Naturalist

Hamilton County, Indiana•Noblesville, IN

8d•Onsite

About The Position

Incumbent serves as Naturalist for the Parks and Recreation Department, responsible for developing events and programs, coordinating and supervising nature programs and events, supervising personnel, and overseeing the maintenance of the interior and exterior of interpretive facilities. Assists the Superintendent of Natural Resources and Education with programs, projects, research, and environmental and natural resources monitoring and studies.

Requirements

Baccalaureate Degree in biology, outdoor recreation, education, natural resources, or related area with relevant field experience, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
Working knowledge of and ability to make practical application of department policies, procedures, and park rules.
Working knowledge of park wildlife and vegetation, and environmental education, and ability to assist in preparing and presenting appropriate educational programs, materials, activities, and exhibits.
Ability to assist in supervising personnel and volunteers, including interviewing, delegating work assignments, providing training, and maintaining discipline.
Ability to follow and ensure compliance with all employer/department personnel policies and work rules, including, but not limited to, attendance, safety, drug-free workplace, and personal conduct.
Working knowledge of standard English grammar, spelling, and punctuation, and ability to effectively communicate orally and in writing with co-workers, schools, Scouts, and the public, including being sensitive to professional ethics, gender, cultural diversities and disabilities.
Ability to safely and properly operate various hand and power tools, including drill, hammers, scroll and jig saws, screw drivers, sewing machine, tape measure; and office equipment, including computer, printer, calculator, postage meter, fax machine, telephone, scanner, and laminator.
Ability to understand and follow written and oral instructions and appropriately respond to constructive criticism.
Ability to work with others in a team environment, and maintain appropriate, respectful interrelationships with co-workers.
Ability to competently serve the public with diplomacy and respect, including occasional encounters with irate/hostile persons.
Ability to provide public access to or maintain confidentiality of department information/records according to state requirements.
Ability to work on several tasks at the same time, and complete duties effectively amidst frequent distractions and interruptions.
Ability to regularly work weekend and/or extended hours, occasionally work evening hours, and occasionally travel out of town for seminars, sometimes overnight.
Possession of a valid Indiana driver's license and demonstrated safe driving record.
Employees in this position may be exposed to bloodborne pathogens and other potentially infectious materials as part of their duties. To protect employee safety and reduce liability to Hamilton County, the Hepatitis B vaccination series will be made available at no cost through the Hamilton County Health Department in accordance with OSHA 29 CFR 1910.1030(f)(2)(i). Employees who have previously completed the vaccination series must submit official documentation, including administration dates, to their supervisor. A Temporary Medical Declination form may be completed to delay vaccination for up to six (6) months; the form must outline the medical justification and be forwarded to the Legal Department – GRC Division. Employees who temporarily decline vaccination are prohibited from performing any duties that may expose them to bloodborne pathogens or other potentially infectious materials until they begin or resume the vaccination series. Failure to comply with these requirements may result in disciplinary action, up to and including termination.

Responsibilities

Develops and coordinates nature programs and activities for various park sites, such as classes, day camps, outreach, school field trips, scout programs, including leading nature hikes and bird walks, interpreting information for participants, conducting animal talks, slide presentations, and puppet shows, and periodically designing/preparing promotional brochures, craft projects, and public speaking presentations.
Assists in developing and maintaining nature center exhibits and greenhouse, including compiling and arranging information, designing interpretive displays using various software applications, and constructing exhibits.
Serve as camp coordinator for all camp-related programming, overseeing accreditation, camp administration, software(s) managing registration and camp organization, contractual arrangements and partners, equipment, training of staff, and daily operations.
Implements and supervises our camp programming, ensuring that institutional and professional safety and mission standards are met and observed. Serves as the primary communication for the department with parents, staff, and volunteers.
Periodically conducts park vegetation and wildlife studies for use in nature programs, including but not limited to departmental nature mapping (environmental and natural resource inventory) of all parks, county-wide Big Tree Program, tree identification trail, geocaching monitoring, bird counts, non-native/invasive plant monitoring and removal supervision, bird banding, food source plantings, native plant planting, quality control, and management.
Responsible for care, feeding, and habitat quality of all live animal displays kept at interpretive facilities.
Conduct live animal interpretive programs.
Oversees maintenance of interior and exterior appearance of interpretive facilities, including dusting, sweeping, mopping, and general cleaning. Maintains cleanliness between cleanings.
Supervises and directs seasonal personnel, including interviewing applicants, making hiring recommendations, delegating work assignments, providing training and corrective instruction, and maintaining discipline as needed. Assists in coordinating, training and supervising volunteers for nature activities.
Maintains various document files and prepares periodic reports as required.
Manages gift shops, including stocking and selling items, assisting patrons, and supervising personnel and volunteers.
Periodically attends job-related seminars.
Acts as a natural resource/environmental resource for all communities within the county and beyond.
Performs related duties as assigned.