Naturalist

The Naturalist works inside the Parks Districts many parks, educating the public about nature and the plant and animal life found inside Delaware Countys natural areas. They provide learning opportunities to park visitors of all ages through presentations, programs, and events within the parks, at schools, and in the community. The Naturalist also assists in managing the Parks Districts animal ambassador program and aviary, assists in maintaining the Parks Districts gardens, and supervises seasonal and volunteer workers.

Supervisory Responsibilities

Supervisory Activities: Develop/Train, Direct, Discipline, Evaluate Performance, Hire, Orient/Onboard, Schedule, Terminate, Approve Timecards/Time Off Requests

-Number of direct reports: 2 (seasonal employees)

-Number of indirect reports: 0

Public Education

-Plan, develop, and deliver creative and educational natural and cultural history interpretive programs and outdoor experience for the public.

-Evaluate educational programs for effectiveness, and adjust or refresh programs as needed.

-Schedule outreach programs and field trips, and assist in coordinating staffing assignments for such programming.

-Work with Park Operations and Planning on matters relating to educational programming and park projects that have an impact on the natural environment.

-Assist Marketing and Communications Department with promoting education services.

-Provide care for education ambassador animals, including insects, reptiles, amphibians, and birds of prey.

-Work with Sr. Naturalist to explore new programming ideas and opportunities and to develop partnerships and identify new outreach opportunities.

Operations

-Assist in managing inventory of supplies, materials, and equipment.

-Assist in managing daily visitor center operations, including staffing, visitor services, purchasing, and exhibit creation and care.

-Assist in the preparation of yearly department budget requests.

-Prepare and maintain records and submit weekly, monthly, and annual reports relating to attendance, requisitions, expenditures, etc.

Supervising Seasonal and Volunteer Workers

-Direct and manage seasonal staff and volunteers.

-Assist in recruiting, hiring, training, coaching, counseling, and developing seasonal staff.

-Provide instruction and guidance to assigned volunteers, and assist with volunteer orientation and training.

-Assist with special events and represent the Park District at various park and community events.

The intent of this job description is to provide a representative description of the types of duties and responsibilities required for this position. Employees may be asked to perform other job-related duties as assigned.

Qualifications Required

-Education: Associates degree in Natural and Historical Interpretation, Natural Resources, Education, or a related field.

-Licensure: Valid Ohio drivers license.

-Certificates, Certifications, or Other Training: CPR/First Aid certification.

-Previous Work-Related Experience: 3-5 years of prior work-related experience.

-Previous Supervisory Experience: None.

Preferred

· Certificates, Certifications, or Other Training: National Association for Interpretation Certification, Financial & Asset Management

-Order supplies, plan events and/or book travel. Yes

-Manage or monitor a budget. Yes

-Create or develop a budget. No

Asset Responsibility

-Position is responsible for maintaining or tracking physical, digital, or inventory assets, typically under $10,000 (e.g., Managing supply orders, signing out laptops, overseeing a small equipment pool).

Asset Security

-None

Internal and External Interactions & Internal Customer Interactions

-Collaborate with coworkers or teams to complete tasks or projects.

-Provide information, guidance, or support to other departments or staff.

-Respond to internal inquiries or resolve service-related issues.

-Advise supervisors, managers, or leadership on operational or strategic matters.

-Facilitate communication or meetings across departments or functions.

External Customer Interactions

-Communicate with vendors, contractors, or external partners.

-Respond to public inquiries, feedback, or complaints.

-Deliver training, presentations, or technical assistance to external audiences.

-Represent the organization in meetings, public events, or external forum.

Level of Customer Interactions

Moderate Complexity: Handles standard service needs, may adapt responses or coordinate with others (e.g., Explains processes, solves routine issues, gathers info).

Knowledge & Skills

Knowledge (Business & Management, Operations & Technology, Services, and Safety & Legal)

-Basic

o Accounting: Accounting principles, practices, and the reporting of financial data.

o Administrative: Administrative and office procedures, functions, and basic office tasks.

o Computers/IT: Electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.

o Custodial/Grounds/Maintenance: Machines and tools, including their uses, repair, and maintenance.

o Food Production: Techniques and equipment for preparing food, including storage/handling techniques.

o Skilled Trades and Construction: Materials, methods, and the tools involved in the construction on or repair of equipment or facilities.

o Health Services: Treating and preventing disease, and improving and preserving physical and mental health and well-being.

o Safety/Security: Equipment, policies, and procedures for the protection of people, data, property, and the organization.

o Law/Government: Local, state, and national laws and government regulations.

-Intermediate

o Management: Business/management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, leadership, and coordination of people and resources.

o Customer and Personal Service: Principles and processes for providing customer and personal services.

o Education/Training: Principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction, and measuring training effects.

Skills (Basic, Process, Resource Management, Social, Systems, and Technical):

-Constantly (More than 5.6 hours or 69% of the day): Speaking, Writing, Critical Thinking, Management of Material Resources, Time Management, Coordination, Instructing, Negotiation, Social Perceptiveness

-Frequently (Between 2.6 hours and 5.5 hours or 33% to 68% of the day): Reading Comprehension, Science, Active Learning, Learning Strategies, Monitoring, Service Orientation, Complex Problem Solving, Judgment/Decision-Making

-Occasionally (1 to 2.5 hours or 32% of the day (12%-32% of my day): Management of Financial Resources, Systems Analysis, Systems Evaluation

-Rarely: (Less than 1 hour or 12% of the day): Mathematics, Persuasion, Equipment Selection, Troubleshooting

Physical Demands, Psychological Demands, & Working Environment

Physical Demands

-Medium Work: Medium Work involves exerting 20 to 50 pounds of force occasionally or 10 to 25 pounds of force frequently or an amount greater than negligible and up to 10 pounds constantly to move objects. Physical demand requirements are in excess of these for Light Work.

Physical Demands (Body Position, Physical Activities, and Sensory Abilities)

-Constantly (more than 5.6 hours or 69% of the day): Speaking with other individuals, Hearing in-person speech, Use near vision or see things 20 inches or less away, Use far vision or clearly see and recognize things 20 feet or more away

-Frequently (Between 2.6 hours and 5.5 hours or 33% to 68% of the day): Climbing, Standing, Sitting, Walking, Carrying/Lifting, Finger Dexterity, Reaching

-Occasionally (Up to 2.5 hours or 32% of the day): Crouching, Multi-limb Coordination, Pulling/Pushing, Repetitive Motion, Hearing remote speech

-Seldom: (Less than 10 minutes or 2% of the day): Balancing

Mental and Psychological Demands:

-Regular Exposure: The job regularly involves managing multiple priorities, emotionally complex interactions, or decision-making in moderately high-stakes environments. Confrontation, complaints, or emotionally charged conversations occur often, requiring sustained mental focus and emotional resilience. These demands may lead to stress or fatigue if not well-managed. Examples include classroom teachers, case workers, frontline supervisors, or roles that require frequent problem-solving under time pressure.

Work Environment

This position is exposed to the following:

-Constantly (more than 5.6 hours or 69% of the day): Outdoor work

-Seldom: (Less than 10 minutes or 2% of the day): Operating or working near machinery or equipment with moving parts that could cause injury

Typical Noise Level: Moderate Similar to a business office or department store

Safety

· Position requires Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): Yes. Protective gloves (occasionally)

· Position is required to carry a weapon: No

Preservation Parks promotes a non-hostile and non-discrimination work environment. Employees must always adhere to respectful conduct and language. It is expected that all employees will follow Preservation Parks policies, procedures, rules and regulations.