Naturalist 2

Naturalist 2– Full-Time (Exempt) Rate: Pay Grade: E – $22.0708 hour/$45,941 annual to $34.7084 hour/$72,193 annual – minimum starting salary based on prior experience and education Location: Penitentiary Glen Position Description: Under the direction of the Deputy Chief of Outdoor Connections Manager, the Naturalist 2 educates and interprets nature to the public and promotes stewardship, with an emphasis on childhood education. Essential Duties and Responsibilities: • Develops, presents and evaluates programs and summer day camps for a variety of ages with an emphasis on childhood education. • Writes fliers, brochures and newsletters. • Develops, coordinates, and promotes special events related to environmental education. • May prepare guided walks, exhibits, bulletin boards, and trail signs to promote the natural, cultural, and historical features of the facility or other Agency properties. • May conduct field surveys or inventories of plants and animals; may assist with various resource management projects. • May perform light maintenance on program displays, buildings, and maintain cleanliness of facility, trails, and trail signs. • Assists in gift shop sales when required. • Ensures exceptional standards of customer service. Minimum Qualifications: • Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience in environmental education with a strong background in natural science. • 2+ years of experience working with children in an educational setting required. • A Pre-employment Drug Screen and Background Check is required. Must be able to work under adverse weather conditions and to follow an irregular schedule, including weekends and holidays. Required to be able to work independently and as a team member or as a project leader. Employee is required to operate Park District’s vehicles and equipment and remain insurable on Park District’s liability policy. Requirements: • In-depth knowledge of local natural & cultural history. • Demonstrated knowledge of research protocols and practices. • Knowledge of working with families and children of all ages. • Excellent presentation and verbal and written communications skills. • Must be comfortable speaking in public in front of small and large groups. • Demonstrated enthusiasm for working with families and children of all ages. • Must be self-motivated, self-directed, flexible, creative, able to perform with poise under pressure and to deliver strong and measurable results. • Ability to accurately identify local flora and fauna. • Ability to work in a retail setting. • Ability to stimulate interest and excitement about program subject and the park district in visitors and other staff. • Ability to be creative, flexible, well organized, energetic, and to relate to children. • Ability to interact with others with tact and courtesy and maintain integrity and appropriate behavior in dealing with conflicts and challenges with the public, co-workers, and managers.