enthusiastic, environmentally-minded individuals to help grow the educational reach of the Nature Education Center. Docent positions can include, but not limited to, leading hands-on interpretive educational programs for different age groups, helping restore wildlife habitats, landscape management, park events, and other exciting positions relevant to our mission. This position can take place both in a classroom and in an outdoor setting. Docents spark interest all while educating the community about protecting and preserving our natural world.

Docents are a voluntary position. Hours can vary from 2-20 a week, depending on your availability. A typical time commitment, per event or program, is 2-5 hours. Hours can include weekdays, weekends, and holidays. Docents must commit to a minimum of 4 hours per month to keep an active docent status.

Responsibilities

Some Duties Include but Not Limited To:

• Provide educational programming for school groups, scout groups, and the general public during field trips, camps, and Nature Center events and classes.
• Assist in set-up/break down of programming.
• Interact with guests in an engaging and friendly manner.
• Manage program time efficiently.
• Assist with various projects at the Nature Center.
• Manage informational booths at special events.
• Assist with program animal care.
• Assist with park landscape management

Note: If you have a position that you are interested in that is relevant to our mission and is not listed on this information page or on the Docent Application, we’d love to hear about it!

Requirements

Basic Qualifications:

• Previous experience or a strong interest in working with different age groups outdoors.
• A strong interest in expanding naturalist and interpretive skills and knowledge.
• Is responsible, timely, and has good follow through with commitment.
• Enjoy working with a team of people.
• Able to communicate with others proficiently.
• Flexible and creative-capable of on-demand, unstructured, adjustments to scheduled activities.
• Have reliable transportation to and from the park.
• Have reliable cell phone and computer with internet access from your home.
• Attend training sessions/meetings as needed.

Physical Requirements:

• Must be able to walk, stand, and exert well-paced mobility for up to 5 hours.
• Must be able to lift up to 30 pounds.
• Must be able to bend, twist, crawl, squat, stretch, push, and pull.
• Must be able to work in all weather conditions.

Training:

• No teaching experience is necessary, however previous work with children or in an educational setting is a plus.
• Training in interpretation, program delivery and pedagogy, educational content, and educational goals will be provided by the Nature Education Center staff.

To Apply

• First, complete this application, then, please click "Apply" below to email your completed application to the Docent Coordinator, Tosha Clark.
• You may submit an up-to-date and accurate resumé with application.
• No phone calls will be accepted.