Seasonal Naturalist, Baker Near Wilderness Settlement

~ 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

To develop and conduct, under direction, interpretive programs that will increase the public's awareness of their surrounding environment and foster the appreciation, enjoyment and utilization of Three Rivers Park District facilities.

Responsibilities

• Under direction, develops and conducts programs that will increase awareness of the environment and District facilities.
• Orients presentations to a specific and/or variety of audiences to assure effective communications; prepares displays for viewing by public.
• Participates in evaluation of programs to determine their effectiveness.
• Assists in evaluating data acquired and in making adjustments to programs when necessary.

Qualifications

Education and Experience:

• High School Graduate or Graduate Equivalency Degree (GED) and at least one year of experience or related training OR any combination of education and experience equal to the above.
• Bachelors degree in a related area preferred.
• Experience with and knowledge of working cross culturally; working with diverse middle and high school aged youth preferred.

Other Skills and Abilities:

• Knowledge and understanding in areas of cultural or natural history.
• Ability to view aspects of the environment from a perspective of a wide variety of individuals.
• Ability to be diplomatic and pleasant under stress conditions.
• Ability to organize, prioritize and complete a variety of work tasks.
• Ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships with site leadership, school groups, youth and families, the general public, park guests, and Park District employees.
• Working knowledge of office equipment including word processors, spreadsheets, desktop publishing, databases, PowerPoint, Smart Board and ability to learn selected computer management applications.
• As required, must be able to travel to Park District facilities, school sites, and meeting locations to conduct on-site work.

Language Skills:

• Ability to read and understand documents such as operating, procedure, safety and technical manuals, guidelines and regulations.
• Ability to write routine reports and correspondence.
• Ability to effectively present information in one-on-one and small group situations to park guests. Proficient in Spanish, Hmong or Somali preferred.

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 and to draw and interpret graphs.
• Ability to work with budgets.

Reasoning Ability:

• Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists.
• Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.

Physical Demands:

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls; reach with hands and arms; and talk and hear.
• The employee is regularly required to stand.
• The employee is regularly required to walk, stoop, kneel, and crouch.
• The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 25 pounds and occasionally 50 pounds.

Work Environment:

• 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.