Naturalist - Full Time

EDUCATION, QUALIFICATIONS, AND SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

A minimum of an associate’s degree with major coursework in natural resources, outdoor recreation, education or another applicable field. A strong mix of academics and pertinent work experience is preferred.

Applicants must be at least 18 years old, have no major criminal convictions, be insurable under the county’s insurance policy, and must be able to get to and from the primary work site at Starr’s Cave Nature Center in Burlington, IA. A current valid driver’s license is required. Must be able to follow written and oral instructions, work without supervision if required, and work outdoors in all weather conditions.

MAJOR JOB RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES:

• Develops, plans and delivers environmental education and interpretive in-class and outdoor programs for various groups including school classes, people with handicaps, at-risk, and senior citizens.
• Develops, plans and conducts special events, seminars, workshops, public information programs, and classes for the general public.
• Teaches summer youth programs.
• Assists teachers in planning and implementing conservation and environmental education activities.
• Assists in developing information brochures, resource materials, exhibits, displays and other educational materials for educators, students, and nature center visitors.
• Promotes Des Moines County Conservation and its programs through the mass media, social media, website, and other methods.
• Maintains the nature center’s live animal exhibits and cares for the animals contained therein which include various amphibians, reptiles, and arachnids. Uses live animals in education programs.
• Designs and creates interpretive and promotional displays for the nature center.
• Provides training for students, volunteers, and other employees assigned to the environmental education program.
• Helps maintain, operate, and schedule programs and events at Starr’s Cave Nature Center.
• Often works irregular hours including evenings, nights, weekends, and some holidays.
• Performs other related work as the need is identified.

Required Knowledge, Experience, Abilities, and Skills:

• Considerable knowledge of conservation principles and practices.
• Ability to identify trees, shrubs, flowers, fish, reptiles, birds, and other wildlife common to Iowa.
• Extensive working knowledge of wildlife and habitat management goals, objectives and techniques, ecological principles, and species’ life histories and habitat needs.
• Experience with behavior management strategies
• Classroom management skills
• Ability to engage and inspire students
• Coordinate and execute programming with teachers and other program facilitators
• Manage volunteers
• Ability to maintain live animal exhibits and care for the animals contained therein which can include various amphibians, reptiles, and arachnids.
• Experience with various recreation activities including canoeing, backpacking, bicycling, hiking, orienteering, archery, firearms safety, hunting, trapping, boating, etc.
• Basic knowledge of farming and proper land management techniques.
• Basic knowledge of park, trail, and conservation area management principles.
• Ability to comprehend, analyze, interpret, and explain conservation laws, principles, and practices.
• Ability to integrate environmental education goals and objectives with current trends in educational methods and curriculum delivery.
• Operate as professional with public communications.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with co-workers, partner organizations, and the public.
• Ability to prepare and deliver information to local media outlets including print, radio, television, and online sources.
• Use of technology related to the position including personal computers, laptops, mobile devices, and associated software.

ESSENTIAL PHYSICAL DEMANDS & TYPICAL WORKING CONDITIONS:

Work is performed indoors and outdoors and requires a considerable amount of physical activity including walking, standing, kneeling, bending, crouching, reaching, stooping and climbing, as well as outdoor activities such as canoeing and backpacking. The incumbent will also be required to maneuver rough terrain on foot, is subject to work in hot, cold, wet, dusty, dirty, noisy, fumy conditions or atmospheres. Incumbent will be in contact with dust, dirt, chemicals, noise and severe weather conditions (extreme hot, cold, snow, ice, wind, rain, and flood) and exposed to outdoor elements such as mosquitoes, ticks, and various plants, pollens, and fungi. Work requires extensive interaction with the general public and governmental agencies and may be stressful when meeting deadlines and making abrupt changes in priorities.

An incumbent must have the ability to frequently push, pull, lift and/or carry equipment, supplies and other materials weighing up to 30 lbs., and to occasionally push, pull, lift and/or carry equipment, supplies and other materials weighing more. An incumbent must also possess the hand-eye coordination and manual dexterity to use hands and arms to reach, handle, grasp and feel, and operate equipment and supplies that are used to perform the essential functions of this job.

Safety equipment will be provided as necessary.

Salary and Benefits:

• ­­­­­­­$41,583-$53,8136-month merit-based step increases spread across 48 months.
• Standard county health and life insurance benefits as well as uniform allowance.
• Employee at will.

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt

Position: Naturalist

Application due date: 1/17/2024

Starting wage: DMCC non-management, Starting wage - hourly equivalent to $­­­­­­41,583 annually during six-month probationary period. Merit – based step increases awarded in six-month increments after that.

To apply: Email Coverletter, Resume, and 3 References to nackm@dmcounty.com

• Job Type: Full-Time
• Department: Conservation
• Salary Range: $41,583-$53,8136-month merit-based step increases spread across 48 months.
• Posted: 12/26/24
• Expires: 1/17/25