Naturalist/Resource Interpreter

We respect and embrace the experiences, knowledge and contributions of our team members. We strive for a culture of belonging and balance by upholding our values : Stewardship, Integrity, Collaboration, Respect and Innovation. We are passionate about Missouri, our role to preserve, protect and enhance our environment and we are committed to serving its’ citizens. We believe our mission and vision serves a greater purpose and will be felt for generations to come.

This position will be located at St. Joe State Park, 2800 Pimville Road Park Hills, MO 63601. Work shifts will vary according to facility demands and will include working two weekends per month and some summer holidays.

• Participate in planning and directing natural or cultural history interpretation, stewardship/resource management and research for St. Joe State Park.
• Provide interpretive and educational programs; research and draft exhibits and other written materials as needed on the significance of the natural and cultural history of the park. Direct supervision of seasonal interpretive staff.
• Actively plan and direct resource management projects to preserve native landscapes and identify and manage invasive and exotic species; assist with other stewardship actives
• Assist with Cataloging Cultural Resource collections inventory, recording descriptions of inventory and entering data into the Past Perfect database.
• Assist in the environmental and natural clearance and submittal of required samples for analysis in accordance to the respective permits. These may include water, wastewater, monitoring pollution or discharges into park streams, etc.
• Plan and coordinate special events, group outings, and special program requests with a variety of stakeholders.
• Assist in planning and implementing St. Joe State Park development projects which include expansions, new construction, renovations, and maintenance. Act as a project manager when assigned.
• Greet the public and provide information to visitors about St. Joe State Park, Missouri State Parks, the Department of Natural Resources, and surrounding area activities and educate and enforce park rules and regulations.
• Respond to medical emergencies, motor vehicle accidents, personal injuries, disturbances, natural disasters, and any other significant events within the park.
• Assist with the with administrative functions including: annual budget requests, tracking and managing budget allocations, project recommendations, bidding and purchasing materials and services, accounts payable functions for the park, submitting invoices, and reconciling expenditures and revenue management.

To be successful in this position, a candidate will need the following skills/competencies:

• Customer Service: Anticipates and meets the needs of both internal and external customers. Delivers high-quality products and services; is committed to continuous improvement.
• Interpretation (Resources): Ability to coordinate, manage and direct interpretive or educational programing related to natural or cultural resources in a way that conveys significance to visitors; connecting them to personal relevance, shared learning, meeting specific learning objectives (i.e. educator or community needs), informing public about compliance and safety, supporting management of natural or cultural resources representative of national heritage, and enhancing mutual understanding for individual and social benefit.
• Ecology: Knowledge of the concepts, principles, and theories of the interrelationships among organisms and their environment, including competition and predation, evolution and natural selection, population dynamics, and the impact of natural phenomena or human actions on natural systems, processes, and biota.
• Stewardship (Resources): Basic knowledge of the concepts, principles, and theories of natural and cultural features along with special ecological stewardship requirements; capable of gaining experience in performing stewardship tasks required for strenuous outdoor work; ability to appear before the public, makes clear and convincing oral presentations; give out general information, conduct interpretive educational programs and conduct tours about natural and cultural history in an effective way; assist in supervising, recruiting, training and evaluating seasonal and volunteer staff.
• Planning and Evaluating: Organizes work, sets priorities, and determines resource requirements; determines short- or long-term goals and strategies to achieve them; coordinates with other organizations or parts of the organization to accomplish goals; monitors progress and evaluates outcomes.
• Administration and Management: Knowledge of planning, coordination, and execution of business functions, resource allocation, and production.
• Fire Management: Knowledge of the concepts, principles, and theories of fire management, including the characteristics, behavior, and ecology of fire; methodologies, strategies, and equipment used in prescribed fires; fire detection, prevention, and suppression strategies; and integration of fire with natural resource management.

Equivalent to those typically gained by:

• Bachelor’s degree in park Management, Parks and Recreation, Wildlife Management, Forestry, Botany, Biology, Natural Sciences, History, Business of Public Administration or related field OR 4 years of interpretation, preservation, protection, maintenance or enhancement of a park or historic site.

(Additional education or experience may substitute for the required education or experience)

Lack of post-secondary education will not be used as the sole basis denying consideration to any applicant

Other Preferred Qualifications/Experience/Special Job Requirements:

• Ability to operate a vehicle and maintain a valid vehicle operator’s license
• Available to work nights, weekends, holidays, evenings, and split shifts. Must work a minimum of two weekends per month from April 1st through October 31st.
• Available to participate in meetings, workshops and seminars requiring overnight stays.
• Must be able to walk long distances on uneven terrain in all kinds of weather and environmental conditions and have the ability to lift 25 pounds.
• Fire Certification, S-190 or MDC Level 1, must be obtained within the first 12 months of employment.

Benefits & Work-life Balance

Our benefits package and flexible 40-hour work week promotes the mental and physical health of you and your family as you work towards achieving your professional goals. Benefits include paid vacation and sick leave, paid life insurance, medical, dental, vision and prescription insurance. Learn more here .

How we invest in you:

• Exceptional professional development: mentoring from experienced professionals, cross-media training, career advancement opportunities, paid trainings and continuing education tuition assistance.
• Support for professional registrations when required, through paid study materials, fees, study time, test time, exam fees and licensure renewal fees.

• 

• State of Missouri

Show more