Nature of Work

Job Duties

• Develops and conducts environmental education programs, and special events for a wide variety of groups ranging from preschool age to older adults, including special populations.
• Directs and/or coordinates special events including but not limited to: Halloween, New Year’s Eve, and the Half Marathon.
• Assists with recruiting and supervising interns and seasonal naturalists.
• Coordinates volunteer program including recruiting, training, and supervising.
• Provides visitor services, working with the public and volunteers to answer questions (in person, via telephone and on social media), regarding the park, trails, local flora and fauna, etc.
• Coordinates and performs natural resource management activities.
• Researches, writes, and manages appropriate grants.
• Provides social media content creation and posting, and website updating.
• Develops and executes program and event marketing and promotion planning.
• Develops interpretive educational curriculum for all age levels for use at the center by groups.
• Assists in coordinating and developing service projects for volunteer groups and individuals.
• Responsible for the Nature Center when Manager is off duty.
• Prepares and gives multi-media presentations to groups, both at the Center and off-site, adapting the content to the age and interest of the viewers.
• Makes use of special skills and interests relating to nature, such as photography, taxidermy, artistic or writing abilities, to benefit or promote the Nature Center.
• Continually evaluates the relevance of program content and objectives; determines whether programs are meeting those objectives and suggests alternatives if objectives are not met.
• Performs all other duties as assigned.
• Knowledgeable and up to date in the latest animal husbandry practices and use of ambassador animals in educational programs

• Demonstrates knowledge of various forms of technology and how to implement them in the field of interpretation.
• Demonstrates knowledge and identification of flora and fauna prevalent in the Midwest.
• Demonstrates knowledge of sustainable practices, including organics recycling, composting, and gardening.
• Demonstrates knowledge of universal inclusion and adapting programming to fit audience needs.
• Demonstrates knowledge of ecological principles and terms such as succession, predation, population dynamics.
• Demonstrates knowledge of natural history in several of the following areas: ornithology, ecology, botany, population biology, forestry, mammalogy, entomology, aquatic biology, wildlife and resource management and wildlife laws.
• Demonstrates skill in the development and implementation of environmental education programs.
• Demonstrates skill in the coordination of large citywide events.
• Demonstrates skill in computer programs and social media to promote programming.
• Demonstrates skill in developing revenue producing naturalist programs and their promotion.
• Demonstrates skill in the creative use of a variety of communication mediums to be used in all areas of interpretive programming.
• Demonstrates skill in maintaining exhibit aquaria and handling/feeding of exhibit animals.
• Demonstrates skill in research and management techniques for various projects.
• Demonstrates ability to provide environmental interpretive programming with both private and school groups.
• Demonstrates ability to be imaginative and innovative in programming and marketing.
• Demonstrates ability to deal with all types and ages of people courteously and effectively.
• Demonstrates ability to establish effective, professional working relationships with the public, volunteers, and with City staff.
• Demonstrates ability to direct the work of others, including contracted crews.
• Demonstrates ability to understand and respect the diversity of customers and co-workers, effectively communicating with individuals whose first language may be one other than English.
• Demonstrates ability to communicate across city departments.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in biology, other natural sciences, education, or related field.
• At least three years of accumulative experience in the field of naturalist interpretation or education.

• Master’s degree in biology, other natural sciences, education, recreation, or related field.
• Experience working at day use nature centers, working with diverse audiences, grades prek-5, large event planning, and in marketing and promotion.
• Experience working with volunteers serving a diverse range of skills.
• Experience with Native reptiles and amphibians to Minnesota, raptors, and honeybees.
• Ability/to lead bike, archery, ski, snowshoe, and geocache programs.
• Bilingual in Spanish.

Supplemental Information

• Ability to hike distances from ¼ to 3 miles, set up for classes which includes moving tables and chairs and heavy items such as an apple press.
• Ability to cross-country ski and snowshoe.
• Essential functions require maintaining physical condition necessary for moderate physical activity such as standing, walking, kneeling, sitting, crouching, twisting, pushing, pulling, bending, stopping, squatting, and lifting materials and supplies ranging from 20-60 lbs.

The City of Richfield, MN offers a complete and comprehensive benefits package to full-time employees, including:

• 100% employer paid Medical and Dental coverage for single enrollment, plus employer contribution to HSA
• Significant contribution towards spouse, child(ren), and family coverage
• Flexible Spending Account options
• 100% employer paid Short-Term Disability insurance
• 100% employer paid Long Term Disability insurance
• 100% employer paid Basic Life and AD&D insurance
• Opportunity to request participation in our modified work schedule program (choose one regular day off every other week), depending on position
• Opportunity to request to participate in a flexible work schedule with remote work options, depending on position
• Wellness program which includes earning up to 8 hours of paid time off after participation in wellness activities throughout the year
• Vacation Leave and Personal Leave, with additional 12 Holidays per year
• Up to 80 hours paid parental leave for either parent after the birth or adoption of a child
• Enrollment into a pension plan through PERA for eligible positions
• Voluntary enrollment into deferred compensation plans with a variety of partner agencies