Seasonal Natural Resources Worker

The Upper Wabash Interpretive Services staff provides programs and activities at Mississinewa Lake and Salamonie Lake. The mission of the Upper Wabash Interpretive Services is to promote and illuminate our properties’ unique natural, historical, and cultural resources using interpretive, recreational, and educational methods to build connections with our visitors and communities.

A Day in the Life:

The Seasonal Natural Resources Workers provide customer service and education to visitors about park features while maintaining the property’s natural resources. Seasonal Natural Resources Worker positions and their essential functions are as follows:

• Interpretive Specialists: Educate the public on property-specific nature, history, culture, and park services through memorable experiences.
• Naturalist Aides: Assists with education of the nature center programming, local/common flora and fauna, and local/common animal species. This position may also assist in the care of animals (feeding, watering, and bedding changes) and the general maintenance of the nature center.
• Village Workers (Spring Mill State Park Only): Assists with education of period-appropriate trades, techniques, and crafts while presenting cultural history. Trades include woodworking, leatherwork, broom-making, blacksmith, weaving, and milling.
• Cave Tour Guides (O’Bannon Woods State Park Only): Educate the general public on the natural history of caves. Tour Guides assist with scheduling reservations and collecting tour fees. Further, research may be required on the identification and care of relevant flora and fauna. Tour Guides are expected to maintain boats, equipment, and the registration shed.
• Resource Management Techs: Assists with the control of invasive plant species natural area restoration trail maintenance, brush and tree removal, signage, timber marking, and/or timber stand improvement based on the property.

Note: The job profile is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Other duties, responsibilities, and activities may change or be assigned at any time with or without notice.

What You’ll Need for Success:

​​​​​​​You must meet the following requirements to be considered for employment:

• High school diploma, GED, or one (1) year of work experience
• May be expected to work afternoons, evenings, weekends, and holidays
• May be required to wear a DNR-provided uniform
• May be required to travel to different properties
• May experience working in potentially inclement weather
• May experience working with DOC work release crews
• May be required to have a valid driver’s license.
• May perform duties in a variety of different environments, including an office environment, field environment, rugged terrain, and various adverse weather conditions (extreme heat, cold, rain, snow, sleet, etc.).
• May work around potentially dangerous heavy equipment (e.g. tractors, disks, mowers, planters, etc.).
• Able to perform essential functions with or without reasonable accommodation.

Salary Statement:

• The hourly wage for seasonal positions varies, starting at $12.25/hour.