Park Naturalist III - Carlisle Visitor Center

Lorain County Metropolitan Park District•Lagrange, OH

1d•Onsite

About The Position

This position supports wildlife education through interpretive programming, public engagement, large event setup and teardown, and facility maintenance as needed. Responsibilities include daily husbandry care for program animals, such as amphibians, reptiles, aquatic species, and potentially raptors, corvids, and mammals. The Park Naturalist III engages directly with the public to provide accurate Park District information and deliver high-quality nature and wildlife education through formal programs, large events, and informal interactions. The role involves conducting a wide variety of interpretive programs, both assigned and self-initiated, focusing on wildlife education, which must be professionally researched, planned, developed, and presented using accurate and current information. These programs cater to diverse audiences, including preschoolers, students of all ages, scouts, families, civic and service organizations, adults, and senior citizens, and may involve audiovisual equipment, live or taxidermy animals, and facility preparation. The position also disseminates information through personal contact, telephone inquiries, written correspondence, published articles, and interpretive exhibits. A significant component of this role is the professional care, management, and husbandry of program and display wildlife, including feeding, watering, enclosure cleaning and maintenance, enrichment, behavioral observations, and record keeping, all in compliance with USDA regulations. This may involve handling mildly dangerous wildlife like raptors, requiring specific training. Additional duties include assisting with courtyard and Wildlife Garden maintenance, facility opening and closing procedures, general grounds upkeep, building maintenance, and inventory management. Programming support is a core function, involving assistance with on-site and off-site wildlife programs, major Park District events, smaller-scale programs, and collaboration on themed interpretive experiences. The position supports wildlife education through the safe and appropriate use of program animals and may assist with animal training projects and overseeing interns, seasonal staff, and volunteers. Clerical and administrative duties include composing correspondence, answering telephone calls, scheduling facilities, staff, volunteers, and programs using a computerized reservation system, preparing reports, and maintaining accurate records. Proficiency with office and programming equipment, including computers, printers, copiers, audiovisual equipment, and two-way radios, is required. The Park Naturalist III will fully participate in the Park District’s computer network and safety program, and perform special projects as assigned.

Requirements

Completion of secondary education (high school diploma or GED).
At least 2 years of college coursework in Natural Resources, Biology, Environmental Studies, Environmental Interpretation, Forestry, or a related natural science field.
Ability to communicate daily with co-workers, volunteers, and the public professionally, courteously, and effectively through speech (in person, on telephone, and over two-way radio) and in writing.
Demonstrate strong presentation, communication, organizational, and interpersonal skills.
Proficiency in basic computer applications—including word processing, spreadsheets, email, internet use, and computer-generated presentations such as PowerPoint.
Mastery of basic mathematics, including, but not limited to ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide whole and fractional numbers and decimals; the ability to calculate percentages; and the ability to operate related mathematical equipment such as calculators and adding machines.
Ability to understand and carry out instructions with limited supervision.
Ability to coordinate several unique and variable concurrent requests involving staffing, programming, and facilities.
Ability to copy material accurately.
Ability to recognize spelling, punctuation, and grammatical errors.
Ability to maintain accurate records.
Ability to gather, collate, and classify information.
Ability to answer routine inquiries from the public.
Possession of a valid Ohio Driver’s License.
Ability to be insurable by the Park District’s insurance carrier.
Ability to conform to the driving standards policy as approved by the Board of Park Commissioners.
Possession or the ability to acquire certification of valid Standard First Aid and CPR certification within six months of the initiation of employment.
Ability to deal with the public in a courteous, positive manner.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relations with volunteers, co-workers, supervisors, and the public.
Ability to work effectively in a team-oriented environment with staff and volunteers.
Ability to manage multiple tasks independently.
Ability to adapt to changing priorities.
Satisfactory completion of a background investigation.
Must not be a tobacco user (Lorain County Metropolitan Park District policy prohibits hiring new employees who are tobacco users).

Nice To Haves

A 4-year degree in Natural Resources, Biology, Environmental Studies, Environmental Interpretation, Forestry, or a related natural science field.
Previous work experience in Natural Resources, Biology, Environmental Studies, Environmental Interpretation, Forestry, or a related natural science field.
Experience developing and conducting recreational or educational programs or leading nature-based programming.
Effective public speaking abilities.
Experience in public relations, customer service, administrative support, and event or staff scheduling.
Ability to work collaboratively with staff and respond professionally to public inquiries.

Responsibilities

Support wildlife education through interpretive programming, public engagement, large event setup and teardown, and facility maintenance.
Perform daily husbandry care for program animals, including amphibians, reptiles, aquatic species, with the potential to work with raptors, corvids, and mammals.
Engage directly with the public to provide accurate Park District information.
Deliver high-quality nature and wildlife education through formal programs, large events, and informal interactions.
Conduct a wide variety of interpretive programs focusing on wildlife education—both assigned and self-initiated—with oversight from a supervisor.
Professionally research, plan, develop, and present programs using accurate and current information.
Program for audiences including preschoolers, students of all ages, scouts, families, civic and service organizations, adults, and senior citizens.
Ensure school programs align with Naturalist Department standards and Scout programs meet badge requirements.
Utilize audiovisual equipment, live or taxidermy animals, instruments, and tools in programming.
Perform room setup, scheduling, and facility preparation and cleanup for programs.
Disseminate information through personal contact, telephone inquiries, written correspondence (electronic and print), published writing assignments (e.g., Park District’s Arrowhead newsletter), and interpretive exhibits.
Research, design, fabricate, organize, and maintain Park District interpretive displays and programming areas, ensuring all content is accurate and in good working order.
Perform daily animal care duties for a variety of species that may include insects, fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals, both native and non-native.
Perform feeding, watering, enclosure cleaning and maintenance, enrichment construction and distribution, daily behavioral observations, record keeping, and reporting changes in behavior, appetite, or physical condition to their supervisor.
Handle mildly dangerous wildlife, including raptors, requiring prior experience and/or the ability to be trained in safe handling and care procedures within two months of hire.
Assist with daily weighing of birds, requesting established trained behaviors, and administering medications as needed.
Perform enclosure maintenance (raking, hosing, turf changes, perch cleaning, substrate replacement, misting, water changes, tank cleaning).
Maintain animal prep areas and assist with seasonal tasks as assigned.
Coordinate closely with their supervisor to ensure regular sanitization and cleaning of animal facilities in compliance with USDA regulations.
Assist with special animal care husbandry projects, enclosure remodeling, and supply purchasing.
Assist with courtyard and Wildlife Garden maintenance, including pond care, plant maintenance, feeder and birdbath cleaning, and general upkeep of outdoor interpretive spaces.
Assist with facility opening and closing procedures, general grounds upkeep and building maintenance.
Conduct inventories of tools and equipment.
Maintain organized animal care and program support areas.
Assist with on-site and off-site wildlife programs.
Support major Park District events and initiatives.
Conduct smaller-scale programs and animal pop-ups.
Collaborate with staff to develop themed programming and interpretive experiences.
Support wildlife education through the safe and appropriate use of program animals during educational programs, events, and outreach activities.
Assist with animal training projects to prepare new program animals.
Help to oversee, train, and support interns, seasonal staff, and volunteers as assigned.
Provide timely and accurate Park District information to the public through in-person interactions, telephone inquiries, electronic communication, and written correspondence.
Serve in a visitor-facing role, welcoming and interacting with guests at facilities, exhibits, and off-site events.
Perform clerical and administrative duties including composing correspondence, answering and directing telephone calls, scheduling facilities, staff, volunteers, and programs using the Park District’s computerized reservation system, preparing reports and records, animal care record keeping, and maintaining accurate program, safety, and scheduling data.
Utilize office and programming equipment such as computers, printers, copiers, audiovisual equipment, two-way radios, and other related tools.
Fully participate in the Park District’s computer network, including email, internet, and occasional website content submission.
Participate in the Park District’s safety program.
Perform special projects and related duties as required or assigned.